Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2)

The CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2) provides grants of up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum of six months to support 'innovation processes' that result in 'game-changing' project proposals for climate compatible development in Africa. Lead applicants must be African institutions, and the fund prioritizes projects with strong government buy-in and alignment with specific thematic priorities, including clean energy and climate finance. Successful innovation processes may be eligible for subsequent implementation funding of up to GBP 200,000.

• The Innovation Fund (Round 2) provides awards of up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum duration of 6 months to support an innovation process that develops a 'game-changing' project proposal and other outputs.
• Following the initial innovation process, CDKN may provide additional awards of up to GBP 200,000 to support the implementation of the resulting project proposal, though this funding is not guaranteed and depends on the quality of the outputs.
• Eligibility requires an applicant group of at least two partners, where the Lead Applicant must be an African institution (excluding international institutions based in Africa), and at least 60% of funds must be allocated to African institutions.
• Projects must align with CDKN's general thematic priorities—climate compatible development strategies, access to climate finance, disaster risk management, and support for LDC negotiators—and specific Africa priorities, including clean energy solutions and water sector resilience.
• Strong government buy-in is a mandatory requirement; if a government institution is not part of the applicant group, the applicant must provide evidence such as white papers, ministerial statements, or national strategy papers.
• The fund defines innovation as dynamic processes creating new or improved products, services, processes, positions, and paradigms that result in improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, quality, or social outcomes.
• Non-UK organisations are required to have a UK Service Agent for contracting purposes to accept legal notices, a cost that CDKN will typically cover up to GBP 600 if included in the budget.
• Applications are accepted from Anglophone, Arabophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa, but all final project proposals and deliverables must be submitted in English.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2012). Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2). https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CDKN_IF_Round_2_Guidelines_PUBLISHING_VERSION_with_clarification.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2). 2012. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CDKN_IF_Round_2_Guidelines_PUBLISHING_VERSION_with_clarification.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2) |date=13 July 2012 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CDKN_IF_Round_2_Guidelines_PUBLISHING_VERSION_with_clarification.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2012clarification, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2)}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, month = jul, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CDKN_IF_Round_2_Guidelines_PUBLISHING_VERSION_with_clarification.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }