São Tomé and Príncipe’s (STP) economy and communities heavily depend on agriculture, fisheries, and local markets. However, climate change impacts—including floods, droughts, and storms—are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. These challenges reduce agricultural productivity, disrupt food supply chains, and threaten livelihoods, particularly for smallholder farmers and fishermen. Limited access to climate information, resilient agricultural practices, and equitable financial services further hinders adaptation efforts. Additionally, the country’s heavy reliance on food imports, weak infrastructure, and youth migration to Portugal and Brazil contribute to food insecurity and economic instability.

The proposed project will promote climate change adaptation across the agriculture sector (including agroforestry) using a collaborative and climate-resilient development approach. In STP, most smallholder land plots are integrated systems combining crops and trees or located adjacent to forest areas. As such, the project will support agroforestry practices that contribute to improved soil health, water regulation, and food and income diversification, thereby strengthening both agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience. This will be achieved by: i) improving the quality of and access to tailored climate information for vulnerable communities and institutions; ii) scaling up climate-resilient agricultural practices for vulnerable rural farmers and communities; and iii) enhancing school networks as a stable and predictable market for locally-produced nutrient-dense and culturally-adapted foods. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), with a 30-year history of supporting food security in Central African region, will serve as the Accredited Entity (AE). National and regional stakeholders, including the Ministry of Forestry and Research, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, extension officers, and local communities, will participate as direct beneficiaries, reaching approximately 98,368 people.

This Project Preparation Facility (PPF) seeks funding to support the design and development of a high- impact, country-driven, and technically sound GCF project that aligns with GCF investment criteria. The activities under this PPF aim to ensure: i) responsiveness to national climate adaptation needs and priorities; ii) strengthened country ownership and institutional capacity through inclusive stakeholder engagement and alignment with national development and climate adaptation frameworks; iii) social, environmental, and financial sustainability of the project design; and iv) promotion of a systemic shift toward climate-resilient development pathways that contribute develop the domestic economy, connecting food producers to the biggest safety net in the country (the school feeding programme). The funding requested will serve to finance the following activities:

• Analytical work including a climate change and vulnerability assessment, baseline studies and a capacity needs assessment;
• Consultations and advocacy work in order to engage stakeholders at regional, national, provincial and community level and ensure their buy–in of the Project and contribution to its development, planning and implementation;
• Feasibility studies including screening of environmental and social risks and impacts, an economic analysis, an assessment of implementation and funding arrangements and a Gender Analysis;
• Formulation of the Funding Proposal including its review by country stakeholders and partners. A high-quality Project Proposal that is consistent with GCF requirements and quality standards will be the key deliverable of this work.