Introduction

The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) was established in 2007 to help developing countries most vulnerable to climate change, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS), to increase their capabilities to adapt to the effects of climate change, in support of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to have their voice better heard in the international climate change negotiations. In 2014, a new phase of the GCCA, the GCCA+ flagship initiative began.

Project Scope

MWH has been managing the Support Facility (SF) of the GCCA under a first contract with the EC since 2009. Under a recently awarded contract MWH will continue to manage the SF until 2021. The Facility contributes to supporting the two GCCA+ pillars: i) policy dialogue and exchange of experience between the EU and developing countries, and ii) technical and financial support to GCCA+ partner countries.

Project Challenge

The EU flagship initiative ‘GCCA+’ helps to build the resilience of vulnerable countries to prepare for climate-related natural hazards, reduce risks and minimise impacts by integrating multi-sector risk management, adaptation and mitigation approaches in national development planning. It also supports local, national and regional strategies that integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk management and promote more informed decision-making on recovery and reconstruction.

Project Results

By providing mostly technical assistance services, the Support Facility supports the GCCA+ management team in carrying out capacity building activities that contribute to a better integration of Climate Change (CC) into national/regional development strategies and plans and a better preparation of CC related activities in the GCCA+ target countries and regions. It assists the GCCA+ targeted development partners in the identification, appraisal and formulation of specific cooperation activities and programmes.

The SF also supports the GCCA+ management in carrying out enhanced policy and sectoral dialogue between the EU and target countries/regions, and contributes to capacity building activities.

Services Provided

• Organisation of several large regional and global dialogue events on climate change.
• Start discussions with governments and other donors locally represented on further CC integration possibilities.
• Preparatory and support work, in relation to national CC strategies as well as to specific country activities in the GCCA priority areas, ideally on the basis of identification carried out in existing national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs), NAPs and NDCs.
• Targeted training workshops for the most direct EC counterparts in line ministries on climate change integration and mainstreaming at project and sector policy level.
• Support to the European Delegations in preparing draft Identification Fiches, Action Fiches and Financing Proposals for the countries selected for specific cooperation activities to be financed under the “Cooperation activities strand” of GCCA.
• Ensuring the visibility of the GCCA through the dedicated website with all relevant and useful information for stakeholders; events, and activities undertaken.
• Design and implementation of a communication and knowledge management strategy for the initiative, including the production of materials such as videos, brochures, and publications.