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Mekong Delta, the world’s third largest delta is very vulnerable to sea level rise flooding, and saltwater intrusion. with half of it lying less than one meter above sea level. , combined with climate change, are threatening the livelihoods of the delta’s 18 million inhabitants.

Since 2023, MARD has led the preparation of a World Bank project called Climate Resilience and Integrated Transformation of the Mekong Delta (MERIT). This will include a USD 500 million loan to invest in both hard and soft engineering solutions and to develop agricultural economic zones linked to industry and tourism, benefiting approximately 920,000 households.

In the meantime, MARD has partnered with ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� and WWF Viet Nam on a proposal to the GCF for mainstreaming NbS in agriculture, in line with the 2030-2050 Mekong Delta Master Plan. The GCF project aims to increase the climate resilience in the Mekong Delta by scaling up nature-based agricultural models; supporting the development of livelihood and climate change adaptation policies; and strengthening community resilience to climate change.

Breakout group discussion at the consultation workshop © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Viet Nam

At the workshop, the GCF proposal components and theory of change were presented. During the discussion, the complementarities and differences between the MERIT loan and the GCF grant were clarified.

While both World Bank and GCF projects have similar goals, particularly on the use of soft engineering to improve agricultural performance, the GCF project will address gaps in the loan by piloting NbS in agriculture and engaging the private sector. MERIT’s investments in hard infrastructure will creates more favourable conditions for the GCF project.

Participants were divided into three break-out groups by province: upper (An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Tien Giang); coastal (Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Kien Giang); and middle (Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Can Tho).

Each province presented their priority GCF investments, which are summarised below:

The feedback received at the workshop will feed into a revised proposal that responds to both the GCF criteria and provincial priorities. The proposal is slated to be submitted by quarter one of 2025.