Climate change, irregular rainfall, and water scarcity have resulted in consecutive crop failures in Zorian, a rural village located 650 km northeast of Niamey, the capital of Niger, in the arid West African Sahel.
Each poor harvest leads to a significant number of young residents leaving the village in search of work in the city. However, this year, a project funded by the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) has helped restore degraded land, creating economic opportunities and strengthening community bonds while combating desertification.
Mr. Wesouleymane Bilal, the 75-year-old chief of Zorian village and a farmer, is pleased to see the progress the village has made with a small investment through LoCAL. The project has reduced rural exodus, provided employment to 150 people, and enabled them to engage in economic activities such as livestock farming and small businesses.
A community-led cash-for-work program, supported by a LoCAL grant, hired 100 young people and 50 women to work on a 60-hectare land rehabilitation site. This work not only provided income before the start of seasonal farming but also ensured economic opportunities for the entire year.
The land reclamation work has allowed the community to earn income, improve vegetation cover, and capture rainwater, leading to better livelihoods. The success of the project has fostered cohesion and understanding among the communities involved.
The Mayor of the Commune of Abalak highlights the importance of improving the quality of life for the local population and the positive impact of the project on the environment. The successful collaboration between the villages has created lasting bonds of fraternity and unity.
With support from UNCDF, the National Agency for Local Authority Funding is establishing a climate financing window to strengthen local government capacities in climate finance. This initiative aims to finance adaptation investments benefiting vulnerable regions in Niger.
LoCAL has already funded numerous adaptation projects benefiting over 120,000 people in Niger, with a focus on land restoration and resilience-building initiatives. The new funding cycle aims to support 17 communes in three regions, including Abalak and Zorian, to combat desertification and improve community resilience.
UNCDF’s LoCAL Facility empowers local authorities like Abalak to address climate change challenges by providing financial and technical support. The mechanism ensures local ownership and decision-making, enhancing the sustainability of investments.
In Zorian, a management committee comprising members from six villages oversees the site’s development and harvest operations, promoting social cohesion and resilience at the local level.
The continued success of these initiatives is crucial in providing temporary employment to young people, reducing migration, and preventing rural exodus.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).