Call for Grants to support the assessment and management of Environmental and Social Risks and Gender-related issues

Instructions for applying for the Technical Assistance Grant for the Environmental and Social Policy and Gender Policy (TA-ESGP)

The Adaptation Fund launched the Readiness Programme for Climate Finance in 2014, which includes a component aimed at strengthening the capacity of accredited National Implementing Entities (NIEs) to identify, assess, mitigate and manage environmental and social risks as well as gender related issues as they design, implement and effectively manage concrete adaptation projects and programmes in communities that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

As part of this effort, the Adaptation Fund Board is inviting accredited NIEs to apply for Technical Assistance (TA) grants to build their capacity in environmental and social risk management as well as addressing gender-related issues by tapping into external expertise through short-term consultancies. The Fund’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) as amended in 2016 and the Gender Policy (GP) approved in 2016, serve as frameworks for the types of risk and issues that may need to be considered. The approach taken could be an integrated and streamlined process that aligns environmental, social and gender issues in the implementation of adaptation projects and programmes.

Through the Technical Assistance Grant for the Environmental and Social Policy and Gender Policy (TA-ESGP), NIEs may hire consultants or expert services to support, among other areas, the following types of activities within the NIE:

• Developing procedures/manuals/guidelines for screening projects for environmental and social risks as well as gender-related risks
• Developing procedures for undertaking project environmental and social risk assessment, gender assessment, and for formulating risk management plans that are gender responsive
• Developing policies/avenues for public disclosure and consultation that are gender- responsive.
• Developing transparent, accessible, fair and effective mechanisms for receiving and addressing complaints about environmental and social harms and complaints related to gender inequalities and other adverse gender impacts caused by projects/programmes during implementation
• Training of select entity staff to carry out the relevant tasks related to the implementation of the Fund’s Environmental and Social Policy and the Gender Policy

If the grant is approved, the NIE will be responsible for sourcing and recruiting the consultant(s) directly.

Record of request for support on behalf of the government

When submitting the grant proposal, accredited NIE applicants should provide a letter of endorsement in support of the proposal, duly signed by the country’s Designated Authority of the Adaptation Fund.

Implementation arrangements

The NIE will be responsible for implementation of the grant and management of all aspects of procurement, contracting and payments, including financial and non-financial reporting. The Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat will review the applications taking into account the adequacy and validation of the proposal and submit a recommendation to the Project and Programme Review Committee (PPRC) for intersessional approval of funding by the Adaptation Fund Board.

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