MDF interventions
benefitted
444,152
people
MDF interventions
benefitted
444,152
people
generated
$159.00m
in additional
income
generated
$159.00m
in additional
income
stimulated
$25.7m
in Private Sector
Investment
stimulated
$25.7m
in Private Sector
Investment
and positively
impacted
195,286
women
and positively
impacted
195,286
women
Climate Change
Key
Achievements
Achievements
Key Achievements
Climate finance was reported for the first time, with 28 per cent of the 2022-23 budget recorded as climate finance. This figure is expected to rise as the climate portfolio develops.
First interventions began in climate-specific market systems: renewable energy, electric vehicles and sustainable biomass. (See country chapters for more details.)
Interventions were developed in sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, including a low-carbon tour and support to an accommodation provider to verify and reduce emissions.
Climate change content in MDF’s communication and engagement activities was enhanced, including a collaborative brief with PHAMA Plus on enhancing agricultural market resilience and facilitating a private sector panel at the 2023 Australasian Aid Conference.
Climate change indicators, observations and baselines were integrated into Research, Impact Measurement and Inclusion activities, including a focus on understanding the effects of climate change on smallholder farmers.
Agricultural Inputs
17
interventions
Mitigation
- Reducing the use of synthetic fertiliser through efficient application and locally produced organic replacements.
Adaptation
- Increasing availability of climate-resilient seeds.
- Promoting mechanised and precision solutions (improves soil condition and reduces labour requirements for climate adaptation).
- Promoting protected agriculture.
Agricultural Export & Import Substitution
33
interventions
Mitigation
- Developing carbon calculators for high-value, low emissions export crops.
- Reducing the costs of sustainability focused certifications to incentivise emissions reductions.
Adaptation
- Improving biosecurity practices for long-term pest and disease resilience.
- Supporting businesses to integrate climate change resilience information into their extension models.
- Supporting value chain adaptation such as improving crop drying infrastructure to reduce loss from unseasonal rains.
Green Energy
9
interventions
Mitigation
- Conducting market demand analysis on rooftop solar for urban businesses and consumers.
- Supporting solar businesses with data analysis to develop small-scale products.
- Piloting commercial electric vehicle leasing.
- Supporting the development of certified sustainable biomass supply chains.
Adaptation
- Working with suppliers which offer category-5 cyclone resilient solar panels.
Tourism
6
interventions
Mitigation
- Low-carbon itineraries for high-value eco-niches.
- Carbon footprint verification and emissions reduction strategies for business.
- Sustainable certifications.
- Exploring incentives for nature restoration.
Adaptation
- Coastal protection through mangrove regeneration.
- Cyclone insurance and cyclone-safe infrastructure in yachting.
Inclusion
MDF works to improve the availability and affordability of agricultural technologies, promote inclusive recruitment practices, and increase awareness of the business case for hiring or serving women and people with disability.
In 2023, MDF focused on how more people with disability could be included in targeted markets. The team investigated the spectrum of disability experienced across MDF contexts and the range of barriers faced by individuals. This included, for example, consultation with organisations for people with disability (OPD) like CBM Australia on MDF’s disability strategy and engagement of OPD in-country, such as the Ahisaun Foundation in Timor-Leste, to promote MDF’s services to businesses that employ or create opportunity for people with disability. Based on this, MDF commenced trials of activities to increase the participation of people with disability and began improving its disability inclusion strategy, building on opportunities identified in partner country markets.
Proportion of women benefitting from MDF interventions
MDF’s commitment to inclusion remains steadfast, with women accounting for 44 per cent of adults benefitting from program initiatives. As of December 2023, women generated 40 per cent of additional income. MDF continued to engage in businesses partnerships that aim to address women’s access and agency. In Sri Lanka, MDF supported new employment opportunities for women in agriculture. In Fiji, growth in outsourcing services resulted in, for the first time, more women benefitting than men (66 per cent of beneficiaries in 2023 were female).
