Financing the preparation and implementation of NAPAs in response to urgent and immediate adaptation needs.

LDCF resources now amount to more than half a billion dollars (US $537 Million) 

What is the LDCF?

The LDCF was established to address the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)under the Climate Convention. The LDCs identified adaptation as their top priority. Specifically, the LDCF was tasked with financing the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs). NAPAs use existing information to identify a country’s priorities for adaptation actions. The LDCF is the only existing fund whose mandate is to finance the preparation and implementation of the NAPAs.  

Consistent with the findings of the NAPAs, the LDCF focuses on reducing the vulnerability of those sectors and resources that are central to development and livelihoods, such as water; agriculture and food security; health; disaster risk management and prevention; infrastructure; and fragile ecosystems.

NAPA implementation projects under LDCF are designed entirely in accordance with country priorities and executed by national stakeholderse, and involving active participation of vulnerable communities, enabling LDCs to assume leadership of the agenda that will define their future.

Facts and Figures

As of December 2011, LDCF has approved some US $217 million for  projects and mobilized more than US $919 million in co-financing. The Fund has enabled 48 of the world's most vulnerable countries to access resources for NAPA preparation. 46 of these countries have completed them, with only two -Angola and Myanmar- remaining in final stages. The Fund now supports 52 projects and programs in 42 of the least developed countries, the largest porfolio of adaptation projects of its kind. 33 projects have started implementation on the ground.

The graph below illustrates the steady growth of the LDCF in terms of approved funding, as of November 2011.

Approved funding by region:

• 53% of the approved funds are dedicated to increase resilience of LDCs in Africa
• 23% in Asia
• 21% in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• 3% in Latin American and Caribbean region

During the 11th meeting of the LDCF/SCCF Council, as well as during the negotiation of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Durban, South Africa, the LDCF welcomed pledges from developed countries committed to continue "fast-start" financing toward the goal of providing funding for climate change adaptation approaching US $30 billion for the 2010-2012 period. On this regard, there are currently between $11 - $15 million available per LDC, based on the principle of equitable access.  

The main sectors targeted under LDCF are: food security and agriculture (39% of funding), coastal management (24% of funding), and water resources (15% of funding). These coincide with the 3 top NAPA priorities, identified across LDCs.  See graph below for sector distribution of LDCF funding.

Accessing LDCF Resources

At its 16th meeting in Cancun, Mexico, the COP adopted a decision providing further guidance for the operation of the Least Developed Countries Fund. Further to this decision, the SBI requested the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) to discuss with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its agencies: ways to further improve access to funds from the LDCF, the disbursement of funds, the design of implementation strategies for NAPAs using a programmatic approach, ways to best communicate co-financing requirements under the LDCF, and remaining challenges faced by least developed country Parties in working with GEF agencies, during the first meeting of the LEG in 2011.

In response to this guidance, the GEF Secretariat has, among other things, developed a user-friendly guide on how to access LDCF resources.

Relevant Links

• Accessing Resources Under the Least Developed Countries Fund
• Progress Report on the LDCF and the SCCF
• Status Report on the LDCF and the SCCF
• Project Highlights

LDCF Contacts at the Global Environment Facility