GCoM & Gap Fund Partner with UNDP to Support Local Governments in Moldova in Accessing Climate Finance
On 28th and 29th November 2024, representatives from 17 Local Public Authorities (LPAs) in Moldova came together in Chișinău for a two-day workshop on mobilizing financial resources for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the City Climate Finance Gap Fund (Gap Fund) and the Covenant of Mayors East (CoM East), the event focused on practical steps local governments can take to access climate finance.
During the workshop, Carolina Mesa, City Advisor for the GCOM-Gap Fund Partnership, presented the Gap Fund, explaining how it supports local governments in developing early-stage low-carbon and climate-resilient projects. Her presentation provided participants with clear guidance on eligibility, application processes, and the kinds of support available.
The workshop also offered participants, including mayors and local officials, practical tools to design project proposals tailored to their communities’ needs. Building on previous UNDP initiatives, the discussions focused on how to include climate adaptation into local development plans and access available funding.
“This webinar clarified Climate Change mitigation and Disaster Risk prevention planning, making them tangible concepts. The expertise and practical exercises by the GCoM-Gap Fund team outlined actionable steps for our municipalities. It was one of the best events I’ve attended in Moldova, offering invaluable access to top international experts”, said Nadejda Zubcu, representative from Nisporeni Municipality.
The workshop helped participants develop project ideas and better understand the available funding opportunities. Local governments will now work on turning these ideas into actionable projects with the support of technical assistance.
Events like this show how partnerships between local governments and organizations like UNDP, UNDRR, the Gap Fund, and CoM East can provide the tools and knowledge needed to take practical climate action.