Twenty-fourth meeting of the GCF Board (B.24)

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/10 titled "Secretariat management response to the Forward-Looking Performance Review of the GCF” and document GCF/B.23/20 titled “Forward-Looking Performance Review of the GCF”:

1. Recalls decision B.23/06, paragraphs (b), (c) and (d);
2. Takes note of the Secretariat management response to the Forward-Looking Performance Review of the GCF in document GCF/B.24/10; and
3. Decides to further consider, inter alia, the performance review and the management response within its deliberations on the Strategic Plan for the GCF 2020–2023 and other future Board agenda items, as appropriate.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/11 titled “GCF First Replenishment (GCF-1): Replenishment Summary Report”:

1. Welcomes the successful conclusion of the first formal replenishment process of the GCF, as mandated by Board decision B.21/18;
2. Expresses its appreciation to the group of Board members and alternate members who represented the Board and the GCF and actively engaged in the replenishment process;
3. Welcomes the pledges made by 28 contributors totalling USD 9.66 billion (SDR 6.97 billion) equivalent (as of 14 November 2019), and the credit earned due to early payment encashment, which brings the outcome of the pledging session to USD 9.78 billion (SDR 7.05 billion) equivalent;
4. Encourages further pledges and/or contributions during the replenishment period, in accordance with decision B.21/18;
5. Also encourages contributing countries to confirm their pledges to the GCF in the form of fully executed contribution agreements/arrangements as soon as possible;
6. Approves the updated Policy for Contributions, as contained in annex I of this document;
7. Agrees that it will consider the recommendations in the “Replenishment Summary Report” (document GCF/B.24/11) during its development of the updated Strategic Plan and other items on its workplan; and
8. Requests the Secretariat, in light of paragraph (g) above, to reflect these recommendations in its preparation of relevant documentation for Board consideration.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/Inf.01 titled “The Strategic Plan for the GCF: 2020–2023”:

1. Requests the Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to continue developing the updated Strategic Plan for 2020–2023, with a view to presenting it for consideration and approval by the Board at its twenty-fifth meeting, and that it takes into account:
   
   1. Guidance set out by the Board in decision B.22/06 and decisions taken by the Board at its twenty-fourth meeting, including in relation to the outcomes of the first formal replenishment process of the GCF;
   2. Ongoing consultation with Board members and alternate members, including comments made at and the outcomes of the twenty-fourth meeting of the Board and further written submissions made by Board and alternate members; and
   3. An inclusive process of engagement with GCF stakeholders, including developing countries, accredited entities, advisory groups, active observers and observer organizations;
2. Invites Board members and alternate members, as well as active observers, to submit written comments to the Secretariat on the draft updated Strategic Plan set out in document GCF/B.24/Inf.01 by 20 December 2019 to inform the work referred to in paragraph (a) above;
3. Requests the Secretariat to publish all written submissions on the GCF website;
4. Decides to hold an informal meeting of the Board, open to active observers, well before the twenty-fifth meeting of the Board, with a view to present a final draft of the updated Strategic Plan for 2020–2023;
5. Welcomes the offers from Liberia and Armenia to host the informal meeting of the Board;
6. Decides that the informal meeting shall be held from 5 to 7 February 2020 in Monrovia, Liberia;
7. Requests the Secretariat to distribute to Board and alternate members and active observers, at least two weeks prior to the informal meeting referred to in paragraph (d) above, an updated draft of the Strategic Plan for 2020–2023, along with guiding questions on issues requiring further consideration by the Board, as input to the informal meeting;
8. Decides that the cost of the informal meeting will be covered by the budget of the Board for 2020, as approved by decision B.24/05, and requests the Budget Committee to review the budgetary allocation; and
9. Requests the Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements for this informal meeting.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/14/Rev.01 titled “Workplan of the Board for 2020 – 2023: Co-Chairs proposal”:

1. Endorses the policy cycle for 2020–2023, as set out in annex II;
2. Requests the Secretariat to report annually to the Board as part of the report on the activities of the Secretariat on the lessons learned in implementing the policy cycle, with the first report to be presented to the Board at its first meeting in 2021;
3. Adopts the workplan of Board for 2020–2023, as set out in annex III;
4. Requests the Co-Chairs to update the Board workplan upon adoption of the Strategic Plan for 2020–2023 and at the first Board meeting of each year;
5. Decides that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any previous Board decisions or their annexes, any pending Board mandates or reviews of policies, guidelines, frameworks or other similar documents adopted by the Board shall, unless otherwise specified in this decision, be considered by the Board in accordance with the workplan of the Board for 2020–2023, as set out in annex II, or as subsequently amended;
6. Requests the Secretariat and independent units to commence policy reviews to enable Board consideration of the matters as scheduled in the workplan;
7. Decides to consider the following matters under the Strategic Plan for 2020–2023, as requested pursuant to decisions B.19/05, paragraph (c); B.21/18, paragraph (t); and B.22/06, paragraph (d):
   
   1. Findings of the additional analysis of potential investment priority areas to identify specific results areas where targeted GCF investment would have the most impact, as requested pursuant to decision B.17/08, paragraph (b);
   2. Alternative policy approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, as requested pursuant to decisions B.12/07, paragraph (e); B.14/01, paragraph (e); and B.17/01, paragraph (b)(vii);
   3. Mobilization of private sector finance to progress GCF forestry-related results areas, as requested pursuant to decisions B.12/07, paragraph (f); B.BM-2017/02; and B.17/01, paragraph (b)(xxi);
   4. Modalities to support activities to enable domestic and international private sector actors to engage in GCF activities in least developed countries and small island developing States, as requested pursuant to decisions B.19/18, paragraph (b); and B.20/03, paragraph (b)(vi);
   5. Private Sector Advisory Group recommendations to engage the private sector, including local actors, in adaptation action at the national, regional and international levels, as requested pursuant to decisions B.15/03, paragraph (i)(ii); B.17/06, paragraph (d)(ii); and B.21/04, paragraph (c)(ii);
   6. Steps to enhance the climate rationale of GCF-supported activities, as requested pursuant to decision B.19/06, paragraph (d)(i);
   7. Terms of reference for a request for proposal to support climate technology incubators and accelerators, as requested pursuant to decision B.18/03, paragraph (c); and
   8. The updated operational framework on complementarity and coherence, as requested pursuant to decision B.20/05, paragraph (e);
8. Requests the respective committees to oversee the reviews set out below, with the support of the Secretariat or independent units as relevant, and, if action by the Board is required as a result of the review, to present recommendations to the Board for its consideration and approval. Specifically:
   
   1. The Investment Committee to review in 2020 and 2022 the financial terms and conditions of grants and concessional loans pursuant to the review mandated by decision B.BM-2019/08, paragraph (c);
   2. The Investment Committee to review by 2021 the investment criteria indicators pursuant to the review mandated by decision B.19/07, paragraph (b);
   3. The Risk Management Committee to review in 2020 the initial financial risk management framework pursuant to the review mandated by decision B.07/05, paragraph (f); and
   4. The Risk Management Committee to review in 2020 the risk management framework (components I–VII) pursuant to the reviews mandated in the policies as adopted through decisions B.17/11, paragraph (a), and B.19/04, paragraph (a);
9. Also requests the Budget Committee to consider the initial analysis of options to minimize the effects of currency fluctuations on the commitment authority of the GCF, as requested pursuant to decision B.21/14, paragraph (j), and to present to the Board any recommended action for its consideration;
10. Further requests the Secretariat to develop the appropriate risk rating models with the support from an external professional service provider, as requested pursuant to decision B.17/11, paragraph (f), with the proviso to bring any recommendations requiring Board attention back to the Board;
11. Requests the Secretariat to conduct the review of the scaling pilot, as requested pursuant to decision B.10/17, paragraph (e), and decision B.12/18, in conjunction with the review of the investment criteria indicators, adopted pursuant to decision B.22/15, and to communicate its findings to the Investment Committee and the Board;
12. Decides that formal meetings of the Board will continue to be webcast live until otherwise decided by the Board; and
13. Requests the Co-Chairs, taking into account the report contained in limited distribution document GCF/B.24/Inf.15/Add.01, to prepare a proposal on the review of the effectiveness of the committees and group established by the Board for consideration by the Board at its twenty-fifth meeting.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/09 titled “2020 work programme of the Secretariat and annual administrative budget of the Secretariat, Board and Trustee” and GCF/B.24/Inf.07 titled “Reports from committees, panels and groups of the Board of the Green Climate Fund”:

1. Recognizes that the work programme will help to guide the activities of the Secretariat during 2020;
2. Approves the 2020 work programme and the goals and suggested priorities set out therein, in accordance with paragraph 23(e) of the Governing Instrument for the GCF;
3. Also approves an administrative budget for the Secretariat, as presented in annex IV, section IV, for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 in the amount of USD 70,190,932, which includes USD 26,083,209 in new funding as well as USD 44,107,723 for 2020 staff salaries and emoluments that was approved by the Board by decision B.18/12, paragraph (d);
4. Further approves releasing the amount of USD 45 million, which was set aside towards the operating expenses of the GCF for 2020, as per decision B.22/21, paragraph (a);
5. Approves USD 50,758,819 for projected staff salaries and emoluments for 2022;
6. Also approves a budget for the Board in the amount of USD 3,673,720, as found in annex IV, table 4;
7. Further approves a budget for the Trustee in the amount of USD 2,881,000, as included annex IV, table 17;
8. Decides to set aside an additional amount of USD 70 million towards the risk buffer;
9. Requests the Secretariat to ensure that the Secretariat’s consultancies budget, as contained in annex IV, section IV, be used in line with the work programme of the Secretariat as approved by the Board; and
10. Acknowledges expectations from the Board for Board documentation to be released in line with paragraph 21 of the Rules of Procedure of the Board.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/12 titled “Independent Evaluation Unit 2020 Work Plan and Budget and Update of its Three-year Objectives and Work Plan”:

1. Approves the workplan and budget of the Independent Evaluation Unit for 2020 as contained in annex VII for the total budgeted amount of USD 5.58 million;
2. Requests the Budget Committee to review the budget execution during 2020 and acknowledges that the Independent Evaluation Unit may present to the Board for consideration at its twenty-sixth meeting an additional budgetary request to execute its workplan for 2020; and
3. Notes the update on the Independent Evaluation Unit’s rolling three-year workplan, outlined in annex VIII as requested by the Board to ensure flexibility, learning and predictability for the Independent Evaluation Unit

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/16/Rev.01 titled “Workplan and budget of the Independent Integrity Unit for 2020”:

1. Approves the workplan and budget of the Independent Integrity Unit for 2020 as contained in annexes IX, X, and XI for the total budgeted amount of USD 2,638,044; and
2. Requests the Budget Committee and Ethics and Audit Committee to review the budget execution during 2020 and acknowledges that the Independent Integrity Unit may present to the Board, for its consideration at its twenty-sixth meeting, an additional budgetary request to execute its workplan for 2020.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/03/Rev.01 titled “Independent Redress Mechanism Work Plan and Budget for 2020”:

Approves the workplan and budget of the Independent Redress Mechanism for 2020 as contained in annexes XII and XIII, respectively, for the total budgeted amount of USD 1,321,238.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/02/Rev.02 titled “Consideration of funding proposals”:

1. Takes note of the following funding proposals:
   
   1. Funding proposal 082 titled “Catalyzing Climate Finance (Shandong Green Development Fund)”, by the Asian Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.01, Add.10 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   2. Funding proposal 116 titled “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands in Kyrgyz Republic (CS-FOR)”, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.02 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   3. Funding proposal 117 titled “Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management”, by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.03 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   4. Funding proposal 118 titled “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal (BRCRN)”, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.04 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   5. Funding proposal 119 titled “Water Banking and Adaptation of Agriculture to Climate Change in Northern Gaza”, by the Agence Française de Developpement (AFD), as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.05 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   6. Funding proposal 120 titled “Chile REDD+ RBP for results period 2014-2016”, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.06 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   7. Funding proposal 121 titled “REDD+ Results-based payments in Paraguay for the period 2015-2017”, by the United Nations Environment Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.07 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   8. Funding proposal 122 titled “Blue Action Fund (BAF): GCF Ecosystem Based Adaptation Programme in the Western Indian Ocean”, by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.08 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   9. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 008 titled “Extended Community Climate Change Project-Flood (ECCCP-Flood)”, by the Palli KarmaSahayak Foundation (PKSF), as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.12 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   10. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 009 titled “Building resilience of urban populations with ecosystem-based solutions in Lao PDR”, by the United Nations Environment Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.13 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   11. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 010 titled “Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System for the Philippines”, by the Landbank of the Philippines, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.14 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   12. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 011 titled “Climate-resilient food security for women and men smallholders through integrated system-based risk management”, by the World Food Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.15 and Add.18/Rev.01;
   13. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 012 titled “Inclusive Green Financing for Climate Resilient and Low Emission Smallholder Agriculture”, by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, as contained in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.16/Rev.01 and Add.18/Rev.01; and
2. Approves, pursuant to a vote in which 19 of the Board members present voted in favour and 2 of the Board members present voted against, and in respect of which 1 of the Board members present abstained from the vote, funding proposal 082 for the amount of USD 100,000,000, submitted by the Asian Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
3. Decides, pursuant to the above-mentioned vote, in respect of funding proposal FP082, that the Asian Development Bank may seek further approval of the Board at meetings of the Board or through decisions between meetings of commitment of further funding in an amount, when aggregated with the amounts previously approved by the Board, no greater than USD 180,000,000, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV;
4. Approves funding proposal 116 for the amount of USD 29,988,520, submitted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
5. Also approves funding proposal 117 for the amount of EUR 15,160,596, submitted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
6. Further approves funding proposal 118 for the amount of USD 39,299,905, submitted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
7. Approves funding proposal 119 for the amount of EUR 23,709,782, submitted by the Agence Française de Developpement, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
8. Also approves funding proposal 120 for the amount of USD 63,607,552, submitted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
9. Further approves funding proposal 121 for the amount of USD 50,000,000, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
10. Approves funding proposal 122 for the amount of EUR 30,000,000, submitted by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
11. Also approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 008 for the amount of USD 9,681,340, submitted by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
12. Further approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 009 for the amount of USD 10,000,000, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
13. Approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 010 for the amount of USD 9,999,042, submitted by the Landbank of the Philippines, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
14. Also approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 011 for the amount of USD 9,250,000, submitted by the World Food Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
15. Further approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 012 for the amount of EUR 8,500,000, submitted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, subject to the conditions set out in annex XIV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.24/02/Add.18/Rev.01;
16. Reaffirms that, pursuant to annex IV to decision B.17/09, the Executive Director or his designee is authorized to negotiate and enter into legal agreements on behalf of the GCF with accredited entities and other parties involved in respect of funding proposals approved by the Board, taking into account any condition approved by the Board in this decision and in the decision accrediting the relevant accredited entity; and
17. Authorizes the Secretariat to disburse fees for each funded project/programme approved by the Board as per the disbursement schedule to be agreed in the funded activity agreement in accordance with the policy on fees and the general principles and indicative list of eligible costs covered under GCF fees and project management costs adopted by the Board pursuant to decision B.19/09.

The Board, having considered the limited distribution document GCF/B.24/05 titled “Status of approved funding proposals: Extension of deadline in respect of FP104 (Nigeria Solar IPP Support Program)”:

1. Decides to extend the deadline until 23 February 2020 for the submission by the accredited entity of a certificate or legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Secretariat, confirming that the accredited entity has obtained all final internal approvals needed by it and has the capacity and authority to implement the proposed project for the following approved funding proposal:
   
   1. FP104, titled “Nigeria Solar IPP Support Program”.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/07/Rev.01 titled “Consideration of accreditation proposals”:

1. Takes note with appreciation of the assessments conducted by the Secretariat and the Accreditation Panel contained within the relevant annexes for the following applicants:
   
   1. Applicant 090 (APL090) is the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat (NCDDS) based in Cambodia, as contained in annex XV;
   2. Applicant 091 (APL091) is CRDB Bank Limited (CRDB) based in the United Republic of Tanzania, as contained in annex XVI;
   3. Applicant 092 (APL092) is Finanzas y Negocios Servicios Financieros Limitada (FYNSA) based in Chile, as contained in annex XVII;
   4. Applicant 093 (APL093) is IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Limited (IEISL) based in India, as contained in annex XVIII;
   5. Applicant 094 (APL094) is Yes Bank Limited (Yes Bank) based in India, as contained in annex XIX;
   6. Applicant 095 (APL095) is Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. (CDP) based in Italy, as contained in annex XX; and
   7. Applicant 096 (APL096) is Save the Children Australia (SCA) based in Australia, as contained in annex XXI;
2. Approves the accreditation of applicants APL090, APL091, APL092, APL093, APL094, APL095 and APL096, pursuant to paragraph 45 of the Governing Instrument for the GCF, subject to, and in accordance with, the assessments by the Accreditation Panel contained in the relevant annexes for each of the applicants and completion of Stage III of the accreditation by having an effective accreditation master agreement, in accordance with decision B.23/11;
3. Takes note that, pursuant to decision B.08/03, paragraph (k), the Secretariat, in consultation with the Accreditation Panel, is proposing that the eligibility to apply under the fast-track accreditation process be extended to those entities listed in annex XXII;
4. Decides that those entities referred to in annex XXII are also eligible to apply under the fast-track accreditation process for the standards of GCF in accordance with decision B.08/03, paragraph (g), for entities under the Adaptation Fund; and
5. Recalling decision B.21/15, paragraph (e), decides that future accreditation decisions by the Board should aim to bring forward accredited entities that fulfil the mandate consistent with the Governing Instrument on balance, diversity and coverage and advance the objectives of GCF and, to that end, also decides to prioritize up to the end of the twentyfifth meeting of the Board the following, not listed in order of priority:
   
   1. National direct access entities nominated for accreditation by national designated authorities or focal points of countries that do not have an accredited direct access national entity;
   2. Private sector entities, in particular those in developing countries, seeking a balance of diversity of entities in line with decision B.09/07, paragraph (g) and decision B.10/06, paragraph (h);
   3. Entities responding to requests for proposal issued by the Green Climate Fund, for example, including a pilot phase for enhancing direct access; a pilot programme to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises; and a pilot programme to mobilize resources at scale in order to address adaptation and mitigation;
   4. Accredited entities seeking fulfilment of their conditions for accreditation; and
   5. Accredited entities requesting upgrades in their accreditation scope.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/15 titled “Updated Gender Policy and Gender Action Plan 2020–2023”:

1. Takes note of the Secretariat’s report of the survey findings on the direct costs and benefits associated with the implementation of the policy and acknowledges the progress made in the implementation of the Gender Policy and Gender Action Plan as presented in section III of annex V to the document;
2. Also takes note of the gender action plan of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and related matters regarding gender-sensitive and gender-responsive climate policy;
3. Requests the Secretariat, in its annual reports to the Board, to provide a GCF-focused implementation perspective related to gender-responsive climate policy;
4. Confirms that, in order to support capacity-building to access GCF resources:
   
   1. National designated authorities and focal points may request readiness and preparatory support from GCF to develop and/or strengthen their capacities, policies, procedures and competencies to meet the requirements of the updated Gender Policy of the GCF and the Gender Action Plan of the GCF 2020–2023; and
   2. Direct access entities may request support from the Project Preparation Facility to support the project-level requirements of the updated Gender Policy of the GCF and Gender Action Plan 2020–2023;
5. Adopts the updated Gender Policy of the GCF as presented in annex XXIII, acknowledging the progress made in advancing gender balance and gender equality within the context of climate change policies and in line with individual country circumstances when applying said policy;
6. Also adopts the Gender Action Plan of the GCF 2020–2023, as contained in annex XXIV; and
7. Requests the Secretariat to implement the Gender Action Plan for the period of 2020 to 2023 and the associated gender indicators, as contained in annexes XXIV and XXV, respectively.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/06 titled “Matters related to the accreditation framework”:

1. Adopts the re-accreditation process set out in annex XXVI, applying mutatis mutandis the initial guiding framework for the GCF accreditation process as contained in decision B.07/02, expecting not to create a disproportionate burden for the accredited entities; and
2. Decides to defer its consideration of the project-specific assessment approach as contained in annex XXVII until the twenty-fifth meeting of the Board.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/04 titled “Review of the initial investment framework: Policy on co-financing”:

1. Adopts the Policy on Co-financing as set out in annex XXVIII;
2. Decides that the Policy on Co-financing will apply to funding proposals approved at the twenty-sixth meeting of the Board and thereafter;
3. Requests the Secretariat to design and implement a capacity-building programme, as part of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, to support direct access accredited entities in the implementation of the Policy on Co-financing, including its reporting and evaluation requirements;
4. Also requests the Secretariat to update the templates for concept notes and funding proposals to reflect the Policy on Co-financing by the twenty-fifth meeting of the Board, in keeping with the Secretariat’s current practice of updating templates no more than once per year;
5. Further requests the Secretariat to recommend for the Board’s consideration the modality for the review of the Policy on Co-financing as part of the overall GCF policy review and update cycle, ensuring consistency with other relevant policies and building upon lessons learned and implementation challenges identified in the application of this policy;
6. Requests the Secretariat to report relevant financial data defined in the Policy on Cofinancing no later than 2021 on the basis of 2020 data to inform relevant processes and relevant institutions collecting international development finance data, including those informing assessments by the Standing Committee on Finance and the reporting for the Biennial Reports under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as appropriate; and
7. Also requests the Secretariat to continue to work on the collaboration with relevant bilateral and multilateral institutions as well as on capacity-building with a view to introduce an instrument-based methodology to report mobilized private finance.

The Board:

1. Takes note of the consultations and comments submitted on the draft Evaluation Policy;
2. Confirms that the Evaluation Policy is a GCF-wide policy that guides the Board, the Secretariat, the Independent Evaluation Unit, other independent units, accredited entities and national designated authorities/focal points;
3. Also confirms that the Independent Evaluation Unit and the Secretariat jointly clarify and delineate the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities in the Evaluation Policy;
4. Agrees to amend the terms of reference for the Head of the Independent Evaluation Unit (see annex V to decision B.10/05) as contained in annex XXIX;
5. Requests the Independent Evaluation Unit and the Secretariat to present the draft Evaluation Policy for consideration no later than the twenty-fifth meeting of the Board;
6. Also requests the Independent Evaluation Unit to present the detailed procedures and guidelines for the effective operation of the Independent Evaluation Unit for consideration by the Board at its twenty-fifth meeting; and
7. Further requests the Secretariat, in consultation with the Independent Evaluation Unit, to develop monitoring protocols, toolkits and guidelines that take into account the Evaluation Policy and the integrated results management framework, which will be submitted for the Board’s consideration at its twenty-fifth meeting.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.24/08 titled “Dates and venues of upcoming meetings of the Board”:

Confirms that the twenty-fifth meeting of the Board will take place from Tuesday, 10 March to Thursday, 12 March 2020.