Largest Number of Proposals Addresses Climate Adaptation for the Most Vulnerable Groups

Washington, D.C. (August 13, 2018) — A record high amount of funding of US$ 264 million was requested by implementing entities under the call for proposals to be considered at the 32nd meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) in October 2018. This is an increase of over one-fourth (US$ 55.5 million) from the previous record in 2016 (US$ 208.5 million).

The high demand for funding was also reflected in the number of project proposals (35), which is the largest amount followed by the previous record 33 proposals in fall 2017. Eleven of the proposals make use of the Fund’s direct access modality which is first among climate funds and that gives developing countries the opportunity to access funds directly from the Fund, without intermediation of international organizations.

“This record high number of proposals and requested funding shows that vulnerable developing countries call on the Adaptation Fund to be able to help them address the needs posed by the impacts of climate change,” said Adaptation Fund Board Chair Victor Viñas. “It is testament to the important role the Fund plays in helping implement the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement.”

“This large batch of proposals reflects the diversity of needs countries are facing in their adaptation to climate change, ranging from securing food production to managing increasingly unpredictable water resources and protecting communities from increasing weather-related damage. The number of proposed regional projects shows that often countries choose to address these needs through collaboration with their neighbors,” said Mikko Ollikainen, Manager of the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat.

A total of 24 single-country proposals with a combined request of US$ 149.4 million were received, targeting 18 different countries. Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC), National Implementing Entity of the Fund is proposing a project for the first time since it was accredited as the Fund’s National Implementing Entity last February. The project aims to build up national climate resilience and sustainable food security by harnessing alternative renewable energy resources.

The 11 regional project proposals totaling US$ 114.6 million cover the most vulnerable communities including displaced persons (DPs) and persons with disabilities. UN-Habitat’s US$ 14 million project is for increasing the resilience of displaced persons to climate change-related water challenges in Lebanon and Jordan. UNDP’s US$ 13.6 million proposal targets persons with disabilities to build resilience to deal with climate change in the Asia Pacific region.

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