The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have announced the launch of the Resilient Water Systems Programme, a major climate adaptation initiative designed to improve water infrastructure in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
Approved during the 45th meeting of the GCF Board in Dushanbe, the programme combines €55 million in GCF grants, €100 million in EBRD financing, and €5 million in donor co-financing to support climate-resilient water supply, wastewater, and irrigation systems across the region.
The initiative aims to address the growing challenges posed by climate change, including rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, frequent droughts, floods, and increasing uncertainty over future water availability. Many existing water systems in Central Asia were built for different environmental conditions and now require significant upgrades to remain reliable.
Alongside infrastructure improvements, the programme will strengthen water utilities, support policy reforms, enhance institutional capacity, and develop long-term climate adaptation strategies to ensure sustainable water management for vulnerable communities.
The programme adopts a comprehensive approach by integrating climate risk assessments, utility transformation, adaptation planning, and targeted investments. This strategy is expected to improve water security while helping governments and local utilities better prepare for future climate-related risks.
According to EBRD Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery Gianpiero Nacci, building resilient water systems requires more than infrastructure upgrades. It also involves understanding climate risks, strengthening institutions, and investing in systems capable of operating under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
The Green Climate Fund stated that the initiative represents a significant investment in long-term water security, enabling both countries to shift from reactive infrastructure repairs toward proactive, system-wide climate adaptation. The programme also reflects the increasing regional focus on climate resilience and sustainable water management across Central Asia.
With growing climate pressures affecting water resources, the Resilient Water Systems Programme marks an important step toward securing reliable, resilient, and sustainable water services for hundreds of thousands of people while supporting the region’s broader climate adaptation goals.
