The CAW is structured to accelerate climate action in Africa's least developed countries, aligning projects with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. It is divided into three sub-windows: adaptation, mitigation, and technical assistance (TA), with funding allocated as follows: 75% for adaptation, 15% for mitigation, and 10% for TA. Each sub-window is rolled out through separate calls for proposals.
The CAW's Third Call for Proposals will focus on the Technical Assistance (TA) Sub-window, which aims to support project preparation, capacity building, and expanding green finance initiatives. The objective is to enhance the bankability of climate projects and promote the development of Paris-aligned strategies, such as Long-Term Strategies (LTSs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). These projects should integrate gender considerations and target underserved and fragile communities.
Projects funded through the CfP3 Technical Assistance Sub-window of the CAW must be Paris-aligned, emphasizing readiness for climate finance and investment. The CAW will prioritize activities that remove barriers to project bankability, such as gaps in knowledge, technology, and capacity, or that prepare climate projects for implementation. Technical assistance should be the primary objective of the proposals.
Eligible Beneficiaries
(i) Governments and government entities of ADF countries (see below for a list of ADF countries)
(ii) African Development Bank departments: Bank departments may submit proposals directly or may work with eligible external beneficiaries to support them in preparing high quality proposals.
(iii) Regional or sub-regional intergovernmental bodies and other intergovernmental vehicles including climate centers, river basin organizations, economic communities. (iv) Non-sovereign entities (such as NGOs, Community Based Organizations and UN Agencies) that fulfil the eligibility criteria. Private sector entities are not eligible to apply. Proposals from consortia are allowed if all members of the consortium are eligible beneficiaries.
Eligible ADF Countries
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Eligible Activities
Grant resources from the CAW may be used to finance activities such as consultant or expert fees1, project proposal development, trainings, workshops, consultations, participation in regional and international meetings, communications, outreach, advocacy. Operating costs and the provision of goods, such as IT equipment and software, photocopiers, IT infrastructure, and furniture, should not exceed 15% of the total grant amount. The costs of training activities and the remuneration of project staff using CAW Technical Assistance (TA) should not exceed 25% of the total grant amount. CAW TA resources cannot be used for the purchase of vehicles or for the construction or renovation of buildings.