The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a $300,000 grant to BRAC.
The funding will support the launch of a new initiative that aims to help three million smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda lift themselves out of climate-related vulnerability by 2030.
“Smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of so many challenges, including the impact of climate change,” said Deepali Khanna, Head of Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation.
“Through our support of BRAC, we are empowering smallholder farmers not only to withstand disruptions, but also to advance solutions that can help build the foundation for lasting economic opportunity.”
The initiative will begin in Bangladesh. It will focus on coastal and drought-prone areas. Farmers will receive a package of services.
These include modern farming technologies, real-time climate and weather information, financial tools like adaptive insurance, and stronger connections to markets.
Lessons from the pilot in Bangladesh will help BRAC scale the program in Africa. The organization already works in Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“At BRAC, we believe in equipping people and communities with the skills they need to build their resilience,” said Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC.
“The Rockefeller Foundation’s support takes an important step in showing that locally driven innovation when scaled up, can unlock pathways for millions of people to do that.”
The project will use a community-led approach. Local ownership and cultural relevance are key. The aim is long-term sustainability.
Rising salinity, unpredictable rainfall, and degrading natural resources are threatening rural areas. BRAC’s model offers a holistic solution, combining data with local knowledge.
The grant is part of The Rockefeller Foundation’s broader mission.
It invests in community-led ideas that create economic opportunity at scale.
BRAC hopes to raise $300 million in total for the program. If successful, it could benefit around 14 million people.
About BRAC
BRAC is a development organization founded in Bangladesh in 1972. It works with people facing poverty and inequality.
Over the years, BRAC has reached more than 145 million people. Its work focuses on women, children, and hard-to-reach communities.
BRAC’s programs include social development, education, health, social enterprises, a bank, and a university.
It is recognized globally for its cost-effective, community-led solutions and has repeatedly been ranked as the world’s top development organization by The Dot Good.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a global philanthropy focused on science, technology, and innovation.
It works to improve lives and reverse the climate crisis.
Its main areas of work are food, health, energy, and finance.
