On 19 November 2025, Bishkek hosted a regional seminar to mark the official launch of four new climate-resilience projects implemented in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries under the Small Grants and Climate Innovation Facility (SGCIF).
The new initiatives aim to strengthen the adaptive capacity of rural communities and promote climate-smart solutions across key sectors — from efficient water use, renewable energy and energy-efficient housing to unlocking opportunities for green investments. Collectively, they highlight the growing regional cooperation in addressing shared climate challenges.
The event welcomed the British Ambassador to Kyrgyz Republic and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the representative from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. It brought together 67 participants representing development partners, agricultural associations, local companies, banks and financial institutions.
“We are honored to contribute to the implementation of innovative climate solutions in Kyrgyzstan – from supporting farmers with drip irrigation systems and climate-optimized technologies, to providing households with energy-efficient homes and helping financial institutions expand green investments. These projects will empower local communities and institutions to build a more sustainable and secure future for all”, highlighted Mr. Nicholas Bowler, His Majesty’s Ambassador and Ambassador of United Kingdom to Kyrgyz Republic.
“We are pleased to see that benefits of these projects are designed to extend beyond the national borders and become scalable models for applications by other Central Asian countries. This approach lies within Germany’s development policy”, stated Ms. Monika Lenhard, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kyrgyz Republic.
The four projects launched include:
- Setting frame conditions for mass scaling of energy innovations in Kyrgyzstan’s and Tajikistan’s agricultural systems. A new project aims to transform agriculture in rural Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and improve market access by training local companies on the adoption of four proven climate-smart technologies: solar pumping, solar fencing, drip irrigation, and solar fruit dryers.
- Ferghana Valley Irrigation Partnerships Project. The initiative aims at transforming agriculture in southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan by promoting efficient irrigation technologies in water-scarce areas. At the heart of the project are six trade fairs, designed to connect 900 farmers with irrigation suppliers and financial institutions. These events will showcase modern, water-saving technologies, offer hands-on demonstrations, and provide financing options to help farmers make the switch.
- Green Homes Central Asia Initiative: Building Healthy, Climate-Resilient Homes in Central Asia. The project aims to combat CO2 emissions in the built environment by promoting low-energy consumption (LEC) housing and energy-efficient retrofitting practices. With a focus on rural and peri-urban areas in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, it delivers a range of benefits: increased climate resilience in homes, improved health and economic outcomes for households, and job creation in the growing green construction sector.
- Bridging the gaps of climate finance in Central Asia. This project is focused on bridging the climate finance gap and unlocking green investment opportunities in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan by accelerating the green transition of their financial sector The project plans create green finance frameworks for at least two commercial banks in each country, aiming to mobilize a minimum of $50 million in sustainable finance.
The projects are implemented under the Small Grants and Climate Innovation Facility (SGCIF), which is funded by UK International Development. SGCIF is a part of the regional programme “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia”, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government.
By supporting innovative, locally benefitting projects, SGCIF aims to strengthen resilience to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create replicable solutions for communities across Central Asia. The Facility reflects a broader commitment by the UK, Germany, and their regional partners to foster regional connectedness, share methodologies, and promote cross-border collaboration in building a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Central Asia.
