ACCF Portal

GENERAL INFORMATION

Grant Approval Date
End (estimated) Date
Project Cost $997,524
Sector Climate finance
Executing Agency United Nations Capital Development Fund
Current status Closed
Benin - Lesotho - Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility
Benin/Lesotho - Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility
Background

The overall objective of the project is to improve the climate resilience of communities and local economies by increasing investments in climate change adaptation in target areas. This will enhance local governments’ direct access to climate finance by supporting the identification and strengthening of national institutions and stakeholders to access the Green Climate Fund.

The project will be executed in two (2) countries, namely the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Benin. Phase I of the project will be launched in Lesotho. This involves the introduction of the Performance-Based Climate Resilient Grant (PBCRG) system, which shall be implemented in four (4) selected Community Councils for three years.

LoCAL Phase I, the pilot phase of the project, took place in Benin from 2015 to 2016. Phase II shall now be deployed in six districts, namely Banikoara, Karimama, Malanville (Alibori), Cobly, Matéri (Atacora), and Ouaké (Donga). The purpose of Phase II is to demonstrate the effectiveness of LoCAL and create the conditions for a full national rollout of the approach.

Objectives

The project aims to strengthen climate resilience in Lesotho and Benin by increasing local governments’ access to climate finance for adaptation investments through the Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG) mechanism.  

 

Main Components/Outputs

Ultimate Outcome: Increased transfer of climate finance to local governments through national institutions and systems to build verifiable climate adaptation and resilience.

The specificity of LoCAL lies in its strong alignment with national priorities and, above all, in strengthening local authorities to mobilize climate finance and better plan, budget, and invest in local adaptation measures.

  1. Output 1: Improved awareness and capacities of national and local governments and stakeholders regarding climate adaptation and resilience.
  2. Output 2: Mainstreamed inclusive and accountable climate change adaptation in local government operations.
  3. Output 3: Establishment of operational and effective PBCRG systems.
  4. Output 4: Finalization of a methodology to access private finance for adaptation investments in the framework of the LoCAL mechanism for operationalization in targeted LoCAL countries.
Key Achievements or Progress

Benin

  1. LoCAL Phase II deployed with nine local governments through ACCF funding.
  2. Local Climate Information System for Adaptation (LISA) established.
  3. Fourth annual performance assessment of the CGCBP cycle finalized.
  4. Three new field officers recruited to support the upcoming PBCRG scale-up to 25 communes under the GCF project.
  5. Adaptation investments identified in target areas.
  6. 45 local officials trained in climate change adaptation mainstreaming across nine communes.
  7. FNEC–UNCDF funding proposal approved by the 37th GCF Board on 25 October 2023.
  8. Two Capital Grant Agreements signed with line ministries for PBCRG allocations.
  9. Adaptation investments completed in Ouaké and Matéri, with ongoing activities in Boukoumbé, Cobly, and Malanville.

Lesotho

  1. LoCAL Phase I implemented with four local governments through ACCF funding.
  2. Five district-level meetings held to introduce the LoCAL implementation methodology following the amended Capital Grant Agreement.
  3. Three field staff recruited to provide training and proximity support to local governments.
  4. 97 participants (56% women) trained on public financial management and procurement processes.
  5. 267 participants (68% women) sensitized on sustainable water use, climate change, and investment sustainability.
  6. Second PBCRG tranche Annual Performance Assessment completed in November 2023.
  7. Two water supply infrastructure projects (Sekhebetlela and Lekhalong) completed in Senqunyane Community Council.
  8. Seven ongoing water supply projects in Qhoasing, Lithipeng, and Khoelenya Community Councils, with completion expected by May 2025.
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