Project Description
The Accessing Climate Finance (Regional) program was designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals from South Asia and Mongolia to navigate the complexities of climate finance and drive sustainable development. The course focused on integrating climate finance into national adaptation and disaster risk reduction planning, designing inclusive and effective initiatives, and embedding GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) principles throughout processes. Participants enhanced their understanding of climate finance mechanisms, project financing, investment frameworks, and risk management, while building practical skills to analyse, plan, and implement strategies. The program also promoted regional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and applied action-learning through real-world Return to Work Plans.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Attendees were mid and senior-level government officials, policy analysts, and finance specialists from ministries of finance, energy, environment, tourism, parliamentary offices, and regulatory agencies across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Outcomes to Date
As part of the course, participants developed Return-to-Work Plans (RWPs) to apply their learning within their organisations. These projects focused on key areas such as strengthening institutional coordination for climate finance management, creating practical tools and guides to improve access and utilisation, and exploring innovative finance mechanisms like blended finance, debt-for-climate swaps, microfinance, and insurance products to de-risk investments. Many initiatives targeted local communities and marginalised groups, while others concentrated on policy and strategy development through recommendations, roadmaps, and frameworks for national systems. Throughout the program, participants worked closely with mentors to refine their projects, receiving tailored feedback to enhance relevance and feasibility. The RWPs demonstrated strong analytical thinking and practical application, with high-quality outputs and a clear commitment to implementation beyond the course.
Project Significance
This short course strengthened participants’ knowledge and networks in climate finance through stakeholder mapping, system analysis, and benchmarking Australian inter-agency collaboration. It explored regulatory measures, government policies, and private sector drivers to promote green investment, alongside strategies for improving existing arrangements and attracting foreign investment. Participants examined future directions in climate finance, including funding sources, technologies, and policy innovation, supported by case studies from Indonesia, Australia, and global contexts. The program also addressed the politics of climate finance and the implications of the SDGs for future policy and practice.