The LDCF has financed 365 projects and enabling activities with approximately $1.7 billion in grants.
Based on a work program constitution to be approved by the LDCF/SCCF Council, similarly to the process undertaken for the GEF Trust Fund.
The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established at the 7th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2001 (COP7) to meet the adaptation needs of least developed countries (LDCs). Specifically, the LDCF has financed the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) to identify priority adaptation actions for a country based on existing information. LDCF is active in sectors including water, agriculture and food security, health, disaster risk management and prevention, infrastructure and fragile ecosystems. It also supports the implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and the Least Developed Countries work programme under the UNFCCC. The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) administers the LDCF as a specialised trust fund and serves as a basis for programming resources.
The LDCF aims to address the needs of the currently 44 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. A primary focus of the LDCF has been to support the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) – country-driven strategies that identify the immediate adaptation needs of LDCs, as well as the implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and support for the LDC work programme under the UNFCCC. The LDCF’s main objectives, as outlined in the GEF Programming Strategy, are to:
- Reduce vulnerability and increase resilience through innovation and technology transfer for climate change adaptation
- Mainstream climate change adaptation and resilience for systematic impact
- Foster enabling conditions for effective and integrated climate change adaptation.
These objectives guide the LDCF’s efforts to enhance adaptive capacity, integrate adaptation into broader development policies, and create supportive environments for effective climate change adaptation.
Global Environment Facility
During the course of the implementation, the Agency has the responsibility to submit Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) on an annual basis. For Full-sized Projects only, a mid-term review is required as well. This report is normally more detailed than a PIR. The Agency is also required to submit a Terminal Evaluation to the GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) within 12 months following the operational completion of the project.
As a specialised trust fund, the LDCF falls under the governance structure of the GEF. The GEF governance structure is composed of the Assembly, the Council, 18 Agencies and a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel. Decisions on the LDCF and its sister fund, the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), are made by the GEF Council meeting convening as the LDCF/SCCF Council in separate sessions during GEF Council meetings. Assembly The Assembly is composed of all 184-member countries or Participants. It is responsible for reviewing general policies, reviewing and evaluating the GEF’s operation based on reports submitted to Council, reviewing the membership of the Facility and considering amendments to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility. Council The GEF Council is the governing body for the GEF. The Council is comprised of 14 members from donor constituencies and 18 from recipient constituencies (a total of 32 GEF members) and makes decisions by consensus. The Council adopts and evaluates the operational policies and programmes, and reviews / approves the projects submitted for approval. The list of Council Members and Alternates can be found at: https://www.thegef.org/council_members_alternates
Agencies The GEF Agencies work with project proponents to design, develop and implement GEF projects and programmes. The list of GEF Agencies is available at: https://www.thegef.org/partners/gef-agencies
Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) The STAP provides scientific and technical advice on policies, operational strategies, programmes and projects. It is composed by six internationally recognised experts who are supported by a global network of experts and institutions.
Eligibility is not restricted to ODA eligible countries. All Least Developed Countries that are part of the UNFCCC are eligible.
The list of eligible countries can be found at: https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/ldc-country-information
Access Modalities – Before accessing LDCF financing, LDCs historically were required to prepare and submit a NAPA to the UNFCCC Secretariat. While NAPA projects remain eligible, the scope of support has expanded under the current LDCF programming strategy to include National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other national adaptation frameworks.
LDCF project criteria are based on UNFCCC COP guidance and include:
- Country ownership: projects must be nationally identified priorities with stakeholder consultation
- Programme and policy conformity: alignment with LDCF strategy and stakeholder involvement
- Financing: includes cost-effectiveness and co-financing considerations
- Institutional coordination and support
- Monitoring and evaluation
To access funding, countries must work with one of the 18 accredited GEF Agencies, which submit proposals on their behalf. A project also requires endorsement by the country’s GEF Operational Focal Point.
LDCF provides Project Preparation Grants. Projects follow this sequence:
- Submission of a Project Identification Form (PIF)
- Council approval of the PIF
- CEO endorsement of the final project document
- Internal approval by the implementing GEF Agency
Additionally, Enabling Activities – such as the preparation of NAPs or national climate reports—are eligible for support under the LDCF.
Accreditation process – Initially, only UN agencies and multilateral development banks were accredited as GEF Agencies. As part of an effort to broaden the number of GEF implementation partners, 2011 a pilot programme to accredit “up to ten” new agencies was launched. Applicant entities were reviewed in a three-stage process with an independent GEF Accreditation Panel assessing whether they meet the GEF’s fiduciary standards, as well as the GEF’s environmental and social safeguards, including on gender mainstreaming. Of the initial applicants, eight have successfully completed the accreditation process and been added as fully-accredited GEF Agencies. A recent review of the accreditation approach of the GEF confirmed that no further GEF Agency expansion is planned for the foreseeable future.
Overview of implementing entities – The LDCF works through formally accredited GEF Agencies. Among them are UN agencies, multilateral and regional development banks, national government institutions, and international and non-governmental organisations.
The complete list of the 18 GEF Agencies is available at: https://www.thegef.org/partners/gef-agencies
Nature of recipient country involvement – National ownership is central to the design of the LDCF. The fund emphasises stakeholder engagement during the preparation of NAPAs and supports country-driven approaches to identifying adaptation priorities.
To receive LDCF funding, a project must be endorsed by the country where it will be implemented. This endorsement is provided by the country’s GEF Operational Focal Point (OFP), who is designated by the government and responsible for:
- Ensuring the project aligns with national climate and development priorities
- Facilitating GEF coordination, integration, and consultation at the country level
- Approving project submissions before they proceed through the GEF project cycle
The GEF also designates Political Focal Points (primarily for donor countries), but for LDCF-supported projects, the Operational Focal Point is the key liaison for project development and endorsement.
The complete list of GEF Focal Points is available at: http://www.thegef.org/focal_points_list
Allocation criteria – The total LDCF contribution for a Medium-Sized Project (MSP) cannot exceed USD 5 million, following the updated threshold adopted at the 66th GEF Council Meeting in 2024. If the LDCF contribution exceeds USD 5 million, the project is considered a Full-Sized Project (FSP).
Full-Sized Projects must undergo a longer and more comprehensive review process, which includes:
- Submission and approval of a Project Identification Form (PIF) by the SCCF/LDCF Council
- Followed by endorsement from the GEF CEO
- And final approval through the implementing agency’s internal decision-making process.
In contrast, Medium-Sized Projects benefit from a streamlined review process, often requiring only CEO endorsement without Council submission, allowing for greater flexibility and faster implementation.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that are part of the UNFCCC are eligible to receive financial support for adaptation under the LDCF. A list of eligible countries can be found here.
Because the LDCF is managed by the GEF, funds are accessed under GEF processes. Entities seeking funding work with the GEF Agency of its choice to submit project or program proposals. The selection of the GEF Agency is formalized through a letter of endorsement issued by the country’s Operational Focal Point, which is the country entity coordinating GEF activities within the country and appraising project ideas against eligibility criteria.
The process to secure funding varies depending on whether the activities relate to Full-sized Projects (GEF Project Financing of more than USD 2 million), Medium-sized Projects (GEF Project Financing of less than or equivalent to USD 2 million), or Programs (consisting of various distinct projects that could be either full or medium-sized). You can find additional information on project access below.
Click here for a more detailed explanation of the rules governing the cycles for GEF-financed Projects and Programs. Relevant templates and forms can be found here.
Find additional information on how to access GEF funding here.
Relevant country institutions and partners must partner with a GEF Agency to prepare the basic project concept or program framework. The selection of the GEF Agency is formalized through a letter of endorsement issued by the country’s Operational Focal Point (See Decision-making Information).
Click here for the list of GEF Agencies.
The complete list of Operational Focal Points, including name, position, government agency, complete address, phone, fax and e-mail, can be accessed here.
The GEF Agency, along with the project proponents, should first have a Project Identification Form (PIF) for projects and/or a Project Framework Document (PFD) for Programs approved by both the GEF Secretariat and LDCF/SCCF Council.
Once approved, the GEF Agency and project proponents develop the project concept into a complete project proposal, which includes developing the technical, risk mitigation, and business details.
The process to secure funding varies depending on whether the activities relate to Full-sized Projects (GEF Project Financing of more than US $2 million), Medium-sized Projects (GEF Project Financing of less than or equivalent to USD 2 million), or Programs (consisting of various distinct projects that could be either full or medium-sized).
All relevant templates and field by field explanations for different types of projects can be found here.