Project approval process - Project cycle - 1. Country engagement

Stage 1 is the beginning of all GCF projects. It requires country engagement to ensure that all projects and programmes are aligned with the climate objectives of developing countries and with our strategic plan. This work is supported by the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, which provides multi-annual grants to build the capacity of developing countries, and to support the development of country investment platforms which can be financed by GCF and other financial actors.

During this stage, a country's government and National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or focal points set national priorities, analyse financial needs and gaps, and identify Accredited Entities (AEs) or partners to design and implement funding proposals and projects. This stage also requires that NDAs engage various stakeholders when developing their country priorities to ensure that environmental and social safeguards are in force.

Country missions and regional structured dialogues are facilitated by the Secretariat to identify country programming priorities and ensure alignment with GCF's investment criteria and the expertise and capabilities of AEs. GCF also supports NDAs/focal points and direct access entities (DAEs) through the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme to transform project ideas into concrete Concept Notes and Funding Proposals.

The GCF Secretariat works closely with NDAs and AEs to identify highly impactful project ideas that have the potential to meet all six GCF investment criteria. GCF's early engagement contributes to increasing the "quality at entry" of funding proposals and streamlining the funding proposal approval process.