Annex XXVII: Framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach

The GCF's project-specific assessment approach (PSAA) allows non-accredited entities to receive funding for a single project by demonstrating the capacity to meet GCF fiduciary, environmental, social, and gender standards for that specific activity. Unlike institutional accreditation, which focuses on organization-wide systems, the PSAA evaluates the entity's ability to deliver a targeted proposal, specifically those in category C/intermediation 3 or category B/intermediation 2. The process involves a two-stage review: an institutional capacity assessment (including project track record checks) and the finalization of legal arrangements. Entities assessed with 'high capacity' are recommended for funding, while those with 'medium capacity' require mitigating factors, and 'low capacity' entities are not recommended. Approved entities are deemed accredited only for the specific project and must report annually on how their broader portfolio is evolving toward low-emission and climate-resilient development.

• The project-specific assessment approach (PSAA) is designed as a complementary alternative to institutional accreditation, focusing on an entity's ability to implement a specific proposed project rather than its general institutional systems.
• The PSAA is restricted to entities not yet accredited to the GCF, is limited to a maximum of one approved funding proposal per entity, and only applies to projects categorized as category C/intermediation 3 or category B/intermediation 2.
• Entities under the PSAA must meet the same GCF standards as accredited entities, including fiduciary principles, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), and gender policies, but these are assessed in a 'fit-for-purpose' manner relative to the specific project.
• The institutional capacity assessment consists of two steps: capacity checks (institutional and project track record) and an overall capacity assessment that categorizes the entity as having high, medium, or low capacity.
• The GCF Secretariat's recommendation to the Board depends on the capacity rating: high capacity leads to a recommendation, medium capacity requires a discussion of mitigating factors, and low capacity results in a non-recommendation.
• Legal arrangements for PSAA projects typically use a hybrid agreement combining the accreditation master agreement (AMA) and the funded activity agreement (FAA), as the institutional assessment is tied to the project.
• Entities approved under the PSAA must report annually to the Board on whether their overall portfolio of activities beyond the GCF-funded project is evolving toward low-emission and climate-resilient development.
• The application fee for the PSAA is set at 80% of the fees normally payable under the GCF's policy on fees for accreditation.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2020). Annex XXVII: Framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/decision/b24/decision-b24-13-b24-a27.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Annex XXVII: Framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach. 2020. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/decision/b24/decision-b24-13-b24-a27.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Annex XXVII: Framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach |date=1 June 2020 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/decision/b24/decision-b24-13-b24-a27.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2020annex, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Annex XXVII: Framework for the GCF project-specific assessment approach}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/decision/b24/decision-b24-13-b24-a27.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }