Applicant resources

These resources are intended to help applicants develop competitive proposals for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's funding opportunities.

Below is a selection of materials developed by the CCAC as well as resources from other organisations that may be useful. For any questions or suggestions to support the application process, please contact us. 

Results based managment

The CCAC follows a Results-Based Management (RBM) approach to project design and implementation. This means the core focus of our projects is to achieve the intended results – or outcomes.  

Our projects are centered around achieving the lasting outcomes requested by our developing state partners to support their national climate and clean air priorities. These results are the priority of our projects throughout their design, development and implementation.  

Tips for building a results-based proposal  

• Familiarize yourself with the required outcomes described in the Call for Proposals. Proposals that do not clearly demonstrate how the project outputs and activities will lead to attaining these outcomes will not be successful. 
• Build your project plan around achieving outcomes. Outcomes are observable changes that may be tangible or intangible, for example: awareness raised through a campaign; capacities and skills reinforced through training; or a policy endorsed as the result of political outreach. 
• Identify what concrete outputs – products or services – are necessary to achieve the outcomes and the activities required to produce them. 
• Clearly explain how the selected project’s outputs and activities will produce the required outcomes. 
• Provide clear and concise responses to each question in the application form. 

RBM resources

Project evaluation criteria

Proposals submitted to the CCAC are evaluated based on criteria set out in the CCAC Funding Process. Proposals which receive the highest score are recommended for funding through a competitive process. Proposals are evaluated based on whether the proposal:  

1. Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after 
2. Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time 
3. Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits 
4. Involves relevant stakeholders  
5. Has an approach grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks 
6. Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes 
7. Applicant demonstrates the necessary capacity and experience to perform the work 
8. Budget is realistic, cost-effective and clearly justified 
9. Approach is cost-effective 
10. Meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1 

Note on due diligence 

In addition to eligibility criteria outlined above, qualified UNEP/CCAC implementers* must meet the following criteria: 

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years 
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.

* (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only, and as such, total costs in the following categories must fall below a certain threshold*:

• Contractual Services
• Equipment, Vehicles and Furniture
• Operating and other Direct costs
• Supplies, Commodities and Materials

*Agreements of $200,000 and below: up to $20,000 or 15% of total budget, whichever is lower.

*Agreements of above $200,000: up to $40,000 or 15%. * United Nations agencies are exempt from this requirement.

Gender equality

Climate change and air pollution mitigation measures are more sustainable, equitable and likely to achieve better results if gender considerations are included in planning and implementation stages. That is why the CCAC Gender Strategy set a long-term objective to mainstream gender across all CCAC-funded projects. 

As of 2023, the CCAC is looking for projects where “Gender equality is an important and deliberate objective, but not the principal reason for undertaking the project/ program” (OECD). This means achieving a Score 1 on the OECD DAC Gender Equality Policy Marker. Meeting these criteria is highly recommended for all proposals submitted to the CCAC, but will be an evaluation criteria for all proposals requesting USD$100,000 or above in project funding. 

The CCAC Application Form & Guidance supports you in designing gender-responsive projects. Should your proposal be selected for funding, this information will be elaborated on during the project design phase and monitored throughout implementation and reporting. Additional information on CCAC Gender Mainstreaming is available in our Gender Mainstreaming Guide. 

The CCAC holds 2 webinars a year providing guidance to implementers on gender mainstreaming.

Gender resources