In December 2015, the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the Paris agreement. To support the implementation of this Agreement, further work related to the development and enhancement of endogenous capacities and technologies should be undertaken by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC). This is the motivation for the realization of this preliminary study, in order to support the work of the TEC related to this mandate. The consequences of global concerns like climate change are experienced on a local level and their impact varies with geographical, social and economic factors, characteristic of each country. Therefore, it is imperative that efforts in addressing global climate change involves and finds synergies with local efforts. To achieve a more independent and sustainable development process, developing countries should be able to build up national capacities, based on their potential and resources. The study presents an initial approach to the definition of endogenous development taking into account different contexts and establish a number of elements which could represent the endogenous characteristics. It then presents examples of how these elements were applied in different contexts in order to give a more comprehensive and realistic idea of the concept. Six case studies that involve both mitigation or adaptation technologies around the world were selected and lessons learned drawn from their implementation. Further, initial conclusions and recommendations were drawn, taking into account the limitations of this preliminary study. These include the need to identify internal needs and define priorities to determine the means for building capacity, taking into account a participatory approach. Further, it was also observed that external cooperation and processes are effective only when the internal conditions are understood and taken into account. And finally, to ensure the acceptance of the development process and its sustainability, social capital has to be empowered and community ownership has to be boosted. The creation of local institutions and local markets also plays an important role on the sustainability of the projects. A number recommendations made to the TEC include a further in-depth study in the endogenous capacity and technology, taking into account the need to develop a clearer understanding of the concept “endogenous” as it relates to climate technology development and transfer and look into areas where examples are lacking. The TEC may also wish to develop greater understanding of country’s needs with regard to development of endogenous capacities and technologies and to look further whether the inclusion of specific mention of endogenous elements of technologies and capacities in the TNA documents could be a useful and added-value exercise. Finally, the TEC may wish to consider work together with the CTCN in this area.