Vilunveshi Grant Program Launched to Strengthen Climate Resilience and Food Security
The Vilunveshi Grant Programme has been officially launched with the objective of enhancing resilience to climate change and strengthening food security through sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, seeks to promote climate innovation and the use of digital technologies while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. The programme is implemented in collaboration with SME Digital and the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources.
The official launch was held on June 23, 2026, during the Climate Change Adaptation Forum at Meerumaa. The programme forms a key component of the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security (ECRFS) project.
The programme was inaugurated by the Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Minister Ali Sharif. In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the critical role of the private sector in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development. He noted that “through this grant programme, practical support will be provided to priority areas such as food and water security, as well as digitalization.”
A central focus of the programme is to strengthen resilience against climate impacts by supporting the adoption of climate-smart technologies tailored to the Maldives’ fragile environment. This includes investments in resource-efficient systems; particularly water conservation, as well as measures to reduce damage to ecosystems and food production systems caused by extreme heat and heavy rainfall. The initiative represents a significant step toward advancing community resilience through sustainable development approaches aligned with the country’s natural environment.
The grant programme aims to address financial barriers to implementing innovative solutions by providing funding support to individuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), youth innovators, women, councils and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Financial and technical assistance will be provided under three key thematic areas:
- Climate-resilient agriculture and food systems
- Digital and climate innovations
- Value chain development, productivity enhancement, and market innovation
The first round of funding will be open exclusively to individuals, with subsequent rounds expanding eligibility to additional groups. Although officially launched today, applications through the SME Digital portal will open on July 23, 2026, and will remain open until 150 applications are received or until August 23, 2026, whichever comes first.
As part of the programme rollout, a collaborative awareness workshop will be held on the second day of the Climate Change Adaptation Forum (June 23–24, 2026). The session will bring together approximately 30 participants, including representatives from island councils and NGOs. Participants will receive guidance on the grant and application process and will have the opportunity to consult with experts across the three thematic areas to refine project ideas and proposals.
The Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy and the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources, supported by financial assistance from the Government of Maldives and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The ECRFS project aims to strengthen institutional and community capacity to respond to climate change, promote nature-based solutions to address flooding and storm surges, introduce climate-smart technologies in agriculture and food systems, and support businesses and services that enhance climate preparedness and agricultural development.