Further strengthening civil society engagement in the work of the Adaptation Fund Board

This publication articulates a number of recommendations for further strengthening civil society engagement and participation to enhance decision-making of the Adaptation Fund (AF) Board. The recommendations in this paper also draw on the experiences of civil society participation policies and practices of other climate funds to ensure that the AF is informed by the highest internationally accepted standards, while at the same time acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all model for all climate funds. The three main needs identified that are crucial for further strengthening civil society engagement in the AF are: 1. The introduction of active CSO observers; 2. Amendments to the AF's Open Information Policy; and 3. Adequate resourcing of the AF Secretariat to ensure transparency and effective CSO engagement.

The positions and recommendations in this paper have been drafted by a number of civil society organisations (CSOs) that are part of the AF NGO Network and are widely supported among a large group of CSOs worldwide that are working on climate finance. This publication is mainly addressed to the members and alternates of the AF Board as well as the Fund's Secretariat and other interested stakeholders.