Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF)

The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was founded in 2001 during the seventh climate summit in Marrakech and is under the authority of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It has been funding projects since 2009.

Objectives

The fund serves the individual needs of the 46 least developed countries (LDCs), which are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, in particular to help them in coping with the costs related to adapting to climate change. It also aims to support the LDCs in drawing up national adaptation programs of action (NAPAs). These illustrate the most urgent and immediate needs of the countries in terms of adapting to climate change. To a limited extent the LDCF has also funded the implementation of projects coming out of the NAPAs. Meanwhile, the LDCF also funds adaptation-related projects from Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The current fund strategy (2022-2026) defines its thematic priorities as agriculture, food security, health, water, climate information systems and nature-based solutions. The LDCD should disburse $1-1.3 billion for projects during this period.

For implementation, the LDCF works with 18 implementing agencies, divided among three groups: Development Banks (Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AFDB), and World Bank), international organizations (FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO), and international non-governmental organizations (Conservation International, IUCN, and WWF-USA).

In 2020, a program evaluation of the LDCF was published to review progress since the previous evaluation from 2016. This found, among other things, that the LDCF has made progress in mainstreaming gender in its projects, but that there are still knowledge gaps in implementation, and that delays in approving projects have occurred due to lack of funding. In addition, the LDCF publishes Annual Evaluation Reports, such as those from 2023 and 2024 which offer ongoing assessments of project outcomes, sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation practices.

Funding volume and Germany’s contribution

Until 2025 the LDCF has funded 440 projects in 51 countries with a volume of $2.35 billion coming from donor countries. By 2023 Germany pledged €444 million to the LDCF, the latest contribution being from 2023 with a volume of €29 million. In absolute terms, Germany is the largest contributor, followed by the UK and Sweden. Germany also has a seat in the LDCF Council which decides upon project applications and fund regulations. (as of November 2025).