Decision type
In-session
Decision date 03 Jul 2025 at B.42

B.42/13: Accreditation matters

The Board, having considered documents GCF/B.42/04 titled “Accreditation matters”, GCF/B.42/04/Add.01 titled “Accreditation Framework”, GCF/B.42/04/Add.02 titled “Policy on fees for accreditation”, GCF/B.42/04/Add.03 titled “Updated monitoring and accountability framework for accredited entities”, GCF/B.42/04/Add.04 titled “Revised approach to legal arrangements with accredited entities” and document GCF/B.42/04/Add.05 titled “Policy coherence analysis for the proposed revised accreditation framework”:

Adopts the accreditation framework contained in annex III to this decision (“Accreditation Framework”);
Recalls that, pursuant to paragraph 47 of the Governing Instrument for the GCF, the Board will consider additional modalities that further enhance direct access and decides that:
1. The additional modality for non-governmental direct access applicants to self-nominate for accreditation, as set out in the Accreditation Framework, shall be implemented in a manner which is consistent with the principle of country ownership;
2. Self-nominating direct access applicants shall (1) consult with the relevant national designated authority prior to submitting their accreditation application; and (2) provide information with respect to such consultation to the Secretariat during the accreditation process; and
3. The national designated authority may submit any relevant information with respect to self-nominating direct access applicants, which shall be duly considered by the Secretariat during the accreditation process;
Adopts the policy on fees for accreditation contained in annex IV to this decision (“Policy on Fees for Accreditation”);
Also adopts the updated monitoring and accountability framework contained in annex V to this decision (“Monitoring and Accountability Framework”);
Further adopts the revised approach to legal arrangements with accredited entities set out in section 5.2 of document GCF/B.42/04/Add.04 (“Approach to Legal Arrangements”);
Takes note of the screening requirements for accreditation against which applicants will be assessed, as contained in part I of annex II to document GCF/B.42/04/Add.01 (“Screening Requirements”);
Requests the Secretariat to consult with the Accreditation Committee prior to implementing any material changes to the Screening Requirements;
Takes note of the assessment and gap analysis of:
1. The fiduciary standards and environmental and social standards of the Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, and the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission (formerly the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development); and
2. The due diligence processes, fiduciary standards and environmental and social standards of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (World Bank) and the African Development Bank,
in each case, against the Screening Requirements, as presented in annex III to document GCF/B.42/04/Add.01;
Agrees that the fast-track accreditation process adopted in paragraphs (c)–(h) of decision B.08/03 shall (i) apply with respect to the Screening Requirements against which eligible applicants for accreditation under the Accreditation Framework are assessed; and (ii) in relation to the fiduciary standards and environmental and social standards not assessed at the time of an eligible accredited entity’s accreditation, be relied upon by the Secretariat in its assessment of funding proposals submitted by the accredited entity;
Decides to extend the fast-track accreditation process referred to in paragraph (i) above as set out in section 2.3 of annex III to document GCF/B.42/04/Add.01;
Takes note of the policy coherence analysis for the proposed revised accreditation framework contained in document GCF/B.42/04/Add.05;
Decides that the Accreditation Framework, the Policy on Fees for Accreditation, the Monitoring and Accountability Framework, and the Approach to Legal Arrangements will become effective on the day after the closing of the forty-third meeting of the Board (“Effective Date”);
Also decides that, from the date of this decision, the transitional arrangements in respect of the Accreditation Framework, the Monitoring and Accountability Framework, and the Approach to Legal Arrangements set out in annex VI to this decision shall apply;
Agrees that, on the Effective Date, the policies and decisions listed in annex VII to this decision shall, subject to (i) the transitional arrangements adopted in paragraph (m) above; and (ii) paragraph (t) below, be repealed;
Decides that the accreditation term extension granted through decision B.37/18, paragraph (q), shall be extended until the Effective Date;
Requests the Secretariat to (i) determine the submission windows for applications for accreditation; (ii) develop, adopt and publish accreditation service standards; (iii) revise and/or develop templates, forms, guidance notes, and supporting materials for the implementation of the Accreditation Framework; (iv) update the Digital Accreditation Platform; and (v) undertake a comprehensive communications campaign for relevant stakeholders in connection with the implementation of the Accreditation Framework;
Also requests the Secretariat, under the guidance of the Accreditation Committee, to commission a broad review of the objectives, role, structure, governance and operational modalities of the Accreditation Panel in supporting Board decision-making under the revised Accreditation Framework and to prepare terms of reference for such review of the Accreditation Panel for consideration and approval by the Board no later than the forty-fourth meeting of the Board;
Decides that any direct access entity accredited under the Accreditation Framework which has not been nominated by a national designated authority shall, prior to being entitled to access the direct access entity support modality under the Readiness Strategy 2024–2027 adopted in decision B.37/21, paragraph (b), be required to provide evidence of its coordination with the respective national designated authority in line with the country’s priorities and deliver to GCF a written confirmation of the relevant national designated authority’s support for that entity’s access to the direct access entity support modality;
Confirms that, upon the Effective Date, all decisions, Board-approved policies and operational guidelines that reference “accreditation”, “re-accreditation”, “accreditation term” (and associated processes linked to a fixed accreditation term), “accreditation master agreement” or “AMA” shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the Accreditation Framework, the Monitoring and Accountability Framework, the Policy on Fees for Accreditation, and the Approach to Legal Arrangements; and
Also confirms that the implementation, on a pilot basis, of the project-specific assessment approach, pursuant to decision B.31/06, shall continue and be unaffected by the adoption of the Accreditation Framework, and, notwithstanding paragraph (n) above, the pilot framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach set out in section VII of the accreditation framework adopted in decision B.31/06 and the policy on fees for accreditation of the Green Climate Fund adopted by decision B.08/04 as it relates to the calculation of fees under the project-specific assessment approach, shall continue to apply in respect of the project-specific assessment approach.

Annex III