Presentations from two events: Emerging lessons from the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) | Climate Technology Centre & Network

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) organized two webinars to share early lessons from the first call for submission of applications to the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) programme. The third webinar for Africa is planned later in May.

The launch of this new USD 10 million pilot small grants programme was announced at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/CTCN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrate the AFCIA and offer technical assistance (UNEP/CTCN) and grant funding (UNDP) to developing countries.

The CTCN with support from UNEP has received USD 5 million to foster innovation in adaptation. The 5-year programme contributes to CTCN technical assistance to developing countries, providing support to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies. Until 2025, the CTCN will implement 25 technical assistance projects (up to USD 250,000 each) to enhance climate resilience and adapt to climate change in developing countries. Moreover, knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices will be facilitated through the programme, which will strengthen opportunities for South-South and triangular cooperation on innovation in adaptation among developing countries. The CTCN is now accepting applications for the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator. Technical assistance is available to governments, non-governmental organizations, community groups, entrepreneurs, young innovators, and others. The deadline for the second round of applications is 30 April 2021. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit https://www.ctc-n.org/afcia/unep-ctcn

The webinars include brief overviews of the status of the implementation of the AFCIA programme thus far by UNEP/CTCN and a reflection on early lessons emerging from the responses to the first round of calls.

To allow for all regions to engage fully in this discussion, the webinars are held in multiple sessions, starting on 13 April 2021 with two separate sessions – for participants from the Asia-Pacific (8:00 - 9:30 AM CEST) and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) (3:00 - 4:30 PM CEST) regions – followed by a session for participants from the Africa region on 4 May 2021 (2:00 – 3:30 PM CEST).

Recorded event: Session for the Asia-Pacific region

Recorded event: Session for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region

Africa: TBC.

Session for the Asia-Pacific region, 13 April 2021 (Tuesday), 8:00 - 9:30 AM (CEST) / 1:00 – 2:30 PM (ICT). Presentations from the event below.

Time

Session item (please press the links for the presentations)

1:00-1:15 PM (ICT)

8:00-8:15 AM (CEST)

MC - Ms. Karina Larsen, Knowledge and Communications Manager from the CTCN

Opening

- Opening remarks from the Adaptation Fund (Mr. Mikko Ollikainen, Manager, Adaptation Fund)

- Welcoming remarks from UNEP (Ms. Jessica Troni, Head, Climate Change Adaptation Unit, UNEP)

- Introductory remarks from UNDP (Ms. Akiko Yamamoto, Regional Team Leader Asia-Pacific, Nature, Climate and Energy, UNDP)

- Special remarks from the CTCN Advisory Board (Mr. Ping Zhong, Chair, CTCN Advisory Board)

1:15-1:25 PM (ICT)

8:15-8:25 AM (CEST)

Taking stock – Early lessons from AFCIA implementation: UNEP-CTCN technical assistance

(Mr. Ho-Sik Chon, Adaptation Specialist Asia-Pacific, CTCN)

Brief overview of the first 6 months of implementation of the global UNEP-CTCN programme

1:25-2:25 PM (ICT)

8:25-9:25 AM (CEST)

Deep Dive – Leveraging AFCIA for innovative adaptation technologies and action in the Asia-Pacific region

- Asia-Pacific’s response to AFCIA’s first call

Ms. Clara Landeiro, Regional Manager Asia-Pacific, CTCN

A review of the results obtained and emerging lessons from the requests received in the Asia-Pacific region, including some FAQs related to the applications, and suggestions and recommendations for the upcoming 2^nd call of the AFCIA programme.

- Opportunities for scaling up innovative adaptation technologies

A discussion with experts will explore different dimensions of innovative adaptation technologies – including perspectives on technology, policy, financing, innovation and gender – and will provide examples from the growing diversity of innovative adaptation solutions in the region.

* Moderator: Mr. Alois Posekufa Mhlanga, Chief, Climate Technology and Innovation Division, UNIDO

* Panellists:

- Ms. Alyssa Gomes, Climate Change Analyst, Adaptation Fund

- Prof. Kyoung-Woong Kim, Director, International Environmental Research Institute, GIST

- Mr. Nand Kishor Agrawal, Programme Coordinator, ICIMOD

- Prof. Saleemul Huq, Director, ICCCAD

- Mr. Mohammad Saifullah, Head of Business, ACI Agrolink Limited

Q&A throughout the session

2:25-2:30 PM (ICT)

9:25-9:30 AM (CEST)

Closing

- Concluding remarks from the CTCN (Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Director, CTCN)

Session for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, 13 April 2021 (Tuesday), 3:00 - 4:30 PM (CEST). Presentations from the event below.

Time	Session item (please press the links for the presentations)
3:00-3:15 PM (CEST)	MC - Ms. Karina Larsen, Knowledge and Communications Manager from the CTCN Opening - Opening remarks from the Adaptation Fund (Mr. Mikko Ollikainen, Manager, Adaptation Fund) - Welcoming remarks from UNEP (Ms. Jessica Troni, Head, Climate Change Adaptation Unit, UNEP) - Special remarks from the CTCN Advisory Board (Ms. Moa Forstorp, Vice-Chair, CTCN Advisory Board)
3:15-3:25 PM (CEST)	Taking stock – Early lessons from AFCIA implementation: UNEP-CTCN technical assistance (Mr. Ho-Sik Chon, Adaptation Specialist Asia-Pacific, CTCN) Brief overview of the first 6 months of implementation of the global UNEP-CTCN programme
3:25-4:25 PM (CEST)	Deep Dive – Leveraging AFCIA for innovative adaptation technologies and action - LAC’s Response to AFCIA’s first call Ms. Diana Ramos, LAC Manager, CTCN A review o/f the results obtained and emerging lessons from the requests received, including some FAQs related to the applications and suggestions and recommendations for the upcoming 2^nd call of the AFCIA programme. - Opportunities for scaling up innovative adaptation technologies Discussion with experts to explore different dimensions of ‘innovative adaptation technologies in adaptation’ including perspectives on technology, policy, financing, innovation and gender. * Moderator/presenter: Dr. Gracia Lanza, Coordinator of the Sustainable Economy, Environment and Agribusiness Unit, CATIE * Panellists’ presentations: - Ecosystems based Adaptation -EnA- Case in Haiti. Lili Ilieva. Adaptation Director, AAE - Innovation in CC adaptation. Case of Drones in agriculture. Jorge Gutierrez, FAO. - Definitions and regional perspective of innovation in climate change adaptation. Marta Moneo Office director de UNEP-Adaptation office-LAC. * Panel discussion on how to foster Innovative Adaptation Technologies * Q&A from the audience
4:25-4:30 PM (CEST)	Closing - Concluding remarks from the CTCN (Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Director, CTCN)