Accreditation

The revised Accreditation Framework and the additional components of the package approved therewith went live on 31 October 2025, the day after the closing of the 43rd meeting of the GCF Board (B.43).

It depends on how far along the entity’s application is currently and where it will be when the new framework becomes effective. Please refer to the transitional arrangements adopted by the GCF Board for more details. Only applicants who are in Stage II (Step 1 - Accreditation Panel review) of the current accreditation process as of October 31st may elect to continue the accreditation process under the current accreditation framework. If they chose to do so and subject to the satisfactory completion of the assessment, they are eligible to be recommended for accreditation by the Accreditation Panel to the Board (at B.44, B.45 or B.46).

The other applicants in the pipeline will transition to various steps of the revised accreditation process as described in the transitional arrangements. The Accreditation team has already informed over 360 entities of how the transitional arrangements will apply to them.

No. In accordance with the transitional arrangements, the Secretariat stopped accepting new accreditation applications under the current accreditation framework on the day the revised Accreditation Framework was adopted (3 July 2025). As per the transitional arrangements, the entity will be transitioned to Step 3 – “Application and fees”– of the revised Accreditation Framework. Progress made on the application will remain valid if the entity continues under the new process.

No. In accordance with the transitional arrangements, the Secretariat stopped issuing access to the Digital Accreditation Platform under the current accreditation framework on the day the revised Accreditation Framework was adopted (3 July 2025). As per the transitional arrangements, the entity will go through the pre-screening process (Step 2) of the revised Accreditation Framework after it becomes effective. The pre-screening questionnaire is expected to become available after the revised Accreditation Framework becomes effective. If the entity passes the pre-screening, it will be invited to submit a full application.

No. If an applicant has submitted an application under the current framework and wishes to continue seeking accreditation under the revised Accreditation Framework, the applicant will not lose the progress already made. The applicant’s existing application will be mapped to the new application form and the relevant parts will be migrated to an updated accreditation system/platform.

However, during the screening process under the revised Accreditation Framework, the Secretariat and/or Accreditation Panel might request the applicant to submit updated or additional documents as needed to be able to complete the screening process.

After mapping the application content to the new accreditation form, some of the information/evidence an applicant has already provided as part of the current application will no longer be retained and reviewed during the accreditation process. The applicant will need to provide the relevant information/evidence (or update information previously provided, for example, on financing instruments and relevant specialized fiduciary standards) when submitting a concept note/funding proposal.

No. The nomination letters issued by the NDAs will remain valid when transitioning to the revised Accreditation Framework.

No. If an applicant has already paid the accreditation fees, it will not be charged a new application fee when transitioning to the revised Accreditation Framework.

The pre-screening questionnaire is expected to become available on an online accreditation platform following the effectiveness of the revised Accreditation Framework. The entities without access to the Digital Accreditation Platform will need to go through the pre-screening process. If they pass the pre-screening, they will be invited to submit a full application and pay the applicable fees.

The first window of application is expected to open in January 2026 for two months. All existing applicants transitioning to the revised Accreditation Framework (except those that must go through pre-screening first)  will be able  to resume their accreditation process once the window opens, as the new digital accreditation platform and updated application template will become available at that time. 

Application windows: Unlike the rolling application submission currently, GCF will accept applications for accreditation during two set windows per year. Each window will stay open for two months for submissions. This batched approach is expected to enhance transparency and predictability.

GCF Secretariat and Accreditation Panel review time: A timeline of nine months applies to GCF’s review of new accreditation applications. This timeline excludes any period during which the application is pending with the applicant for responses to the Secretariat or Panel questions. However, to ensure mutual accountability, the Secretariat will introduce additional service standards for each milestone of the accreditation process including for applicants.

No. Under the revised Accreditation Framework, accreditation is for an indefinite term and there is no concept of re-accreditation. The updated Monitoring and Accountability Framework (MAF) sets out the monitoring and accountability requirements applicable to AEs, including the role of AEs in advancing the mandate of GCF, AE compliance, and funded activity monitoring.

Under the revised Accreditation Framework, the accreditation process is complete upon the approval decision of the GCF Board and the accreditation process does not require the signing and making effective an accreditation master agreement. Under the revised approach to legal arrangements, programming with GCF will be based on project-specific funded activity agreement for each approved funding proposal which incorporates the GCF standard conditions and any project-specific conditions.

Yes. The adoption of the revised Accreditation Framework does not affect any previous accreditation decisions. Entities accredited prior to the effective date of the revised Accreditation Framework will be considered AEs unless they have outstanding accreditation conditions related to screening requirements. Each Accredited Entity will receive an official certificate confirming their accreditation status and scope, issued under the transitional arrangements adopted at B.42/13.

No, entities will be considered AEs regardless of whether they have signed or made effective their AMA or amended and restated AMA, subject to any outstanding conditions addressing gaps indicating the entity does not meet the applicable screening requirements. AEs may continue the negotiation of AMAs, or amended and restated AMAs, or continue working to make such AMAs effective, however, a signed and effective AMA is not required to programme with GCF under the revised approach to legal arrangements and the AE may transition to the revised approach.

No, accreditation is for an indefinite term and there is no concept of re-accreditation under the revised Accreditation Framework.

The pause on re-accreditation was further extended via decision B.42/13, paragraph (o), until the revised Accreditation Framework becomes effective. On the effective date of the revised Accreditation Framework, the accreditation term for all AEs is indefinite.

Outstanding accreditation or reaccreditation conditions adopted by the GCF Board will still need to be satisfied by the AE. The Accreditation Panel is analyzing all outstanding conditions and the Accreditation Panel and/or the Secretariat will contact relevant AEs.

Yes, other than the maximum E&S risk category which still applies, AEs can submit funding proposals in respect of any fiduciary scope or size for which they can meet the relevant requirements. If an entity has not previously been assessed against the applicable standards, the AE will be assessed against and meet the applicable standards during project review.

No, the maximum E&S risk category approved by the Board continues to apply. If an AE wishes to submit funding proposals with a higher E&S risk category than their current accreditation, they must first seek and obtain Board approval for an upgrade to their E&S risk category scope.

Section 1.3 (funded activity monitoring) of the updated MAF will apply to all funding proposals approved at or after the 45th meeting of the GCF Board.

Funded activity monitoring with respect to the implementation of funding proposals approved at or before the 44th meeting of the GCF Board will be in accordance with the MAF adopted by GCF Board in decision B.11/10 and the legal arrangements in respect of such approved funded activity.

AEs are subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic self-reporting under the updated MAF, which ensures continuous compliance with GCF’s policies and standards applicable at the institutional level.

For more information, please refer to the MAF policy document available in the Resources section.

Accredited Entities accredited before 31 October 2025

Section 1.2 of the updated MAF will apply to these AEs upon the effective date subject to transitional arrangements. In particular:

• Self-assessment report on compliance with applicable GCF standards and policies. AEs accredited before 31 October 2025 should still submit an annual self-assessment report for calendar year 2025 by end of February 2026 in line with the MAF adopted by the Board in decision B.11/10, and the applicable accreditation master agreement in respect of the AE. The new requirements related to self-assessment report would apply to these AEs afterward.
• Self-certification statement on changes potentially affecting compliance with applicable GCF standards and policies. AEs accredited before 31 October 2025 should submit self-certification statements, where needed, in accordance with the new requirements starting 1 January 2026. These statements may be triggered by changes initiated by an AE as part of its institutional development, such as, inter alia, responses to national regulatory changes, or by updates in GCF standards and policies.

AEs accredited after 31 October 2025

Section 1.2 of the updated MAF shall apply to these AEs from the date of their accreditation, including requirements of submitting self-assessments and self-certification statements.

Each AE shall, every five years from the date of its accreditation decision, submit a report to GCF, which will be published on the website of GCF. The report should include (a) information on the contribution of the AE, taking into account its overall portfolio, towards the mandate of GCF; and (b) a confirmation that the AE will continue to contribute to the mandate of GCF. The GCF Secretariat is in the process of defining the approach for implementing the relevant reporting requirements, and will coordinate and consult with AEs to establish the reporting arrangements as applicable.

For AEs accredited under the revised accreditation framework, the revised approach to legal arrangements with accredited entities adopted in decision B.42/13, paragraph (e) (Revised Approach) shall apply to all programming.

The Revised Approach shall apply to all programming by AEs from 1 January 2028.

Existing AEs are encouraged to transition to programming under the Revised Approach as soon as practicable.

However, in accordance with the transitional arrangements adopted by the Board in its decision B.42/13, paragraph (m), entities who were accredited under the current or initial accreditation framework and who have a signed AMA (or amended and restated AMA) may continue to submit funding proposals under their AMA, which would be incorporated in the relevant FAA, provided that (i) the AMA or amended and restated AMA becomes effective and the related FAA is signed before 31 December 2027, which FAA will incorporate the relevant AMA; or (ii) the FAA is signed under the Revised Approach and will incorporate the Standard Conditions (or, where applicable, the relevant framework agreement).

GCF will engage with existing AEs to discuss the transition to the Revised Approach.