Advancing innovation and locally led climate adaptation at scale
Virtual event | 90 minutes | Two sessions to accommodate different time zones
Overview
Between 2020 and 2025, the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA), funded and established by the Adaptation Fund with additional financial support from the European Union, fostered innovation in climate change adaptation in developing countries, targeting a broad range of potential finance recipients, including governments, non-governmental organizations, community groups, entrepreneurs, young innovators and other groups, awarding competitive grants of up to US$250,000 each.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme-Climate Technology Centre and Network (UNEP-CTCN), implementing entities of AFCIA, invite you to the official launch of the newly published AFCIA Impact Reports, showcasing results, lessons learned and impact from the first phase of AFCIA-supported climate adaptation innovations across the Global South.
This event will present high-level findings from the implementation of 69 projects and explore specific stories from the organizations working at the forefront of climate innovation, resilience and inclusive development.
Through dynamic presentations and interactive discussions, the launch will explore what works in supporting climate adaptation innovation, how locally led solutions can be scaled, and how evidence from AFCIA is shaping future adaptation finance and programming.
Why this event matters
As climate impacts intensify, there is an urgent need for innovative, scalable and locally driven adaptation solutions. AFCIA was established to respond to this need—bridging innovation, finance, technical assistance and community leadership.
The AFCIA Impact Reports published by UNDP and UNEP-CTCN provide evidence on:
- How technology and innovation accelerate climate adaptation
- What enables locally led solutions to scale
- How adaptation investments can strengthen climate, environmental and socio-economic resilience
- Pathways to replication, investment readiness and long-term sustainability
This launch event offers a space to reflect on these insights, learn from practitioners and engage with partners shaping the future of adaptation.
Date
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Time
09:30 - 11:00 (CET time) - Suitable for the Asia Pacific and Africa regions | Register here
15:00 - 16:30 (CET time) - Suitable for the Americas and Africa regions | Register here
Moderators
Eleanor Saunders, AFCIA Impact Report co-author
Alyssa Gomes, Climate Change Specialist at the Adaptation Fund
Agenda
| 22 mins | Opening remarks | Saliha Dobardzic, Adaptation Fund Programming and Innovation Unit Lead and Senior Climate Change Specialist Angel Gutierrez, European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships Principal Administrator Yusuke Taishi, UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Principal Technical Advisor a.i. | Radhika Dave, UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Senior Technical Advisor Ariesta Ningrum, UN CTCN Director | Jessica Troni, UNEP Chief Climate Change Adaptation Unit |
| 9 mins | UNDP-AFCIA overview | Monica Borrero, UNDP-AFCIA Programme Manager |
| 10 mins | UNEP-CTCN-AFCIA overview | Nadege Trocellier, UNEP-CTCN Programme Manager | Eva Comba, UNEP Climate Change Adaptation Unit Programme Officer |
| 10 mins | Stories from UNDP-AFCIA project implementing partners | Dr Dipayan Dey, Program Director, South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE) India (9:30am session) Dr Greg Duggan, Strategic Projects & Impact Lead, ABALOBI South Africa (9:30am session) Tracey-Ann Harriage, Founder/CEO, I-SEEEDS Youth Jamaica (3:00pm session) Vincent Mariadho, Prolinnova–Kenya National Coordinator, World Neighbors Kenya (3:00pm session) |
| 5 mins | UNDP-AFCIA MBA Fellowship Programme | Professor Abrar Chaudhury, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford |
| 14 mins | Stories from UNEP-CTCN-AFCIA project implementing partners | Uttam Singh, Assistant Vice President, RMSI, Nepal Project (9:30am session) Aldo Zamarroni, Project Coordinator, Practica, Mozambique Project (9:30am and 3:00pm session) Elrick Francis, NDE St Kitts and Nevis (3:00pm session) |
| 20 mins | Closing remarks and Q&A | Q&A with the audience |
Resources
AFCIA Impact Report 2020-2025 - UNDP