GCF updates Readiness Programme to strengthen country ownership and delivery flexibility

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has introduced a series of updates to its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme to strengthen country ownership, increase flexibility, and improve the efficiency of support provided to developing countries.

The Readiness Programme helps countries strengthen institutional capacity, advance climate planning, and develop investment pipelines that can attract financing from GCF and other sources. Since the first readiness grant was approved in 2015, GCF has supported 142 countries with USD 778 million in committed funding, making it the world's largest source of readiness support for climate action.

A key update is revised operational guidance that expands the range of entities eligible to deliver readiness support. In response to country requests for more flexible delivery arrangements, countries can now access Readiness funding through additional delivery partners, including national entities nominated by the National Designated Authority (NDA), such as non-governmental organisations, as well as GCF-accredited entities.

These options complement existing delivery channels- NDAs, government ministries and agencies, Readiness Framework Agreement holders, and prequalified delivery partners. The changes are designed to help countries select partners best suited to their needs while maintaining strong country ownership.

Under the 2024-2027 Readiness Strategy, GCF has received requests for readiness support from more than 90 countries and continues to engage closely with countries to advance proposal development and approvals.

Through recent communications with NDAs, GCF is encouraging countries to take a more strategic and inclusive approach to readiness programming. Priority areas include strengthening country coordination and investment platforms, supporting implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Long-Term Strategies (LTS), advancing pre-accreditation efforts, building robust climate finance pipelines, promoting private sector engagement, scaling locally led adaptation, and enhancing the integration of gender and Indigenous Peoples considerations.

GCF is also encouraging countries to complete and close previously approved Readiness projects while using new support opportunities to address emerging capacity needs and priorities.

Countries that have not yet submitted readiness requests or full proposals are encouraged to do so through the GCF Partner Portal by 31 March 2027 to allow sufficient time for approval and legal agreement signing before the end of the current strategy period.

Learn more

Visit the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme pages to learn more about the updated guidance, available support, eligibility requirements, and how countries can access readiness funding.