Thematic evaluations are one of the four types of Strategic-level evaluations, as described in the Fund’s Evaluation Policy. The AF-TERG may conduct or propose for Board approval one or more thematic evaluations annually. In addition, the Board, AFB secretariat or the AF-TERG may propose an evaluation or a synthesis of materials that covers a collection of projects under a priority theme. Thematic evaluations include the Fund’s participation in joint evaluations with partners.
Below is a list of all thematic evaluations.
Readiness Evaluation (Ongoing)
Implementation: December 2024 – May 2025
Reporting Period: May 2014 – TBD
Background: At its 22nd meeting (October 2013), the Adaptation Fund Board decided (Decision B.21/28) to approve the Readiness Programme, which was then formally launched in March 2014. A revised strategy for an enhanced Readiness Programme is to be presented to the Adaptation Fund Board in 2025. To inform the development of the enhanced Readiness Programme, the Implementation Plan of the Adaptation Fund’s Second Medium-Term Strategy suggests an evaluation of the Readiness Programme. In line with the Plan, this evaluation has been commissioned.
Intro: The Readiness Programme was formally launched in May 2014 with two overall objectives: (i) increasing the preparedness of applicant national implementing entities (NIEs) seeking accreditation by the Adaptation Fund and (ii) increasing the number of high-quality project/programme proposals submitted to the Board within a reasonable time period after accreditation. The evaluation will look at the Adaptation Fund’s Readiness Programme which is managed by the Readiness Unit of the Secretariat.
Evaluation Objective: The Readiness Programme is understood as the set of components, objectives, outcomes, outputs, activities and inputs that were included in the results framework approved by Board, as well as any subsequent revisions in the results framework. This will be a comprehensive assessment of the Programme, since its inception. It aims to chart a course for its future in supporting the accreditation process effectively and increasing the number of approved project proposals by the Board.
N.B: The evaluation will be executed as a semi-independent evaluation, allowing for quicker integration of evaluative insights into the Readiness Programme, facilitating faster implementation of findings. The readiness team of the AFB secretariat will be revising the readiness strategy in parallel with this evaluation.
Access the ToR here.
Scalability Concepts and Practice at the Adaptation Fund
Implementation: May 2022 – January 2023
Reporting Period: 2010 – 2022
Background: The AF-TERG was tasked with implementing the evaluation framework, supported by a recruitment working group to appoint its chair and members. Subsequent Board meetings refined the AF-TERG’s strategy and work programme, emphasizing the importance of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) within the Fund’s operations.
Intro: The evaluation aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the scalability of climate change adaptation projects funded by the Adaptation Fund. It seeks to understand the factors that contribute to successful scalability and replication of projects, drawing lessons from both internal and external experiences. The ultimate goal is to enhance accountability and inform future strategies for scaling up climate adaptation efforts.
Evaluation Objective: This evaluation assesses the scalability of climate change adaptation projects supported by the Fund. It will explore synergies with other multilateral climate finance mechanisms to foster scalability. The evaluation will also analyze the Fund’s monitoring and evaluation indicators, tools, and processes to accelerate adaptation actions in developing countries. By identifying contributory factors to project scalability and providing strategic recommendations, the evaluation aims to guide Board decisions on future work programs and financing strategies related to scalability.
Follow Up: The AFB secretariat prepared this initial management response document in September 2024.
Access the Final report here.
Access the Initial Management Response here.
Access the ToR here.
Adaptation Fund Accreditation Process
Implementation: June 2022 – March 2024
Reporting Period: March 2008 – October 2023
Background: In April 2021 the Adaptation Fund Board decided (Decision B.36/42) to enable the accreditation of up to two National Implementing Entities (NIEs) per eligible country. At UNFCCC COP26 (November 2021), new climate adaptation funding pledges were made enabling the availability of additional resources to the Adaptation Fund for adaptation programming. Based on these developments there is an expectation of an influx of new accreditation applications. As such, the AF-TERG elected to conduct this thematic evaluation of the Fund’s accreditation as part of its first multi-year strategy and work programme, approved by the Board in Decision 35.a-35.b/29 (June 2020).
Intro: Accreditation is a crucial aspect of the Adaptation Fund, enabling eligible developing countries to access financial resources for climate adaptation projects. Accreditation serves as a means for entities to demonstrate their capacity to adhere to administrative and financial guidelines. After accreditation, entities can establish contractual relationships with the Fund, setting the stage for fund transfers and project implementation in developing countries.
Evaluation Objective: This evaluation assesses the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the accreditation and re-accreditation processes; and the coherence and complementarity between the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund accreditation processes through the fasttrack modality. The purpose of the evaluation is to understand if the accreditation processshould be strengthened and scaled up to meet the anticipated increase in demand for Fund accreditation and support the MediumTerm Strategy
Follow Up: The AFB secretariat prepared this initial management response document in September 2024.
Access the Final report here.
Access the Management Response here.
Access the ToR here.
Adaption Fund’s Approach to Support Innovation for Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation: December 2021 – September 2022
Reporting Period: 2010 – March 2022
Background: The Adaptation Fund Board approved the AF-TERG’s first strategy and work programme (Decision 35.a-35.b/29) which includes thematic evaluations aimed at providing perspectives on core features of the Fund. Therefore, the AF-TERG elected to conduct this evaluation to input to the current discussion on innovation at the Fund and within the climate change adaptation (CCA) community given the urgency to respond to climate change impacts and the need to understand what is working and what is not, to learn to further invest, replicate and scale-up.
Intro: Innovation is a relatively amorphous and broad concept for many institutions. This evaluations assesses how the concept of innovation is applied by the Fund and to identify examples of innovative climate change actions.
Evaluation Objective: This evaluation asks: (i) What is current thinking and practice on fostering innovation for social impact and, more specifically, CCA among development institutions?; (ii) What progress has the Fund made in fostering innovation for CCA and what lessons can be drawn from experience to date?; and (iii) How might the Fund most strategivally leverage its assets and postion to effectively foster innovation for CCA?
Follow up: The AFB secretariat prepared this updated management response and action plan in March 2023.
Access the Final report here.
Access the Management Response here.
Access the ToR here.