Climate Finance : Protecting, conserving and restoring natural landscapes, while building community resilience and adaptive capacity (UNHCR

In the Kigoma region of Tanzania, agriculture is the main economic activity, accounting for around 80% of local economic output. Climate change is already affecting the region through changing rainfall patterns, increased soil erosion, land degradation, and declining ecosystem services. These impacts are expected to intensify in the coming years, threatening agricultural productivity, food security, and the livelihoods of both refugee and host communities. The UNHCR project, “Protecting, Conserving and Restoring Natural Landscapes while Building Community Resilience and Adaptive Capacity,” responds to these challenges through a holistic landscape approach. The project combines ecosystem restoration and conservation measures with interventions aimed at increasing vegetation cover, reducing soil erosion, improving water retention, and restoring soil health. At the same time, it promotes sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. By addressing environmental degradation and strengthening natural resource management, the project seeks to improve household resilience and food security while enhancing soil quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The initiative contributes to both climate adaptation and sustainable development objectives by supporting more resilient livelihoods for refugee and host communities in the Kigoma region.

The specific purpose of the project is to enhance climate resilience within refugee hosting districts in Kigoma Region, Tanzania, by protecting, conserving, and restoring natural landscapes, thereby bolstering community resilience and adaptive capacity.