Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF)

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The LDCF is a voluntary trust fund established under the UNFCCC, and managed by the GEF, to address the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Specifically, the LDCF is 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. The LDCF is also mandated to support the preparation of the National Adaptation Plan Process in LDCs. By the end of 2020, 51 countries had completed and submitted their NAPAs. All of the Finnish least developed country partners have completed their NAPAs. The planning of the NAP process has been supported with 12,2 mil. USD and furthermore 290 project in total have been approved to support both planning and implementation of the NAPAs. Many projects also support countries in their efforts to integrate climate change adaptation into national development policies, plans and frameworks. As for expected results, according to the latest progress report projects implemented through LDCF have reduced the vulnerability of more than 22 million people to the negative consequences of climate change. Additional annual contribution of 5 million euros is proposed to the LDCF in 2020.