A USD 100 M Climate Fund Bets on Women to Drive Climate Adaptation Across Africa
Recent reports highlight a troubling paradox: women are disproportionately affected by climate change, despite being uniquely positioned to drive climate adaptation solutions. Recognizing this gap, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, Beyond Finance, and FosterImpact have launched the Women Empowerment for Climate Fund, an ambitious initiative aimed at raising USD 100 M by the end of 2025.
The fund seeks to empower women to lead adaptation efforts in response to climate change, financing local enterprises and microfinance institutions that support women’s needs, champion female leadership, and advance climate-smart solutions across Asia and Africa.
The decision to launch this fund is driven by a growing recognition of the dual role women play in the climate crisis. They are disproportionately affected by its impacts despite possessing invaluable knowledge crucial for climate resilience. Across rural and urban landscapes, women are central to managing food, water, and energy resources. Their ingenuity often leads to innovative local solutions for resource conservation and sustainable agriculture.
Despite their vital contributions, women face significant barriers. They are frequently excluded from decision-making processes and lack access to financial resources that could help scale their solutions.
A 2024 FAO study spanning 24 countries and involving 100,000 households starkly illustrated the economic toll of climate change on women. The study found that a one-degree rise in temperature would lead to a 34% decline in women’s income. Periods of drought and erratic rainfall exacerbate their burdens, forcing them to work harder and travel longer distances to secure essentials like food, water, and firewood.
The Women Empowerment for Climate Fund aims to change that narrative by prioritizing investments in sectors critical to women’s climate adaptation, particularly those focusing on clean water access, clean energy solutions, and sustainable agriculture.
Beyond financial support, the fund seeks to provide technical assistance to ensure the success of women-led projects. The fund ties its loans to impact indicators such as an increased representation of women in leadership roles and the development of gender-specific climate adaptation products that will guide the allocation of resources and measure success.
This initiative brings together the expertise of three organizations with extensive expertise in social impact and financial inclusion. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation recognized for its work in alleviating poverty through financial inclusion with a strong focus on women, has partnered with Beyond Finance, a Hong Kong-based consulting firm specializing in impact investment and international development, and FosterImpact, an advisory firm dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive finance and climate resilience strategies.
Together, they are betting on women as agents of change. Véronique Faujour, Managing Director of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, articulated the importance of the fund: “We are convinced that women are the real agents of change and that they need to be given greater responsibility and involvement in decision-making. This is not just a question of equality; for us, it is a necessity if we are to develop the economic growth of our regions, and it is a prerequisite for the success of climate policies.”
By amplifying women’s leadership and providing them with the financial tools they need, the Women Empowerment for Climate Fund seeks to create a more resilient and equitable future. As the climate crisis deepens, harnessing the potential of women is not only a matter of justice but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development.
