$5.9 million for 10 projects
$8.5 million for 11 TA projects
$104,391 for 6 activities
The Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States is a single-partner trust fund that aims to help increase the resilience of small island developing states (SIDS) to disasters triggered by natural hazards and the impacts of climate change. It also seeks to help increase investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as ocean initiatives among SIDS, with a strong emphasis on building capacity at the country level.
The fund finances or cofinances technical assistance projects, grants, direct charges, and activities that advance the interest of SIDS’ climate change and disaster resilience, and Ireland’s international development priorities such as Ireland’s Second Strategy for Partnership with SIDS, launched in 2023. Examples of interventions include supporting developing social protection systems, providing support to countries to cope with COVID-19, and developing multi-hazard disaster risk assessments. This includes a landmark assessment for Tongatapu, Tonga with its data being particularly helpful in assessing damages from the devastating ashfall and tsunami, and planning for long-term climate change adaptation.
In March 2024, the Government of Ireland approved a no-cost extension of the fund from May 2024 to May 2026 in an interim consultation meeting held on 8 February 2024. This extension, which is consistent with the first recommendation of the fund’s mid-term evaluation, was handled through an amendment to the implementation guidelines. In granting the extension, the government clarified that it would be a once-off event.
A meeting is held every year to review the fund’s progress and discuss matters related to the fund.
Grants from ADB, Ireland, and Japan are helping poor and vulnerable groups in Vanuatu, especially women, ensuring that the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery measures include those at high risk of being left behind.
Boosting youth jobs is an important goal for Asia and the Pacific countries. ADB, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are partnering to help enhance youth employability and productivity by engaging with civil society and youth organizations to develop demonstration projects, increase youth skills, and expand regional employment opportunities.
A multipurpose dam in Samoa will help reduce floods, ensure stable water supply, and support growth and development.
Solomon Islands aims to improve schools with curriculum reform, weather-resistant facilities, and greater equity for girls.
Niue is nurturing its energy sector by embracing clean energy and improving power network operations.
Facing urban challenges and growing sprawl, Pacific island countries are laying the groundwork for livable and sustainable cities.
With grant support from the People’s Republic of China, Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Regional Malaria and Other Communicable Disease Threats Trust Fund, ADB is scaling up efforts to help the health and economic systems of its developing member countries respond to COVID-19 outbreaks and future pandemics.
Ireland has provided more than $130 million in support since joining the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a non-regional member in 2006. In recent years, that support has begun to focus on the Pacific and helping the region’s 14 developing member countries (DMCs) build resilience against the threat of climate change.
