The Adaptation Fund launched a new Small Grants Pilot Programme (AfCIA Climate InnovationAccelerator)of US$ 10 million to promote adaptation innovation in developing countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid. AFCIA targets a wide range of potential funding recipients, including governments, non-governmental organisations, community groups, young innovators and other groups.

Application deadline: 1st January 2021.

The AFCIA will provide small grants to developing countries to support innovation for effective, long-term adaptation to climate change and is part of the Adaptation Fund's innovation mechanism (click here). here for more information).

The AFCIA will focus on producing two of the expected results of "Strategic Focus 2 (Innovation)" in the Adaptation Fund's Medium-Term Strategy 2018-2022 (click here). here for more information), which are:

• New innovations incentivised and accelerated - Development of innovative adaptive practices, tools and technologies encouraged and accelerated; and
• Evidence generated - Evidence of effective and efficient adaptation practices, products and technologies generated as a basis for implementing organisations and other funds to assess scaling.

Note that UNEP-CTCN and UNDP provide various services to support AFCIA adaptation innovation in developing countries.

• (UNEP-CTCN) Technical assistance will be provided to developing countries on a competitive basis. A selected application will be developed to design a customised solution adapted to the needs of the developing country, and the solution will be implemented in the country by a technology provider selected by the CTCN. Please note that the application must be approved by the National Focal Points of the Adaptation Fund(Designated Authority)and the CTCN(NDE)before the formal presentation via the programme's website.
• (UNDP) Grant funding is provided to applicants on a competitive basis. The selected beneficiaries will operate and manage their projects on their own with support from UNDP. Funding for the grant is open to non-profit civil society organisations (CSOs), including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), member-based professional associations (BMOs) and other registered associations, cooperatives or community organisations in a developing country.

Requirements

The AFCIA will provide developing countries with special opportunities for adaptation innovation. Please note that UNEP-CTCN and UNDP have different eligibility criteria for supporting developing countries in the AFCIA.

• (UNEP-CTCN) Eligible countries include developing countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean under the UNFCCC that do not have Organisations National Implementation Networks (NIEs) accredited to the Adaptation Fund(114 countries in total from 26 June 2020).
• (UNDP) The programme is open to non-profit civil society organisations (CSOs), including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), professional member associations (BMOs) and other registered associations, cooperatives or community organisations in a developing country.

For more information:

Visit the Adaptation Fund's Climate Innovation Accelerator website