The document summarizes a presentation on accessing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) readiness programme to support the process of formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). It notes that several countries are using GCF readiness funding to strengthen project pipelines and attract additional domestic and international finance for adaptation priorities. Some countries are advancing adaptation at the city-level using GCF funds. Ongoing challenges include understanding GCF readiness requirements, ensuring proposals address both NAP formulation and implementation, staging activities over multiple components, and building national capacity to develop high-quality proposals.

1. NAP Expo 2018
4 to 6 April 2018, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Experience of countries in accessing the GCF
readiness programme
Hana Hamadalla, LDC Expert Group (LEG)

2. Mandates of the LEG relating to access to the GCF
 The LEG should be mandated to provide technical guidance and advice
on accessing funding from the GCF for the process to formulate and
implement NAPs in collaboration with the GCF secretariat: (decision
19/CP.21, para. 2)
 The LEG and the Adaptation Committee to consider how they can provide
more information on accessing funding from the GCF for the process to
formulate and implement NAPs and to include such information, as
appropriate, in their reports: (decision 19/CP.21, para. 10)
 To consider, with the Adaptation Committee and in collaboration with the
GCF, how to best support developing country Parties in accessing funding
from the GCF for the process to formulate and implement NAPs, and to
report thereon to SBI 42: (decision 3/CP.20)
 Plus further mandates from the SBI for the LEG to include an agenda item
on access to the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme in
the agendas for regional training workshops on NAPs and NAP Expos

3. Experiences / observations – based on sessions from Day 1
 A number of countries are using GCF readiness funding to strengthen
their project pipelines to implement their adaptation priorities
 The countries are also using the GCF funds to attract finance from a
combination of domestic and international, public and private sources
 Some countries are advancing adaptation at different scales with the use
of GCF funds for NAPs, such as with cities
 A few countries are using national delivery partners and positive
experiences are emerging
 Delivery partners for NAP proposals to the GCF can be any organisation
the NDA chooses and they do not need to be accredited for project
implementation – they follow a separate accreditation process that is
much simpler
 The GCF can support NDAs with technical assistance for countries who
wish to develop a NAP proposal with a national Delivery Partner

4. Ongoing challenges in accessing the GCF for NAPs from past assessments 1/2
 Understanding latest requirements for GCF readiness proposals;
 Ensuring that readiness proposals are:
❖ Aligned with the COP guidance and NAP guidelines
❖ Address both objectives of the process to formulate and implement
NAPs, as well as the guiding principles
 How to stage activities of the process over time in manageable
components in order to accommodative the iterative and flexible nature of
the process;
 How address support needs for a long-term process through limited
project-type funding that is one-off and over a fixed timeframe
 How build/develop capacity of national teams to prepare high-quality
proposals that would be accepted by the GCF

5. Ongoing challenges in accessing the GCF for NAPs from past assessments 2/2
 How to align adaptation project approaches and activities with country
approaches and priorities in integrating climate change with development
 How minimize role of external entities and empower country personnel
more in the preparation and implementation of projects
 How to find out the correct reasons for obstacles/delays to disbursement
of funds on approved projects
 How to remove the bias on focus of the NAP project brought on by the
implementing partner

6. Contact:
The Chair
Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)
leghelp@unfccc.int