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Climate Finance in Fragile Contexts
Fragile and conflict-affected states are among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, yet they consistently face the greatest barriers to accessing climate finance. Weak institutional capacity, complex political economies, security constraints, and limited data availability all compound the challenge of designing and delivering effective climate finance programmes in these contexts.
Due to these challenges, climate finance flows to fragile contexts remain critically underfunded relative to need. Practitioners working in these environments require specialized knowledge to bridge the gap between global climate finance architecture and local realities. This course addresses that gap by providing targeted, context-specific guidance anchored in practical case studies and real-world experience.
This course provides an introductory and practice-oriented introduction to climate finance in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS). Recognising that fragile contexts present unique challenges and risks for climate finance access and delivery, the course equips participants with the conceptual tools and practical skills required to navigate vertical climate funds, design conflict-informed interventions, and develop high-quality funding proposals.
Using the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project cycle as a guiding framework, participants will move from foundational concepts through to the hands-on development of a concept note. The course integrates a conflict-informed approach throughout, emphasising the importance of Do No Harm principles, fragility-sensitive programming, and gender-responsive design in climate finance interventions.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the distinction between climate finance and climate funding, and articulate the role of vertical funds within the broader climate finance architecture.
- Identify and compare key vertical climate funds relevant to fragile and conflict-affected contexts, including their eligibility criteria, priorities, and access modalities.
- Apply conflict-informed project design to the appraisal and development of climate finance interventions.
- Develop a context analysis and baseline assessment that reflects the complexity of fragile environments.
- Construct a theory of change that integrates climate resilience, fragility-responsive design, and gender-responsive programming.
- Define and articulate outputs, activities, and outcomes in line with vertical fund requirements and results frameworks.
- Design an impact measurement framework appropriate for fragile and data-scarce contexts.
- Produce a high-quality GCF Concept Note ready for submission or further development into a full project proposal.
The course is delivered through a series of six live, online webinars, each facilitated by a subject-matter expert with direct experience in climate finance and fragile contexts. Each session combines conceptual input with interactive exercises, case studies, and peer learning.
The methodology is grounded in the following principles:
- Applied focus: Practice-oriented learning
- Progressive structure: Each module builds directly on the previous, culminating in a complete concept note.
- Contextualized learning: Participants are encouraged to draw on their own contexts and experience throughout.
- Expert-led sessions: External experts and practitioners share frontline experience and lessons learned.
- Peer review: Participants receive facilitated peer review of draft concept note components.
The course comprises six structured modules, each delivered as a 90-minute online webinar:
Module 1. Climate Finance 101
Introduction to climate finance concepts, vertical funds, key actors, and the landscape of funding for fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS).
Module 2. Project Life Cycle
Understanding the project development process: context analysis, stakeholder mapping, conflict-informed baseline design, and establishing a robust baseline.
Module 3. Theory of Change
Designing a theory of change tailored to fragile contexts: assumptions, causal pathways, conflict-informed project design, and fragility-responsive design.
Module 4. Outputs, Activities & Outcomes
Identifying and articulating outputs and activities aligned to outcomes, with attention to Do No Harm principles and gender-responsive approaches.
Module 5. Determining Impact
Frameworks for measuring and attributing impact in complex environments, including M&E design for fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Module 6. Conclusions & Project Review
Synthesis of learning, peer review of draft concept notes, submission guidance, and pathways to full project proposals.
This course is designed for mid-to-senior level practitioners working at the intersection of climate change, development, and fragility. Target participants include:
- UN agency staff and system coordinators working in fragile or humanitarian settings
- National government officials and focal points of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in FCS
- Development bank programme officers and climate finance specialists
- NGO and civil society organisation staff engaged in climate resilience or peacebuilding programming
- Private sector actors and green finance practitioners seeking to engage in fragile markets
1000 USD
