Publications

The Mountain Facility

31.07.2024

Published by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this fact sheet introduces the Mountain Facility, a global financing mechanism designed to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of small mountain producers. Mountains, home to 1.1 billion people and strategic natural resources, face escalating pressures from climate change, disasters and biodiversity loss. Recognizing these challenges, the Mountain Facility provides grants tailored to the evolving needs of mountain communities. These grants support sustainable and equitable business activities that strengthen local economies, improve agrobiodiversity value chains, and enhance access to essential services like training and credit. Operational in 14 countries, the Mountain Facility is a flexible mechanism that responds swiftly to emerging challenges, enabling mountain producers to navigate global markets effectively. It aims to promote climate resilience and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. To date, the Facility has empowered over 100 beneficiary organizations through grants, technical assistance and capacity building, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and other partners. By bolstering institutional capacity and promoting locally relevant policies, the Mountain Facility fosters social and economic well-being in mountain communities while safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems. It represents a crucial effort within the Mountain Partnership to address global crises and ensure a sustainable future for mountain regions worldwide.