ISLAMABAD: The Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P) and the Embassy of Denmark on Tuesday signed an agreement to support climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods for vulnerable mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, aiming to strengthen food security and income stability in climate-affected regions.
Aga Khan Foundation and Denmark launch climate-resilient initiative
Under the initiative, communities will be supported to adopt climate-smart and regenerative farming practices, improve water management systems, and develop locally viable green business models suited to fragile mountain environments.
Focus on climate-smart agriculture and green livelihoods
The project is expected to directly benefit around 5,890 individuals, with up to 34,000 people gaining indirect benefits, with a strong focus on the inclusion of women, youth and marginalised groups.
Agreement signed by Danish envoy and AKF Pakistan leadership
The agreement was signed by H.E. Maja Derrous Mortensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, and Akhtar Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan. Senior representatives from the Embassy of Denmark and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan were present at the signing ceremony.
Denmark underscores commitment to vulnerable mountain communities
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Mortensen said the initiative marked Denmark’s third partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan. “Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral by equipping them with the tools and knowledge required for climate-smart agriculture,” she said, adding that empowering women and youth through equitable participation was a central pillar of the project.
Aga Khan Foundation highlights shared climate action goals
Akhtar Iqbal said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to addressing the growing impacts of climate change in some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable regions. He noted that the initiative would strengthen local agricultural systems and support communities in adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Training, irrigation support and youth-led enterprises planned
As part of the programme, farmers will receive training in climate-smart agricultural practices, while efforts will be made to improve irrigation infrastructure and promote efficient water management. Youth and women entrepreneurs will participate in ideation boot camps, with selected participants receiving micro-grants to develop green livelihood initiatives.
Community-led water and resource management central to project
Local communities and other stakeholders will also be engaged through outreach activities and policy dialogues.
The project will further support community-owned water and natural resource management systems, with the objective of developing practical and replicable models for resilient mountain agriculture.
AKRSP to support implementation on the ground
Implementation will be led by the Aga Khan Foundation in collaboration with AKDN agencies, including the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP).
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