Regional Training Workshop onBuilding Capacity for Green Climate Fund (GCF) Concept Note Development in Central, South, and Southeast Asia

6-9 May 2025 Bangkok, Thailand

The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), with support from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ), and in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat, successfully organized the “Regional Training Workshop on Building Capacity for Green Climate Fund (GCF) Concept Note Development in Central, South, and Southeast Asia ” from 6 to 9 May 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. This intensive four-day workshop brought together around 20 participants from seven countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Nepal and Uzbekistan. Participants included representatives from National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Accredited Entities (AEs), government agencies, and technical consultants, each playing a key role in the design and implementation of climate change adaptation projects. The event fostered hands-on learning, regional collaboration, and knowledge exchange to strengthen access to climate finance through the GCF.

The workshop commenced with welcoming remarks from Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP. He highlighted the critical role of climate finance in supporting vulnerable developing countries to confront the impacts of climate change. He also encouraged active engagement to drive inclusive, resilient climate action across the region. In his key note address, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of the Asian Institute of Technology warmly welcomed participants on behalf of AIT, emphasizing the importance of green finance and resilience, and expressing confidence that the workshop would help develop impactful, locally relevant solutions aligned with global climate goals.

Mr. Taiki Kohno, Assistant Director of the Climate Change Adaptation Office at the Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ), delivered the next keynote speech. He highlighted timeliness in advancing equitable access to climate finance, emphasizing the importance of strengthening technical capacity, promoting peer learning, and fostering collaboration to overcome barriers and maximize opportunities through the reformed GCF Readiness Programme for climate-resilient development. Mr. Ivo Besselink, Subregional Lead, Southeast Asia, Department of the Asia and the Pacific Region (DAPAC), GCF followed with a keynote speech emphasizing the urgency of climate action and reaffirmed GCF’s commitment to enabling green finance through partnerships, institutional reforms, and tailored regional solutions.

The training addressed a critical need in the region: strengthening institutional capacity to access and manage climate finance through the GCF. Participants gained an in-depth understanding of GCF’s updated policies, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP), and investment criteria. Through interactive sessions, technical briefings and group exercises, participants built practical skills in concept note development covering impact chains and problem analysis, theory of change and logical frameworks, climate rationale and financing strategies, gender and social inclusion.

The workshop also served as a platform for regional knowledge exchange, enhancing participants’ ability to navigate GCF processes and improve the quality of concept notes. Several country teams developed draft concept note proposal for future GCF concept note submissions, contributing to stronger pipelines of climate adaptation projects. Building on the momentum of this event, AIT RRC.AP will continue to provide technical assistance and promote knowledge-sharing to empower national and local actors in accessing and utilizing climate finance more effectively.

Feedback

“Returning to Bangladesh, I will apply this knowledge in my workplace and assist others in understanding our learning here to bring better outcomes in preparing GCF concept notes for both Mitigation and Adaptation sectors.”

Mr. Md Kabir Hossain, Bangladesh

"Finalization of our bank’s accreditation by the GCF and development of a pipeline of green projects with concept notes."

Ms. Dina Zhanadil, Kazakhstan