While local communities are on the frontlines of climate impacts, they typically lack a voice in the decisions that affect them. The International Institute for Environment and Development estimates that less than 10% of international climate finance gets earmarked for local-level action. There are growing calls by countries, civil society, and many other stakeholders to improve both the quantity and quality of climate finance.

This session shared takeaways in developing Kenya’s Financing Locally Led Climate Action Program (FLLoCA), which is the first, national-scale model of devolved climate finance. The program embodies the Principles for Locally Led Adaptation developed by the Global Commission on Adaptation, applying principles of meaningful citizen engagement in climate decision-making. It builds on the structures set up through Kenya’s devolution efforts. Rather than taking a sectoral approach, FLLoCA works to strengthen country systems at the local and national levels by incentivizing governments to work in partnership with communities. The program provides an opportunity that can be replicated in Asia and the Pacific region.