Support to the East African Community in the management of nature-based solutions

The East African Community (EAC) is at the forefront of unlocking climate finance to advance sustainable development and climate resilience across its rich aquatic landscapes. Recognising the increasing threats of climate change to key sectors such as fisheries, water resources, and coastal economies, adelphi and GIZ partnered with EAC institutions to launch an ambitious programme to build regional capacity and develop a pipeline of impactful, fundable projects. In September 2025, a training and stakeholder workshop was held in Mombasa, bringing together government officials, technical experts, and development partners from all eight EAC member states—including representatives from Ministries of Finance, Environment, and Regional Integration.

The workshop featured CliFIT, an innovative training tool designed to strengthen climate finance readiness and equip participants with practical skills for project design and proposal development. Through interactive sessions, knowledge exchange, and group work, participants focused on nature-based solutions (NbS) as a pathway for climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable blue economy growth. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to position the EAC as a regional leader in accessing international climate finance and implementing innovative, collaborative solutions to urgent environmental and development challenges.

What We Did: 

• Delivered a comprehensive training on international climate finance architecture, with a special focus on the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Adaptation Fund.
• Explored the climate rationale for NbS and how to design effective, fundable project proposals, including alignment with national climate strategies (NDCs, NAPs) and EAC’s Blue Economy Strategy.
• Facilitated group work and interactive sessions where participants mapped out priority NbS interventions for water, fisheries, coastal resilience, and ecosystem restoration.
• Supported EAC stakeholders in developing initial concept notes and identifying short-term opportunities to improve existing proposals and build a regional pipeline for climate finance.
• Provided guidance on partnership development, governance structures, and blended finance strategies, enabling countries to leverage grants, concessional loans, bonds, and private investment for NbS.
• Continued the dialogue through online follow-up sessions, ensuring momentum for pipeline development and further capacity building.

Outcomes:

1. Enhanced understanding of climate finance mechanisms and the requirements for successful project design and implementation.
2. Strengthened regional cooperation and alignment on blue economy priorities and NbS, with practical steps identified for advancing joint projects.
3. Creation of a draft project pipeline and improved concept notes that can be submitted to international climate funds.