The Technical Workshop on Project Preparation for Transformational Climate Resilience Water Project Concepts in Asia on 15-16 October 2018 in Manila brought together national, regional, and international entities, all of whom are important stakeholders in the GCF architecture, and are committed to contribute to important objective – to enable countries to prepare high quality climate resilience water projects that can be supported by the GCF. The workshop responded to country needs and expressed demand for support to strengthen the capacity of GCF National Designated Authorities (NDAs), GCF Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and ministries and national agencies responsible for water resources management to prepare climate resilient water projects that meet GCF investment criteria.
It also responded to a long time request for a platform for countries to exchange knowledge and lessons as their experience in preparing, financing, and implementing water project grows.
In response to the afore-discussed challenges, at the end of the workshop, a Partnership for Climate Resilient Water Project Development was initiated, for participants to continue collaborating beyond the workshop, across countries and with partners, in order to continue sharing experiences and supporting one another as countries advance their project ideas to GCF concept note stage.
The Partnership provides a platform for a Pan Asia-wide coalition of NDAs, DAEs and Water Ministries and agencies, regional institutions, climate and development financiers, private sector and other entities that are committed to working together to enable countries to access the technical and financial support they need to prepare and implement climate resilient water projects efficiently and effectively. Relevant entities not at the workshop that share this commitment are invited to join the Partnership.
The Partnership provides a structured resource for Pan Asian countries to continue accessing strategic and technical support to prioritize and prepare climate resilient water projects via a facilitated, flexible mechanism that enables demand-driven technical assistance for NDAs, DAEs, and national water agencies. Facilitation will be provided by the Global Water Partnership, through its four Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs) across Pan-Asia – GWP Central Asia & the Caucasus, GWP China, GWP South Asia, and GWP South East Asia – and through their respective Country Water Partnerships (CWPs). The Partnership supports countries to translate their prioritised water related project ideas into concept notes, with the view to develop these into proposals for submission to the GCF.