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International climate finance is channeled through various sources, instruments, and mechanisms. Multilateral climate funds play a crucial role in supporting countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and build resilient, sustainable economies. However, processes to access funding from these funds differ very much and are complex. Each fund has a unique focus, governance structure, and set of access requirements.
This section provides an overview of the main multilateral climate funds, relevant publications and tools as well as trainings.
The GCF was established 2010 as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the UNFCCC. It is the world’s largest climate fund.
Its mandate is to support developing countries in implementing and enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and in pursuing low-emission, climate-resilient development pathways. The GCF aims for a 50:50 balance in allocating its grant-equivalent resources between mitigation and adaptation over time, with at least 50 percent of the adaptation funding directed toward particlarly SIDS, LDCs, and African countries.
Funding Sizes:
Criteria:
The GCF was established 2010 as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the UNFCCC and is the world’s largest climate fund. Its mandate is to support developing countries to raise and realize their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. The GCF aims for a 50:50 balance in allocating its resources between mitigation and adaptation over time and for a floor of 50% of the adaptation allocation for particularly vulnerable countries.
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The Green Climate Fund supports developing countries raise and realize their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. It seeks to have an impact within eight result areas that cover both mitigation and adaptation:
Adaptation:
Mitigation:
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
The GCF classifies proposals by four different project sizes (including GCF funding and co-finance):
Furthermore, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) is available for projects with a maximum size of GCF contribution of US$ 25 million.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) offers two main approaches of access to its resources: The institutional accreditation and the Project-specific assessment approach (PSAA).
Under the institutional accreditation approach, two modalities are available: Direct Access and International Access. For both modalities, entities have to be accredited to the fund.
Under the Project-specific assessment approach (PSAA), entities that are not accredited to the GCF can submit proposals. The entities have to meet specific criteria and for each entity, a maximum of one funding proposal can be approved under the PSAA.
All developing country Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC) are eligible to receive resources from the GCF.
Link:
The GCF has developed two main instruments to provide support for countries and entities to access climate finance.
Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP): The Readiness Programme of the GCF has the overall objective of preparing countries to access GCF and other climate funds by strengthening National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Focal Points and Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and supporting preparatory activities and technical assistance for developing climate change projects. Countries can access and receive GCF Readiness support through NDAs and/or Focal Points. Readiness funds can also be used to strengthen the capacities of DAEs. The Readiness Programme is accessible to all non-Annex 1 country parties to the UNFCCC. Guided by the GCF Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the GCF Readiness Strategy recently underwent significant revisions for the 2024–2027 programming cycle. By doing so, the GCF is placing its Readiness support as the largest and most impactful capacity-building programme that enables countries to directly access climate finance and successfully design programmes and projects that help them address climate change challenges. The Readiness programme is now more poised to support national coordination when designing, requesting, and implementing readiness support, which reinforces country ownership. More information can be found here.
Project Preparation Facility (PPF): The GCF provides support for preparation of a Funding Proposal package based on the Concept Note through the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) especially targeted at direct access entities, and for micro-to-small size category projects. Support can be provided for up to USD 1.5 million per request. In principle, support targets all stages of project development, from initial design to detailed planning, if sufficient justification is provided. This also includes the preparation of supporting documents required to be submitted together with the proposal, such as pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Support is available through two different modalities:
In order for an AE to access the PPF, AEs submit a project/programme Concept Note either prior to (recommended by the GCF), or together with, a PPF application. Once the Concept Note is cleared, the PPF application Note will be reviewed and approved by the GCF Secretariat.
More information can be found here .
Description:
CNs present a summary of a proposed project/programme and offer an opportunity to get feedback from the GCF Secretariat on the concept.
If support through the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) is requested, submission of CN is mandatory.
Actors involved:
NDA/Focal Points, AE
Actors involved:
AE for full fledged proposals)
AE or NDA/Focal Point under the Simplified Approval Process
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
FPs submitted to GCF must be accompanied by no-objection letters from respective NDAs/focal points
Description:
The FP is assessed against the compliance with safeguards, policies and performance of the project or programme against activity-specific criteria
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
The independent Technical Advisory Panel (iTAP) assesses the performance of the FP against six GCF activity-specific criteria, exchanges with AE on it and issues an assessment to the Board, trhough which it endorses, endorses with conditions or not endorses the FP.
Actors involved:
iTAP
Description:
At least 21 days before the Board meeting
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
Board members can ask questions or seek clarifications about the FPs through a dedicated question and answer platform/email account which are then compiled and forwarded to the AE
Actors involved:
Board
GCF Secretariat
Description:
The AEs are given one week to provide written responses to the questions. AEs may also be requested to attend and respond to any questions from the Board advisers or civil society organizations (CSOs) about their FPs during consultation/information days one day prior to the Board meeting.
Actors involved:
AE
Description:
FP considerations will be an agenda item in one of the days allotted for the Board meeting. During this agenda item, a representative from each AE is expected to attend the session, together with the relevant Task Manager and the relevant member of the TAP. The AE representative or TAP member is requested to respond to any questions posed by the Board members and active observers.
Actors involved:
Board
AE
iTAP
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Climate Fund Search – Climate Project Explorer: The Climate Projects Explorer is a search engine for projects funded by the AF, GCF, GEF and CIFs
Approved projects | Green Climate Fund: List of GCF projects
GCF Open Data Library: GCF open data library
National Designated Authorities | Green Climate Fund: National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The Adaptation Fund is the largest global climate fund focusing solely on adaptation and was established in 2001. It finances concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are parties to the Kyoto Protocol or the Paris Agreement and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
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The Adaptation Fund is the largest global climate fund focusing solely on adaptation and was established in 2001. It finances concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are parties to the Kyoto Protocol or the Paris Agreement and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Funding Sizes:
Funding Sizes:
Funding Sizes:
The Adaptation Fund finances projects and programmes that help vulnerable communities in developing countries adapt to climate change. The AF does not define priority result areas as long as the proposed projects and programmes are country-driven and based on the needs, views and priorities of eligible Parties, particularly the needs of the most vulnerable communities. The funded sectors are the following:
The AF has several different funding windows that differ in size and funding focus, based on the funding contribution by the AF:
Regular projects and programmes:
Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) projects and programmes:
Innovation projects:
Projects can be submitted to the AF through accredited implementing entities through two different access modalities:
Direct access:
Regional and multilateral access:
The Adaptation Fund’s Readiness Programme for Climate Finance aims to help strengthen the capacity of national and regional implementing entities to receive and manage climate financing, particularly through the Fund’s Direct Access modality. Several different readiness grants are available for accreditation, project formulation, technical assistance, and project scaling up. The grants provided for the different grant packages range from USD 10,000 to USD 250,000.
More information can be found here.
Description:
Eligible Parties submit a project concept to the AFBSEC. The rationale for choosing such a process is for a country to receive feedback or guidance from the AFB upstream before a project has been fully prepared.
optional: follows the same steps as the fully developed project documents approval below.
Template for Single Country Concept Note Proposal - Adaptation Fund
Description:
Must be accompanied by an Endorsement Letter signed by the countr’s Designated Authority
Actors involved:
NIE/MIE
DA
Description:
The AFBSEC screens all proposals and prepares a Technical Review for each project/programme. The Secretariat will forward comments on the project/programme proposals and requests for clarification or further information to the implementing entities, as appropriate. The collection of proposals consisting of technical reviews for all projects/programmes is submitted to the Project and Program Review Committee (PPRC)
Actors involved:
AFB Secretariat
Description:
The PPRC meeting will be held back-to-back to the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) meeting. The PPRC will review and prepare recommendations and submits them to the Board.
Actors involved:
PPRC
Description:
The board approves/does not approve/rejects the recommendations
Actors involved:
Board
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Climate Fund Search – Climate Project Explorer: The Climate Projects Explorer is a search engine for projects funded by the AF, GCF, GEF and CIFs
Funded Projects & Programmes: List of AF projects
Designated Authorities: National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a family of funds for climate and the environment. It provides funding to support developing countries in meeting the objectives of international environmental conventions. It has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of UNFCCC since the Convention’s entry into force in 1994.
In addition to the UNFCCC, the GEF serves five other conventions: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
The GEF Trust Fund, as the largest fund under the GEF, focuses on biodiversity, chemicals and waste, climate change, international waters, and land degradation.
The GEF finances projects for mitigation and adaptation, as well as for the preparation of national communications in non-Annex I Parties to the Convention and other enabling activities.
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
Programme implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and Conservation International (CI).
Funding sizes:
Up to USD 75,000 for USD 150,000 for strategic projects)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a family of funds for climate and the environment. It provides funding to assist developing countries in meeting the objectives of international environmental conventions. It has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of UNFCCC since the Convention’s entry into force in 1994. Besides the UNFCCC, the GEF serves five other conventions: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
Programme implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and Conservation International (CI).
Funding sizes:
Up to USD 75,000 for USD 150,000 for strategic projects)
The GEF TF provides funding to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of international environmental conventions and agreements. Its focal areas include:
With respect to climate change, the GEF TF supports climate change mitigation projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and management of land use, land-use change, and forestry. It also supports the ability of developing countries to enhance climate resilience by promoting short- and long-term policies, plans, programmes , projects and actions on adaptation.
The GEF Trust Fund differentiates between two sizes for regular projects, based on the contribution of the fund:
In addition, the GEF TF provides funding through two other modalities:
Furthermore, the GEF TF offers grants of up to USD 75,000 (or USD 150,000 for strategic projects) under it‘s Small Grants Programme (SGP).
The allocation of the funds by the GEF TF to the countries over a Replenishment Period is led by the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR), that is a performance-based framework . STAR consists of indices that are weighted and based on the country‘s values for each of the STAR indices, a country score is assigned. Based on each country’s Country Score, a Country Share is calculated.
Access to the GEF TF is mainly through one of the 18 GEF Agencies. The support for Enabling Activities (EA) is also possible through direct access, if the amount is up to USD 500,000. Furthermore, the Small Grants Programme provides grants directly to NGOs, CBOs, Indigenous Peoples organizations, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities, as well as rural communities through UNDP, FAO and CI.
All developing country Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC) are eligible to receive resources related to climate change from the GEF TF.
Link:
The Global Environment Facility provides two different types of additional support for preparing projects but also for supporting countries directly to fulfill commitments under a convention.
Enabling activity: A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention. Can be directly accesses by countries if request is up to 500.000 USD
Project Preparation Grant: The Agency may request a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) at the time of PIF submission or at any time before CEO Endorsement submission for the
The GEF differentiates between two different approval processes, based on the size of the project/programme.
For the full-sized projects, approval has to be given by the GEF council whereas for the medium-sized projects, approval is given bei the GEF CEO.
Process for full-sized projects:
Description:
A GEF Agency prepares a project concept at the request of and in consultation with relevant country institutions and other relevant partners using the Project Identification Form (PIF)
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Agency submits PIFs to the Secretariat on a rolling basis, copying other Agencies, STAP, and the relevant Convention Secretariats.
A letter of Endorsement by the respective GEF Operational Focal Point has to be attached.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
GEF Operational Focal Point
Description:
Secretariat reviews each eligible PIF. Other Agencies and Convention Secretariats submit any comments to the Secretariat and the Agency. If a PIF does not meet the conditions for approval, the Secretariat either rejects it or requests additional information
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Other GEF Agencies and Convention Secretariats
Description:
Following receipt of the Secretariat’s comments, the Agency responds to any comments and submits a revised PIF, if necessary
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that the project proposal meets the conditions for approval, the CEO decides whether to include it in a Work Program
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Council reviews and provides written comments on the Work Program prior to, during and within two weeks after each Council meeting, and intersessionally between Council meetings for decision by mail on a no-objection basis
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
The Council decides during its meeting whether to approve the entire Work Program or to exclude any PIF from the proposed Work Program, which may be considered in a future Council meeting.
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
After PIF approval and before the deadline for submission of a complete endorsement request, the Agency submits to the Secretariat a CEO Endorsement Request and associated Project Document that is in a form as submitted to the Agency’s internal approving authorities.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Secretariat reviews the CEO Endorsement Request and the Project Document for consistency with the approved PIF
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that a project proposal meets the conditions for endorsement, the CEO endorses the project, except under the circumstances where (i) a Council Member requested, at the time of PIF approval, that the Secretariat circulates the CEO Endorsement Request and the Final Project Document to the Council for review; or (ii) the CEO, upon review, decides that there have been major changes to the project’s scope and/or objectives since PIF approval.
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Agency approves the project following its own internal procedures and begins project implementation.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Climate Fund Search – Climate Project Explorer: The Climate Projects Explorer is a search engine for projects funded by the AF, GCF, GEF and CIFs
Projects | GEF: List of GEF, LDCF and SCCF projects
Focal Points | GEF : National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The LDCF was set up in 2001 by the UNFCCC as the only multilateral climate fund exclusively dedicated to helping Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to adapt to climate change and is part of the GEF achitecture.
While it was initially mandated to finance the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) as well as other components of the LDC work programme, it has been tasked, in 2011, to also provide resources to assist LDC Parties in preparing for the national adaptation plan process.
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
The LDCF was set up in 2001 by the UNFCCC as the only multilateral climate fund exclusively dedicated to helping Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to adapt to climate change. It is managed by the GEF and was initially mandated to finance the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) as well as other components of the LDC work programme, it has been tasked, in 2011, to also provide resources to assist LDC Parties in preparing for the national adaptation plan process.
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
The LDCF supports countries implementing National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) – country-driven strategies for addressing their most urgent adaptation needs. It also supports the implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and the Least Developed Countries work program under the UNFCCC.
Programming under the LDCF is guided by the strategic objectives set out in the GEF Programming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for the LDCF and SCCF which may differ in each GEF replenishment period and in accordance with guidance received by the UNFCCC COP.
The GEF-8 adaptation strategy for the LDCF/SCCF aims to focus on agriculture, food security and health, water, climate information services, and nature-based solutions. The strategy aims to further support LDCs in addressing their adaptation priorities by scaling up access to adaptation finance, strengthen innovation and private sector engagement, and foster whole-of-society approach and partnerships for inclusion.
The LDCF differentiates between two sizes for projects, based on the contribution of the fund:
A country cap is set at USD 20 million for a programming cycle.
In addition, the LDCF provides funding through two other modalities:
Access to the LDCF is through one of the 18 GEF Agencies. The support for Enabling Activities (EA) is also possible through direct access, if the amount is up to USD 500,000.
All Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that are Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC) have access to the LDCF.
See Project Preparation Grant for GEF TF
The GEF differentiates between two different approval processes, based on the size of the project/programme.
For the full-sized projects, approval has to be given by the GEF council whereas for the medium-sized projects, approval is given bei the GEF CEO.
Process for full-sized projects:
Description:
A GEF Agency prepares a project concept at the request of and in consultation with relevant country institutions and other relevant partners using the Project Identification Form (PIF)
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Agency submits PIFs to the Secretariat on a rolling basis, copying other Agencies, STAP, and the relevant Convention Secretariats.
A letter of Endorsement by the respective GEF Operational Focal Point has to be attached.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
GEF Operational Focal Point
Description:
Secretariat reviews each eligible PIF. Other Agencies and Convention Secretariats submit any comments to the Secretariat and the Agency. If a PIF does not meet the conditions for approval, the Secretariat either rejects it or requests additional information
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Other GEF Agencies and Convention Secretariats
Description:
Following receipt of the Secretariat’s comments, the Agency responds to any comments and submits a revised PIF, if necessary
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that the project proposal meets the conditions for approval, the CEO decides whether to include it in a Work Program
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Council reviews and provides written comments on the Work Program prior to, during and within two weeks after each Council meeting, and intersessionally between Council meetings for decision by mail on a no-objection basis
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
The Council decides during its meeting whether to approve the entire Work Program or to exclude any PIF from the proposed Work Program, which may be considered in a future Council meeting.
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
After PIF approval and before the deadline for submission of a complete endorsement request, the Agency submits to the Secretariat a CEO Endorsement Request and associated Project Document that is in a form as submitted to the Agency’s internal approving authorities.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Secretariat reviews the CEO Endorsement Request and the Project Document for consistency with the approved PIF
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that a project proposal meets the conditions for endorsement, the CEO endorses the project, except under the circumstances where (i) a Council Member requested, at the time of PIF approval, that the Secretariat circulates the CEO Endorsement Request and the Final Project Document to the Council for review; or (ii) the CEO, upon review, decides that there have been major changes to the project’s scope and/or objectives since PIF approval.
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Agency approves the project following its own internal procedures and begins project implementation.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Projects: List of GEF, LDCF and SCCF projects
Focal Points | GEF : National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The SCCF was established under the Convention in 2001 to finance activities, programs, and measures that help vulnerable developing countries (particularly the most vulnerable in Africa, Asia and the Small Island Developing States) to address the negative impacts of climate change. Since 2011, the SCCF has been tasked to provide resources to assist developing country Parties that are not least developed country Parties with their country-driven processes to advance NAPs
The SCCF supports in the following two priority areas:
Funding window A: Supporting the adaptation needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Funding window B: Strengthening technology transfer, innovation, and private sector engagement
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
The SCCF was established under the Convention in 2001 to finance activities, programs, and measures that help vulnerable developing countries (particularly the most vulnerable in Africa, Asia and the Small Island Developing States) to address the negative impacts of climate change. Since 2011, the SCCF has been tasked to provide resources to assist developing country Parties that are not least developed country Parties with their country-driven processes to advance NAPs
The SCCF supports in the following two priority areas:
Funding window A: Supporting the adaptation needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Funding window B: Strengthening technology transfer, innovation, and private sector engagement
Funding Sizes:
A longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects (child projects) that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.
A project for the preparation of a plan, strategy, or report to fulfill commitments under a convention.
The SCCF focuses its support in the following two priority areas:
The SCCF differentiates between two sizes for projects, based on the contribution of the fund:
A country cap for the Funding Window A (Adaptation support for SIDS) is set at USD 3 million for a programming cycle.
In addition, the SCCF provides funding through two other modalities:
Access to the SCCF is through one of the 18 GEF Agencies. The support for Enabling Activities (EA) is also possible through direct access, if the amount is up to USD 500,000.
Under the priority area „Supporting the adaptation needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)”, countries that are eligible to receive funding are SIDS that are developing country Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC), particularly those that are not classified as LDCs
SCCF support in the priority area “Strengthening Technology Transfer, Innovation and Private Sector Engagement” is provided to all developing countries that are Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC).
See Project Preparation Grant for GEF TF
The GEF differentiates between two different approval processes, based on the size of the project/programme.
For the full-sized projects, approval has to be given by the GEF council whereas for the medium-sized projects, approval is given bei the GEF CEO.
Process for full-sized projects:
Description:
A GEF Agency prepares a project concept at the request of and in consultation with relevant country institutions and other relevant partners using the Project Identification Form (PIF)
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Agency submits PIFs to the Secretariat on a rolling basis, copying other Agencies, STAP, and the relevant Convention Secretariats.
A letter of Endorsement by the respective GEF Operational Focal Point has to be attached.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
GEF Operational Focal Point
Description:
Secretariat reviews each eligible PIF. Other Agencies and Convention Secretariats submit any comments to the Secretariat and the Agency. If a PIF does not meet the conditions for approval, the Secretariat either rejects it or requests additional information
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Other GEF Agencies and Convention Secretariats
Description:
Following receipt of the Secretariat’s comments, the Agency responds to any comments and submits a revised PIF, if necessary
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that the project proposal meets the conditions for approval, the CEO decides whether to include it in a Work Program
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Council reviews and provides written comments on the Work Program prior to, during and within two weeks after each Council meeting, and intersessionally between Council meetings for decision by mail on a no-objection basis
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
The Council decides during its meeting whether to approve the entire Work Program or to exclude any PIF from the proposed Work Program, which may be considered in a future Council meeting.
Actors involved:
GEF Council
Description:
After PIF approval and before the deadline for submission of a complete endorsement request, the Agency submits to the Secretariat a CEO Endorsement Request and associated Project Document that is in a form as submitted to the Agency’s internal approving authorities.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Description:
The Secretariat reviews the CEO Endorsement Request and the Project Document for consistency with the approved PIF
Actors involved:
GEF Secretariat
Description:
Once the Secretariat determines that a project proposal meets the conditions for endorsement, the CEO endorses the project, except under the circumstances where (i) a Council Member requested, at the time of PIF approval, that the Secretariat circulates the CEO Endorsement Request and the Final Project Document to the Council for review; or (ii) the CEO, upon review, decides that there have been major changes to the project’s scope and/or objectives since PIF approval.
Actors involved:
GEF CEO
Description:
The Agency approves the project following its own internal procedures and begins project implementation.
Actors involved:
GEF Agency
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Projects: List of GEF, LDCF and SCCF projects
Focal Points | GEF : National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The Climate Investments Funds (CIF) were established in 2008 and comprise two funds: the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF). Through specific programmes, the funds support the design of multi-project investment plans that work across multiple interfacing sectors.
Programmes:
Programmes:
Dedicated Grant Mechanism Provides direct grant support to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), delivered through the FIP and NPC Programmes
The Climate Investments Funds (CIF) were established in 2008 and comprise two funds: the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF). Through specific programmes, the funds support the design of multi-project investment plans that work across multiple interfacing sectors.
Programmes:
Programmes:
Dedicated Grant Mechanism Provides direct grant support to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), delivered through the FIP and NPC Programmes
CIFs
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
The CTF finances low-carbon technologies in developing countries with significant potential to scale up, attract private investment, and support low-carbon development. It invests in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transport, including innovations such as energy storage.
Strategic Climate Fund (SCF)
The SCF provides financing for piloting innovative approaches or scaling up activities aimed at specific climate change challenges or sectoral responses. It is designed to address the following areas:
The funding amount available per country varies between the different programs.
Access to the CIFs and its various programmes is through one of the 6 MDBs (ADB, AfDB, EBRD, IDB, IFC, and World Bank)
Eligibility to access funds depends on the specific programme and may vary.
N/A
Description:
The CIF Secretariat issues a call for Expression of Interest for a CIF program.
Interested countries and their MDB partners must check the eligibility criteria.
Actors involved:
CIF Secretariat
Description:
Eligible countries partner with MDBs prepares and submits their Expression of Interest to participate in a specific CIF program
Actors involved:
Country
MDB
Description:
An independent Expert Group evaluates all submissions against pre-defined criteria and make a recommendation on country selection
Actors involved:
Independent Expert Group
Description:
The CIF governing body makes the final decision
Actors involved:
CIF governing body
Description:
Selected countries with their MDB partners prepare an investment plan providing initial examples of projects
Actors involved:
Country
MDB
Description:
The CIF governing body rewies the Investment plan against the criteria of the CIF investment program and endorses it where appropriate
Actors involved:
CIF governing body
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Climate Fund Search – Climate Project Explorer: The Climate Projects Explorer is a search engine for projects funded by the AF, GCF, GEF and CIFs
Projects | CIF: List of CIF projects
Focal Points | GEF : National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
The GCF was established 2010 as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the UNFCCC. It is the world’s largest climate fund.
Its mandate is to support developing countries in implementing and enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and in pursuing low-emission, climate-resilient development pathways. The GCF aims for a 50:50 balance in allocating its grant-equivalent resources between mitigation and adaptation over time, with at least 50 percent of the adaptation funding directed toward particlarly SIDS, LDCs, and African countries.
Funding Sizes:
Criteria:
The GCF was established 2010 as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the UNFCCC and is the world’s largest climate fund. Its mandate is to support developing countries to raise and realize their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. The GCF aims for a 50:50 balance in allocating its resources between mitigation and adaptation over time and for a floor of 50% of the adaptation allocation for particularly vulnerable countries.
Funding Sizes:
Criteria:
The Green Climate Fund supports developing countries raise and realize their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. It seeks to have an impact within eight result areas that cover both mitigation and adaptation:
Adaptation:
Mitigation:
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
The GCF classifies proposals by four different project sizes (including GCF funding and co-finance):
Furthermore, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) is available for projects with a maximum size of GCF contribution of US$ 25 million.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) offers two main approaches of access to its resources: The institutional accreditation and the Project-specific assessment approach (PSAA).
Under the institutional accreditation approach, two modalities are available: Direct Access and International Access. For both modalities, entities have to be accredited to the fund.
Under the Project-specific assessment approach (PSAA), entities that are not accredited to the GCF can submit proposals. The entities have to meet specific criteria and for each entity, a maximum of one funding proposal can be approved under the PSAA.
All developing country Parties to the Convention (UNFCCC) are eligible to receive resources from the GCF.
Link:
The GCF has developed two main instruments to provide support for countries and entities to access climate finance.
Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP): The Readiness Programme of the GCF has the overall objective of preparing countries to access GCF and other climate funds by strengthening National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Focal Points and Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and supporting preparatory activities and technical assistance for developing climate change projects. Countries can access and receive GCF Readiness support through NDAs and/or Focal Points. Readiness funds can also be used to strengthen the capacities of DAEs. The Readiness Programme is accessible to all non-Annex 1 country parties to the UNFCCC. Guided by the GCF Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the GCF Readiness Strategy recently underwent significant revisions for the 2024–2027 programming cycle. By doing so, the GCF is placing its Readiness support as the largest and most impactful capacity-building programme that enables countries to directly access climate finance and successfully design programmes and projects that help them address climate change challenges. The Readiness programme is now more poised to support national coordination when designing, requesting, and implementing readiness support, which reinforces country ownership. More information can be found here.
Project Preparation Facility (PPF): The GCF provides support for preparation of a Funding Proposal package based on the Concept Note through the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) especially targeted at direct access entities, and for micro-to-small size category projects. Support can be provided for up to USD 1.5 million per request. In principle, support targets all stages of project development, from initial design to detailed planning, if sufficient justification is provided. This also includes the preparation of supporting documents required to be submitted together with the proposal, such as pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Support is available through two different modalities:
In order for an AE to access the PPF, AEs submit a project/programme Concept Note either prior to (recommended by the GCF), or together with, a PPF application. Once the Concept Note is cleared, the PPF application Note will be reviewed and approved by the GCF Secretariat.
More information can be found here .
Description:
CNs present a summary of a proposed project/programme and offer an opportunity to get feedback from the GCF Secretariat on the concept.
If support through the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) is requested, submission of CN is mandatory.
Actors involved:
NDA/Focal Points, AE
Actors involved:
AE for full fledged proposals)
AE or NDA/Focal Point under the Simplified Approval Process
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
FPs submitted to GCF must be accompanied by no-objection letters from respective NDAs/focal points
Description:
The FP is assessed against the compliance with safeguards, policies and performance of the project or programme against activity-specific criteria
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
The independent Technical Advisory Panel (iTAP) assesses the performance of the FP against six GCF activity-specific criteria, exchanges with AE on it and issues an assessment to the Board, trhough which it endorses, endorses with conditions or not endorses the FP.
Actors involved:
iTAP
Description:
At least 21 days before the Board meeting
Actors involved:
GCF Secretariat
Description:
Board members can ask questions or seek clarifications about the FPs through a dedicated question and answer platform/email account which are then compiled and forwarded to the AE
Actors involved:
Board
GCF Secretariat
Description:
The AEs are given one week to provide written responses to the questions. AEs may also be requested to attend and respond to any questions from the Board advisers or civil society organizations (CSOs) about their FPs during consultation/information days one day prior to the Board meeting.
Actors involved:
AE
Description:
FP considerations will be an agenda item in one of the days allotted for the Board meeting. During this agenda item, a representative from each AE is expected to attend the session, together with the relevant Task Manager and the relevant member of the TAP. The AE representative or TAP member is requested to respond to any questions posed by the Board members and active observers.
Actors involved:
Board
AE
iTAP
Different portals provide a good overview on ongoing and past projects of the respective fund.
Climate Fund Search – Climate Project Explorer: The Climate Projects Explorer is a search engine for projects funded by the AF, GCF, GEF and CIFs
Approved projects | Green Climate Fund: List of GCF projects
GCF Open Data Library: GCF open data library
National Designated Authorities | Green Climate Fund: National Focal Points for the multilateral climate funds (Link to World map)
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