About ETI-GB
$133.72M • Government of Gilgit-Baltistan • IFAD • AICS • 2015–2029
Our mission
The Economic Transformation Initiative Gilgit-Baltistan (ETI-GB) is a $133.72 million development programme of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, co-financed by IFAD and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Its development goal is “Improving incomes and reducing poverty and malnutrition in rural areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.”
Launched in 2015 and extended to 2029 following ECNEC approval, the programme aims to benefit 100,000 rural households across all ten districts of GB through three integrated components: economic infrastructure, value chain development, and programme management & policy support.
Programme at a glance
- Total value: $133.72 million
- Duration: 2015–2029 (extended via ECNEC 2025)
- Coverage: All 10 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan
- Target households: 100,000 rural families
- Outreach to date: 92,094 households benefitted (as of July 2023)
- Women beneficiaries: 28% of direct beneficiaries
- Youth beneficiaries: 30% of direct beneficiaries
Three components
- Component 1 — Economic Infrastructure (ILD & FMR)
- Component 2 — Value Chain Development (VCSF, Social Mobilization, Extension, Research, Land Titling)
- Component 3 — Programme Management & Policy Support
Coordination units
- PCU — Gilgit (Programme HQ)
- RCU Baltistan — Skardu
- RCU Diamer — Chilas
Our partners & financiers
IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development — loan financing and technical oversight.
AICS
Italian Agency for Development Cooperation — grant financing through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Government of GB
Government of Gilgit-Baltistan — lead implementing agency through the Programme Coordination Unit.
Gender & poverty mainstreaming
ETI-GB is the first development programme in Gilgit-Baltistan with an explicit focus on gender mainstreaming. The Gender & Poverty section targets women across planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. At least 30% of PCU, RCU and SMP staff are women, and 15 women-specific Village Agriculture Cooperatives (VACs) are fully run by women.
Gender Equality Policy
A formal Gender Equality Policy (GEP) governs organisational strengthening, with gender-sensitive budgeting tracked through Annual Work Plans.
Women’s participation
28% of beneficiaries are women; 30% are youth. Village social development priorities are set through full participation of women in production groups.
Women-led cooperatives
15 women-specific VACs are fully managed by women, addressing land access, value chain entrepreneurship and community savings.