Accreditation
Partnering with GCF, Accredited Entities convert concepts into action. Learn more about accreditation and how your organisation can get accredited.
Pre-screening
The pre-screening questionnaire is the starting point for organizations seeking to become GCF Accredited Entities (AEs). It allows applicants to better understand the accreditation process, and to confirm whether they meet the basic eligibility and institutional capacity requirements before moving forward with the accreditation application and process under the Accreditation Framework.
Pre-screening ensures that organizations are ready and able to fulfill the role and responsibilities of an AE before entering the detailed review phase.
Before applying for accreditation, all prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss with GCF and relevant countries regarding their plans to contribute to the countries’ climate priorities and GCF’s strategic programming objectives; and whether seeking institutional accreditation is the most appropriate modality of partnership with GCF, or whether other avenues (for example, serving as an Executing Entity for an AE, entering into co-investment partnership, becoming a knowledge partner) might be more suitable. Please refer to the list of GCF partner countries with the contact info of relevant Secretariat teams.
Purpose
Pre-screening serves as an early eligibility check to confirm that an applicant has the foundational elements required to partner with the GCF, and to help the potential applicant to better understand the process and what is expected and required.
Specifically, it verifies that the organization:
- has independent legal personality and authority to contract with international organizations;
- can receive, hold and manage GCF funds directly; and
- demonstrates basic operational and programming capacity to design and deliver climate finance project/programmes
Applicants who successfully complete pre-screening will be invited to submit a full accreditation application during an upcoming application window.
For a detailed explanation of the pre-screening process and step-by-step guidance, please refer to the Pre-Screening Guidance Note.
Outcomes
If the applicant passes pre-screening:
The GCF Secretariat will issue a notification confirming eligibility to participate in a future application window and provide guidance on preparing the full accreditation submission.
If the applicant does not pass pre-screening:
Secretariat will advise which areas were not met and suggest further ways to engage with the Fund, including:
- Accessing pre-accreditation readiness support through the National Designated Authority (NDA);
- Partnering as an executing entity or delivery partner under existing GCF funded activities; and
- Pursuing partnership arrangements or co-financing opportunities with accredited entities.
Get started
Guidance note: Navigating the Pre-screening questionnaire under the revised Accreditation Framework
17 Nov 2025
The pre-screening guidance note explains the Green Climate Fund’s pre-screening questionnaire under the revised Accreditation Framework, outlining the eligibility checks and core requirements for prospective Accredited Entities.
Important notice for applicants
If you submitted a pre-screening questionnaire before 28 November 2025 at 3:04 PM (KST) / 6:04 AM (GMT), we kindly ask that you re-submit your questionnaire and any relevant supporting documents.
Due to a technical issue identified during the pilot testing phase, a temporary system glitch affected the saving of responses from some new applicants, and unfortunately, certain submissions may not have been recorded successfully.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to improve the application process.
Start pre-screening on the GCF Partner Portal
Contact
For questions or technical assistance, please contact:
[email protected]
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Under the revised Accreditation Framework (RAF), pre-screening is the first required step before submitting a full accreditation application. It helps confirm that organizations meet the basic eligibility and capacity requirements for partnership with GCF.
The pre-screening questionnaire is available on a rolling basis, meaning applicants can complete and submit it at any time.
Eligibility confirmed through pre-screening allows organizations to participate in one of GCF’s two annual accreditation cycles. Each cycle includes a two-month application window followed by a nine-month review period by the Secretariat and the Accreditation Panel*.
Applicants are encouraged to complete the pre-screening well in advance of the next application window to ensure timely consideration.
*Overall time required by GCF to review the application, not accounting for the time that the applicant spent to respond to the questions during the review
Self-nomination applies to organizations that are not government or government-controlled but wish to seek accreditation to GCF independently.
- Self-nominating direct access entities are sub-national, national, or regional organizations legally established in developing countries but are not part of the governmental structures.
- Self-nominating international access entities are multilateral or international organizations applying under the international access modality.
While self-nominating direct access entities do not require an NDA nomination letter, they are encouraged to consult their country’s NDA or focal point to ensure alignment with national climate priorities before applying.
Yes. Private sector institutions such as commercial banks, investment funds, corporations, and other for-profit organizations may apply for accreditation.
They can be eligible under either access modality: Direct Access (if legally established in a developing country) or International Access (if operating regionally or globally).
The fast-track process allows organizations that have already been accredited or assessed by certain international institutions to benefit from a streamlined review when applying to GCF.
Under the revised Accreditation Framework (RAF), the fast-track option applies to entities accredited by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adaptation Fund (AF), or those that have been pillar-assessed by the European Union’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (EU DG INTPA).
Fast-track applicants still need to complete the pre-screening questionnaire, but their institutional assessments may be shortened as GCF recognizes equivalence with these existing standards.
The expansion of the fast-track programme to other institutions (e.g., World Bank, African Development Bank) is planned for operationalization under the RAF in 2026.
Your submission will be reviewed by the GCF Secretariat as part of the pre-screening process. If your organization passes, you will receive an invitation to submit a full accreditation application during an open window.
Yes. Supporting materials such as founding or registration certificates, proof of authorization to contract, or a certificate of good standing must be uploaded within the portal.
If your institution cannot open or maintain its own bank account or receive funds directly from the GCF Trustee, it may not yet meet eligibility requirements for accreditation. You may consider other ways to engage with GCF.
No. Pre-screening is free of charge. Fees apply only at the full accreditation application stage as defined in the Policy on Fees for Accreditation.