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The report analyzes 41 multisectoral National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to assess their integration of loss and damage (L&D) strategies. It finds that while nearly half of NAPs explicitly mention L&D and almost all include disaster risk management (DRM) components, there is a significant gap in addressing non-economic losses and irreversible impacts. The document proposes a 'spectrum' approach to L&D, ranging from avoidance (mitigation) and minimization (adaptation/DRR) to remediation (humanitarian response and reparations). It recommends that governments and international funders leverage existing NAP risk analyses as a starting point for L&D assessments and ensure that new L&D financing targets impacts that exceed adaptation limits to avoid duplicating existing adaptation efforts.

The document assesses the state of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in Southern Africa, finding that while there is growing political commitment and various local success stories, marine concerns are frequently overshadowed by terrestrial issues in national climate policies. It identifies significant hurdles to implementation, including capacity gaps, siloed government coordination, insufficient financing, and unequal resource rights. The author recommends establishing enabling bodies to support NDCs, adopting a 'seascape' approach to integrate land-sea interfaces, and scaling innovative financing like blue carbon and debt-for-nature swaps.

The paper examines marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, focusing on how these interventions can provide sustainable livelihood opportunities. It identifies a successful incremental model used in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, where periodic fishery closures (PFCs) serve as an entry point to broader conservation and restoration efforts. The study highlights the role of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) and networks like MIHARI and Mwambao in scaling these benefits. While some projects rely on large external funding, the paper argues for community-centered designs that prioritize immediate food security to ensure long-term sustainability and uptake.

The document examines the funding gap for marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), specifically within the SADC region. It analyzes various financing streams—including national budgets, international bilateral and multilateral funds, philanthropy, and private capital—while highlighting the challenges of access to finance due to economic categorizations. The paper emphasizes blended finance solutions, such as blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, using the Seychelles as a primary case study, and discusses the emerging potential of blue carbon markets. It concludes that public funding remains the dominant source and recommends that SADC countries integrate EbA into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and establish independent trust funds to ensure long-term sustainability.

The report assesses community involvement in marine and coastal EbA within SADC countries, finding that while robust legal frameworks exist, practical implementation is often hindered by a lack of technical capacity, financial resources, and clear mechanisms for engagement. It highlights the importance of autonomous community adaptation, the disproportionate vulnerability of women, and the critical role of NGOs in bridging gaps between governments and local populations.

The report evaluates the implementation of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) across SADC member states, highlighting the critical role of ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs in protecting vulnerable coastal populations. It identifies a significant gap between the potential of EbA and its integration into national climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While showcasing successful regional examples—such as Madagascar's community-led mangrove projects and Seychelles' innovative blue bonds—the document notes systemic challenges including overlapping ministerial mandates, limited local government capacity, and a lack of bankable project proposals for international climate finance. It recommends mainstreaming EbA into 2025 NDC revisions and strengthening regional cooperation to scale up nature-based solutions.

The project aims to reduce GHG emissions by 4.6 million tCO2eq over four years and increase the resilience of 273,700 direct beneficiaries and 2.1 million hectares of ecosystems in Northern Lao PDR. It focuses on three components: strengthening the enabling environment for REDD+ through climate-informed land use planning and sustainable finance; promoting deforestation-free agricultural practices and supporting agri-MSMEs via matching grants; and implementing sustainable forest landscape management and restoration in village and conservation forests.

The RECEM-Valles project is a 10-year climate adaptation initiative in Bolivia's Valles Macro-region, requesting USD 33.3 million from the GCF and USD 30 million in co-financing. It aims to benefit 81,551 direct households by transitioning from conventional agriculture to resilient agroecological systems. The project focuses on four components: implementing climate-resilient technologies (such as solar tents and anti-hail nets), modernizing on-farm irrigation to combat drought, restoring 17,510 hectares of micro-watersheds, and strengthening local governance and financial access through innovative insurance and credit products. The project is designed to align with Bolivia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the Joint Mitigation and Adaptation Mechanism (JMAM).

The Heritage Colombia (HECO) project is a 10-year initiative designed to protect and restore landscapes in Colombia through a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model. It targets five mosaics—Caribbean, San Lucas, Central Andes, Orinoco Transition, and Heart of the Amazon—covering 6.6 million hectares. The project focuses on strengthening governance, establishing participatory climate monitoring systems, and implementing land restoration and rehabilitation to reduce GHG emissions and improve water regulation. It requests USD 43 million from the GCF, complemented by USD 102.2 million in co-financing from the Government of Colombia and WWF. Key goals include the gazettement of the San Lucas Mountains protected area and the expansion of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.

The Gender Action Plan for the RECEM-Valles project in Bolivia's Valles Macro-region focuses on closing gender gaps through mainstreaming and transformative actions. It targets a minimum of 30% female participation among beneficiaries and productive associations, with specific goals to empower women-led households in climate-resilient agriculture, water management, and financial access. The plan includes the recruitment of a Gender Specialist and a specialist in masculinities to promote co-responsibility in care work and dismantle patriarchy. Key targets include reducing the time women-led households spend on irrigation by 20% through improved water-harvesting systems and ensuring women's leadership in territorial consultative platforms and municipal decision-making processes.

The document evaluates Nigeria's climate adaptation landscape, contrasting high-level national policy frameworks with iterative, indigenous practices at the local level. While Nigeria has established ambitious frameworks like the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), implementation is hindered by a 'top-down approach' that excludes local stakeholders, alongside gaps in finance, technology, and capacity. Case studies in Ogun, Lagos, and Anambra states demonstrate that local communities are already implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) and traditional adaptation methods—such as biogas production from cassava waste and the use of bitter leaf juice in aquaculture—that align with national goals despite a lack of formal policy awareness. The authors argue that integrating these locally-led initiatives into national frameworks is essential to prevent climate impacts from increasing GDP losses from 5% to 30% by 2050.

The first progress report on Albania's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) reveals a low overall completion rate, with only 15% of the 118 planned adaptation measures completed between 2019 and 2023. Implementation was significantly delayed by the 2019 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. While 69% of measures saw some advancement, 22% had not yet started, particularly in areas concerning monitoring systems, irrigation, and agriculture. The NAP is estimated to cost approximately ALL 11 billion (EUR 80 million), with a high proportion of measures rated as medium or high complexity. The report identifies critical gaps in institutional knowledge, human resources, and sustainable national financing, noting a heavy reliance on international donors. Despite these challenges, the report highlights successes in revitalizing the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Climate Change and mainstreaming climate considerations into the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) and the revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

The Eswatini Environment Fund (EEF), managed by the Eswatini Environment Authority, provides small grants to community-led projects to promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The fund focuses on thematic areas including climate change adaptation, sustainable land management, and biodiversity protection. Case studies, such as the Lawuba and Shewula wetland projects, demonstrate how these investments improve water security, create alternative livelihoods for women and youth, and provide carbon sequestration co-benefits. The document argues for stronger synergies between the EEF and Eswatini's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to maximize the impact of limited finances through ecosystem-based adaptation.

The GCF is the largest multilateral climate finance contributor to African states, but its portfolio is heavily weighted toward mitigation (59%) over adaptation (41%), despite urgent regional needs. While the GCF has effectively leveraged co-financing, particularly through Multilateral Development Banks, it faces significant challenges in direct access, with only 18 Direct Access Entities (DAEs) accredited across 13 countries. The evaluation highlights cumbersome and rigid procedural barriers, including an English-only policy and high transaction costs, which hinder access for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Fragile, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) states. Gender-related co-benefits are growing, but engagement with indigenous peoples remains limited. The report recommends shifting the portfolio toward adaptation, streamlining accreditation and fee structures, and increasing regional presence in Africa.

As of 31 December 2022, the GCF has approved 209 funding proposals totaling USD 11.4 billion, with 182 projects under implementation. The portfolio maintains a near-equal balance between mitigation (51%) and adaptation (49%) in grant equivalent terms. The Readiness Programme has approved 649 grants totaling USD 468 million. While cumulative disbursements for funded activities reached USD 3 billion, the GCF reports implementation delays primarily attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and other operational challenges. The report also details the status of condition fulfillment for approved projects and identifies specific activities requiring restructuring or cancellation.

The Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network is a three-year initiative supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It aims to improve water and energy security and climate resilience in the Mekong Subregion by strengthening the capacity of knowledge-based policy influence organisations (KBPIOs). The program focuses on inclusive knowledge co-production and the engagement of vulnerable and marginalised groups. It is managed by a consortium of eight organisations led by the Stockholm Environment Institute - Asia Centre. The program funds flagship studies (up to AUD 250,000) and rapid response projects (up to AUD 50,000) addressing specific issues such as transboundary water disaster risks, urban heat resilience, and gender-sensitizing infrastructure in the Mekong Delta.

The report assesses gender gaps in Colombia, specifically within rural and indigenous communities, to inform the Heritage Colombia (HECO) program's efforts in climate-responsive planning and forest management. It identifies significant disparities in land tenure, labor participation, and the burden of unpaid care work, while highlighting the risks of gender-based violence against environmental leaders. The document outlines a Gender Action Plan across three project components: strengthening governance, establishing participatory monitoring systems, and improving land and forest management, with specific targets for women's participation and the integration of gender-responsive indicators.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) is seeking USD 199,966 from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to align its project development processes with the new Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF). The proposal aims to address human resource constraints within the CCCCC's Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) to accelerate the flow of climate finance to the Caribbean. Key activities include updating the CCCCC's Project Formulation and Monitoring manuals, delivering capacity-building workshops for 15 PDMU staff, and providing technical support to finalize two critical funding proposals: the Dominica Community Resilience Enhancement Project (DOMCREP) and the Climate Actions for Building Resilience in Coastal communities in the Caribbean (CABRIC Caribbean). The project is slated for a 12-month implementation period.

The report documents diverse community-led climate adaptation efforts across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, emphasizing the role of ecosystem restoration, circular economies, and gender equality. It highlights that while local actors are innovative and entrepreneurial, they are often hindered by rigid top-down funding requirements, lack of land tenure, and systemic inequalities. The document advocates for a paradigm shift in climate finance toward patient, predictable, and accessible funding that recognizes the holistic needs of vulnerable populations, including their psychosocial well-being and human rights.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) is seeking concept notes for projects in Africa that leverage local and indigenous knowledge for climate resilience. Up to five projects will be selected for grants of up to $150,000 over a maximum of three years. Projects must align with themes such as gender equality, social inclusion, resilience financing, ecosystem-based approaches, climate knowledge, and youth empowerment. Priority is given to organisations founded and led within Africa, with a strong emphasis on locally-led adaptation and the inclusion of marginalised groups.