The GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP) provides targeted capacity-building support to strengthen the institutional capacity, governance, and planning frameworks of developing countries to plan for, access, and independently manage climate finance.

It supports National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Focal Points, and Direct Access Entities (DAEs) in building enabling environments, developing strategic frameworks (such as NDCs and NAPs) and developing pipelines of high-quality climate projects.

As a key entry point to GCF support, the RPSP ensures that countries are institutionally and technically prepared 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 institutional capacity
  
  • Capacity support for National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Focal Points to engage with the GCF​
• Accreditation of Direct Access Entities (DAEs)
  
  • Support for both pre- and post-accreditation processes​
• Strategic frameworks and planning
  
  • Development and updating of key documents, including Country Programmes, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)​
• ​Project pipeline development
  
  • Preparation of concept notes, feasibility studies, and environmental and social safeguards
• Coordination and stakeholder engagement
  
  • Strengthening coordination between government, civil society, and the private sector​
• Cross-cutting priorities
  
  • Integration of gender equality and social inclusion into climate planning and project development​
• Systems and standards
  
  • Enhancing fiduciary standards, monitoring and reporting systems, and climate finance tracking​ systems​
• Private sector engagement
  
  • ​Facilitating private sector participation in climate finance

​Readiness support is available to all developing country Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

To access support:

• A country must have an appointed National Designated Authority (NDA) or GCF Focal Point
• Requests must be submitted or formally endorsed by the NDA or Focal Point
• Activities must align with the objectives of the Readiness Programme (e.g. strengthening institutional capacity, strategic planning, accreditation, or proposal development).
• Implementation must take place through an accredited entity or approved delivery partner
• Annual country funding caps apply

​Although all developing countries are eligible, priority is given to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States.

​In addition, Direct Access Entities (DAEs) may access readiness support, particularly for accreditation, capacity strengthening, and project preparation. DAEs must be accredited or in the process of accreditation to the GCF.

Funding is available through two main windows:

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
• Support for National Adaptation Plan (NAP) implementation

Direct Access Entity (DAE) Funding Window​

Supports Direct Access Entities (DAEs), in coordination with the respective NDA, in:

1.Country Modality (NDAs)​

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

• USD 4 million for 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)​​​

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

2. DAE Funding Window​

• Up to USD 1 million per Direct Access Entity​

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

Step 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​
  • Through a hybrid approach.​
• Submits the formal Request for Support to the GCF.​

Step 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) to define expected outcomes, outputs, and indicators for readiness support.​
• Engages relevant stakeholders (e.g. ministries of finance, planning, economy, private sector) to ensure coordination and alignment of readiness activities.​

Step 3: Proposal development ​

The NDA, alone or with a selected Delivery Partner:​

• Prepares and submits the Readiness proposal, potentially with support from a GCF consultant.​

Step 4: Formalisation and 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.​

The GCF RPSP is implemented at the country level under the leadership of the National Designated Authority (NDA) or GCF Focal Point.

Readiness support is country-driven and can be implemented:

• Directly by the NDA,
• Through a selected delivery partner, or
• Through an accredited entity, depending on the chosen implementation modality.

The GCF Secretariat reviews and approves requests for support and provides technical guidance throughout implementation. Countries are responsible for coordinating activities, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with national priorities.

• Readiness Strategy 2024 – 2027: Readiness Strategy 2024-2027 | Green Climate Fund
• Other Readiness Projects: Databases | GCF Open Data Library
• Partner Portal User Guide: GCF Partner Portal User Guide | Green Climate Fund
• Direct Access Financial Porposal Template (NDA): Direct access financial proposal template | Green Climate Fund
• Direct Access Proposal Template (NDA): Direct access proposal template – Country support window | Green Climate Fund