Ahkamb, Makira, and Erromango Projects to Address Locally-led Climate Adaptation Efforts
The Communities Climate Adaptation Facility (C-CAF), led by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM), has endorsed three projects for Vanuatu that were approved in September 2025 in New York.
These three projects are on the islands of Ahkamb in MALAMPA Province, Makira in SHEFA Province, and Erromango in TAFEA Province.
All three projects were initially selected at country-level by the National Selection Committee comprised of the National Advisory Board (NAB) for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) project screening committee, and an UN organisation representative in Vanuatu. This selection was later screened following the UN best practice to finalise the awards.
Ahkamb Community Project
The first project for the Ahkamb Community will see the procurement of materials such as rocks for a gabion basket wall as well as local plants species as part of the hybrid option to stabilize the coastline.
This project addresses the potential for climate-induced displacement.
Makira Community Project
The second project for the Makira Community is to promote and encourage resettlement to safer inland area, away from the immediate shoreline.
It will also ensure the safeguarding of the most vulnerable area on Makira’s coastline, that protects the people living in the area while laying the groundwork for staged inland relocation.
This will be undertaken through the use of cost-effective, locally appropriate measures that build both ecological and social resilience, as some families may not be able to immediately relocate to proposed resettlement area.
Erromango Community Project
The third project will support the community of William’s Bay on Erromango to construct an assembly hall that will be used as a multi- purpose hall that will serve the community with multiple purpose, including doubling up as an emergency evacuation centre and for use by the school in the area.
All projects will have a 12-months timeframe for implementation starting early 2026.
About C-CAF Initiative
The C-CAF initiative addresses the pressing needs of local communities at the frontline of the climate crisis.
It aims to bridge the gap on climate finance by providing grants of up to 12 million vatu each to vulnerable communities affected by impacts of climate change.
Unlike traditional climate finance, which often prioritizes large-scale infrastructure projects, the C-CAF focuses on placing resources directly in the hands of communities, enabling them to lead their own climate resilience efforts.
C-CAF is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
