Simplified Approval Process

Resources for the SAP

Dedicated templates and examples annexes for Concept Notes and full Funding Proposals have been developed for the SAP. These examples provide guidelines and may be used as a reference for submitting complete Funding Proposals under the SAP.

e-Learning course for SAP

GCF developed an e-learning course on the Simplified Approval Process to provide detailed information on the key elements required for SAP Funding Proposals, as explained by GCF experts. After completing the module, participants are expected to have the necessary knowledge and information to prepare robust project proposals.

Guidelines

We've written technical guidelines and manuals that are designed to help NDAs and AEs in writing and submitting their projects under the SAP. Translations in French and Spanish are also available for some materials.

Reporting guidelines for the Simplified Approval Process (SAP)

14 Dec 2023

This guideline document responds to decision B.32/05 made by the GCF Board to develop guidance and templates for the Accredited Entities (AEs) on building a results-based monitoring and reporting system, based on the GCF integrated results management framework to simplify the annual performance report requirements and templates and accelerate disbursements.

Programming guidelines for the Simplified Approval Process

21 Dec 2023

The SAP Programming Guideline, a vital element of our extensive GCF documentation suite, equips stakeholders with essential insights into the SAP's key objectives, policies, and a range of tools. Grounded in the GCF Investment Framework, the guideline delineates the Investment Criteria and the Fund's impact goals. It aids project developers in determining whether the SAP is their optimal funding avenue, guiding them through the nuances of proposal preparation and providing detailed steps for submitting SAP projects or programmes.

Simplified Approval Process (SAP) funding proposal preparation guidelines: A practical manual for the preparation of SAP proposals

01 Dec 2022

These guidelines have been developed to support GCF accredited entities (AEs) in the preparation of funding proposals under the simplified approval process (SAP) pilot scheme.

SAP Compendium

17 Sep 2021

A key element that drives the simplification of the preparation of a SAP proposal is the clarity, at the onset, of what are the activities that can be eligible for the GCF simplified approval. This is one of the main elements that this Compendium offers to all those involved in originating a SAP intervention.

Annex VII: SAP Review Toolkit

09 Sep 2022

This toolkit has been developed to guide the appraisal of concept notes and funding proposals submitted under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Simplified Approval Process (SAP). The toolkit is designed in a checklist format, offering a set of questions that frame the focus of the review stage. The objective of the toolkit is also to provide Accredited Entities, National Designated Authorities and the stakeholders involved in in the preparation of SAP projects/programmes with an in depth and clear view on the type and quality of information that should be provided when developing SAP proposals for the GCF.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Water security

21 Feb 2023

This publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of simplified approval process (SAP) proposals for water security projects. GCF defines the water sector as encompassing surface freshwater resources and groundwater, but not oceans. Since the water sector is interlinked with several other sectors, such as agriculture and ecosystems, it is necessary to delineate its scope.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Energy efficiency for industry and appliances

21 Feb 2023

This publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. Energy efficiency (EE) is the process of reducing the energy consumption of infrastructure, facilities, machines, devices, products, services, business processes, activities and transport. It can be thought of as the first fuel of a sustainable world and as such it has a key role in ensuring cost-effective energy transitions.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Renewable energy

21 Feb 2023

This publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. Renewable energy (RE) is produced using natural resources that are constantly replaced within the human timescale. Just as there are many natural sources of energy, there are many technologies that can help to harness RE sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most well- known, wind power is the most widespread and hydropower is one of the oldest. Other RE technologies harness geothermal energy, solid waste or ocean-wave energy to produce heat or electricity.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Cities and climate change

21 Feb 2023

Traditionally, cities are defined as large human settlements, with no one standardized definition applied internationally. Frequently, national governments have criteria they use to define urban areas. These criteria can vary to include aspects such as administrative boundaries, living conditions or population density. Another approach is what is termed “urban agglomeration”, which considers the extent of an urban area, or sometimes, that of a built-up area, to identify a city’s boundaries.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Ecosystems and ecosystem services

21 Feb 2023

The publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. The thematic area of ecosystems and ecosystem services encompasses all natural environments and the productive uses that are based on them. This can range from environments not directly impacted by human activities – for example, remote rainforests, alpine regions or coral reefs – to environments that are intensively managed – such as agricultural areas or managed forests for timber production. Given that there are thematic areas specifically addressing water security, agriculture and food production, and forest management, the emphasis in this thematic area is on natural or less intensively managed environments.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Forests and land use

21 Feb 2023

This publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. The thematic area of forest and land use encompasses forests and other multiple land-cover types where forests are a prominent component of the landscape. This can range from natural forests, where ecosystems are not directly impacted by human activities (e.g. primary forests) to more intensively transformed landscapes – such as secondary growth forests, degraded forest landscapes, agroforestry systems and trees outside forests, sustainably managed forests and forestry plantations.

SAP Technical Guidelines: REDD+

21 Feb 2023

This guidance has been developed to support GCF accredited entities (AEs) and national designated authorities (NDAs) in their preparation of concept notes and funding proposals under the simplified approval process for REDD+ (REDD+ SAP).

SAP Technical Guidelines: Transport

21 Feb 2023

The publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. Although there is no one standard definition of the transport sector, it can be described as including all kinds of transportation, such as road, rail and maritime transport, and aviation.

SAP Technical Guidelines: Agriculture and food security

21 Feb 2023

This publication provides technical guidance for the preparation of SAP proposals. The agriculture thematic area encompasses agricultural production, land-use change caused by agricultural production and the food system in general. Agricultural production covers crop production and livestock. In addition to agricultural production the food system includes all steps from “farm to fork”: post-harvest handling, storage, manufacturing, processing, transport, retailing, consumption and food loss and waste at all levels across the supply chain.

Guidelines on preparing the economic and financial analysis for SAP proposals

18 Jun 2019

To aid in assessing SAP proposals against its Investment Framework, GCF may require entities to submit economic and/or financial analyses with funding proposals. This guidance is intended to clarify GCF’s expectations for these analyses, including documentation requirements and technical standards.

Guidance for preparing a pre-feasibility study under the Simplified Approval Process

31 Jul 2019

GCF has introduced the Simplified Approval Process Pilot Scheme (SAP) as a way to apply for GCF funding for smaller-scale projects or programmes. It is specifically designed for adaptation or mitigation initiatives that require a GCF contribution of no more than USD 10 million which have minimal environmental and social risks.

Guidelines for the environmental and social screening of activities proposed under the Simplified Approval Process

10 Jan 2018

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for accredited entities on the environmental and social screening of activities proposed for GCF financing under the Simplified Approvals Process (SAP) Pilot Scheme.

GCF-SAP CREWS Scaling-up Framework for early warning

06 Dec 2023

The Scaling-up Framework was the result of a collaborative effort to develop scale-up financing modalities for early warning systems (EWS).

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