UPSCALING

GENDER- JUST

CLIMATE

SOLUTIONS

Overcomingbarrierstotechnologytransferand

developmentfromagender-justapproach

About

Thispublication is theoutcomeof two capacitybuildingworkshops co-organizedbyWomenEngage for a

Common Future (WECF) and the Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) on up-scaling gender-just

climate solutions. Among the participants were organizational leaders selected from among hundreds of

submissions worldwide for the Gender-Just Climate Solutions Award by the UNFCCC Women and Gender

Constituency(WGC);aswellasseveralclimatetechnologyandgenderexpertsinvitedbyWECFandtheCTCN.

Theobjectivewas toshare lessons learnedandbestpractices fromclimate initiativesaroundtheworld that

integrate a gender-responsive, or even a gender-transformative approach, and to identify approaches to

overcome barriers to up-scaling. WGC and the CTCN share the conviction that gender-responsive climate

solutionsensuremoreeffectiveandsociallyjustclimatepoliciesandaction.

The objective of theworkshopwas also to compile lessons learned and best practice experiences from the

field.Thisresourceguideintendstosharethoselessonswidely.Thisresourceguideentailsthepresentations

andexperiencesharingofmorethan10gender-responsiveclimateinitiatives,lookingatchallengesandlessons

learnedfromdifferentgeographical,ecologicalandsocialcontexts.Theresourceguidehasbeendevelopedas

atoolforourawardwinnersandotherorganizationslookingtoupscaletheirgender-justclimatesolutionsor

projects.

WinnersoftheGender-JustClimateSolutionsAwardareasfollows:

2018

● Transformationalsolution:CFLEDD,CongoDRC-Women'sformalaccesstolandrightscontributesto

thefightagainstdeforestation

● Non-technicalsolution:GreenlivingMovement,Zambia-Communitystrategiesforclimate-resilient

livelihoods

● Technicalsolutions:NaireetaServices,India-Bhungroo:smallwomenfarmersowninganddeveloping

aninnovativerainwaterharvestingtechnology

2017

● Transformationalsolution:GenderDevelopmentAssociation,LaoDPR-Genderassessmentofnon-

timberforestproductionandcapacitybuildinginnorthernuplandsLaoPDR

● Non-technicalsolution:NAVDANYA&SOL,India&France-Womenasseedconservationandagro-

ecologyexpertshelpingtheircommunitiesresistclimatechange

● Technicalsolution:BetterWorldCameroon,Cameroon-Africakitchenrevolution:trainingwomenon

transferablemud-buildingtechniques

2016

● Transformationalsolution:ENDAGrafSahel,Senegal-Strengtheningwomen’sancestralandartisanal

fisherypracticestopreservemangrovenaturalresourcesintheSaloumdelta

● Non-technicalsolution:YAKKUMEmergencyUnit,Indonesia-Empoweringwomen’sgroupsindisaster

proneareasthroughcommunitybasedsustainablewatermanagement

● Technicalsolution:FondationMohammedVI,Morocco-Womenandschoolchildreninstallandusesolar

cookerstopreservetheArganforest

2015

● Transformationalsolution:TulelePeisa,PapuaNewGuinea-Community-ledrelocationeffortbythe

CarteretIslanderswhofaceextinctionfromclimatechangeimpactsandextremeweatherevents

● Non-technicalsolution:GenderCC-SouthAfrica-Raisingawarenessongenderintegrationinclimate

changeadaptationandbuildingcommunityresilience

● Technicalsolution:IslandECo,MarshallIslands-Trainingyoungwomenintheprinciplesandinstallation

ofsolarphotovoltaicDCrefrigeration

TableofContents

1. ExecutiveSummary 1

2. Accessingclimatefinance 2

2.1 Overcomingfinancialbarriers 2

2.2 Examplesofclimatefinancesources 8

2.2.1 Fundsavailabletomemberstates 9

2.2.2 UNFCCCFinancialMechanism 10

2.2.3 Privatefinance–supportprovidedbyPFAN 14

2.3 Databasesforidentificationofclimatefunds 15

2.3.1 NDCPartnershipClimateFinanceExplorer 15

2.3.2 ClimateFundsUpdate 16

3. Overcomingtechnologybarriers 16

3.1 Nationalclimateprocesses 19

3.2 Accesstotechnologysupport 19

3.2.1 CTCN 19

3.2.2 NDCPartnership 20

3.2.3 IUCNGGO 21

3.2.4 LEDSGP 21

3.2.5 CCAC 22

4. Societalandculturalnorms 23

4.1 Gendermainstreaming 26

4.2 Changingmindsetsforgenderequality 28

5. Organizationalchallenges 31

6. Wayforward 34

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1. ExecutiveSummaryGender equality and gender mainstreaming are increasingly recognized as imperative for the effective

implementationoftheParisAgreement.Womenandmenaredisproportionatelyimpactedbyclimatechange

duetogenderinequalitiesandsocio-culturalnormsaffectingaccesstoandcontroloverfinancialandphysical

resources,knowledge,anddecision-makingpower.Whilewomencontributesignificantlytocombatingclimate

change, their initiatives face higher barriers for up-scaling. Supportingwomen andmen to overcome these

barriers provides an opportunity for climate approaches to be more effective, sustainable and equitable,

leadingtobroaderandsharedbenefits.Thelessonslearnedinthispublicationaretheresultsoftheexperience

sharing between the Gender-Just Climate Solutions awardwinners and participants of theWECF and CTCN

upscalingworkshops.

Sustainablebusinessmodelsandequalaccesstofinance

Manywomen-ledinitiativesfacechallengesinaccessingfunds,especiallycorefunding,toensurethelong-term

sustainability of their projects. Lack of financial support creates barriers to accessing technical equipment,

training,awarenessraisingandcampaigning.Understandingthemarketanddevelopingviablebusinessmodels

provides an opportunity to attract funds and private sector engagement. Capacity building on developing

business plans can, for example, be sought through organizations such as the Private Financing Advisory

Network (PFAN) and theClimateTechnologyCentre&Network (CTCN) for finance readiness. Several of the

award-winners in the workshop have also identified alternative financing mechanisms, such as forming

cooperativestoaccessmicro-credits.

Technologyaccessandknowledge

Organizations often experience difficulties in identifying technology needs and potential solutions. Due to

socialandculturalnormsregardingwomen'sroleinsociety,itissometimesachallengetogetacceptancefor

womentargetedtechnical training, leading tounequalaccess tonotonly trainingbut technologiesandtheir

benefits. Transfer of knowledge and training local men and women presents an opportunity to adapt the

solutions tocultural, socialandclimaticconditionsand facilitateup-scaling.Therearemanyopportunities to

build the capacity of organisations to conduct technical feasibility studies, receive training and seek outside

technicalsupport,forexamplethroughorganizationssuchastheCTCN.

Socioculturalnormsandlegalimpediments

Up-scaling gender-just climate solutions requires overcoming social, cultural and even legal barriers such as

customary laws.Aworkshopparticipant fromMoroccodescribedhowwomen,whoareproducingarganoil,

facedchallengesasthelandwaslegallyinheritedbymen.Thisinturnlimitedwomen'saccessandrighttothe

landtheywereworkingonandhinderedproductivityandup-scaling.Businessdiscussionswereoftenheldat

caféswherewomenwerenot allowed, even thoughwomenwerebehindmajorityof thework. Participants

fromLaos, India and Indonesia sharedhow in certain regions itwasdifficult to getwomen toparticipate in

communityfarmermeetings. Implementingtrulygender-transformativeclimateactionrequirespatienceasit

oftentimesmeans redistribution of power and resources. Lessons learnedwas that looking for fundswhich

specifically target gender-responsive programmes can help overcome some of these challenges. Other

successeswereusingparticipatorytoolsandmethods,andworkongenderawarenesscampaignsforexample

throughwomenandyouthbutalsoincludingmenasgenderchampions.

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2.AccessingclimatefinanceManywomen-ledprojectsexperiencechallengesinfindingsustainablefundingorsustainablebusinessmodels

to ensure that their solutions can bemaintained or replicated over time. Short termor conditional funding

cannotbebridgedbythebeneficiaries,duetotheirverylowrevenues.Inruralcommunities,womencannot

afford the necessary investment in equipment for replication, maintenance or replacement of adopted

technologiesorotherresourcestheymayneed.Trainedbeneficiarieslackfinancialsupportforthecreationof

micro-enterprises, and there is a need for increased awareness and capacities among a wider group of

beneficiaries.Forthesamereasons,itissometimesdifficulttoinvolvetheprivatesectorinrural/poorareas.

InMorocco,theprogrammeMinAjliki1runbythegovernmentwiththesupportoftheBelgianDevelopment

Cooperationhassupportedover5,000womenwithentrepreneurshipskillsthroughincubatorssince2013,but

there is no dedicated government scheme aimed at providing women entrepreneurs or associations with

grantsor loans. In2018,Senegal launchedagovernmentlineofcreditforwomenandyouth,but it isrunby

thepresidentialadministration(DER/FJ)andseemsdifficulttoaccessforruralwomenwhoarenotconnected

topoliticalstructures.

Inmanycountries,womenunitetocreateself-helpgroupsandcooperativestructures,pullingtogethertheir

individualsavingsandin-kindcontributions.Thiscanhelpthemaccessmicro-credits,whichareoftenvitalfor

their small businesses or associations but cannot enable them to scale up and invest in bigger technical

equipment. The challenges are structurally inherited from patriarchal social norms, thus very difficult to

overcome.Inmanydevelopingcountries,financialinstitutionschargehighunregulatedratesforpoorpeople.

Theseratesareoftenhigherforwomen,asmencanoffercollateralguarantees,suchaslandorproperty.But

womendon’thavethesameaccesstolandorcapital,thustheyarelessabletoleveragefinanceandsuffera

doublediscrimination.

2.1. Overcomingfinancialbarriers-challengesandsuccessfactors

Bunghroo,India:Leveragingeconomiesofscaleandgovernmentsupport

Bunghroo is an affordable and simple rainwater-collecting technology developed by a social enterprise,

NaireetaServices,thatenablessmall-holderfarmersincoastalareasofIndiatosavecropsfromwaterlogging

duringmonsoonandensureenoughirrigationindryseasons.Althoughinitialinvestmentinthetechnologyis

high, a co-ownership model has enabled women farmers to access the Bunghroo technology. Naireeta

Services is leveraging the financial support received from provincial authorities to disseminate the

technologyforastandardizationoftheBunghroounit’sproductionleadingtoeconomiesofscaleandlower

unitpriceforthefarmers.Thestandardizationalsoappliestothecostingmodelwherethedesignprinciples

for constructionof the technology aswell as identificationof location is provided to the farmers at a no-

profit rate, while the farmers purchase drilling andmaterials directly from themarket and construct the

Bhungroo at their convenient time. This spreads the costs and allows farmers more time to install the

1http://minajliki.ma/

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Bhungroo.Additionally,theCTCNandWGCcapacitybuildingworkshopinspiredanewcostmodelforaccess

totheirtechnology.Theyarenowchargingrichfarmers,industriesandcorporationsaspertheircapacityto

pay. The profits from these sales are shared to allow for sales at lower prices to smallholder farmers,

enablingthemtoovercomefinancialbarriersandscaleupthedisseminationofthetechnology.

Eco-Island,MarshallIslands:Exploringinnovativebusinessmodelsforwomeninamale-dominatedsector

Eco-IslandisbuildingonthespecificskillsofwomenandapplyingthemtothefieldofsolarPVandelectric

appliancesbysupportingwomen’smotivationtolearnandacquirenewskillsforaprofessionalactivity,and

ultimatelyemployingthemforSolarPV installationsonthe island.Thecompany isfinding itchallengingto

sustain employment for the girls. The national electric utility could employ the girls once they have been

trainedbutrecruitersarenotmotivatedasitisamale-dominatedsector.InthePacific,theelectricitymarket

isdominatedbydonor-funded large-scaleprojects (offering free installation services) thatprevent smaller

businessestodevelopastheycan’tcompetefinancially.ThechallengeforEco-Islandisinvestmentcapitalto

scaleupbutalsounderstandingthedemandanddistributionmodels.Severaloptionsandmodelshavebeen

considered by Eco-Island, like developing an Energy Service Company (ESCO). ESCO’s sometime employ

innovativefinancingmethodssuchasreducingenergycoststhroughenergyefficiencymeasuresandenergy

savings,wherethesavingscostsareusedtopaybackthecapitalinvestmentoftheprojectoveragiventime

period.Eco-Islandalsoconsideredchallengingthenationalutilitycompany,whichproduceselectricitywith

dieselunits,byprovidingamoresustainableandoverallbettertechnologysuchassmartgrids.Sofar, the

utilitycompanyisusingdiesel.Anextoptionwouldbetoevaluatehowtheprojectcanbealignedwiththe

country’snewNDCstrategyaimingathavingatleast20%ofwomenelectriciansinthenextdecade.

Navdanya&SOL,India:Community-supportedagriculturalnetworksasabusiness-model

NavdanyahassuccessfullyorganizedparticipatorymeetingsinvillagesinIndiatodiscusstheissueofseeds

conservationandbiodiversityprotection.Womenwereatthecentreofthesediscussionsbecausetheyare

responsible for food provision and processing. This participatory process led them to become seed

conservation experts. They have developed the concept of “soksha”: drying vegetables and fruits during

summer (with solar dryers), for better conservation in winter. As a result, they developed a network of

trained energy ambassadors to visit households and inform/train themon sustainable energy and energy

efficiencysolutions.Theyarealsoconsideringcommunity-supportedagriculturenetworks,liketheTeikeiin

Japan, or AMAP (Association pour leMaintien d’uneAgriculture Paysanne) in France. These activities can

leadtodevelopingautonomousbusinessmodels,bysellinghighvalueagriculturalproducts,energysolutions

and services. However, challenges remain in accessing initial finance to support these initiatives and

accessinghigherincomemarkets/householdsthatcanaffordtheproducts.

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Keylessons

● Identifynationalpriorities:Byidentifyingnationalgoalsandplanswhicharealignedwiththeservice

or solution you are seeking support for; you can make a better case for receiving domestic funding. For

example, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and

TechnologyActionPlans (TAPs)areexamplesofnationalclimateplanswhichyoucouldhavea lookat.Read

moreabouttheseonp.19.

● Understandyourmarketandbeneficiaries:Regardlessifyouareafor-ornon-profit,itisimportantto

understand the market in order to identify new opportunities for accessing climate finance. Find your key

clients and beneficiaries. Like the Eco-Island example above: identifywhatmarket shares can be taken. Are

theyruralorurban?Publicorprivate?Conductastakeholderanalysis togetanoverviewof theplayersand

potentialclientsinvolved.

● Defineyourgoals:Evaluateyourvalueandgoalsandmakeitclearinyourmindwhichapproachsuits

you,whether it’s about continually increasingprofit, benefittingawider community, servinganichemarket

etc. Hardwork beginswith putting preliminary documents and information in place, andmapping out your

organisation’srationale,valueandgoals.

● Develop your businessmodel:Makeabusiness case for yourorganisation, regardless if it’s centred

aroundclimatemitigationoradaptation.Whatdoyouneedtoputinplacetoattractfinancing?Acommontool

istheBusinessModelCanvas,whichcanbeausefulframeworkformappingoutthemaincomponentsofyour

idea.Itallowsyoutolaythegroundworkforyourbusinessandchangeswitheveryiterationyougothrough.It

describeshowyoucreate,deliverandcapturevalue.Althoughithasacorporateringtoit,socialentrepreneurs

andorganisationsalsouseittodevelopviablemodelsforfinancingandlong-termfinancialsustainability.

● Buildrelationships:Ifyouareapplyingforfundingwithaninstitution,don’tforgetthatyouasaperson

areapplyingtoanotherpersonsittinginaninstitution.Youneedtoknowyourmarket,projectandeverysingle

aspectofit.Don’tbefearfuloftheotherpersonbutbuildarelationshipwiththem.Beconfidentandconvince

themwhytheyshouldprovideyouwithfunds.

● Understandingaccesstofinance:Womenaregenerallylessawareofthesourcesoffundsavailableto

them. Even when they understand how finance is structured and the different value chains, they are less

trainedinhowtoframetheproposalordevelopthebusinessplan.Achallengeisoftenthatthereisnostrong

financialteamintheorganisationtomanagethebudgetanddevelopfundingproposals.Therecouldalsobe

language barriers that limit access to international funding. A good start would be to hire someone with

financial expertise to assist and build relationships with various institutions. Another option is to apply for

technicalsupportfromorganisationstobuildthecapacityofexistingstaffandbridgeknowledgegaps.Thisis

not like applying for grants but more like seeking hands-on support which can be provided for free either

nationallyorinternationally.These“investorreadinessprogrammes”canbeappliedforwithe.g.USAID,CTCN

andotherinternationalinstitutions.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatthepoliticallandscapecanmakeitdifficult

toaccessfundingincertaincountrieswherefundstendtogotowardslargeprojectsandorganisationspushing

forindustrialisationratherthanlow-scalebottom-upgender-justinitiatives.Forabriefoverviewoftheclimate

5

financing structures andmechanisms, andorganizations that canprovide capacitybuilding, see chapters2.2

and2.3.

● Useexpertisehelp:LooktowardsorganizationslikethePrivateFinancingAdvisoryNetwork(PFAN)2to

answerquestionsonforexamplewhattypeoffundingyoushouldbeseeking.Areyoulookingatseedcapital?

Equityfinance?Mezzaninefinance?Loans?Canthebusinessabsorbtheloan?Youmayneedexpertisehelpto

put ittogether.PFANidentifiespromisingcleanenergyprojectsatanearlystageandprovidesmentoringfor

attractingfinance(p.15).

● Find complementary service areas: In the Eco-Islands example above, the organization was

considering taking on the national utility company for a share in the renewable energymarket. It does not

alwayshavetobeaDavidandGoliathsituation,butsometimesyoucanfindopportunitieswhereyourwork

complementstheworkofanotherinstitution.AnexampleisinZambiawheretwoutilitycompaniesentereda

partnership;onestate-ownedcalledZESCO,theotherbeingCEC(CopperbeltEnergyProduction).Becausethe

nationalpowercompanywasunabletoprovidestableandsustainablepowertothemines,theentrepreneurs

atCECsawanopportunitytobuildtheinfrastructureandpartnerwithZESCO.Theythentookthisshareofthe

market fromtheutility.ZESCOdidn’tmindas theydidn’thavethiscapacityanyway.Followingthisexample,

Eco-Islandcouldhelptheutility inMarshall Islandsphaseoutdieselandfindasegmentofthemarketwhere

theyarenotcompetingwiththegovernmentbutrathercomplementingit.

“Thebiggestchallengeisforwomen’sself-helpgroupstofindanappropriatefinancial

mechanism,enablingthemtoinvestintheBhungrootechnologywhentheinvestment

amountisconsideredtoosmallforbignationalbanks,butexcessivelyhighforthelocal

women,comparedtotheirmonthlyrevenues.”

TruptiJain,NaireetaServices,Bhungroo,India

2http://pfan.net/

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● Identifyoneortwoanchorclientsorkeybeneficiaries.Thesearebusinessesorindividualswithwhom

youwill have an on-going relationship and a steady flow of projects and income. This would contrast with

clientsor targetgroups forwhomyouperformanoccasional task. In thecaseofEco-Islandon theMarshall

Islands,agoodexampleofananchorclientfortheir islandrenewableenergybusinesswouldbeforexample

the fishing industry. Telecom would be the largest client, but they are government owned. Supermarkets

wouldalsobeagoodanchorclient(andtheyhaveparkinglotsthatcouldsolvethelandproblemasyoucould

putsolarontheroof).

● Use alternative finance models such as cooperatives. Such democratic (1 person = 1 voice) and

collectiveownershipstructurescancreateopportunitiesforwomentoclimbthesocio-economicladderinpoor

ruralareas,wheretraditionallymenaredominatingtheeconomy.

● Raiseambition:Womenhavecapacityandability,butinmanycasestendtobemorecautiousorless

ambitious. Women do not only look at the profit aspect of the business but also at social impacts, while

keepingtheinterestoffamiliesinmind.Acommonmistakemadebywomen’sorganizationsisnotaskingfor

therealisticallyneededfinancingamountbecausetheyfearnotreceivinganysupportifaskingforatoohigh

amount.Theproblemthen is thatyou thenencounterdifficulties inaccessing theneededco-funding,which

endangersthefeasibilityoftheentireproject.

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Bestpracticeexample:alternativefinancemodels

UCFA,UnionofArganOilWomenCooperatives,Agadir,SouthMorocco

TheUCFAisthefirstandbiggestUnionofArganOilWomenCooperativeswhichaimstoguaranteeatop-

qualityproductanda fair income to the1,200Berberwomen in22cooperatives inSouthWestMorocco

thathelp toproduce it. The cooperativesprovidean independent income forwomenas they control the

entirevaluechain,fromthecollectionandtransformationofthenutuptothesaleofthehighvaluefinished

cosmetic or food product. In this way, women have a recognized place in the economy and can then

participate in other decisions like argan forest protection, or the introduction of climate-friendly

technologies. In Morocco, they started with the women’s own savings but then formed them into

cooperativesandhavenowbeenabletocreatebusinessmodelsandbuildthebusinessuptoacertainlevel.

The women also formed a consortium, with the intention of looking for international markets for their

products.Evenwiththe8%interestrate,womenstillfeltconfidenttotaketheloan,astheyweresurethey

wouldgetaharvest.All theworkwasdoneby localworkers,buttheygot international labstoverifythat

theirproductmetinternationalstandards.

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“It’simportantthatwomenbepresentinthefieldofenergy.They

canmakesureknowledgeispassedontotheirchildren.”

JamilaIdbourrous,FMVIRSA,Morocco

2.2. Examplesofclimatefinancesources

Climatefinanceisnotgenderneutral.Womenareoftendisproportionatelyaffectedbyclimatechangedueto

persisting gender-specific norms and gender-based discrimination, which also limit their access to finance,

information, property rights etc.Women are also disproportionately represented in the informal sector, do

morereproductiveandunpaidcareworkandsufferunderincomegaps.Thereisaneedformoreprivatesector

investments inmicro-andsmallprojectandnot justmediumand large-scale, inordertoaccessandsupport

the women who are usually found in these sectors. Gender-just climate finance looks at projects which

considerlong-termgenderimpactsandpromoteequalopportunitiesformenandwomentoprovideinputand

participate throughout the project cycle. It also looks at equitable access to the benefits of the project and

plansprojectoutcomesandoutputsthatrespondtodifferentialgenderneeds.

Difficulttogetafullpictureofclimatefinanceflows

Itcanbetrickytogetanoverviewofhowmuchclimatefinanceispledged,approvedandavailablegloballyas

notall sourcesprovidepublicdataand there is a lackof a centraldatabase tracking the status in real time.

Most transparency is available fromMultilateral Development Banks (MDBs) andmultilateral climate funds

suchasUNFCCCfunds.However,this isasmallsub-segmentofallmoneyflowingaround.Asprivateclimate

finance and domestic flows are not transparent, nor recorded, there is no comprehensive understanding of

whatsizeoffundingisavailable.Developedcountrieshavejointlypledgedtomobilize100billionperyearuntil

2020 (variety of public, bilateral, multilateral and alternative sources) as part of their climate debt. It is

officiallya“debt”,asit istheconsequenceoftheCO2emissionsaccumulatedmainlybydevelopedcountries.

Thechallengeisthatvoluntarycontributionsareunpredictableandmakeithardtoplanprojects.

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Climatefinancecanbeaccessedfromseveralfundingsources,including:

● Privatefinanceandfoundations

● Multilateralinstitutions(suchasWorldBank,GreenClimateFund,AdaptationFund,etc.)

● Bilateralinstitutions-largelyaspartofOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)

● Regionalandnationalfunds

2.2.1. Fundsavailabletomemberstates

Belowyouwillfindexamplesoffundsavailabletomemberstates,inordertogetanunderstandingofthehigh-

levelclimatefinancelandscape. Insection2.3.youwill findguidanceonhowto identifyfundswhichmaybe

available directly to your organisation.While the examples below are available tomember states, at times

CSOsareinvitedtoparticipateintheprogramsforexampleaspartofconsultationsortrainings.CSOswould

benefitfromactivelyfollowingthesefundsandprogramsandidentifyingopportunitiesforengagement.

FrenchDevelopment Agency (AFD) Adapt’ Action:AFDhas launchedAdapt’Action, aEUR30million facility

which supports some of themost vulnerable countries along low-carbon and climate-resilient development

pathways.Throughtechnicalassistanceandcapacitybuildingactivities,theFacilitywillactasadrivingforcein

speeding up investments that have co-benefits for adaptation to climate change in the most vulnerable

geographical areas (Africa, least developed countries and Small Island Developing States). Countries which

receive support are for example Niger, Tunisia, Mauritius, Madagascar, the Comoros, and the Dominican

Republic. The type of support is centred around activities such as preparation of structural adaptation

programs,better integrationofNDCcommitments intosectoralpublicpolicies,andcapacitybuilding for the

implementationoftheNDCs.

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TheNama Facility:TheNAMAFacility supportsdevelopingcountriesandemergingeconomies that showan

ambition to play a leading role in the field of climate protection. The Facility make the necessary funding

availableforthesecountriestobeginimplementingtheirNAMAs(NationallyAppropriateMitigationActions).

ThroughNAMASupportProjects,qualifieddeliveryorganisations(withstronggovernmentendorsement)can

applyforfundingopportunitiesintherangeof10-20millionEuros.TheNAMAFacilitywasjointlyestablished

bytheGermanFederalMinistryfortheEnvironment,NatureConservationandNuclearSafety(BMU)andthe

DepartmentforBusiness,EnergyandIndustrialStrategy(BEIS)oftheUnitedKingdom(UK).

GIZ Climate Finance Readiness Program: The Climate Finance Readiness Program (CF Ready) is a program

supportingdevelopingcountriesinaccessinginternationalfunds-especiallytheGreenClimateFund(GCF)-as

wellasidentifyingthebestuseforfinancialresourcesintwelveselectedcountries-Morocco,Namibia,South

Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tajikistan and in the Caribbean region. Based on

countries’ needs, the CF Ready Program helps supporting national and regional climate finance institutions,

providing strategic and conceptual advice (NAMAs, NDCs, NAPs), and supporting project and pipeline

development.TheprogramhasbeencommissionedbytheGermanFederalMinistryofEconomicCooperation

andDevelopmentandisco-financedbytheUSAgencyfor InternationalDevelopment(USAID)andtheCzech

MinistryofEnvironment. It is implementedby theDeutscheGesellschaft für InternationaleZusammenarbeit

(GIZ) and the German Development Bank (KfW). Please note the program ends in 2019 and it needs to be

verifiedifarenewalisplanned.

2.2.2. UNFCCCFinancialMechanism

The main existing climate funds have been created within the context of the United Nations Framework

Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support developing countries and economies in transition

implementtheirmitigationandadaptationclimatepolicies.Themultilateralclimatefundsareallocatinggrants

forspecificprogramsmeetingtheirclimateobjectivesandshowingcompliancetotheirstandards.EveryFund

hasitsownfocalpoint,suchastheNationalDesignatedAuthority(NDA)orNationalImplementingEntity(NIE)

thatistheliaisonbetweenthecountryandtheFund.Asacivilsocietyorganisation,youcanapplytothemain

multilateral climate funds through the Fund’s focal point in your country, or via a call for direct

contributions/projectspublishedonarollingbasisbytheFund.

Civilsocietyorganisations(CSOs)thataimtoreceivefinancialsupportfromlargeclimatefundsareencouraged

to contact the national focal points for the fund directly to learn more about financing opportunities and

existingfundedprograms.Tofindoutwhothenational focalpointsareforyourcountry,pleaserefertothe

websitesofthefundsorthelinksintheresourceboxbelow.Beadvisedthatapplyingtolargerclimatefundsis

adifficultprocess for smallCSO’sandorganisations. It isoftenhelpful toapplyunder theumbrellaof larger

organisations to access these types of climate funds. Networking and strengthening partnerships are an

importantandsometimesoverlookedaspectofaccessingclimatefinance.

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AdaptationFund(AF)

The Adaptation Fund finances projects and programmes that help vulnerable communities in developing

countriesadapttoclimatechange.Initiativesarebasedoncountryneeds,viewsandpriorities.Toapplyfor

projectandprogrammefunding,countriesmustsubmitproposalsthroughanaccreditedinstitution(National

ImplementingEntities,RegionalImplementingEntitiesorMultilateralImplementingEntities).TheAdaptation

Fund pioneered a direct access modality in which accredited National Implementing Entities (NIEs) can

directly access financing, which provides developing countries with the opportunity to strengthen local

capacityandbuildonlocalexpertise.NIEsaresupportedthroughtheFund’sReadinessProgramme.ClimateObjective Adaptation

Sector Agriculture,Ecosystemadaptation,Energyefficiency,ForestryandLand-Use,Industry

andInfrastructure,RenewableEnergy,Rural,Transportation,Urban,Waste

management,OceansandCoastalResources,Disasterriskreduction,Gender,Water

Recipient Publicentityatthenationallevel,Publicentityatthesub-nationallevel,Publicentityat

theregionallevel,Privatesector,Non-profitorcivilsocietyorganization,Community-

levelorganization,Internationalorganization,Other

Grant Up to US $250,000 (small grants projects through

ProgramonAdaptationInnovation)

Co-financingnotrequired

Formore

information

www.adaptation-fund.org/

www.adaptation-fund.org/apply-funding/implementing-entities/

www.adaptation-fund.org/apply-funding/innovation-grants/

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GreenClimateFund(GCF)

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) promotes the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient

developmentpathwaysbyprovidingsupporttodevelopingcountriestolimitorreducetheirgreenhousegas

emissions.Within the GCF, funding is also available for project preparation activities and climate finance

“readiness”. Project funding is channelled through Accredited Entities (AEs) and intermediaries. AEs are

either Direct Access Entities – sub-national, national or regional organizations – or International Access

Entities including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, international financial

institutions and regional institutions. Direct Access Entities are nominated by their National Designated

Authorities (NDAs)whoensure thatprojectsandprogrammesbenefit thecountryandareconsistentwith

nationalplans and strategies.AEsneednot act as thedirect implementerof fundingproposals. Executing

Entities (EEs), which are responsible for project implementation, might do this on behalf of AEs. EE

responsibilitiesaredefinedintheFundingProposal,andtheyareaccountabletotheirrespectiveAE.EEscan

beanything from internationalmultilateral institutions to smallNGOs–dependingon the set-upof the

projectandplannedactivities.OnlyAccreditedEntitiescanreceiveGCFfunding.Ifyourorganizationisnot

anAEbutwants toengagewithGCF,youmay– insteadof seekingaccreditation–partnerwithanAEon

implementingaGCFproject.SeealinktothelistofAEsbelow.

- The Simplified Approval Process Pilot Scheme (SAP) is a new application process for smaller-scale

projectsorprogrammes.Seetemplatesforapplicationbelow.

- NationalDesignatedAuthorities (NDA) ineachcountryproposeprojectsbasedupon theirnational

planningdocuments(NAPA,NAPs,NAMAs,NDCimplementation;nationaldevelopmentorenergyplanning)

- GCFisworkingondevelopingsmallerfundstosupportmicro-to-smallsizeprojectandmicro-,small-

andmediumsizedenterprises

ClimateObjective Adaptation,Mitigation,Cross-cutting

Sector Agriculture,Ecosystemadaptation,Energyefficiency,Forestryand

Land-Use,IndustryandInfrastructure,RenewableEnergy,Rural,

Transportation,Urban,Wastemanagement,OceansandCoastal

Resources,Disasterriskreduction,Health,Gender,Jobsand

Livelihoods,Poverty,Water

Recipient Publicentityatthenationallevel,Publicentityatthesub-nationallevel,

Publicentityattheregionallevel,Privatesector,Non-profitorcivil

societyorganization,Community-levelorganization,International

organization,Other

Grant SimplifiedApprovalProcess:upto

10millionUSD

Co-financing required for GCF

funding.Forprojects/programmes

thatmaynotleverageasignificant

level of up-front co-financing, the

13

accredited entity may instead

demonstrate a significant level of

indirect or long-term investment

mobilized as a result of the

proposedactivities

Formoreinformation www.greenclimate.fund/countries

www.greenclimate.fund/how-we-work/tools/entity-directory

www.greenclimate.fund/how-we-work/sap/templates

info@gcfund.org

accreditation@gcfund.org

GlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF)

GEF fundsareavailable todeveloping countriesand countrieswitheconomies in transition to implement,

amongthebroaddiversityofpotentialpartners,projectsandprogramsinrecipientcountriesthatcontribute

totheobjectivesoftheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventionforClimateChange(UNFCCC).Itssmall-grant-

program supports community-based innovation, capacity development, and empowerment of local

communitiesandcivilsocietyorganizationsinclimatemitigationandadaptation.

ClimateObjective Adaptation,Mitigation,Cross-cutting

Sector Agriculture,Ecosystemadaptation,Education,Energyefficiency,ForestryandLand-

Use,IndustryandInfrastructure,RenewableEnergy,Rural,Transportation,Urban,

Wastemanagement,OceansandCoastalResources,Disasterriskreduction,Health,

Gender,JobsandLivelihoods,Poverty,Water

Recipient GovernmentAgencies,CivilSocietyOrganizations,PrivateSectorcompanies,Research

Institutions

Grant Upto$50,000directly(forsmallgrantprogram) Co-financingrequired

Formore

information

www.thegef.org/gef/

www.thegef.org/focal_points_list

www.sgp.undp.org/

14

2.2.3. Privatefinance-supportprovidedbyPFAN

Sometimesorganisationsneedcapacitybuildingandreadinesssupporttoaccessclimatefinance.Forexample,

the project may be viable, and investors are ready, but an in-depth feasibility study is needed to de-risk

investment or funding. The Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) can provide so-called tipping-point

support to access funding. PFAN is a network of independent consultants, coaches, investors, and other

stakeholdersinterestedincleanenergyprojectsandfinancing.Theorganisationhasraised1.46billionUSDfor

113projectssofar.ThePFANprojectportfolioconsistsofclimatemitigationandadaptationprojects.Thefocus

isheavieronmitigation,asfundscomefromtheprivatefinancesector,whichhasgreaterdemandsonreturn

on investment. Private finance, due to its multiplier effect, can make a huge difference in meeting the

countriesgoals.Thereisnotenoughpublicfinancetocoveralltheneedsatthegloballevel.

PFANbringsininternationalcoachestomatchprojectswithfinancingactors.Thisserviceisfreeforall:NGO’s,

privatesectoretc.There isacompetitiveselectionprocess;PFANlooksatprojectsthathavestrongbusiness

casesandarebankablebuthavenotyetbeenfinanced.Thereisofficiallynoprojectsizedefinition,butPFAN

projects are usually of the size of 5-15millionUSD. Theprivate sector favours larger projects, as theyoffer

morepossibilitiesforreturnoninvestment.PFANmustmakeclimateactionmeaningfulfortheprivatesector

andinvestors.

PFANgendermainstreamingishappeningonthreelevels:

• In the PFAN pipeline: as projects mature and PFAN provides coaching services, project leaders can

meet face-to-facewith investors. Previous experience inAsia has shown thatwomenentrepreneurs

havefeltmorecomfortablewithwomencoacheswhichhelpsbreakbarriers;

• ThroughthePFANnetwork:genderexpertscanenterthenetworkaspartners;

• PFAN calls for proposals for gender projects: for example, the ECOWAS project on mainstreaming

genderforaclimateresilientenergysysteminWestAfrica3togetherwithCTCNandECREEE.

Learnmore

● TheSocialBusinessModelCanvasisatoolforcreatingasolidbusinessmodelaroundyoursocialenterprise.

It’salsoacollaborativetoolthathelpsyoucommunicatedifferentbusinessmodelswithyourstakeholders:

www.socialbusinessmodelcanvas.com

● Contactinformationtocountryfocalpointsofclimatefundsandtechnicalassistanceproviders:

○ CTCNNationalDesignatedEntities(NDE):www.ctc-n.org/about-ctcn/national-designated-

entities/national-designated-entities-by-country

○ GCFNationalDesignatedAuthorities(NDA):www.greenclimate.fund/en/how-we-work/tools/country-

directory

○ GEFfocalpoints:www.thegef.org/focal_points_list

○ AFDesignatedAuthorities:www.adaptation-fund.org/apply-funding/designated-authorities/

● PFANprovidesfreebusinesscoachingandinvestormatchmakingtopromisingclimate&cleanenergy

3https://www.ctc-n.org/technical-assistance/projects/mainstreaming-gender-climate-resilient-energy-system-west-africa

15

entrepreneursinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries:www.pfan.net

● PresentationbyLianeSchalatek,Heinrich-BöllStiftung:“whyclimatefinanceactionsneedgenderjusticeto

succeed”,COP23Bonn2017:www.ctc-n.org/sites/www.ctc-n.org/files/liane_schalatek-

_why_climate_finance_actions_needs_gender_justice.pdf

● Heinrich-BöllStiftungvideosonclimatefinance:

○ "WhatisClimateFinance"www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y9vM4e9XaM(availableinEnglishnarration

withsub-titlesinEnglish,French,Spanish)

○ GenderResponsiveClimateFinance":www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKmvdiXlDFI(availableinEnglish

narrationwithSub-titlesinEnglish,French,Spanish,Arabic,BanglaandPortuguese)

○ "GreenClimateFund(GCF)":www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiQ-Gs8NW3s(availableinEnglish

narrationwithsub-titlesEnglish,French,Spanish,Arabic,BanglaandPortuguese)

2.3. Databasesforidentificationofclimatefunds

2.3.1. NDCPartnershipKnowledgePortal-ClimateFinanceExplorer

TheClimateFinanceExplorer is adatabaseof internationalpublic climate financingoptions tohelp increase

transparencyandaccess.Itbringstogetherinformationonsourcesoffinancialsupportandpresentsthemina

standardizedanduser-friendlywaytohelpcountrypractitionersandotherstakeholdersidentify,understand,

andaccessrelevantfundingopportunities.TheClimateFinanceExploreraggregates inoneplace information

on themain international sources of public climate finance including finance from the international climate

funds,MultilateralDevelopmentBanks,bilateralgovernmentdonors,whichareexpectedtoplayakeyrolein

NDCimplementationalongwithdomesticresourcemobilization,particularlyindevelopingcountries.

Howdoesitwork?

Through application of filters for the region or type of institution you are seeking support, you can find

potential sources of climate funding and other support suitable to help finance your climate project or

program. Detailed information is available including eligibility criteria, and a description of the process of

accessingthesupport.Uptothreedifferentsourcescanbecomparedatatimetounderstandhowtheydiffer

fromoneanother.

WhatfundsareincludedintheClimateFinanceExplorer?

ThefundsincludedintheClimateFinanceExplorerprovidefinancialorin-kindsupportforoneormoreofthe

following: (1) scoping and project preparation, (2) creating enabling environments and building institutional

capacity, (3) project or program implementation, and/or (4) complying with UNFCCC requirements. This

includes several typesof financial instruments, includinggrants, concessional loans, guarantees,market-rate

loans, equity, and insurance. Funds included should be understood as complementing a broader set of

developmentfundsandfinancingopportunities.Eachentryinthedatabaserepresentsasinglefundorfacility

ofafundwithitsownuniqueeligibilityoraccessrequirementsandprocedures.

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2.3.2. ClimateFundsUpdate

ClimateFundsUpdateisanindependentwebsitethatprovidesinformationanddataonthegrowingnumberof

multilateralclimatefinanceinitiativesdesignedtohelpdevelopingcountriesaddressthechallengesofclimate

change.Itpresentsrelevantdataandinfographics,drawingfromofficialfunddocumentationinordertogive

users theopportunity toexplore the key aspectsof climate finance that arepledgedandapproved through

these funds. Thewebsite ismaintained by the Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBS) andOverseas Development

Institute(ODI).

Howdoesitwork?

ClimateFundsUpdateprovidesextensiveanalysedinformationabouttheexistingClimateFinancemechanisms

through a list ofmultilateral climate funds, aswell as data dashboard. The list ofmultilateral climate funds

trackedbyClimateFundsUpdategivesaccesstoanindividualfundpagethatoffersanoverviewofkeydetails

on each of the fund, including: a general fund description, fund governance and relationship with official

developmentassistance(ODA).Thedatadashboardpresentscumulativedataonthepledges,depositsandthe

projectapprovalsmadebymultilateralclimatechangefundstrackedbyClimateFundsUpdate.Theusercan

filterforthemesofclimatefinance,togettheinformationthatissearchedfor.

Learnmore

● ClimateFinanceExplorer:www.ndcpartnership.org/climate-finance-explorer

● ClimateFundsUpdate:www.climatefundsupdate.org

● CTCN/PracticalActionwebinaronfinancingenergyaccess:www.ctc-n.org/calendar/webinars/ctcnpractical-

action-webinar-energy-access-financing

● WEDOwebinar-IntrotoClimateFinance:www.wedo.org/webinar-intro-climate-finance/

3. Overcomingtechnologybarriers

Thedevelopmentof sustainable and gender-inclusive climate strategiesmust take special careof theneeds

andcontext indifferentnationaland local scenarios.To increase the impactof thosestrategies,weneed to

raiseambition.Aparadigmshiftandsystematicchangeinconsumptionandproductionpatternsisneededfor

an inclusive low-carbon and climate resilient development. In this sense, technology plays amajor role for

transformativechange.

Technologyisaconceptthatdoesnotonlyrefertophysicalequipmentbutalsototechniques,knowledgeand

skillsthathavebeendevelopedthroughtime.Itmustbeadaptedtothespecificneedsoftargetbeneficiaries

who must have their part in the decision-making process of the implemented technologies. Implementing

climatetechnologyprojects isadesireofallcountries,but it isoftenalsoachallenge.Somechallengesarise

regardingaccesstotechnicalsupport.Amongthemostcommononesisthelackoffundsfortrainingandskills

that enable project leaders and participants to acquire more knowledge on gender sensitive technologies.

Furthermore, equal access to knowledge and informationonbest practise examples and successful cases in

differentsectorsmightbelimited.

17

Theprioritizationoflocallyavailabletechnologiesandendogenousknowledgeisoftenanimportantoptionas

theyareeasilyaccessibleandadaptedtospecificclimateconditions.However,thereissometimesaneedfor

newideas,innovationsandtransferoftechnologiesfromoutside,whichshouldbeadaptedtothelocalcontext

andtechnicalcapacitiesofthereceivingbeneficiaries.Thisenablesaneffectivecreationofownershipamong

thetechnology.Specific training for thetargetpopulation isakey factor forbeneficiaries tomaster thenew

technicalsolutionsandtheirmaintenanceormonitorprojectresultslong-term(suchaswaterquality,energy

availabilityetc.).Thisisespeciallytrueforgender-responsiveprojectsaswomenhavelessaccesstotechnical

training and it is often a challenge to get social acceptance for gender-equal or technical training targeting

women.

BetterWorldCameroon:Accesstotechnologiesandtechnicalskillstraininginremoteruralareas

In rural Cameroon,most of the ruralwomen are using firewood and charcoal for cooking. This is causing

deforestation,CO2emissions,heavyindoorairpollution,andaffectingtheirhealth.However,duetolacking

resourcesandpatriarchalnorms,womenhavenoaccess to technologiesnor technical training to improve

thissituation.BetterWorldCameroon(BWC)hasdevelopedasimple,lowcost,mud-buildingtechnologyfor

women to build their own clean cookstoveswith localmaterials. The technology transfermodel relies on

participatorystovebuildingworkshopswithwomen’sgroups, inruralandforestcommunities,andtraining

of trainer’s programmes.Mud-building is simple technology using local, natural, ecological and affordable

materials. It is easy to replicate, adapt and upscale. Additionally, BWC supports the establishment of

cooperatives fostering income generation and organises annual meetings for all trainees to share their

challengesandsuccesses,improvetheperformanceofthetechnologies.Thishasledtotheconstructionof

mud-buildingforfoodstorage,animalsortools,enrichingfurtherthetechnicalskillsofthetrainedwomen.

Eco-Island,MarshallIslands:Landscarcityandweatherimpactsontechnologychoices

Astheorganizationfocusesonsupportingwomeninlearningandapplyingtheirskills inrenewableenergy,

solar PV and electrical appliances, they are dependent on high-quality functioning technologies and the

knowledgeof theirusage tosustain their initiative.However, theyareexperiencingchallenges in termsof

sustainingthetechnologyintheharshclimaticconditionsofhightemperaturesandhighhumiditywithsalt

content. They receive negative feedback from clients when their solutions fail, affecting the long-term

sustainabilityofthebusiness.Othertechnicalchallengeslimitingtheircapacitytoexpandistheissueofland

scarcity on the island and finding creative technical solutions for the instalment of renewable energy

solutions.Theyhaveconsideredvarioussolutions,butoff-gridwindpowerisforexamplenotpossibleasthe

wind is limited, and they need technical assistance to evaluate their options. The organization is seeking

support in accessing knowledge on technologies available on the globalmarket, such as through training

videos.Achallengehasbeentoidentifysuchmaterialinlocallanguages.

NaireetaServices,Bhungroo,India:Providingtailoredtechnicaltrainingforfemalefarmers

NaireetaServices,inventorsoftheBhungroorainwaterstoragesystem,havebeensuccessfulintransferring

technicalskillstowomeninthewatersector.TheimplementationofBunghroorequiredtotrainlocal

communitymembersforgoodappropriationofthetechnologyandbecausequalifiedmaintenance

personnelistoofarawayfromthevillages,solocaltechnicalexpertswereneededfortheconsistent

operationofthewatercollectingsystem.NaireetaServiceshaveadjustedtheirtrainingsupportmaterials,

18

afterhavingnoticedthattheinformationwastootheoreticalandnotwellconveyed.Theyadaptedthe

designs,thelevelofinformation,translatedalldocumentsinlocallanguagetomakethemaccessible.They

hadtoovercomequalityissueswiththewaterpumps,aslocalsuppliersarenotallreliable.Afterseveral

attemptswithexternalexperts,thelocalmechanics,workingpatientlywiththewomenendusersenabled

NaireetaServicestoidentifyaninnovativewayoffindingbrokenwaterpumps:throughsound!Bylistening

andcomparingthesoundsofdifferentpumps,thewomencouldeasilyandintuitivelylearnhowtomonitor

theproperfunctioningofapump.NaireetaServicesisnowexpandingthisadaptedlineoftechnicaltrainings

through3D-animationswithvoice-overinlocallanguage,andmobileappswithlisteningfunctions.

Keylessons

● Review your technical needs: Depending on the scale of the project, a proper technical feasibility

studymightbeuseful.Assess thedetailsofhowyou intendtodeliveraproductorservice, suchasmaterial

needs, labour, transportation, locationetc. It is a useful tool for long-termplanning and should support the

financial information of your organization. In the example above, a detailed technical study looking at the

feasibilityforrenewablesonMarshallIslandscouldfocusonquestionssuchaslandavailabilityandbestland-

use options for installation of renewables, cost-benefit analysis of best technology solution, calculation of

greenhousegasreductionpotential,optionsforfacilitatingasociallyandfinanciallyenablingenvironmentfor

uptake of the technology, mapping of stakeholders and suppliers, and technology risk analysis should

unforeseeneventsoccurrelatedtoclimatechange,shiftingpoliticallandscapesorotherreasons.

● Seekexpertsupportforcapacitybuildingandtechnologytransfer:Byconnectingwithorganizations

who provide support for technical assistance you can build your knowledge and capacity for technology

transfer and uptake. One example is through the CTCN’s Technical Assistance or Fast Technical Assistance

programme. Requests for support must be submitted via your country’s National Designated Entity (NDE).

Readmoreinchapter3.2.

● Lookatbestpracticeexamples:Thereisawealthofknowledgeoutthereandhavingalookthrough

oneof themany knowledgeportals providing case studies andbest practice examples, such as through the

knowledgeportals listed inchapter3.2,mightprovide insightsand inspiration intosimilarprojects, technical

challengesandhowtoovercomethem.

● Expandyournetworkandconnectwithotherorganizationsaroundtheworlddoingsimilarwork.Build

relations and explore innovative ways of mutual support. Especially in terms of over-coming technology

barriersitcouldbebeneficialtocollaboratewithforexampleschoolsanduniversities.Yourorganisationwould

bring presence on the ground (through your activities and local partners), and the academic partners

contributionwould be in terms of technical research and know-how to support your operations and needs

whilegainingaccesstothefield.

19

● Identify tools which may support your project management and communication challenges. Many

NGOs have been at the forefront of using ICT and other communicative technologies, such as local radio

broadcastingofweatherinformationandSMSalerts.

3.1. Nationalclimateprocesses

Climate technologiescanrelate tomanydifferentpractises, starting fromtraditionalknowledgetohigh-tech

industrial processes. Various national technology and climate changeplans andprocesses that are useful to

knowaboutare:

● TechnologyNeedsAssessments(TNA)

The TNA supports national sustainable development by building national capacity and facilitating the

implementationofprioritizedclimatetechnologies.Ithelpstounderstandthetechnologyneedsthatmustbe

determinedinordertoreducegreenhousegasemissionsandadapttotheadverseimpactsofclimatechange.

This support is provided by a national teamwhich does a stakeholder consultation to determine priorities,

barriersandimplementationstrategies.

● NationalAdaptationPlans(NAP)

The NAP aims to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and

resilienceandfacilitatingtheintegrationofclimatechangeadaptationintorelevantnewandexistingpolicies,

programmes and activities, in particular development planning processes and strategies, within all relevant

sectorsandatdifferentlevels.

● NationallyDeterminedContributions(NDC)

Agreedunder theParisAgreement in2015, theNDCsrefer to theeffortsneededbyeachcountry to reduce

nationalgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsandadapttotheimpactsofclimatechange. Theseclimateactions

determinewhethertheworldachievesthe long-termgoalsoftheParisAgreement inwhichaglobalpeakof

greenhousegas(GHG)emissionsisenvisionedsoon,afterwhichrapidreductionsareneededtostaywithinthe

1.5- or 2-degree goal. Of the 190 countries that submitted an NDC, more than 75 per cent mentioned

technology, and more than 100 developing countries expressed the need for international support for

technologydevelopmentandtransfertoimplementtheirnationalplans.

3.2.Accesstotechnologysupport

3.2.1. ClimateTechnologyCentre&Network(CTCN)

The Centre is part of the Technology Mechanism under UNFCCC created in 2014. CTCN offers technical

assistance,capacitybuildingandknowledgeexchangefreeofcharge.AnytypeoforganisationsuchasNGOs,

20

researchinstitutions,privatesector,nationalgovernmentandcivilsocietycanrequesttechnicalassistancevia

theircountry’snationalfocalpointcalledNationalDesignatedEntities.Theorganizationprovidessupportona

broadrangeofsectorssuchastransportsystems,waste,energy,andagriculture.

In order to facilitate the preparation and implementation of technology projects and strategies, the CTCN

supports action on mitigation and adaptation which seeks to enhance low-emission and climate-resilient

development taking into account gender considerations. For this, the CTCN helps to overcome technical

barriersand identify themost relevant technologyexperts from itsglobalnetworkofmorethan500private

sectorcompanies,researchinstitutionsandorganisations.

HowdoestheCTCNprovideitssupport?

The CTCN provides technical expertise and recommendations related to specific technology needs,

identification of technologies, technology barriers and efficiency, as well as piloting and deployment of

technologies.Theapplicationprocessfortechnicalassistanceisdonebydownloadingandcompletingafour-

page application from thewebsite and send it to theNationalDesignated Entity4of your country.Once the

Centrereceivestherequest,aresponseplanisdevelopedandexpertsfromitsNetworkcanbidondelivering

themostsuitablesupport.ArecentlydevelopedformofassistanceistheFastTechnicalAssistancewhichaims

toprovidetargeted,small-scaleandquicksupport.

Furthermore,theCTCNcanprovidereadinesssupportfordevelopmentofprojectproposalstoaccessclimate

financeand identify strategies for increasedambitionand impact. It is important tohighlight that theCTCN

doesnotprovidefundingdirectlytocountries.Fundingisprovidedviaimplementingpartnerswhodeliveron

thetechnologytransferandcapacitybuildingrequestedfromyourorganisationorcountry.

3.2.2. NationallyDeterminedContributions(NDC)Partnership

Every country presents different environmental challengeswhichmust be addressed following an approach

that is adapted to its conditions. For this, the NDC Partnership, known as a coalition of countries and

institutions engaged to enhance sustainable development, works directly with national governments,

internationalinstitutions,civilsociety,researchersandtheprivatesectortosupportclimateanddevelopment

action.

HowdoestheNDCPartnershipprovideitssupport?

TheNDCPartnershipprovidesaKnowledgePortalwhichisafree-to-useonlineplatformthathelpscountries

andorganisationsaccelerateclimateactionbyprovidingquickandeasyaccesstodata,tools,guidance,case

studies,andfundingopportunities.Usersareenabledtofindinformationaccordingtocommonneeds,

includingsectors,themes,countries,languages,andstagesofNDCimplementation.Withinthisplatform,itis

possibletogettoknowexamplesofgoodpracticeswhichcanillustrateandinspirestartingprojects.Thereare

resourcesavailableinEnglish,SpanishandFrenchthatareeasilysearchable.TheKnowledgePortalincludes

threemainentrypoints:

4FindtheNationalDesignatedEntity(NDE)ofyourcountry:https://www.ctc-n.org/about-ctcn/national-designated-

entities/national-designated-entities-by-country

21

● TheGoodPracticeDatabase providesexamplesofsuccessfulclimateactionandlessonslearnedwhere

countrieshaveovercomeobstacles,toenablecountriestolearnfromoneanother

● The Climate Toolbox draws together tools, guidance, platforms, and technical support from leading

institutionsinasearchabledatabasetohelpcountriesplanandimplementtheirNDCs.

● TheClimateFinanceExplorerhelpsyouidentifypotentialsourcesofclimatefinanceandlearnhowto

accessthem.Readmoreonp.16.

TheNDCPartnership alsoprovides technical assistance. TheNDCPartnership’sClimateActionEnhancement

Package is an offering designed to deliver targeted, fast-track support to countries to enhance the quality,

increasetheambition,andimplementnationallydeterminedcontributions.

3.2.3 IUCNGlobalGenderOffice(GGO)

GGOisanorganizationcommittedtoexpandingtheknowledgebaseongenderandenvironmentbycreating

tools and methodologies which lead to advances in gender-responsive sustainable development and

conservation goals. They lead training and provide technical support for capacity building, strategy

developmentandimplementation.

HowdoestheGGOprovideitssupport?

G-REEN Platform: This platform includes a discussion forum on various themes pertinent to gender and

renewableenergy, a listof relevantevents, an interactivemap showcasingprojects globally, anda resource

library that includes webinar recordings and hundreds of publications in regard to on various technologies

utilizedaroundtheworld.

The Knowledge Centre: It is a resource library with a wide range of the most up-to-date information on

experiences,methodologies,bestpractices,training,andmoreconcerninggenderandtheenvironment.

3.2.4. LowEmissionDevelopmentStrategiesGlobalPartnership(LEDSGP)

The LEDSPartnership, founded in 2011, brings together representatives fromgovernments, civil society and

theprivatesectorworkingtoadvanceonlow-emissiondevelopmentstrategiesacrossdifferentcontinents. It

aimstopromotelow-carbon,climate-resilientdevelopmentforpovertyalleviationbysupportinginitiativesin

thefieldsofagriculture, landuse,forestry,energyandtransportation.Withthis,theLEDSGPaimstoreduce

greenhousegasemissionsandachievesocial,economicandenvironmentaldevelopmentgoals.

HowdoestheLEDSGPprovideitssupport?

TheLEDSGPfacilitatepeerlearning,technicalcooperationandinformationexchangetosupporttheformation

andimplementationoflow-emissiondevelopmentstrategies.Ithasafocusonsupporttodevelopingcountries

22

andregions.ItoperatesthroughregionalplatformsinAfrica,Asia,EuropeandEurasia,andLatinAmericaand

the Caribbean. Thanks to its wide geographical reach it is possible for all members to share experiences,

knowledge,lessonslearnedandbestpractices.

The membership is free to organizations, individuals and governments working to promote LEDS at local,

national,regionalandglobal levels. Includedinthismembershipisaccesstoremoteexpertsupport,training,

workshops,remoteforums,technicalreportsandevents.

3.2.5 Climate&CleanAirCoalition(CCAC)

TheCCACExpertAssistanceisano-costservicethatconnectsanextensivenetworkofprofessionalsfor

consultationandadviceonarangeofshort-livedclimatepollutionissuesandpolicies,includingblackcarbon

andmethaneemissionsfromsourcessuchaswastemanagement,agricultureandtransport.Theservice

supportsrequestsfrompolicymakersandcivilservantsworkingtoreduceblackcarbon,methaneandHFCsin

specificsectorsoraspartofoverallmitigationplanningandimplementation.

Learnmore

● CTCNtechnicalassistance:www.ctc-n.org/technical-assistance

● NDCPartnershipknowledgeportal:www.ndcpartnership.org/knowledge-Portal

● NDCPartnershipClimateActionEnhancementPackage:www.ndcpartnership.org/caep

● IUCNG-REENPlatform:www.genderandenvironment.org/energy-resources/

● LEDSGP:www.ledsgp.org

● Climate&CleanAirCoalition:www.ccacoalition.org/en/solutioncenter/expert-assistance

23

4. Societalandculturalnorms

Gender-just climate solutions tackle gender roles and social norms within communities or territories.

Overcominggenderbarrierscanbechallengingas itrequireschangingculturalhabits,publicopinionoreven

adapt legal frameworks. Often it involves power redistribution so that access to information, finance and

resourcesaredistributedmoreequally.Incertainregionswomendonotengageinclimateinitiatives,suchas

participating in community farmermeetings on resilient crops or sustainable agriculture, due to patriarchal

normsdictatingwhich spaces they can enter or positions they should occupy. Involvingwomen in decision-

making processes from which they have been previously excluded requires patience. Implementing a truly

gender-transformative approach in projects can require more time, energy and creativity than originally

anticipated.PreviouswinnersoftheGender-JustClimateSolutionsAwardhavedemonstratedinnovativeways

ofovercominggenderbarriers related to societal and culturalnorms in their communities throughmethods

suchasgenderanalysis, involvingmenasgenderchampions,awareness raisingonthecontributionsofboth

menandwomentothecommunity,gendersensitizationexercises,publicspeakingtrainingforwomenandso

on. Seeking funds that specifically target gender-responsive programmes can help overcome challenges by

allowingforlong-termplanningandsecurityforyourorganisation.

The two examples from award winners below highlight common societal and cultural barriers to women's

accesstodecision-makingaswellasmale-dominatedjobs.

CFLEDD, Democratic Republic of Congo: challenging customary laws on land property rights forwomen

AccordingtoastudyconductedbytheorganisationCFLEDDin2016,70%ofwomenintheDRCdonothave

accesstolandandforesttitles.CFLEDDhasobtainedtherecognitionofwomen’slandandforestrightsinthe

provincesofEquateurandMaindombeoftheDRC,withtheaimtostrengthentheireffectiveparticipationin

reducingdeforestation.Thefirststepconsistedinovercominginheritedrivalriesamongwomenofdifferent

ethnicities,oftenderivingfromgenderdiscriminations,andunitingwomentoworktogetherfortheirrights.

An advocacy tool was then developed and used in dialogues between local and indigenous women,

customary chiefs and provincial authorities. Recommendations resulting from these dialogues have led to

the adoption of 2 provincial edicts that guarantee land and forest rights for women. All power levels,

customary chiefs, administration, legislature, executive, and judiciary, have committed to protecting the

rights of women. This transforms the country’s patriarchal framework, while strengthening the decision-

makingpowerofwomeninDRC’sforestmanagementpoliciesforclimateaction.

Eco-Island,MarshallIslands:womeninmale-dominatedworkplaces

Eco-Island trainswomen to install solarPV’s inMarshall Islands.As theenergy sector is generally amale-

dominated field, clientshavebeenhesitantwhenwomenshowup todo the installations. Seeing the ship

arrive with three women with technical equipment ready to take on installation work normally takes a

coupleofdaysforclientstoaccept,butovertimetheyhaveexperiencedagradualchangetowardsincreased

acceptance.Inthebeginning,amalecolleaguehadtojointoprovideasenseoflegitimacyfortheclientsand

24

helpnormalize thearrangement.Another societal challengeEco-Island isexperiencing is the challenge for

womentobalanceworkandprivatelife.Outofthegirlsthathavebeentrainedseveralhavehadtodropout

when becoming pregnant, demonstrating the need to adapt work arrangements to accommodate for

women’sspecificneeds,suchasflexibleworkschedulesandincentivesforreturningtowork,aswellasthe

importanceofovercomingsocialnormsinfluencingmarriageandwomen’sroleoutsidethehousehold.

25

Keylessons

● Genderequality isnotonlyaboutwomen: Involvementofbothmenandwomeningradualgender-

sensitization processes will prove more effective in ensuring that project benefits reach women and men

equally. Severalof theawardwinners in theworkshopworkedonawareness-raising campaigns forexample

throughwomenandyouthbutalsoincludingmenasgenderchampions.

● Initialmeetingswithbothmenandwomen:Similarly,whenattemptingdialogueswiththepurposeof

highlighting societal and cultural norms, a successful approach towards increased participation has been to

initiallydividemenandwomenintotwogroupsandapplyingvariousexercisessuchasthedailyschedule,role-

playing and resource mapping as described in chapter 4.1, and then bringing the two groups together for

broaderdiscussionsandlessonslearned.

● Stakeholderanalysis:Astakeholderanalysisisausefultoolforfindingwhichinternationalandnational

genderorganizationsandotherstakeholdersyoucanlinkuptoinsolidarityandreachouttoinordertoaccess

relevantgendertoolsusefulforadvocacyandcommunicationwork.

● Developa trainingof trainer’s program:Buildanetworkofspokespersonsandambassadors froma

widerangeofcommunitiestoadvocateforandover-comesocietalandculturalnormsthathinderwomenand

men’sequalparticipationinclimateaction.Thecombinedtrainingcanfocusongivingbacktothecommunity

throughcontinuedadvocacyworkandastructurewhere free training isprovidedgiven they in turnprovide

trainingforothers.

● Recognizewomen’s strengths:Womenareoftengoodatmaintainingworkingrelationshipswithcity

leadersandothergroupswhichisastrongargument infavourofencouragingwomentoattendforexample

farmers’ groups.Women also possess important traditional knowledge and experience which contribute to

climateaction in thecommunity if up scaled. InMorocco,wheremenoftencontinueconversations in cafés

where women can’t participate and thus miss out on important information, the award winner who

participated in the WECF and CTCN workshop has supported women through cooperative and by training

womenongainingthecouragetospeakoutandbelistenedto.

“Women,andmen,donothavelegalrightstoland.Even

ifwomenhaveaccess,theydon’thavelegalownership

becauseofourpatriarchalsystem.Weneedtoaddress

thelegalsystemthatisrootedincolonialthinkingandis

littlerespected”

DorothéeLisenga,C.F.L.E.D.D

26

● Work on building confidence: Building the confidence and skills of women to speak confidently by

providing training and access to information and knowledge is key to increasing women’s participation in

decision-making.

● Recognizeco-benefitsofwomen-ledenterprises: InMoroccothewomenneedpermissionfromtheir

mentoworkinthearganoilproducingcooperatives.Itwasn’tuncommonfortheircooperativememberstobe

beaten and have the littlemoney they earned taken away. After thewomen started self-help groups, they

wouldputtheirmoneytogetherinlittlesavings.Thegovernmentalsohelpedthemwithmicrocreditloans.As

thewomenstartedtheirsimplebusinesseswhichthengrewtomakeaprofit,theyputalltheprofitsback in

thebusiness.Withthewomenbringing inmoneytothehousehold,whileeducatingchildrenandperforming

othertasks,theyreportthattherelationshiptothemenhasimprovedanddomesticviolencedecreased.

● Inclusion through participatory approaches and tools:Adopting a trulyparticipatory approachwith

dedicatedtoolshasprovenakeysuccessfactorinmostofthepresentedprojects.Theparticipatoryapproach

enablesastrongerappropriationbythebeneficiaries,thusensuringthesustainabilityoftheproject,andallows

fortheuseoflocal,ancestralknowledgethataddseffectivenessandvaluetoundertakenactionsorsometimes

broadensthescopeoftheaction.Theparticipatoryapproachalsofavoursamoregender-responsiveaction.A

goodstartwouldbetoconductastakeholderanalysistounderstandalltheactorsinvolved.

4.1. Gendermainstreamingandwomen’sempowerment

Usinggenderanalysesandpromotingwomen’sempowermenthasproventobesuccessfactorsforovercoming

normsintheGender-JustClimateSolutionsAwardwinner’sprojects.Womenarekeentobetrainedandadopt

newtechniquesiftheycanforeseeavalueforimprovingtheirlivelihoodandthewell-beingofthecommunity.

They becomemajor drivers of change andmultiplierswithin the territory, or even on a broader scale, thus

highlycontributingtoanddrivinglocalclimateactionorregionalandnationalclimatepolicies.Womengroups

needtobesupportedandpromotedthroughtargetedtrainingsinclimatetechnologiesandpractises,actions

toincreasewomen’sincomeandaccesstofinance,andtrainingstoparticipateindecision-makingandimprove

publicspeakingskills.

Besidessupportingwomen’sempowermentthroughimprovingtheself-esteem,confidence,skillsandaccessto

information,gendernormscanalsobeovercomebyeducatingandsensitizingthebroadercommunityofboth

menandwomen.Thetool‘GenderinSustainableDevelopment-CollectionofExercisesforTrainingofTrainers’

linked below provides useful exercises to provide training on gender equality, gender analysis and gender

mainstreamingwhichcanbeusedbyyourorganisationwhenadvocatingorraisingawarenessongenderroles

andnorms.Aselectionofsomeofexampletoolsandexercisesarepresentedbelow:

Genderanalysis:Animportanttoolforover-comingsocietalnormsisbymakingthemvisiblethroughagender

analysis which provides an opportunity to reflect on the gender issues and provides a starting point for

determining how these issues should be addressed. A gender analysis provides an assessment on different

levelsofsociety,forexamplewomen’s,men’s,householdandcommunitylevel.Itanswersquestionssuchas:

who does what? who has access to/control over what? how does culture define or influence the access

to/controloverwhat?

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Dailyschedule:Thisexercisewillallowpractitionerstogainpracticalknowledgeofthedivisionoflabourand

gender roles in the examined community, through studying the different workloads of women and men.

Analysingthese“dailyschedules”willshed lightonwhodoeswhatkindofwork, forhowlong,andwhohas

morefreetime.Femaleandmaleparticipantsshouldbeassembledinseparategroups.Participantsareasked

todescribeatypicaldayintheircurrentlifebywritingadetailedschedule,thatincludesalltheirdailyactivities,

suchaswork,householdchores,childcaretasks,leisuretime,etc.Participantsshouldmentionhowlongthese

activitiesusuallytakethem,andwhethertheyareperformingseveraltasksatthesametime,i.e.multitasking.

Whenanalysingtheseschedules,facilitatorsshouldtakethecurrentseasonintoaccount.Ifnecessary,theycan

askparticipantstowritedowntheirtypicaldayscheduleduringanotherseason.

Role-playing:Role-play isan interactivetoolwheretheparticipantsareassignedroles (participantscanrole-

playastheirowngenderorasadifferentgender)andareaskedtoactoutacertainsituation.Usingdrama,the

participant can act out a real situation in a relaxed atmosphere and relate to their characterswhile raising

awarenessontheissues.Forexample,afemaleparticipantcanbeaskedtonarrateacommonscenariofrom

herdailylifeathomewherebyamaleparticipantcanbeaskedtoactthisscenariooutandviceversa.

Resourcemapping:This toolwillallowpractitioners tobetterunderstandwomen’sandmen’saccess toand

controloverresourcesinalocalcontext.Theresourcemapcanprovidecrucialinformationontheabundance,

allocation,managementanduseofresourcesexistingwithinthecommunity.Femaleandmaleparticipantsare

assembled in separate groups. For this exercise, participants are asked to draw a map of their

village/neighbourhood, which includes the existing resources in the area. Maps can (and should) include

infrastructure facilities, water sites and sources, agricultural lands, forests, grazing areas, shops, markets,

health clinics, schools and childcare provisions, churches, aswell as any other places identified as relevant.

Oncetheirmap iscompleted,participantsshoulddescribe itandexplainwhytheychosecertain institutions,

resourcesetc.Theexpectationisthatwomenandmenwillchoosetohighlightdifferentresources.

“Women don’t want to start behaving like the ‘big

boys. They want to preserve their own ways and

values, which means that the enterprises they enter

shouldalsobenefitallofsociety,andnotjustbeapure

profit-makingventure.Wefeellikewehavetoshowa

socioeconomicbenefitfortheworld.”

FatouNdoye,EndaGraafSahel,Senegal

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4.2.Changingmindsetstopromotegenderequality

Howwomenaccess information, finance and resources is often governedbypublic opinionwhich in turn is

shaped by social norms. Empowering women as agents of change and active participants in climate action

requiresengagingthepublicandchallengingthosenormsandvaluesbymakingthemvisibleandshowcasing

thebenefitsofmoregender-justsocieties.Weneedinformedandengagedpeopleonoursideifwewantto

changehowthingsaredoneatourlocalcommunitycentreortochangealaw.Thisoftenrequirespatience,as

demonstrated by award winner Dorothée Lisenga from Congo DRC, who through her organisation CFLEDD

(CoalitiondesFemmesLeaderspourl’EnvironnementetleDéveloppementDurable)hasorganisednumerous

peaceful dialogues on women’s land inheritance rights between customary chiefs, local and indigenous

women. The organisation also uses community radios as a tool for relaying information and awareness.

Accordingtoa2016study,70%ofwomenintheDRCdiduntilrecentlynothaveaccesstolandandforesttitles.

Their advocacy approach through dialogues and communications sensitized the communities on women’s

rightsandbenefitsthereofandhasledtohugesuccessesinwomen’saccesstolandandforestrightsofwomen

intheprovincesofEcuadorandMaindombeoftheDRC.

Changingpublicopinionrequiresprovidingaccesstocontext-specificanalysesandknowledgeontheissueand

theimpactsongenderrelations.Aknowledgeresourcecanforexamplemeanastudyonhowclimatechange

impactsmen andwomen farmers differently in the community and the benefits of strengtheningwomen’s

accesstoland.Suchknowledgeresourcescanbeaneffectivetoolinraisingnotonlyawarenessbutalsofunds,

asitprovidesastrongargumentinfavourofyourorganisation’sclimateactions.Bygeneratingknowledge,we

canhighlight those voices that arenot alwaysheard.We canprovideabasis fordialogues andadvocacy to

thosewhohavepowertodecideontheissue,e.g.thegovernment,tochangelawsoraninternationalbodyto

act in a time of crisis. Advocating is a way to inform duty bearers and/or decision-makers of women’s

experiencesandholdthemaccountable.Themostsuccessfuladvocacyworkis linkedtobroadermovements

andamobilisedconstituencyinwhichthemostaffectedtaketheleadandspeakforthemselves.

Tools

● Genderimpactassessmentandmonitoringtool:

http://www.wecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FINAL-GIM-Tool-Jan-19.pdf

● GenderinSustainableDevelopment-CollectionofExercisesforTrainingofTrainers:

http://www.wecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GenderTOTinstrumentsupdatedversion.pdf

● ICT’sforFeministMovementBuilding-ActivistToolkit:

https://www.apc.org/sites/default/files/ICTs%20Toolkit_2015_0_0.pdf

● FeministParticipatoryActionResearch:

https://apwld.org/new-resource-feminist-participatory-action-research-report/

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Bestpracticeexamples

GreenLivingMovement(GML),Zambia:

Duetoveryscarceresourcesandpoorfoodsecurity,womeninruralZambiaoftenliveinanegativespiralof

lackingskills,mobilisationandmotivation.GLMworkedwithawidesetoftoolstoovercomethisdestructive

trendandhelpwomenhavemorecontrolovertheirdestiny,therebypositivelycontributingtotheresilience

oftheircommunities.Thefirststepwastakenbyopeningdialoguespacesandcreatingplatformsforsharing

knowledge, with a diversified representation within the community, asking women farmers to lead the

knowledge sharing. They built on the experience of elders using storytelling and listening campaigns in

traditionallanguages,showcasing"ClimateChangeChampionFarmers"onlocalradio,orconductingphoto-

voice campaigns on community markets (photos were taken by the communities and discussed among

them).Thischangedthecurrentapproachtodeliveringinformationandimprovedthelevelofunderstanding

climaterelateddisastersandadaptationstrategieswithinthetargetcommunities,especiallyamongwomen

andyouth.Withsteady increase in revenue fromnewagriculturalproduction,womenheadedhouseholds

arenowabletoaffordschoolfeesfortheirchildren,toaccessmedicalcareandtoeat2to3mealsperday.

Thishastransformedtheattitudesofvillagersandthegenderrelationswithinthecommunities.Theproject

has also won enormous support from the media, local and traditional authorities and government

departments (Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary). The "Climate Change Champion Farmers" are rural

women (60%),men and youth selected by the community for their outstanding understandingof climate

impactsandresiliencestrategies.Theyactasambassadorstoeducatepeopleinlocalmeetingsandmotivate

others to engage in the preservation of natural resources or sustainable agriculture. GLM has also

implementedenvironmentalclubsinschools,promotingwomenaseducators.

GenderDevelopmentAssociation:Genderassessmentasprojectstart

GDA used a women’s empowerment lens to bridge traditional harvesting practices with sustainable

livelihoodinitiativesinnorthernruraluplandsofLaoPDR,focusingonHmongandKhmuethnicgroupswho

havebeensystematicallymarginalized.Thankstoaninitialgenderassessment,GDAcouldidentifykeyareas

andpoliciesforrehabilitatingwomen’sancestralknowledgeandimprovingthefoodsecurityoftheseethnic

groups.Usingarights-basedgenderframework,theassociationconductedtrainingforwomenonfinancial

management topromote their financial independence.Bybuilding the capacityof thewomen tobecome

knowledgebearersinthefieldofNon-TimberForestProduction(NTFP),andincomegeneration,theproject

increasedtheirinclusionandtheirroleincommunitydecisions.

Enda Graaf Sahel, Saloum Delta, Senegal: Public speaking, participatory dialogue and changing toxic

masculinities

TheorganizationEndaGraafSahelinSenegalrecognizedlocalwomen’sancestralknowledgeinecosystems,

but noticed they were often side-lined by men and were not participating in decision-making. The

organisationworkedwithwomentobuilduptheirconfidencebyprovidingpublicspeakingclasses,resulting

inapositivechangeinwomen’sabilitytospeakoutatmeetings.Endaconductedgroupexercisestoanalyse

30

thedivisionof labourbetweenmenandwomenandopenedthemen’seyesontheburdenofunpaidcare

workassumedbytheirwives.Asignificantreductionofdomesticviolencewasreported inthehouseholds

thathadparticipatedinsuchexercises.

Enda Graaf Sahel also organized participatory dialogues, using dedicated tools, such as diagnostics with

formalizedquestionnaires.Thesedialoguesallowed to identifyandhighlight the importantcontributionof

women to the local economy. It alsohelped identify specific ancestral knowledgeownedbywomen, that

wereessential torestorefragileenvironments.Thisknowledgewassharedwithothervillagesandusedto

conduct ecosystem restoration in the mangroves. Finally, a citizen-scientist approach enabled women to

collaboratewithuniversitiesandstateinstitutionsonawiderehabilitationprogrammeoftheSaloumdelta,

which gained visibility via local radio stations and local churches. The women fisher implement shellfish

reseeding in the Saloum river delta; they created a replicable system to monitor the shellfish biological

rhythmandensurerestingperiodsviarestrictedareas.Theypromotetheuseofefficientstovestotransform

seaproducts.Thiscutstheburningoffuelwoodby75%.Alltheseactionshaveturnedwomenintoagentsof

sustainablechange.

EndaGrafSahelhasalsoconductedresearchonmasculinitywith localyoungactivists,whocameupwith

theinitiative,interviewingthepopulationhowmasculinitywasreflectedinthetimeofancestorsandhowit

is today with young people. This research triggered discussions on gender roles in the communities and

highlighted the heavy burden of unpaid domestic tasks carried out by women. The project also uses

standardizedtrainingmodulesongenderinequalitiesandwomen’sleadership.

GenderCC,SouthAfrica:gendersensitizationtobuildskillsforwomen

The organization ensured that women would be trained and able to install and maintain climate-smart

technologies, likebiogasdigesters,water conservation systems, and sustainable farmingmethods. Several

exercises and tools were needed to convincemen to allowwomen to gain such skills.Women gradually

became leaders and active members of their communities. Most of them have moved on to become

successfulentrepreneursandarenowtransferringtheirknowledgetootherpeople.Furthermore,theyare

advocatingatthenationallevelforthegovernmenttosupportclimateresilientpolicies,investinrenewable

energy and climate-friendly technologies. The governmentof SouthAfricahasbegun to include gender in

theirpolicies.

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5. Organizationalchallenges

Forsomeorganizations, ithasbeenachallengetoadoptatrulyparticipatoryapproach,eitherduetogender

barriersthatpreventwomenfromactivelyparticipatinginpublicmeetings,orduetothepoliticalcontextthat

sometimesrestrictstheorganizationofcommunitymeetingsorprojects.ItisalsoachallengeforlocalNGO’s

to findenoughstaffwithexperienceor specializedskills/knowledgewithinspecific fields (renewableenergy,

agroecology,watermanagementetc.),creatingabarrierfordevelopmentandup-scalingofprojects.

Keylessons

● Creatingreplicablestructuresandtoolsormethodologiesisoneofthemajorsuccessfactorsforall

projects,accordingtotheexperiencesthatweresharedduringtheworkshop.Replicablegovernancestructures

(suchaswomen’sgroupsorassociations,orcooperatives)allowforarapidextensionoftheprojecttoother

villagesandterritories,andappropriationbythebeneficiariesleadingtosuccessfulup-scaling.Agoodstep

towardsreplicabilityisthroughmonitoringofprogress.Sometimesorganisationsareinisolatedandremote

areaswithlimitedtelephonesignalandmobilitychallengeswhichhinderscapturingofdataandlearning.

32

Decentralizingthetaskofdatagatheringandempoweringcommunitymembers,suchasinthecaseexampleof

Bhungroobelow,wouldhelpovercomethechallengeofaccessingbeneficiarieswhilestrengtheninglocal

ownershipofprojects.

● Capacitybuildingforlocalteamscanbeorganizedwiththesupportofnationalorinternational

networksandinstitutions.Thissupportisusuallyeasiertoreceivethansupportintheformoffundingand

shouldbeexploredmore.

● Creatingnewgovernanceand/orentrepreneurshipstructureswithdemocraticrulesanddecision-

makingprocesses,todeveloplocalskillsandgeneratelocalactivitiescanhelpalleviateorganizational

challenges.

● Expandnetworktoaccessnewknowledge,skillsandopportunities:Forexample,ruralwomencan

linkupwithwomeninurbanareasforthepromotionandmarketingofagriculturalproductsintownswhich

theydonothavethecapacitytoundertakethemselves.

● Raisingawarenessthroughchildrenandyouth:InMorocco,theystartedraisingawarenesswith

schoolprojects.Theteenagegirlsbroughttheirmothersintoseestovestheyhadbuilt,whichalsoengaged

theirfathersinhearingabouttheworktheyweredoing.Itisimportanttoinvolvechildren,astheywillthen

growupwithamoresustainablemind-setandviewonwhattheyarecapableof.Theyarehoweveralsoableto

influencetheirfamilyathome.Anotherrecommendationfromtheawardwinnershasbeentoinvolveelder

membersofthecommunityincommunicationandoutreachactivities

more.

“Wenowhave32franchises,andaswehavegrown

biggerithasalsobecomemorenecessarytoraisethe

organisationalcapacityoftheteamintermsor

partnershipandfinancialmanagement.”TruptiJain,Naireeta

Services,Bhungroo,India

NaireetaServices,Bhungroo,India:Decentralizinggovernancebyempoweringfemalefarmers

Bhungroo is aprovenandcertified technology for capturingand storingexcessmonsoonwater from land

plots and reusing it for irrigation during drought season. With the support of the Indian government

thousands of units have been installedwith positive impacts on soil fertility and groundwater savings. By

increasingprofitabilityoftheruralareafarmingcommunities,thesolutionhasalsohadapositiveeffecton

rural-to-urban labour migration. The first step when installing a unit is assessing if the land is suitable

through satellite data and data collection, which can be made in 16 different ways. Naireeta Services is

33

workingon empoweringwomen to collect this data by dividing thework in sub-stepswhere female local

farmers do the knowledge work and sampling while the technical analysis is provided by professional

monitors.Theorganizationhasexperienced that there isa reluctance frommaleengineers towork in the

villages, while there is also a reluctance towards sharing knowledge with women. For this reason,

empowering local women to do their own geophysical data capturing is a means towards ensuring

continuousandthoroughdatacollection.

YakkumEmergencyUnit (YEU), Indonesia:utilizingwomen’s traditional knowledgeand structuring their

action

The Gemawang, Kaloran & Temmangung districts in Central Java are threatened by water scarcity and

landslides due to deforestation. YEU structured and facilitated five women’s groups to enable them to

actively contribute to improved water management in their communities, responding to the needs for

drinkable water and to the challenges of mountain agriculture. YEU replicated the same associative

structure, with threemembers (chair, secretary, and treasurer) ensuring effective governance within the

women’sgroups.TheyhighlightedtheirtraditionalknowledgeofwatermanagementthroughParticipatory

RuralAppraisaltoidentifythemainwaterproblems,i.e.,quality,distributionandmanagement.Thewomen

groups were then guided to develop an emergency preparedness program targeted at women for areas

prone to landslides. Somebeneficiadecided to implementaquaponic farming,building smallponds in the

villages, as well as small-size vegetable farming for the households. These technical tools can be easily

replicatedandprovidefoodsecuritywithawidernutritionalscope.

GenderDevelopmentAssociation(GDA),Laos:Seekingorganisationalsupportforclimatefinanceaccess

GDAhasalonghistoryofworkingwithLaowomen’sunionswhooperateatnational,regional,districtand

locallevels.Theyuseadecentralisedapproach,toengagewithcommunitiesandletthemtakeownershipof

ideas.Toolshavebeendevelopedbasedontheneedsofthecommunitiesenablingasuccessfulparticipatory

approach.AllGDAstaffareLaowomenrepresentingfourdifferentethnicgroupsandspeakingfourdifferent

dialects.GDAhasalsoconductedacompletegenderassessmentindifferentethniccommunities,evaluating

women’sworkloads and specific knowledge linked to themanagementofnon-timber forestproducts and

biodiversityconservation,aswellastheirroleinprovidingfoodforthecommunity.Thegenderassessment

hashelpedtoidentifyopportunitiesforformalgovernancestructuresbasedonwomen’sformalknowledge

in the region. Aswell to implement a “Train the Trainer” conceptwith specifically adapted training tools

fittedto theneedsof thetargetwomenbasedontheoutcomesof thegenderassessment.Their financial

constraints are related to getting core funding instead of tied (as they are dependent on organisational

fundingtoday).Theyarealsounabletocomplywithrequirementsoffinancialinstitutions,astheirbudgets

donotalignandtheyneedtechnicalassistancefortheirstafftomeettheexpectationsoffundersintermsof

providingevidence-basedresearch,usingcorrectbudgetlanguage,respondingtoauditsetc.

Tools

Women2030toolonorganisationalstructureandgendermainstreaming:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1grQA1vL9zFPorRM_UYpM9jOCiyDc25l-/view

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6. Wayforward

Thisresourceguidecapturestheexperiences,bestpracticesexamples,andkeylessonssharedbythewinners

of theGender JustClimateSolutionsAwards (GJCSA).TheGJCSAhasbeenawardedby theUNFCCCWomen

and Gender Constituency (WGC) since COP21 in 2015 and supported by the Climate Technology Centre &

Network(CTCN)andotherpartners.Theyearlycapacitybuildingworkshopswiththeawardwinners,together

with this guide, lay the foundation for anambitious, structuredand sustainableup-scalingof theexemplary

gender-responsiveclimateinitiativesthathavebeenrecognized.

Bycarefullymappingthespecificanddifferentiatingneedsandbarriersfacedbytheawardwinnersandtheir

organisations, thecapacitybuildingworkshopshaveprovidedtailoredresponses to increase theirawareness

andaccesstodifferentclimatefinanceresourcesandsupportavailableforover-comingtechnicalbarriers.The

workshopshavealsoencouragedexperiencesharingonwaystoovercomeorganisational,culturalandsocial

normsandbarrierswhenworkinginthegenderandclimatenexus.

Capitalizingontheselessonslearnedandrecognizingthegreatneedformoreambitiousscalesofgender-just

climate action, theWomen Engage for a Common Future (WECF) aims to continueworkingwith the award

winners and identifyhow they can collaborate closelyon thematic, regional andhigh-potential initiatives to

deliver climatemitigation and adaptation solutions.With support from the CTCN and other partners, these

gender-just initiatives, ranging from water management technologies to participatory processes for forest

conservation,canbeup-scaledtomeetthegoalsoftheParisAgreement,andsupportimplementationofthe

UNFCCCGenderActionPlan.ThewayforwardwillalsoservetheadvocacystrategyoftheWomenandGender

Constituency,withthegoalofensuringthefullandeffectiveparticipationofwomeninclimatepoliciesatall

levelsofdecision-making.

Thementoringprogrammeforup-scalinggenderjustclimatesolutionswillbedefinedduringandinthefollow-

up of COP25 inMadrid,with activities planned to start in 2020. TheWECF and CTCN are currently seeking

collaborationpartnerswithasharedvisiontoprovideexpertise,networkingandfinancialopportunities.

35

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) fosters technology transfer and deployment at the

request of developing countries through three core services: technical assistance, capacity building and

scaling up international collaboration. The Centre is the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology

Mechanism,itishostedandmanagedbytheUnitedNationsEnvironmentandtheUnitedNationsIndustrial

DevelopmentOrganization(UNIDO),andsupportedbymorethan500networkpartnersaroundtheworld.

CTCNcontactdetails:

ClimateTechnologyCentreandNetwork Tel:+4545335372

UNCity,Marmorvej51 Web:www.ctc-n.org

DK-2100Copenhagen,Denmark Email: ctcn@un.org

Supportedby: