Which problems in the Euphrates Basin does this agreement aim to address?

The agreement aims specifically to strengthen the livelihoods of poor rural households adversely affected by environmental degradation, climate shocks, and disasters, and to reduce poverty in the region.

What is the total grant amount of the project, and to which areas will it be distributed?

A total grant of USD 1,411,187 is provided under the project. This grant shall be subject to allocation for micro-catchment planning, sustainable land management investments, institutional strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, and project management expenditures.

Is there a specific targeting for women and youth under the project?

Yes, the target population of the project specifically includes women (including female-headed households) and unemployed or underemployed rural youth; the aim is to increase the income levels and resilience of these groups.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT6 August 2026

1.4 Million Dollars Ping to the Euphrates Basin

Official titleGrant Agreement Signed with the International Fund for Agricultural Development Regarding the Euphrates River Basin Rehabilitation Project

A Financing Agreement has been signed between the Republic of Türkiye and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of the Euphrates River Basin Rehabilitation Project (FIRAT). Under this agreement, a grant in the amount of USD 1,411,187 is provided, aiming to reduce rural poverty in the Euphrates basin and increase the income levels of small-scale producers living in the targeted micro-catchments.

Details of the Regulation

This financing agreement was signed between the Republic of Türkiye and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to finance the Euphrates River Basin Rehabilitation Project (FIRAT) with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project targets poor rural households, women, and unemployed youth who rely on mixed farming systems for their livelihoods and are affected by environmental degradation and climate shocks in designated districts of Şanlıurfa, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Adıyaman, Bingöl, and Elazığ provinces.

The main objective of the project is to reduce the poverty of the population living in the upper reaches of micro-catchments in the Euphrates River basin and to increase the income levels and resilience of vulnerable groups, including small-scale producers, women, and youth. The project consists of three main components: micro-catchment planning and natural resource management; sustainable land management and climate-resilient infrastructure investments; and livelihoods and market access investments along with institutional capacity building.

The grant of USD 1,411,187 provided by GEF will be used to finance these components, and the General Directorate of Forestry has been designated as the lead agency of the project. The agreement contains detailed provisions regarding matters such as terms of grant utilization, accounting, monitoring and evaluation processes, and environmental and social safeguard precautionary measures, setting forth the obligations of the parties.

REGAS Commentary

This agreement has the potential to create a direct and positive impact on rural citizens living in the Euphrates Basin. It specifically aims to strengthen livelihoods by increasing the economic welfare of disadvantaged groups such as small-scale farmers, women, and the young unemployed. By supporting climate-smart agricultural practices, the project will also contribute to the protection of the region's natural resources, thereby improving the quality of life for all residents of the region in the long term. For citizens, this means more sustainable agricultural practices, improved infrastructure, and market access.

Questions You Might Have

Which problems in the Euphrates Basin does this agreement aim to address?: The agreement aims specifically to strengthen the livelihoods of poor rural households adversely affected by environmental degradation, climate shocks, and disasters, and to reduce poverty in the region.
What is the total grant amount of the project, and to which areas will it be distributed?: A total grant of USD 1,411,187 is provided under the project. This grant shall be subject to allocation for micro-catchment planning, sustainable land management investments, institutional strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, and project management expenditures.
Is there a specific targeting for women and youth under the project?: Yes, the target population of the project specifically includes women (including female-headed households) and unemployed or underemployed rural youth; the aim is to increase the income levels and resilience of these groups.
In what capacity does the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) participate in this project?: IFAD acts in its capacity as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Implementing Agency, providing grant-based financial support to the project and undertaking the general administration and oversight of the project.

Key Terms

Yararlanıcı: The party provided with financing or benefiting from support under the Financing Agreement, in this case the Republic of Türkiye.
Fon (IFAD): International Fund for Agricultural Development, the entity providing the grant to Türkiye under this agreement.
Hibe: Non-repayable financial support provided to the Beneficiary pursuant to a financing agreement or other agreement.
Proje Lider Kuruluşu (PLK): The entity generally responsible for the execution of a Project and identified in that capacity in the agreement, in this case the General Directorate of Forestry.
SECAP: Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures; the body of standards and precautionary measures established for the management of social, environmental, and climate risks in projects financed by IFAD.

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