The Needs-Based Climate Finance (NBF) initiative under the UNFCCC supports developing countries, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FINCOAHN/FCAS)—to define and advance their climate finance pathways. Despite increasing global climate finance flows, these countries continue to face a persistent access gap. Structural barriers such as complex accreditation requirements, limited technical data, and high transaction costs prevent many from converting National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into bankable projects. The Climate Capital Marketplace at Korea Climate Week (CW) offers a strategic shift from broad advocacy to hands-on pre-readiness support and structured deal-making. This session is designed to address the foundational bottlenecks that prevent SIDS and FCAS countries from accessing readiness and preparatory support windows from major climate funds.

The Climate Capital Marketplace pursues four core objectives:

1. Demystify Climate Fund Modalities
Technical teams from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility GEF, Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) will provide direct, practical guidance on simplified approval processes and readiness pathways tailored to vulnerable contexts.

2. Address the Pre-Readiness Gap
Countries will engage in interactive sessions to identify and resolve foundational challenges—such as climate rationale development, data gaps, institutional constraints, and partner identification—that hinder access to preparatory support.

3. Enable Early-Stage Deal-Making
Structured Deal Rooms will allow countries to present high-level project pitches to Accredited Entities (AEs), National Implementing Entities (NIEs), technical assistance providers, and private sector partners. The goal is to catalyze early partnerships, co-financing opportunities, and technical support for project maturation.

4. Produce Country-Specific Roadmaps
Each participating country and regional body (PIFS, OECS, CARICOM, Indian Ocean) will leave with a concrete, time-bound roadmaps outlining next steps for project development, readiness engagement, and partnership formalization.
 

Stakeholder Ecosystem

The Marketplace convenes a uniquely diverse set of actors essential for accelerating climate finance access:

• Beneficiary Countries: SIDS across the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean; FINCOAHN/FCAS countries including Chad, South Sudan, Yemen, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea.
• Climate Funds/Banks: GCF, GEF, AF, FRLD and development banks
• Regional Anchors & Technical Advisors: PIFS, OECS, CARICOM, Government of Maldives, g7+, ODI, WFP, and others supporting climate rationale and theory of change development.
• Project Partners: Bilateral and Multilateral finance providers, Accredited Entities, NIEs, and private sector partners seeking early engagement.
• Capital Providers: Donors and investors interested in high-impact, de-risked opportunities in vulnerable regions.
   

Implementation Note

Countries are encouraged to bring Project Idea Notes (PINs), draft Concept Notes, or emerging project ideas. These may be presented during Day 2 Deal Rooms or showcased through project posters in the Marketplace area. The aim is for every country to exit CW with strengthened project concepts, identified partners, and a clear roadmap for advancing toward investment readiness. For more details please refer to Step-by-step guide for countries and partners. 
 

Programme

Will be available soon.