Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFS Project)
The Maldives’ physical vulnerability, coupled with its reliance on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and subsistence farming, places the country at high risk of adverse impacts from climate change. It is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards, including pluvial and coastal flooding, swells, erosion, cyclone winds, storm surges, heat waves, earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts. These hazards result in severe consequences such as loss of life, injuries, displacement, damage to infrastructure and housing, livelihood disruptions, environmental degradation, reduced economic productivity, particularly in tourism and increased poverty and social vulnerability.
To address these challenges, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, in collaboration with the Maldives Meteorological Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and other partners, will implement the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security project.
The project is funded through a combination of grants, loans, and technical assistance from the Asian Development Fund, Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the Ocean Resilience Coastal Adaptation Trust Fund the and the Government of Maldives.
Objectives
- Reducing Vulnerability: Supporting island communities in decreasing their exposure to climate risks.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening both institutional and community-level capabilities for climate change adaptation.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture: Introducing innovative technologies into agri-food systems to ensure sustainable production.
- Economic Opportunities: Promoting climate adaptation businesses and the development of urban farming.
- Environmental Protection: Implementing nature-based solutions for effective flood management and coastal protection.
- Resilience: Enhancing overall national resilience against climate change and natural disasters.
- Resource Security: Improving long-term food and nutrition security across the Maldives.
- Empowerment: Specifically targeting the empowerment of women, youth, and vulnerable populations.
- Regional Priority: Focusing efforts on remote islands in the northern and southern regions where climate impacts are most severe.
- Addressing Inequality: Reducing social disparities—which are often worsened by climate change—by involving women and youth in leadership and operational roles.
Expected Outcomes
- National Framework: Aligns with the Maldives’ Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to enhance climate and disaster resilience.
- Policy Guidance: Guided by the Climate Change Policy Framework (2015) established by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
- Long-term Goals: Aims to improve national food and nutrition security over the long term.
- Community Resilience: Specifically designed to reduce the vulnerability of island communities to climate-related risks.
- Vulnerability Reduction: Focuses on practical interventions to shield local populations from environmental threats.
- Targeted Support: Prioritizes women, youth, and vulnerable communities in the remote northern and southern regions.
- Empowerment: Promotes women’s empowerment by investing in activities where they can take on leadership and significant roles.
- Addressing Inequality: Proactively works to reduce social inequalities that are often worsened by the impacts of climate change.
Project Timeline

A session on the VilunVeshi School Garden Program conducted at Muhyiddin School
On 04 March 2026, a session on the VilunVeshi School Garden Program was conducted at Muhyiddin School as part of the school’s Professional Development Day. The session was organized by the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFS). One of the key anticipated outcomes of the VilunVeshi School Garden Program is to facilitate positive behavior change among students and teachers by promoting the use of outdoor learning environments.
A total of 85 teachers, from pre-school to secondary level, participated in the session. During the program, participants were introduced to the design and concept of the school garden initiative. Teachers also worked in groups to brainstorm ways to integrate the school garden into lesson plans across different subjects. This collaborative exercise marked an important step towards establishing a sustainable and educationally integrated school garden at Muhyiddin School.
The session was organized by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and facilitated by Ms. Ramsha Abdul Sattar, Communications and Behaviour Change Specialist; Mr. Hassan Shuabee, Urban Agriculture Specialist; Ms. Aminath Shaliny, PMU Gender Expert; and Mr. Ahmed Shazeen Salim, Programme Analyst.



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A session on the VilunVeshi School Garden Program conducted at Muhyiddin School
On 04 March 2026, a session on the VilunVeshi School Garden Program was conducted at Muhyiddin School as part of the school’s Professional Development Day. The session was organized by the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFS). One of the key anticipated outcomes of the VilunVeshi School Garden Program is to facilitate positive behavior change among students and teachers by promoting the use of outdoor learning environments.
A total of 85 teachers, from pre-school to secondary level, participated in the session. During the program, participants were introduced to the design and concept of the school garden initiative. Teachers also worked in groups to brainstorm ways to integrate the school garden into lesson plans across different subjects. This collaborative exercise marked an important step towards establishing a sustainable and educationally integrated school garden at Muhyiddin School.
The session was organized by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and facilitated by Ms. Ramsha Abdul Sattar, Communications and Behaviour Change Specialist; Mr. Hassan Shuabee, Urban Agriculture Specialist; Ms. Aminath Shaliny, PMU Gender Expert; and Mr. Ahmed Shazeen Salim, Programme Analyst.



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Initiation of EIA process and Site Demarcation Completed for Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center’s New Multi-Purpose Building and Laboratories
Under the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security (ECRFS) Project, upgrades to the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Center (HAC) are being implemented as part of Output 3. The proposed works include a new multi-purpose building, laboratory facilities, and a demonstration plot. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for these works is currently ongoing. As part of recent field activities, site demarcation for the proposed development areas was completed on 16 February 2026. The EIA consultant also carried out site inspections and collected baseline environmental data to inform the assessment.
The Project Management Unit (PMU) held an introductory meeting with the Hanimaadhoo Council, with participation from Fenaka Corporation Limited. Discussions covered the ongoing EIA process, proposed establishment of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), utility arrangements, and construction and demolition waste management. The Council provided input on local considerations that should be taken into account during the assessment and implementation stages and expressed its support for the planned improvements to HAC.
The EIA will ensure that the proposed works comply with applicable Maldivian environmental regulations as well as the Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policy Statement. Further stakeholder consultations will be undertaken as required during the assessment process.
The visit was carried out by Ms. Aminath Shareef, Social Safeguard Specialist of the PMU; Mr. Afraz Mohamed, Civil Engineer of the PMU; and Mr. Hamdhoon Mohamed, EIA Consultant.
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Initiation of EIA process and Site Demarcation Completed for Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center’s New Multi-Purpose Building and Laboratories
Under the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security (ECRFS) Project, upgrades to the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Center (HAC) are being implemented as part of Output 3. The proposed works include a new multi-purpose building, laboratory facilities, and a demonstration plot. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for these works is currently ongoing. As part of recent field activities, site demarcation for the proposed development areas was completed on 16 February 2026. The EIA consultant also carried out site inspections and collected baseline environmental data to inform the assessment.
The Project Management Unit (PMU) held an introductory meeting with the Hanimaadhoo Council, with participation from Fenaka Corporation Limited. Discussions covered the ongoing EIA process, proposed establishment of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), utility arrangements, and construction and demolition waste management. The Council provided input on local considerations that should be taken into account during the assessment and implementation stages and expressed its support for the planned improvements to HAC.
The EIA will ensure that the proposed works comply with applicable Maldivian environmental regulations as well as the Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policy Statement. Further stakeholder consultations will be undertaken as required during the assessment process.
The visit was carried out by Ms. Aminath Shareef, Social Safeguard Specialist of the PMU; Mr. Afraz Mohamed, Civil Engineer of the PMU; and Mr. Hamdhoon Mohamed, EIA Consultant.
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VilunVeshi School Garden Orientation Workshop
Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFSP), conducted an orientation workshop to officially launch the VilunVeshi School Garden Programme.
The program aims to promote hands-on learning related to the environment, climate change, and urban agriculture systems; enhance students’ awareness of nutrition and healthy food choices; build practical life skills through experiential learning; and encourage the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable practices. A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a sustainability plan for the school garden in each participating school to ensure long-term continuity and impact.
The session brought together 50 participants representing selected schools and relevant ministries involved in the initiative participated in the workshop. To initiate the program, three schools in the Greater Malé Area: Ghaazee School, Hiriya School, and Muhyidheen School have been selected. Preparatory work is currently underway to design and establish school gardens tailored to the specific interests and needs of each school. The program will subsequently be expanded to additional schools in later phases.
The workshop was organized by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and facilitated by representatives from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Health Protection Agency and Institute for Small Island Agriculture.



View details →

VilunVeshi School Garden Orientation Workshop
Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFSP), conducted an orientation workshop to officially launch the VilunVeshi School Garden Programme.
The program aims to promote hands-on learning related to the environment, climate change, and urban agriculture systems; enhance students’ awareness of nutrition and healthy food choices; build practical life skills through experiential learning; and encourage the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable practices. A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a sustainability plan for the school garden in each participating school to ensure long-term continuity and impact.
The session brought together 50 participants representing selected schools and relevant ministries involved in the initiative participated in the workshop. To initiate the program, three schools in the Greater Malé Area: Ghaazee School, Hiriya School, and Muhyidheen School have been selected. Preparatory work is currently underway to design and establish school gardens tailored to the specific interests and needs of each school. The program will subsequently be expanded to additional schools in later phases.
The workshop was organized by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and facilitated by representatives from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Health Protection Agency and Institute for Small Island Agriculture.



View details →
Resources
Implementation and Administration Documents
Project Team
Mohamed Hamdhaan Zuhair
Project Manager
Fathmath Hulwa Khaleel
Environmental Safeguards Specialist
Aminath Shareef
Social Safeguards Specialist
Aminath Shaliny
Gender Expert
Ramsha Abdul Sattar
Communication and Behavioral Change Specialist
