Introduction to the GCF Readiness Programme

The Readiness Programme is a funding mechanism of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) that provides resources for strengthening institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks to identify a transformational long-term climate action agenda for developing countries. Readiness activities emphasize strengthening institutional capacities of National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or focal points and Direct Access Entities to efficiently engage with GCF. It also assists countries in undertaking adaptation planning and developing strategic frameworks to build their programming with GCF.

The Readiness Programme is designed to be a flexible tool to support developing countries, so GCF has not defined a list of activities that can be supported under the programme. However, there are eligible and non-eligible costs (refer to Q&A on “Accessing and Implementing GCF Readiness Funds”). Within these parameters, countries are encouraged to develop readiness support requests based on defined needs in complementarity with previous or ongoing initiatives and in alignment with the national vision for climate action.

Eligible activities proposed under the programme must contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

Objective 1: Capacity building for climate finance coordination

Objective 2: Strategic frameworks for low-emission investment

Objective 3: Strengthened adaptation planning

Objective 4: Paradigm-shifting pipeline development

Objective 5: Knowledge sharing and learning

Readiness proposals can be developed and submitted at country level or at regional level depending on the context-specific needs of the country/ies.  NDAs may have multiple readiness grants under implementation simultaneously and countries can participate in both regional and country level readiness projects (provided they have not exceeded the funding caps).

There are no funding targets for mitigation/adaptation.  Readiness emphasizes the development of country capacity.  However, support under Objective 3 – Strengthened adaptation planning can only be sought from the USD 3 million one-time funding allocation.

No, readiness funding cannot be used for development of a project proposal.  However, under the readiness programme activities can be conducted that contribute to project development such as concept notes, pre-feasibility studies, sectoral baseline assessments, mitigation potential assessments, vulnerability and impact assessments and sectoral investment action plans.  Readiness activities can also include the development of prioritization methodologies, establishment of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks and implementation of climate finance budget protocols.