The Accreditation Process

Overview

Among the principles established for the Adaptation Fund (Decision 5/CMP.2) is “sound financial management, including the use of international fiduciary standards.” At its 7th meeting the Adaptation Fund Board adopted fiduciary standards governing the use, disbursement and reporting on funds issued by the Adaptation Fund covering three broad areas: Financial Integrity and Management; Institutional Capacity; and Transparency and Self-investigative Powers.
a)     Financial Integrity and Management
                      i.        Accurate and regular recording of transactions and balances, audited periodically by an independent firm or organization
                     ii.        Managing and disbursing funds efficiently and with safeguards to recipients on a timely basis
                    iii.        Produce forward-looking plans and budgets
                    iv.        Legal status to contract with the AF and third parties
b)    Institutional Capacity
                      i.        Procurement procedures which provide for transparent practices, including on competition
                     ii.        Capacity to undertake monitoring and evaluation
                    iii.        Ability to identify, develop and appraise projects/programmes
                    iv.        Competence to manage or oversee the execution of the project/programme including ability to manage sub-recipients and support delivery and implementation
c)     Transparency and Self-Investigative Powers
            Competence to deal with financial mismanagement and others forms of malpractice
 
 
Any organization that will implement Adaptation Fund projects must submit an application for accreditation providing documentation that it meets the fiduciary standards adopted by the Board. The applications are reviewed and assessed based on the fiduciary standards by the Accreditation Panel.
 
All applications for National Implementing Entities (NIEs) must also be endorsed by the Designated Authority (DA). The DA acts as the focal point for the Adaptation Fund that represents the Government. In the case of Regional Implementing Entities (RIEs), the endorsement letter should be signed by at least two DAs from the countries of the region.
 
Designated Authority (DA):
 
  • Requirements: An official (not an entity or organization) who works for the public administration of the country.   Must be communicated to the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) secretariat by letter signed by a Minister, Secretary at cabinet level or Ambassador, preferably via email. Does NOT require approval by the AFB
  • Function:   Endorsement of the accreditation application of a National Implementing Entity.  Endorsement of the project/programme proposal

 Guidelines for Designated Authorities to select an NIE

Once the Designated Authority has identified and endorsed an accreditation application, it should be submitted to the secretariat for consideration at secretariat@adaptation-fund.org. MIE applications can be directly submitted to the secretariat and do not require endorsement.

Accreditation Process

For additional guidance on the appointment of the Designated Authority, the fiduciary standards, and the accreditation application process, please refer to the Accreditation Toolkit. Applications can also be submitted online through the toolkit.

The list of accreditation National, Regional, and Multilateral Implementing Entities is also available.

 

Relevant Documentation: