Guide: Strengthening gender integration in climate finance projects

This guide presents a framework of recommendations for strengthening gender integration in climate finance projects, with concrete examples and resources to show how it can be done. The guide also shares broader enabling factors and recommendations to inform advocacy and action beyond individual projects, at the climate fund level. This guide is designed for project teams preparing, designing, implementing and monitoring climate finance projects in developing countries under the four primary multilateral climate funds – the Adaptation Fund, Climate Investment Funds, Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund – as well as for those overseeing the approaches of project teams. The guide’s set of recommendations provides a simple framework for thinking about direct and powerful complementary opportunities for advancing gender equality.

The guide recommends, among other things, leading with local gender expertise by prioritising working with gender experts who originate from and have in-depth experience within the project’s geographical area. This works alongside leveraging local women’s groups and national gender institutions and including direct, meaningful engagement with local organisations focused on women’s rights and gender equality, as well as gender-related institutions. Collecting the right gender data from the start and integrate gender specialists within the team ensures proper information management. Finally, continuity between design and implementation must be ensured and pursue opportunities team-wide capacity-building. Apart from recommendations, the guide details enabling factors and considerations for project funds.