Adaptation Fund Readiness Programme

The Adaptation Fund Readiness Programme provides targeted support to strengthen the capacity of accredited implementing entities, particularly National Implementing Entities (NIEs), to access, manage, and deliver adaptation finance. As part of the Fund’s direct access approach, it supports countries in building the institutional capacities needed to design and implement country-driven adaptation projects and programmes.

Through capacity-building and technical assistance, the programme supports accreditation, strengthens fiduciary, environmental, social, and gender standards, and facilitates the development of project pipelines, while promoting knowledge exchange and South–South cooperation.

Under the Readiness Programme, the Adaptation Fund offers a range of grants, including the Readiness Package Grant, Project Scale-Up Grant, and technical assistance through the Technical Assistance Grant for Environmental and Social Policy and Gender Policy (TA-ESGP) and the Technical Assistance Grant for the Gender Policy (TA-GP).

The Readiness Package Grant provides targeted assistance to entities seeking accreditation with the Fund. It replaces the former South–South Cooperation Grant, expanding support through a comprehensive suite of tools to address institutional and technical gaps.

The Readiness Package Grant aims to:

Provide enhanced support for NIE accreditation;
Address fiduciary, governance, and technical gaps through expert support;
Facilitate South–South Cooperation and knowledge exchange; and
Strengthen national systems for Direct Access to climate finance.

-> Maximum grant amount: USD 150,000 per NIE.

Accreditation Readiness and Institutional Strengthening

- Conducting institutional assessments to identify gaps in governance, fiduciary management, environmental and social safeguards, and gender integration.
- Developing or improving policies, procedures, and operational manuals to comply with the Fund’s accreditation standards.
- Establishing or enhancing internal control systems, audit mechanisms, and procurement processes.

Expert Support and Technical Assistance

- Recruiting fiduciary, governance, legal, environmental, and social experts to help address specific accreditation gaps.
- Engaging short-term consultants or technical advisors to support preparation of documentation, evidence, or systems required for accreditation.
- Providing training and technical backstopping to strengthen the NIE candidate’s compliance capacity.

South–South Cooperation and Peer Exchange

- Facilitating mentorship and knowledge sharing between accredited NIEs and NIE candidates.
- Organising peer-learning exchanges, study visits, or virtual sessions to learn from successful accreditation experiences.
- Promoting regional collaboration to strengthen institutional systems for Direct Access.

Strategic and Operational Planning for Direct Access

- Supporting the development of accreditation roadmaps or action plans that outline steps to meet the Fund’s criteria.
- Conducting feasibility assessments or gap analyses to identify areas for improvement and capacity needs.
- Strengthening coordination between Designated Authorities (DAs), NIE candidates, and potential intermediaries to ensure alignment with national priorities.

Workshops and Capacity-Building Events

- Participating in or organising Adaptation Fund–led readiness workshops to exchange experiences on accreditation, risk management, and Direct Access modalities.
- Disseminating information about the Fund’s procedures, accreditation process, and operational policies to national stakeholders.

Eligible applicants are:

Developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement that wish to have a NationalImplementing Entity (NIE) accredited with the Adaptation Fund;
Countries that have previously accessed the South–South Cooperation Grant.
Each NIE may receive this grant only once.

The funding window is open twice per year: 01 February – 31 March and 01 July – 31 August
Maximum funding: up to USD 150,000 per NIE

Step 1: Submission

An eligible National Implementing Entity (NIE) candidate is identified.
An eligible Intermediary (an accredited Implementing Entity with relevant experience) is selected.
The NIE candidate and the Intermediary jointly prepare the Readiness Package Grant proposal.
The Intermediary submits the proposal to the Adaptation Fund.
Submit proposals to afbsec@adaptation-fund.org
- CC: idebnath@adaptation-fund.org, fmadziwa@adaptation-fund.org

The application must include an endorsement letter from the Designated Authority (DA).

Step 2: Review and Approval

The Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat reviews the proposal and makes a recommendation.
The Adaptation Fund Board decides on the approval of the proposal.
If approved, funds are transferred to the Intermediary.

Step 3: Implementation and Reporting

The Intermediary is responsible for implementing the grant, including procurement and financial and non-financial reporting.
The NIE candidate drives the accreditation process in close cooperation with the Intermediary.
Reporting obligations must be fulfilled in line with Adaptation Fund requirements.

Further instructions on how to apply to the Readiness Package Grant can be found here. The relevant templates are also available there.

Project Scale-up Grants provide readiness funding to accredited National Implementing Entities (NIEs) to support the planning, design, and development of activities that expand or replicate successful Adaptation Fund projects and programmes.

The grants aim to enable NIEs to scale up proven adaptation solutions that respond to national priorities and the needs of vulnerable communities, to support community resilience to climate change.

They support NIEs to:

Plan, design, and develop pathways for scaling up Adaptation Fund projects;
Assess technical, institutional, and financial needs for scale-up;
Strengthen capacity at individual, organisational, and institutional levels; and
Build partnerships with public and private actors to mobilise further funding for implementation.

Scale-up implementation may be financed through other sources such as climate funds or private finance channels.

Activities supported by the grant may include, but are not limited to:

Assessments of scalability (e.g. technical, socio-economic, feasibility, or vulnerability studies);
Consultations with public and private stakeholders to inform scale-up design;
Development of a scale-up strategy or proposal for expanded activities; and
Capacity enhancement through training, workshops, or institutional strengthening.

Eligible applicants are accredited National Implementing Entities (NIEs) of the Adaptation Fund that:

Hold current “Accredited” status;
Have demonstrated tangible implementation progress under an Adaptation Fund project or programme (through required reporting, review, or evaluation milestones);
Submit a letter of endorsement from the Designated Authority (DA); and
Identify at least one potential funding source for implementing the scaled-up project or programme.

Applications must be based on evidence from project evaluations, monitoring data, or research, and clearly outline expected benefits for vulnerable communities.

The funding window is open twice per year:

01 February – 31 March
01 July – 31 August.

Maximum funding: up to USD 100,000 per project/programme.

Step 1 – Submission

Complete the official application form.
Include a signed letter of endorsement from the Designated Authority (DA).
Submit proposals to afbsec@adaptation-fund.org
- CC: idebnath@adaptation-fund.org, fmadziwa@adaptation-fund.org

Step 2 – Review and Approval

The Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat conducts a technical review.
The proposal is forwarded to the Project and Programme Review Committee (PPRC) for assessment and recommendation.
The Board makes a final decision at its regular meeting.

Step 3 – Implementation and Reporting

Approved NIEs manage the grant, including procurement, implementation, and reporting.
NIEs must adhere to the Fund’s reporting requirements, submitting:
Project monitoring and completion reports; and
Financial reports using the Fund’s templates.
Templates and guidance are available on the Fund’s website under Readiness Resources.

Further instructions on how to apply to the Readiness Package Grant can be found here. The relevant templates are also available there.

The Adaptation Fund provides two types of Technical Assistance (TA) Grants to support accredited National Implementing Entities (NIEs) in strengthening their capacity to manage environmental, social, and gender risks in line with the Fund’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) and Gender Policy:

Technical Assistance Grant for Environmental and Social Policy and Gender Policy (TA-ESGP):
Supports NIEs in strengthening institutional capacity to implement both the Environmental and Social Policy and the Gender Policy, including through the integration of environmental, social, and gender considerations across project design and implementation.
Technical Assistance Grant for the Gender Policy (TA-GP):
Focuses specifically on strengthening NIE capacity to implement the Gender Policy and to effectively integrate gender considerations throughout project and programme cycles.

Both grants aim to:

Strengthen NIE capacity in environmental, social, and/or gender risk management
Ensure compliance with the Fund’s ESP and Gender Policy
Enable the engagement of short-term national or international expertise to address identified capacity gaps

Activities eligible for funding under the TA Grants may include, but are not limited to:

Engaging short-term national or international experts to provide technical advice;
Strengthening institutional frameworks and procedures for risk management and gender integration;
Conducting training workshops, consultations, or awareness sessions on environmental, social, and gender safeguards; and
Developing or updating policies, tools, or systems to ensure compliance with the Fund’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) and/or Gender Policy

The scope of activities depends on the grant type, with TA-ESGP covering environmental, social, and gender aspects, and TA-GP focusing specifically on gender.

Eligible applicants are:

Developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement seeking accreditation of a National Implementing Entity (NIE);
Countries that have previously accessed the South–South Cooperation Grant;
Accredited NIEs that have not previously received a Technical Assistance Grant.

TA-ESGP (Environmental and Social Policy & Gender Policy): up to USD 25,000 per NIE, covering environmental, social, and gender aspects

TA-GP (Gender Policy only): up to USD 10,000 per NIE, focusing specifically on gender

Step 1 – Submission

Complete the appropriate application form (TA-ESGP or TA-GP).
Attach a signed letter of endorsement from the Designated Authority (DA).
Submit applications to afbsec@adaptation-fund.org
- CC: idebnath@adaptation-fund.org, fmadziwa@adaptation-fund.org

Step 2 – Review and Approval

The Adaptation Fund Secretariat reviews the application for completeness and technical soundness.
Eligible proposals are then considered for approval in line with the Fund’s procedures.

Step 3 – Implementation and Reporting

Approved NIEs are responsible for managing and implementing the grant, including procurement and reporting.
NIEs must adhere to the Fund’s standard reporting requirements under the Readiness Programme, which include:
- Project completion and monitoring reports; and
- Financial reports, using Fund templates.

Reporting templates and guidance are available on the Fund’s website. Specific information and templates for the TA-ESGP can be found here, and for the TA-GP here.

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