The GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP) provides targeted capacity-buildingsupport to help developing countries strengthen their ability to plan for, access, manage, andeffectively use climate finance. The programme supports National Designated Authorities (NDAs) andDirect Access Entities (DAEs) in building institutional frameworks, preparing strategic documents (suchas NDCs and NAPs), and developing pipelines of high-quality climate projects. As a key entry point toGCF support, the Readiness Programme ensures that countries are institutionally and technicallyprepared to engage with the Fund and scale up climate action in line with national priorities.​

The GCF Readiness Programme provides funding and technical support for:​

• Strengthening the capacity of National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and focal points to engage with the GCF​
• Accreditation support for Direct Access Entities (DAEs), both pre- and post-accreditation​
• Developing and updating strategic frameworks, including:​
• Country Programmes​
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)​
• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)​
• Developing pipelines of high-impact climate projects, including:​
• Concept note development​
• Feasibility studies​
• Environmental and social safeguards​
• Improving coordination mechanisms between national stakeholders, including government, civil society, and the private sector​
• Integrating gender equality and social inclusion into climate planning and project development​
• Enhancing fiduciary standards, monitoring, and reporting systems​
• Establishing or improving climate finance tracking systems​
• Facilitating private sector engagement in climate finance​

All developing countries eligible to receive GCF funding may request readiness support.​

A country is eligible if it:​

• Is recognised as a developing country under the UNFCCC framework, and​
• Has appointed an official National Designated Authority (NDA) or GCF Focal Point.​

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To qualify:​

• The request must be submitted or formally endorsed by the National Designated Authority (NDA) orGCF Focal Point.​
• Activities must align with the objectives of the Readiness Programme (e.g. strengthening institutionalcapacity, strategic planning, accreditation, or proposal development).​
• Implementation must take place through an accredited entity or an approved delivery partner.​
• Annual country funding caps apply.​
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While all eligible developing countries can apply, priority is given to Least Developed Countries (LDCs),Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States.​

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In addition Direct Access Entities (DAEs) may benefit from readiness support, particularly foraccreditation, capacity strengthening, and project preparation. DAEs have to be in the process ofaccreditation to the GCF or be accredited. ​

Funding is available through two main funding windows:​

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1. NDA Funding Window (Country Readiness)​

• Supports National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Focal Points in:​
• Climate finance coordination and enabling environments​
• Strategic programming for adaptation and mitigation​
• Development of country programmes and project pipelines​
• Stakeholder engagement and institutional strengthening​
• National Adaptation Plan (NAP) implementation support​

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2. Direct Access Entity (DAE) Funding Window​

• • Supports Direct Access Entities (DAEs), in coordination with the respective NDA, in:​
  • Institutional capacity strengthening​
  • Accreditation-related capacity gaps​
  • Pipeline and proposal development​
  • Strengthening direct access to the GCF​

1. Country Modality (NDAs)​

Total envelope of up to USD 7 million per country over four years, consisting of:​

• USD 4 million per country over four years (core readiness support)​
• USD 3 million for NAP implementation support (NAP. 1)​

Additional allocations:​

• + USD 320,000 per LDC/SIDS country over four years​
• + additional USD 3 million for NAP implementation support (NAP.2)​

There is a trigger below USD 250,000 remaining in committed funds before additional funding can be accessed.​

Total envelope:​
Up to USD 7 million per country within the period 2024-2027, plus applicable additional allocations.​

Access to further funding is subject to a trigger (i.e. when committed funds fall below USD 250,000).​

DAE Funding Window​

• Up to USD 1 million per Direct Access Entity​

National Designated Authorities (NDAs) follow a structured four-step process:​

1. Submit a Request for Readiness Support​

The NDA:​

• Defines the scope of readiness activities (for up to a four-year period, or two consecutive periods).​
• Decides on the implementation modality:​
• Direct access (implemented by the NDA itself),​
• Through a directly selected Delivery Partner (DP),​
• Through a mini-tender among prequalified DPs, or​
• Through a hybrid approach.​
• Submits the formal Request for Support to the GCF.​

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2. Strategic Planning​

In collaboration with the GCF Secretariat, the NDA:​

• Identifies institutional gaps and priority needs for the four-year period.​
• Uses the Country Outcome Logframe (for NDAs).​
• Engages relevant stakeholders (e.g. ministries of finance, planning, economy, private sector).​

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3. Develop and Submit the Readiness Proposal​

The NDA (alone or with a selected Delivery Partner):​

• Formulates the Readiness proposal, potentially with support from a GCF consultant.​

4. Formalisationand Implementation​

Upon approval:​

• The GCF enters into a funding agreement with the NDA (or establishes a work order / exchange of letters with the DP).​
• Implementation begins.​
• Annual reports are submitted to the GCF.​
• Change requests may be submitted if necessary.​

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Window​

DAEs are eligible if they are:​

• Already accredited Direct Access Entities, or​
• Candidate DAEs in advanced stages of the GCF accreditation process.​

Support is accessed under the DAE Funding Window, and coordination with the NDA is required.​

Step 2: Request for Support​

• The DAE, in coordination with the NDA, defines its readiness needs and submits a Request for Support.​

Step 3: Strategic Planning​

• The DAE identifies institutional gaps and capacity-building needs for the proposed readiness period (up to four years), aligned with GCF readiness objectives.​

Step 4: Proposal Development (Three Possible Approaches)​

Following the structured access process, DAEs may apply through one of the following options:​

• Option 1: Direct Access by the DAE​
• The DAE prepares and submits a Direct Access Readiness Proposal.​
• Upon approval, the GCF enters into a GCF–DAE Grant Agreement.​
• Option 2: Through a GCF Pre-qualified Delivery Partner​
• A mini-tender may be launched among prequalified Delivery Partners (DPs).​
• The best proposal is selected.​
• A work order is issued for the selected DP.​
• Option 3: Hybrid Approach​
• A combination of direct access and delivery partner involvement may be used.​
• Depending on the structure, either a GCF–DAE grant agreement or a work order with the DP is established.​