Songdo, 01 Jun 2018

The Green Climate Fund has strengthened its country-driven approach to supporting global climate action with the conclusion today of the Empowering Direct Access workshop.

During the past four days, almost a hundred participants from various corners of the planet have met at GCF HQ in Songdo, the Republic of Korea, to learn more about how the Fund works and to articulate the particular climate finance needs their countries require.

Direct Access Entities are special types of Accredited Entity – organisations which the Fund nominates to propose and carry out GCF-approved climate projects. Direct Access Entities form the essence of GCF’s country-driven approach as they consist of regional, national or subnational institutions nominated by the national governments of developing countries.

The overarching purpose of the past four days has been to assist Direct Access Entities develop GCF-supported climate projects that spur low-emission and climate-resilient development.

Opening the workshop on Tuesday, GCF Deputy Executive Director Javier Manzanares emphasised the importance the Fund places in Direct Access Entities by highlighting how 80 percent of all entities accredited since last year are direct access. That means over half of GCF’s 59 Accredited Entities are Direct Access Entities, he said.

Direct Access Entities are key because while GCF appreciates the “aim of climate action is ultimately global, we recognise that mitigation and adaptation activities take place at the local level,” Mr Manzanares told the workshop participants. “You obviously have the local knowledge to ensure the type of climate finance GCF provides is most impactful, and provides the benefits for those who most need it.”

The workshop included a variety of detailed sessions stepping out the necessary stages to apply for GCF support, with an emphasis on the need to show a clear climate change rationale. This includes ensuring proposed projects are underpinned by rigorous science and adherence to GCF’s climate impact areas.

There was considerable interest among workshop participants in "paradigm-shifting:" how does GCF define what makes climate change mitigation and adaptation projects transformative? GCF staff emphasised the Fund provides a variety of funding channels to help enhance understanding about what makes a good climate project. This support is available to Entities when nominated by their countries and submitted through GCF’s readiness programme and Project Preparation Facility.

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