UN CTCN Opens Climate Adaptation Funding Call for Asia Pacific
UN CTCN's AFCIA programme invites Asia Pacific organizations to apply for up to $150,000 in climate adaptation technical assistance by Oct 7, 2026.
New funding round offers up to USD 150,000 in technical assistance per project, with priority given to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States
The Climate Technology Centre and Network (UN CTCN) has opened a new call for proposals under its Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) programme, inviting organizations across the Asia Pacific region to submit innovative climate adaptation solutions for technical assistance support. The call opened on July 7, 2026, and will remain active until October 7, 2026.
The Push for Locally Led Climate Adaptation
As climate change accelerates across the Asia Pacific region, countries are facing an increasingly complex mix of challenges — from rising sea levels and intensifying storms to shifting agricultural conditions and water scarcity. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are often the most exposed to these risks, while simultaneously having the fewest resources to develop and scale adaptation solutions independently.
The UN Climate Technology Centre and Network was established as the operational arm of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism, tasked with helping developing countries access the technology and expertise needed to respond to climate change. Rather than functioning as a traditional grant-making body, UN CTCN’s approach centers on technical assistance — connecting organizations with specialized expertise, institutional capacity-building support, and knowledge-sharing networks designed to help promising climate solutions move from concept to implementation.
The Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator, the programme under which this call has been launched, reflects a broader shift in international climate finance toward supporting locally led and transformative adaptation approaches, rather than relying solely on top-down, internationally designed interventions.
What the Programme Offers
Through this regional call, UN CTCN will select up to 10 projects from across the Asia Pacific region. Each selected project will be eligible to receive up to USD 150,000 in technical assistance support to help pilot innovative climate adaptation solutions.
Importantly, this support is not structured as a direct cash grant. Instead, UN CTCN’s technical assistance model is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of participating organizations, facilitate knowledge exchange between projects and experts, and connect selected initiatives with specialized technical resources that might otherwise be inaccessible to them.
Selection will prioritize projects that demonstrate strong innovation and sustainability, with the programme placing particular emphasis on solutions that are transformative in nature and rooted in local leadership and context.
Eligibility and Who Can Apply
All countries in the Asia Pacific region are eligible to apply, though Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States are especially encouraged to submit proposals, reflecting the programme’s focus on reaching the communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
To be eligible, applicant entities must be based in a developing country that has officially nominated a National Designated Entity (NDE) to the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism. This requirement connects the call directly to each country’s existing formal engagement with the UN’s climate technology framework.
A broad range of organization types are eligible to apply, including:
- Governmental institutions
- Universities and research centres
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Private-sector entities
- Other qualifying organizations engaged in climate adaptation work
How to Apply
Prospective applicants are advised to carefully review the programme’s guiding questions and selection criteria before submitting a proposal, as these documents outline the specific requirements and evaluation standards used to assess applications.
Full application instructions, guidance materials, and background information on the AFCIA programme are available through UN CTCN’s official channels. Organizations with further questions can contact the programme directly at ctcn@un.org.
For more information about AFCIA, see here.
The call for proposals will remain open until October 7, 2026.
