June 3, 2026 — Dakar/Bissau — The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), managed by the Global Environment Facility, has approved US$20 million in financing for two new UNDP-supported climate adaptation projects in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Together, the initiatives will directly benefit nearly 483,000 people living in vulnerable coastal, urban, and peri-urban areas.
In Senegal, the project will focus on the Niayes region and Dakar, where recurrent flooding has worsened due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and ecosystem degradation. Efforts will include restoring wetlands and retention basins to regulate floodwaters, promoting sustainable agriculture, and integrating nature-based solutions into local planning frameworks. More than 362,000 people are expected to benefit from improved flood management, water systems, and strengthened livelihoods.
In Guinea-Bissau, activities will target Bissau, Bubaque Island, and Varela’s coastal zone. The project will restore mangroves, strengthen disaster preparedness, and climate-proof public infrastructure such as health centers, schools, and sanitation facilities. Enhanced early warning systems and integrated coastal zone management will help protect around 120,000 people from rising climate risks.
UNDP’s Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of the initiatives: “Climate resilience, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable development are deeply interconnected. With support from the GEF, UNDP looks forward to working alongside Senegal and Guinea-Bissau to strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate impacts.”
Both projects prioritize local engagement and women’s participation, while also strengthening institutions and knowledge-sharing to ensure long-term adaptation. The approvals highlight the urgent need to invest in solutions that protect ecosystems and prepare communities for complex climate risks.
Through the LDCF, the GEF continues to support Least Developed Countries in addressing urgent adaptation needs and building resilience. UNDP remains one of the GEF’s largest implementing partners for climate adaptation worldwide.
