The World Bank has approved the second phase of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD II) project in Zambia. The initiative is set to benefit over 650,000 people living in vulnerable communities across the Miombo ecoregion by improving sustainable management of more than 680,000 hectares of land.
With a total investment of $137 million, TRALARD II expands on previous efforts to address environmental challenges and support climate-resilient livelihoods. The project will include regions such as Southern Province and aims to promote green jobs in key sectors.
"TRALARD II is a powerful example of how climate action can be community-driven and inclusive. By investing in climate-smart agriculture, restoring degraded landscapes, and modernizing hydromet services, it will help Zambian communities enhance resilience to climate change,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia.
A core focus of TRALARD II is on promoting sustainable rural economic activities. The project intends to strengthen value chains and improve market access, which supports livelihoods that do not rely on exploiting natural resources. It aligns with Zambia’s National Green Growth Strategy (NGGS), which seeks to transition the country toward a low carbon and resource-efficient economy by 2030.
Other aspects of the program include enhancing participatory land-use planning, water resource management, weather monitoring, and forecasting capabilities. These improvements are expected to boost the quality and reliability of meteorological data for timely climate forecasts. Institutional capacities within agencies like the Zambia Meteorological Department will also be strengthened.
Community engagement remains central through initiatives aimed at protecting existing forest reserves and establishing new Community Forest Management Groups. Additionally, a jurisdictional Emission Reduction Program will be developed to enable Zambia's participation in carbon markets—potentially generating further resources for landscape investments.
"TRALARD II reflects the World Bank’s commitment to support Zambia’s efforts to combat climate change through inclusive, community-driven solutions. TRALARD II deploys a whole-of-society approach to promote socioeconomic development needs of local communities and nature-based solutions within the broader landscape by integrating ecological, social, and economic factors. This approach helps protect ecosystems and create economic opportunities for rural communities,” said Elisson Wright, World Bank Senior Environmental Finance Specialist.
The financing package includes a $100 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA), alongside additional grants from organizations such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Least Developed Countries Fund for Climate Change (LDCF), Africa Climate and People Trust Fund (ACP) funded by Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Strategic Climate Fund/Climate Investment Fund (SCF/CIF), and Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions Multi-Donor Trust Fund (SCALE).
According to information provided by IDA.worldbank.org , since its establishment in 1960 IDA has supported projects across 116 countries with $563 billion committed overall; about 70 percent of recent annual commitments have gone toward Africa.