Enhancing NDA Capacity and Access to the GCF in Lao PDR

In the first GCF readiness project for NDA strengthening delivered by UNDP the institutional arrangements for the NDA were agreed, however the work of the NDA hasn’t yet been fully integrated into these existing institutional mechanisms. Therefore, this readiness proposal seeks to provide information and training as needed to the 3 levels agreed in the institutional arrangements, NDA Secretariat, the GEF-GCF Committee and the sub-sector working group and National Environmental Committee and work on integrating the GCF-related responsibilities into these existing mechanisms. It was decided to use existing mechanisms in order to help promote sustainability of coordination efforts. The national environment committee, for example, holds meetings twice a year. The readiness project will focus on making sure the committee members have the information they need to perform their roles and document the roles, procedures, processes, and decisions, so that the function can be maintained even if committee membership changes. The first CP the outlines of several key country programming processes where agreed with the Minister. Thus, this readiness proposal aims to implement the country programming and stakeholder engagement processes that were agreed in the CP and adapt them, as needed. The agreed processes include: - Annual GCF stakeholder consultation and update event - Annual update to the GCF Country Programme, with a more substantive update happening every other year (these updates will incorporate the substance of the sector-focused readiness projects) - Communicating with stakeholders via newsletter