Clarification Note: CDKN Innovation Fund (Round 2)

The Clarification Note and Applicant Guidelines for Round 2 of the CDKN Innovation Fund outline the requirements for funding 'game-changing' project ideas focused on climate compatible development (CCD) in Africa. The fund supports an initial innovation process of up to 6 months to develop project proposals and other outputs, with potential subsequent funding for implementation.

• Round 2 of the Innovation Fund provides awards of up to GBP 100,000 for an innovation process lasting a maximum of 6 months. The primary goal is to develop 'game-changing' project ideas and a proposal for full implementation.
• 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.
• Applicant groups must consist of at least two partners, and the Lead Applicant must be an African institution rather than an international institution based in Africa. At least 60% of the funds must be allocated to African institutions.
• Projects must align with CDKN's thematic priorities, which include climate compatible development strategies, access to climate finance, disaster risk management, and support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) negotiators. Specific priorities for Africa include clean energy solutions, water sector resilience, and African institutional capacity and leadership in CCD.
• Applications are accepted from Anglophone, Arabophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa, but all project proposals and deliverables must be submitted in English.
• To be eligible, projects must demonstrate significant government buy-in. If a government institution is not part of the applicant group, evidence such as white papers, ministerial statements, or national strategy papers must be provided.
• Non-UK organisations are required to have a UK Service Agent for contracting purposes to accept legal notices and proceedings. CDKN will cover the cost of the service agent, typically GBP 600, if it is included in the budget.
• The evaluation of applications is based on several criteria, with the highest weightings (20% each) given to 'Policy Impact' (likelihood of uptake by policy makers) and 'Innovation Process Design' (appropriateness of facilitation and likelihood of action-oriented outputs).
• The Innovation Fund will not provide funding for postgraduate students, the launching of new companies, or the writing of books and results from previous research.

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} }