Support for GCF Project Preparation

The anticipated impact is improved and sustained agricultural production in Africa supported through enhanced access to climate finance. This will be achieved by (Outcome 1) increasing CGIAR’s access to GCF funding and other climate finance institutions for 2 to 4 countries in Africa, specifically aiming to mobilize USD 50 million of climate finance from GCF by supporting the development of agriculture funding proposal up to GCF approval, and development of a strong pipeline of concept notes aggregating to at least USD 150 to 200 million (3x to 4x) in climate adaption finance requirement through CGIAR as accredited entity (as lead or partner with another accredited entity) and from other climate finance investors for 1-2 countries in East Africa and 1-2 countries in West Africa; (Outcome 2) supporting at least one entity including agricultural/development banks and NARES institutions per selected country to get accredited by the GCF to enhance countries’ direct access to GCF through a wider range of financial instruments, and establishing an Agricultural Adaptation Facility to facilitate private sector investment and enhance GCF’s, Multilateral Development Banks’ and third-party financiers’ comfort in lending to farmers thus, addressing smallholder farmers’ lack of access to medium- to long-term finance; and (Outcome 3) improving the knowledge on CSA and climate data collection of nominated NARES institutions which is required for GCF funding proposal development. The funding proposals and pipeline of projects/programs to be developed for climate financing is intended to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solutions to build the resilience of smallholder farmers in West and East Africa