East African Farmers Demanded Climate Finance Access
Smallholder farmers called for institutionalized participation in regional climate planning to ensure local needs are met.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Environmental
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Smallholder farmers have requested that East African Community partner states prioritize timely access to climate finance. The group sought to influence the upcoming 10-year EAC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
Why it matters
Farmers aim to secure institutionalized participation in climate policy to address the production and food security challenges caused by shifting weather patterns. They want to ensure climate funds effectively reach local communities facing droughts, floods, and pests.
The EAC Climate Change Strategy is slated to cover the 2026 to 2036 period. The development process includes regional dialogues to formulate specific policy recommendations for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference.
The players
East African Community
This is an intergovernmental organization composed of partner states in the African Great Lakes region working toward regional integration.
Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum
This is a network of smallholder farmers that advocates for the interests and rights of agricultural workers in the region.
The details
The Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum proposed using community scorecards and public expenditure tracking to hold policymakers accountable for climate commitments. They specifically urged that the new strategy aligns with the CAADP Kampala Declaration and the EAC Regional Agri-food Systems Investment Plan.
Timeline
The EAC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan will cover the decade from 2026 to 2036.
Recommendations from the dialogue will be presented for the future 31st UN Climate Change Conference.
The Big Picture
This effort marks a strategic shift toward formalizing farmer-led monitoring within international climate policy frameworks. By demanding alignment with the CAADP Kampala Declaration, farmers are attempting to bridge the gap between high-level regional goals and on-the-ground implementation.
Successful institutionalization of these proposals could lead to more resilient agricultural systems and stabilized food supplies in East Africa. If adopted, the use of community scorecards would provide a transparent mechanism for tracking climate finance at the local level.
The takeaway
Smallholder farmers are pushing for a seat at the table to ensure climate finance addresses tangible local risks like pests and drought. These efforts emphasize the importance of grassroots oversight in achieving long-term sustainability for regional food systems.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Environmental policy and climate action.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily News.
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Should regional governments prioritize direct access to climate funding for local smallholder farmers?
