A Technical Workshop on Project Preparation for Transformational Climate Resilient Water Project Concepts in Africa for the Green Climate Fund (GFC) in Pretoria, South Africa, on 21 September attracted over 100 participants from 24 countries. The event Global Water Partnership (GWP), the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), the African Water Facility (AWF), and the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) co-organized the workshop, which was attended by GCF National Designated Authorities (NDAs), GCF Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and decision-makers in Water Ministries and Agencies. The African Development Bank (AfDB), the Climate Resilience Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF), and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) hosted the event with technical inputs from the GCF Secretariat and WMO.
The workshop was organized in response to requests for support to strengthen the capacity of NDAs, DAEs, and Water Ministries and Agencies to prepare climate resilient water projects that meet GCF investment criteria. Participants reviewed the GCF mandate, funding requirements, investment criteria, and operational modalities and procedures for delivering climate finance through different windows. They also considered fit-for-purpose examples of project design and financing instruments. Countries shared their experiences and lessons in accessing GCF resources.
A Project Preparation Partnership for Climate Resilient Water Projects in Africa for the GCF was launched at the end of the workshop. It aims to provide a platform for countries to exchange knowledge and share lessons learnt in preparing, financing, and implementing water projects grows, in particular, in the context of the GCF. The Partnership provides a structured resource for African countries to continue accessing strategic and technical support to prioritize and prepare climate resilient water. Co-organizers and participants of the workshop, and relevant entities beyond, are invited to join the Partnership.
Partnership website: https://www.gwp.org/en/GWP-SouthernAfrica/GCFPartners/. To join contact Julienne.Ndjiki@gwpsaf.org
