The need to support processes that enhance the capacity of developing countries to access, allocate and spend climate finance is increasingly acknowledged by the international community. Several bilateral and multilateral initiatives have been launched to strengthen recipient country readiness to use climate finance effectively, and “readiness” activities are envisaged to be supported through the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Greater attention to issues of national policy, planning, institutional arrangements and spending capacity, it is hoped, will not only ensure that climate change and development aspirations are well aligned, but also more effectively implemented through the ensuing activities funded. Since November 2012, ODI and the African Climate Finance Hub, with financial support from Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), have worked with government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania to understand these countries’ unique climate finance readiness needs.

The findings from this work are presented in three country studies and a synthesis brief, which can be accessed through the following links:

Synthesis brief

Namibia country study

Tanzania country study

Zambia country study

On completion of this substantial work programme, Richard Calland of the African Climate Finance Hub and Smita Nakhooda of ODI reflected on the key lessons learnt in an opinion piece, accessible here.

Also available is a note describing the framework used to assess climate finance readiness in this work programme.