LEBANON - Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the World Bank, launched a new grant mechanism to help farmers and agricultural cooperatives invest in climate-smart farming practices.
The initiative, announced on October 13, offers grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for individual farmers and from $10,000 to $35,000 for agricultural cooperatives and associations. Eligible applicants can use the funding to improve productivity, reduce production costs, and strengthen resilience to climate and economic challenges.
The mechanism falls under the Green Agri-food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE) project, a Lebanese government initiative funded by the World Bank.
Funding for Agricultural Investments
The grants will support investments in efficient irrigation systems, renewable energy, greenhouses, agricultural machinery and equipment, storage and post-harvest facilities, processing equipment and other climate-smart technologies.
Selected beneficiaries will also receive training and assistance in preparing business plans to help ensure their investments remain viable and sustainable.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Nizar Hani said the grants were intended to help farmers reduce production costs, improve water and energy use, restore damaged productive capacity and develop more efficient agricultural businesses.
He added that financial support would be combined with technical assistance, training and guidance, as well as efforts to establish sustainable links with markets and buyers.
Support for Sector Recovery
CDR President Mohammad Ali Qabbani said the launch marked a transition for the GATE project from planning to implementation. He said the initiative's success would depend not only on the number of grants awarded but also on their impact on farmers and cooperatives and the transparency of the application process.
Mai Ibrahim, representing the World Bank Group managing director, said the grants would support the recovery and sustainable growth of Lebanon's agricultural sector following the challenges caused by successive crises and conflicts.
She highlighted the role of farmers and agricultural cooperatives in strengthening food security and stressed the importance of accelerating implementation to deliver tangible results.
Thair Al-Shraideh, UNDP's acting resident representative in Lebanon, said the mechanism would help farmers and cooperatives restore productive capacity and invest in solutions that respond to climate and economic pressures.
He said the partnership between UNDP, CDR, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate General of Cooperatives, with World Bank support, aims to turn grant funding into productive investments that strengthen livelihoods and contribute to local economic recovery.
$200 Million GATE Project
The GATE project is financed through a $200 million World Bank loan to the Lebanese government and implemented by CDR on behalf of the government.
The component implemented by UNDP, in coordination with CDR, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate General of Cooperatives, has a budget of $20 million dedicated to grants and technical assistance for eligible farmers, agricultural cooperatives and associations.
The initiative seeks to address key challenges facing Lebanon's agricultural sector, including limited access to financing, high production and energy costs, water scarcity and growing climate-related risks.
By supporting climate-smart investments and strengthening farmers' capacities, the programme aims to improve the sector's resilience, productivity and competitiveness.
How to Apply
Eligible farmers, agricultural cooperatives and associations can review the eligibility criteria and submit applications through the UNDP Lebanon website.
Application link: https://www.undp.org/lebanon/grants
Deadline: November 3, 2026.
