Adaptation to Climate Change starts at the local level: funding local initiatives to address water and Climate Change challenges

The Paris Agreement stresses the urgency to reach targets for Climate Change adaptation and to support developing countries with funds, technology and strengthening their capacity. The participation of local actors (e.g. local government, civil society organizations and local communities) is essential to reach implementation targets faster and reduce future costs. However, multilateral funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) support readiness and preparatory activities at national level and are not easily accessible to local actors for their own adaptation initiatives. For its Initial Demand-Driven Research & Innovation Outlook, AfriAlliance consulted representatives of water utilities, national authorities, river basin organisations and local actors (e.g. civil society organizations) to identify on-the-ground needs to support the readiness of the water sector in Africa to face Climate Change. They considered the lack of funding and/or difficulties securing funding as a common barrier to achieve their respective mandates and to prepare for Climate Change. Complex application processes, fund characteristics, fund administration and lack of organizational capacity (see Figure 1 in the Policy Brief) prevent their access to funds for adaptation.

This Policy Brief presents the challenges that local actors face in securing funding for Climate Change adaptation and provides suggestions on how to make it easier for them to access available funds.