Pakistan, the second-largest country in South Asia after India, has been heavily impacted by climate change, causing an increase in droughts, floods, temperature changes, and regional climate shifts. These climatic events have significant consequences, particularly for the agricultural sector, which is the foundation for income generation and livelihoods for the rural population. Small farmers and poor rural households are particularly vulnerable to these impacts, exacerbating their economic, food, and livelihood insecurity. With almost 22% of Pakistan’s population, living below the national poverty line, the country faces a high poverty rate.

To tackle this challenge, the “Climate Smart Villages: Fostering Climate Resilience and Livelihood Security in Rural Pakistan” (CSV) project aims to increase livelihood security and climate resilience in 1200 villages across Pakistan’s major provinces by promoting sustainable agriculture techniques and increasing climate awareness. The project, which will serve 1.6 million beneficiaries over seven years, incorporates tested solutions and innovative components into three pillars to implement effective climate change adaptation and mitigation actions while fostering income, livelihood, and food security.

The CSV project’s first pillar focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture techniques and increasing climate awareness, while the second pillar aims to empower women, diversify income streams, and improve access to food. The third pillar aims to increase access to innovative technologies and finance. Building on its wide-ranging local knowledge and experience, our partner National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), the largest rural support program in Pakistan founded in 1991, will implement the project. The project aims to prepare the ground for scaling tested interventions for millions of poor people in climate change-affected South Asian households through evidence and learning.