The National Treasury has released new guidelines outlining how public and private entities can access funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in a move aimed at strengthening oversight, aligning projects with national priorities, and accelerating climate financing.
In Treasury Circular No. 2/2026, the government detailed a structured “No Objection Procedure” that all project proposals must undergo before being submitted to the global fund.
The procedure requires applicants to obtain a No Objection Letter (NOL), which is a mandatory endorsement confirming that proposed projects align with Kenya’s climate strategies and development priorities.
The circular emphasizes that the NOL is central to ensuring country ownership of climate projects, signaling that the government has reviewed and approved proposals as consistent with national laws, policies, and international commitments.
The GCF, headquartered in South Korea, finances projects that help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change. Kenya’s new framework seeks to streamline access to these funds while ensuring accountability and coherence with national plans such as Vision 2030, the Climate Change Act, and the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Under the new guidelines, all applicants, including public institutions, private sector actors, and civil society organizations must first submit a concept note to the National Treasury, which serves as Kenya’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF. The Treasury will then review the proposal for alignment with national priorities and GCF investment criteria.
A key feature of the process is the involvement of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee (IMTC) on Climate Finance, which will assess proposals within one month of submission. Applicants may be invited to present their projects before the committee, which evaluates them based on criteria such as impact, sustainability, innovation, and alignment with climate goals.
If a proposal is deemed inconsistent with national priorities, it will be rejected, with applicants given up to two months to revise and resubmit. Successful proposals will receive a No Objection Letter signed by the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury.
The guidelines also introduce safeguards to prevent duplication of projects, require stakeholder consultation, and ensure that local communities are involved in planning and implementation. International entities seeking funding must demonstrate added value beyond what local institutions can access and are encouraged to partner with Kenyan organizations.
Additionally, the Treasury has set conditions under which a No Objection Letter may become invalid, including failure to develop a full proposal within two years or significant deviation from the original concept note.
The framework includes a formal grievance mechanism, allowing applicants to appeal rejected proposals within two months, provided they address the reasons for rejection and propose corrective actions.
Officials say the new procedure will enhance transparency, improve coordination among stakeholders, and position Kenya to better leverage international climate finance.
The Treasury noted that it will periodically disseminate information on the procedure through media briefings and stakeholder engagements, and will review the guidelines every four years to ensure continued relevance.
The move comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to mobilize climate finance to support adaptation and mitigation initiatives amid growing climate risks, including droughts, floods, and rising temperatures.
