A Technical Workshop on Project Preparation for Transformational Climate Resilient Water Project Concepts in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), was held with 95 participants – comprised of GCF National Designated Authorities (NDAs), GCF Direct Access Entities (DAEs), representatives from Water Ministries and agencies, as well as academia – from 23 LAC countries.
The workshop was organised by the Global Water Partnership (GWP), in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), with technical inputs from the GCF Secretariat and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The workshop responded to countries’ needs for support to strengthen the capacity of NDAs, DAEs, and Water Ministries and agencies to prepare climate resilient water projects that meet GCF investment criteria. Participants reviewed the GCF funding requirements and mandate, investment criteria, and its operational modalities and procedures for delivering climate finance through different windows. They also considered fit-for-purpose examples of project design and financing instruments. Countries shared their experiences and lessons in accessing GCF resources. Through interactive, hands-on exercises over three days, NDAs, DAEs, and water professionals and decision-makers, worked on 36 country-prioritised water project ideas to sharpen their climate rationale and paradigm shift potential.
The workshop is a flagship initiative that is driven by a collaboration of three GWP regions – Central America, South America and the Caribbean – in accelerating climate action via water, as per the GWP 2020-2025 Strategy. Additionally, the workshop served as a pivotal milestone to launch the Project Preparation Partnership for Climate Resilient Water Projects in LAC for the GCF, between GWP, IDB and the CCCCC. It will provide a platform for countries to continue exchanging knowledge and lessons, as their experience in preparing, financing, and implementing water projects, grows within the context of the GCF.
Co-organisers and participants of the workshop, and other relevant sector entities, are invited to join the Partnership and benefit from it. The Partnership provides a structured resource for LAC countries to continue accessing strategic and technical support to prioritise and prepare climate resilient water projects via a facilitated, flexible mechanism that enables demand-driven technical assistance for NDAs, DAEs, and national water agencies.
According to a 2016 UNFCCC survey of country climate action priorities, water is the most-cited pathway through which countries experience climate impacts and also the most-often prioritised sector through which countries seek to build resilience in their economies, their inhabitants’ livelihoods, and their natural ecosystems.
But when it comes to preparing and implementing adaptation projects, few of these water actions shift from priority lists to action on the ground. Barriers cited by countries include capacity limitations within countries, and weak coordination among in-country entities including Ministries of Water, Ministries of Planning, and Ministries of Finance.
The Partnership is committed to continue the momentum generated from this workshop, with NDAs, DAEs, and ministries supporting one another to overcome barriers, drawing on the increasing expertise across the continent. Furthermore, recognising aspects of water projects that deliver development benefits that do not directly address climate impacts, require co-financing from other sources such as governments or the private sector. The Partnership will work with active and relevant financing partners for project preparation to appropriately structure financing for climate resilient GCF water projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About the IDB
We work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through financial and technical support for countries working to reduce poverty and inequality, we help improve health and education, and advance infrastructure. Our aim is to achieve development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. With a history dating back to 1959, today we are the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. We provide loans, grants, and technical assistance; and we conduct extensive research. We maintain a strong commitment to achieving measurable results and the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
About CCCCC
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre coordinates the Caribbean region’s response to climate change. Officially opened in August 2005, the Centre is the key node for information on climate change issues and on the region’s response to managing and adapting to climate change in the Caribbean.
About GWP
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global action network with over 3,000 Partner organisations in 183 countries. GWP’s vision is a water secure world. Our mission is to advance governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development.