17 November 2014: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced that private and public organizations wishing to be accredited as implementing entities to intermediate GCF funds can submit their applications online. Accredited implementing entities will serve as the means for disbursing funds to projects and programmes in developing countries.

Implementing entities can be sub-national, national, regional or international organizations (such as UN agencies, multilateral development banks (MDBs) or international financial institutions). Recipient countries, which will interact with the GCF through a National Designated Authority (NDA) or focal point, will decide which mode of access through which they prefer to receive the funds.

Entities being reviewed for accreditation will be examined for fiduciary standards and environmental and social safeguards. The GCF is aiming to process applications within three to six months of receiving them. In emphasizing the importance of accrediting the best and most agile intermediaries, GCF Executive Director Héla Cheikhrouhou noted that the GCF will likely start considering funding proposals in June 2015. [GCF Press Release] [GCF Accreditation Information] [GCF Online Accreditation System]