How it works

The Landscape Resilience Fund uses a blended finance approach, combining public, philanthropic, and private funding to create scalable ways to finance sustainable adaptation solutions.

We believe that this will be an effective way to galvanise leaders to take action on global climate change adaptation – and, more importantly, to close the adaptation finance gap. In fact, this approach earned the LRF a special recognition in the 2019 Global Environment Facility Challenge Program for Adaptation Innovation.

The LRF will fund selected SMEs and landscape activities in developing countries worldwide, including least developed countries (LDCs), where climate risks are particularly high.

The fund works across three funding pillars: strengthening an integrated landscape approach; delivering technical assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) towards investment readiness; and providing concessional loans to SMEs.

By supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs that train local farmers and buy products from them, adaptation to climate change helps protect the most vulnerable people – and also makes good business sense. Adapting farming practices in developing countries will also improve the resilience of global food supply chains.

Eligibility requirements

We provide term loans to ambitious SMEs:

  • Committed to realising the sustainable development goals by growing their business and demonstrating leadership
  • Working closely with smallholder farmers or rural communities in developing countries (from least developed countries to emerging markets)
  • Committed to promoting climate-resilient agriculture, climate-smart livestock, and sustainable land management
  • Committed to support equal opportunities for women
  • Exhibiting strong revenue growth, evidenced by financial statements and a plausible financial model
  • Seeking debt funding of between $500,000 to $2,000,000 USD from the LRF, with a loan tenor of between 3 to 6 years
  • With a clear capability of repaying any LRF loan through existing or future profits

If the above describes your business, we look forward to hearing from you.

If you are currently seeking other types of funding that currently sit outside the remit of the Landscape resilience Fund (higher ticket sizes and/or equity funding, for example) please still get in touch and we may be in contact in the future.

Where we work

Our global team is active in landscapes where we can achieve the greatest impact in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South East Asia and Latin America.

LRF’s geographic focus considers the following factors:

  • Climate vulnerability and adaptation readiness
  • Investment environment
  • Local knowledge and networks
  • Pipeline availability
  • Macroeconomic conditions

Are you an SME looking for pre-investment support? Download the LRF's pre-investment services factsheet to find out more.