Strengthening the Asian City Climate Project Pipeline

The Transformative Action Program (TAP) by ICLEI supports local and subnational governments in developing robust, bankable projects for sustainable development.

To be eligible, projects must:

• Be submitted by local or subnational governments;

• Address climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

• Have a transformative impact; and

• Have a level of maturity.

A good TAP application should:

• Quantify climate benefits (if possible);

• Prove political buy-in;

• Demonstrate alignment with local, national and international goals;

• Use a holistic approach;

• List and quantify co-benefits;

• Explain scalability/replicability potential;

• List potential risks and the mitigation plan;

• Use references such as studies, previous support or projects; and

• Demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement.

To apply, cities can either download the application form from TAP’s website and submit this with the necessary documentation, or submit via the CDP-ICLEI Track platform by disclosing climate-related projects in question 9.3.

The City Climate Finance Gap Fund (or simply, Gap Fund) is a global initiative managed by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Gap Fund assists developing cities and emerging countries to transform their low-carbon, climate-resilient ideas into finance-ready projects.   

To be eligible for Gap Fund support, projects must be from countries eligible for OECD development assistance. Proposals must demonstrate local government ownership and commitment as well as climate and urban focus.  

Eligible sectors include:

• Sustainable urban mobility; 

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy; 

• Water and waste management; 

• Greening urban areas; 

• Nature-based solutions; 

• Solid waste management and circular economy; 

• Green buildings; 

• Affordable housing; 

• Adaptation to climate risk; and

• Multi-sector, area-based investment programs.

The GAP Fund does not finance the implementation of projects but instead assists with project preparation. Therefore, it is important for cities to clearly state the technical assistance that the project needs, the project’s economic and environmental, and how the project aligns with national and sub-national policies.

Additionally, cities can also submit a joint application if there are other cities interested in receiving technical assistance in project preparation.

Cities and local authorities can check their eligibility and submit their Expression of Interest form via the Gap Fund website.

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The WRI Climate Project Preparation Facility (CPPF) is a national platform designed to support city-level climate action projects in India by facilitating feasibility assessments and securing appropriate funding. Its primary objective is to address the critical funding gap in early-stage project preparation for climate-focused urban infrastructure initiatives. By providing technical support, CPPF helps cities develop bankable mitigation, adaptation, and resilience projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other financial instruments, thereby attracting private capital and improving access to climate finance.

The C40 Cities Climate Finance Facility (CFF) supports cities in developing and financing sustainable infrastructure projects by providing technical assistance and capacity-building resources. It plays a key role in strengthening Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs), helping cities move projects from concept to bankability. By bridging the gap between city governments and financial institutions, CFF ensures that climate-friendly projects, particularly in transportation, energy, and adaptation, are well-prepared to attract funding and deliver long-term environmental and social benefits.