The LDCF/SCCF Annual Evaluation Report (AER) 2023 assesses the outcomes, sustainability, and gender inclusion of projects completed since AER 2021, offering new evidence on how these funds are supporting climate adaptation in some of the world’s most vulnerable settings.

Covering 44 projects financed by the LDCF and SCCF between GEF-3 and GEF-7, with $257 million in GEF funding and $1.18 billion in realized cofinancing, the evaluation highlights progress but also persistent risks to sustaining results.

Projects in least developed countries face greater risks, financing constraints, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sociopolitical challenges.

Evaluation overview

• Sustainability remains a central challenge, with many projects unable to secure long-term financing, institutional commitment, or resilience against external shocks.
• Projects achieved stronger results when they incorporated gender analysis at design, developed clear exit strategies, or invested in community ownership; several that faltered early recovered through adaptive management and capacity building.
• The report recommends strengthening exit strategies, clarifying cofinancing arrangements, improving the use of vulnerability indicators, and supporting local champions of change to extend results beyond project closure.

Methodology

The evaluation draws on terminal evaluations and portfolio review of 44 projects across themes including agriculture, water resources, climate information, and disaster risk management.