CFAs: GEF Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme Global Platform

Deadline: 4-May-25

Submissions are now open for GEF Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme Global Platform (NZNPA IP GP) to support countries to accelerate efforts to achieve net-zero nature-positive economies.

This will be accomplished through catalyzing finance and partnerships, triggering investment, promoting policy and governance coherence, and curating, diffusing, and transferring experiences, good practices, and lessons learned. The program is designed to address the complex and systemic connections between climate change and biodiversity loss, aiming for carbon neutrality while placing nature at the center of economy-wide plans and strategies.

The core goal is to address the weak demand and supply of net-zero nature-positive public and private finance and investment, which is identified as a barrier (B2) to achieving NZNP economies. It aims to do this by sharing gender-responsive tools and knowledge.

Expected Outcomes

• Output 2.1 under the NZNPA IP’s Global Platform focuses on sharing gender-responsive tools and knowledge with participating countries and increasing their capacity for aligning public and private finance with net-zero nature-positive (NZNP) strategies and mobilizing investment for the implementation of these strategies. On the demand side of finance, Output 2.1 aims to
  • work with developing country Ministries of Finance, financial regulators, and central banks to strengthen the national enabling environment for attracting finance to NZNP investment,
  • promote the integration of climate, nature, and development agendas in economic and fiscal policy design by supporting enhanced understanding, tracking, and alignment of budgets with integrated NZNP and development considerations.
  • provide guidance on broader fiscal, legal, and regulatory frameworks that are aligned with private sector expectations and market dynamics. A key focus will also be on promoting knowledge and peer-to-peer exchange on the opportunities, challenges, and solutions for integrating NZNP considerations in public finance.

Deliverables

• Developing and sharing three (3) guidance materials on integrating NZNP principles into fiscal policy which includes
  • literature review
  • consultations with experts and key partners including the NZNPA working group on nature
  • collecting evidence and case studies
  • drafting of guidelines which cover economy-wide instruments, targeted fiscal measures, and financing mechanisms for NZNP objectives. The guidelines will aim to be practical and accessible to policymakers. The guidelines will outline methodologies and practices to integrate NZNP principles into the fiscal policy enabling environment for policymakers and stakeholders involved in fiscal policy and environmental sustainability.
• Conducting three (3) global webinars to disseminate knowledge on aligning fiscal policy with integrated NZNP and development objectives, which includes
  • developing presentations, communications and/or training material based on the guidelines
  • delivery (by one expert) of live and remote sessions in the webinars including facilitating interactive sessions.
• Participating in six (6) workshops at the national and regional levels to build capacity on mainstreaming NZNP considerations in fiscal policy design, including
  • travel, accommodation and per diem for two days for one expert for face to face workshop participation
  • eveloping presentations, communications and/or training material based on the guidelines
  • delivery (by an expert) of live sessions in the webinars including facilitating interactive sessions.
• Supporting or participating in up to four (4) child country clinics to provide tailored support on specific challenges related to NZNP fiscal policy, including
  • travel, accommodation and per-diems for one expert for travel up to two days
  • developing or adjusting presentations, communications and/or training material based on the guidelines
  • undertaking consultations with country policy makers.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria/requirements for a suitable organization:
  • Demonstrated Expertise in Fiscal Policy and Public Finance with a Focus on Sustainability
    • The organization must possess deep knowledge and experience in fiscal policy, public budgeting, and financial management, particularly in the context of the Paris Agreement and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in developing countries.
  • Strong Understanding of the Net-Zero Nature-Positive (NZNP) Nexus:
    • A suitable organization should have a thorough understanding of the interlinkages between climate change, biodiversity conservation, and economic development, which are central to the NZNP concept.
  • Proven Experience in Developing Policy Guidance and Tools for Policymakers:
    • The core deliverable involves creating guidelines for policymakers. Therefore, the organization must have extensive experience in developing practical, user-friendly policy guidance documents, methodologies, and tools that are specifically targeted at government institutions, such as Ministries of Finance and central banks.
  • Strong Research and Analytical Capabilities Coupled with Effective Stakeholder Engagement:
    • The development of the guidelines will require rigorous research, data analysis, and the synthesis of information from various sources, including academic literature and practical experiences.
  • Exceptional Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, and Capacity Building Capabilities:
    • The organization should possess strong skills in communicating complex technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders, through various channels such as webinars, workshops, and in-person clinics.

For more information, visit UNEP.