GCF concludes Framework Agreements with UNDP, UNEP and GIZ to support country readiness
GCF has concluded Readiness Framework Agreements with UNDP, UNEP, and GIZ, enabling the three organisations to serve as readiness support delivery partners with the Fund.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has concluded Readiness Framework Agreements with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, enabling the three organisations to serve as readiness support delivery partners with the Fund.
GCF has approved readiness requests from up to twenty developing countries that have chosen UNDP, UNEP or GIZ as delivery partners in the implementation of their respective GCF Readiness Programme activities.
The new agreements will allow a total of up to USD 5.4 million to be disbursed in the form of grants for these countries to implement their approved readiness activities.
Under this framework, UNDP has received a first disbursement of USD 1.35 million for grants in eight countries: Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Guinea, India, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Timor-Leste, and Swaziland.
“The Framework Agreements signed with UNDP, UNEP and GIZ will accelerate countries’ access to the Readiness Programme and facilitate the implementation of activities aimed at strengthening countries’ engagement with the Fund," said Mr. Ousseynou Nakoulima, Director of Country Programming at GCF.
The agreements will also enable countries to partner with UNDP and UNEP should they intend to access the GCF Readiness Programme to support the development of their national adaptation plans (NAPs) and other adaptation planning processes.
"The finalization of this agreement means we can now get to work as a Green Climate Fund delivery partner,” said Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of UN Environment. “More than 50 developing countries, from Albania to Zimbabwe, are requesting UN Environment to help them directly access and effectively use Green Climate Fund resources. UN Environment is very excited to be able to provide this additional avenue of support to countries, in addition to other ongoing efforts, in the fight against climate change."
The Green Climate Fund provides early support for readiness and preparatory activities to enhance country ownership and access. This ‘country readiness’ funding is a dedicated and cross-cutting programme that maximizes the effectiveness of the Fund by empowering developing countries. Support for readiness activities in individual developing countries is capped at USD 1 million per calendar year with an additional cap of USD 3 million per country for adaptation planning processes.
“UNDP is very proud to have signed the Readiness Framework Agreement with GCF,” said Ms. Adriana Dinu, Executive Coordinator of UNDP’s Global Environmental Finance Unit. “As a long-standing partner of developing countries on climate finance readiness, UNDP is committed to deliver GCF preparatory support for countries on a demand-driven basis.”
Speaking on behalf of GIZ, Ms. Vera Scholz, Director of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Division said, “GIZ highly values the existing cooperation with the GCF. We are excited to sign this framework agreement. This will enable GIZ to better support partner countries in accessing the GCF and planning for an effective, efficient and transformative use of GCF funding in line with national climate change and development priorities.”