The NDC Partnership Scales up Efforts to Connect Capital and Support Providers to NDC-Aligned Projects

The NDC Partnership has launched the “Project Checklist” pilot program to advance climate-aligned investments that support the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The Project Checklist, to be piloted in Colombia, Laos, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda and Vietnam, aims to address the urgent need for more effective and efficient mechanisms to mobilize and channel public and private support and financing for climate action.

The first pilot program was launched on 28 Aug. in Bogotá, Colombia. Hosted by the Government of Colombia, with support from the NDC Partnership and the investment advisory group CrossBoundary, the event brought together capital seekers and providers, including government representatives, development finance institutions, private investors and impact funds, to debut the Project Checklist — a process designed to systematically connect NDC-aligned projects with financiers and support providers.

“Knowing the challenges and critical importance of global climate finance, we designed the Project Status Checklist to assist countries in turning ideas into bankable projects,” said Pablo Vieira, the NDC Partnership Global Director, during the Bogotá workshop. “In Colombia, the Project Checklist will be integrated into the Climate Financing Corridor and support the government in securing capital for climate-related initiatives.”

The Climate Finance Corridor is an innovative platform led by the National Department of Planning (DNP) of Colombia. It is designed to systematically identify, develop and finance climate projects across key sectors, including agriculture, forestry, energy, transportation, urban development, waste management and water. With the implementation of the Climate Finance Corridor, the Government of Colombia is expected to:

• Map NDC-aligned investment projects developed by public and private institutions, with standardized, concise project information to facilitate information sharing and mobilization of technical and financial support. 

• Map public and private capital providers that can advance climate investments in the country. 

• Match high-impact projects with the most relevant financing sources and support mechanisms. 

• Improve the efficiency of resource allocation across government ministries by identifying emerging climate trends, prioritizing project types for maximum impact and informing future government strategies for mobilizing climate finance. 

For Colombia and other pilot countries, the Project Checklist addresses fragmentation in the climate finance space by collecting, organizing and making project information accessible to potential investors in a standardized manner. By collecting project information, the Project Checklist not only guides capital seekers on the steps needed to secure financing but also assists host governments in meeting investor expectations and building a centralized database of projects. This structured approach bridges the gap between climate projects and necessary funding, contributing to successful NDC implementation.

The pilot phase of the Project Checklist program includes testing and refining the approach. The aim is to increase the likelihood of project success by ensuring projects meet specific criteria, such as financial viability and stakeholder support. Selected projects may also become Project Information Notes (PINs), which provide them with more exposure.