Climate finance and means of implementation are widely recognized as key enablers for climate action. However, access to finance remains a persistent and significant challenge for many developing countries as well as subnational and local actors, including the most vulnerable groups and communities. In particular, there is a need to enhance the equitable access to, as well as scale and quality of, finance for adaptation and loss and damage (L&D), which are currently vastly insufficient for the identified as well as estimated needs.

Access to finance is determined by a set of factors that relate to funds and other finance providers, delivery channels, and funding recipients. Key elements include eligibility and allocation criteria; delivery channels including accreditation; compliance with fiduciary and administrative standards; institutional and human capacities; data availability and ability to demonstrate climate rationale; monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems; policy integration; complementarity and coherence; and direct access modalities.

As part of its finance work programme, SLYCAN Trust convened a series of events in June 2025 to facilitate discussion and regional exchange on enhancing access to finance for responding to L&D.

The following brief is a summary of key insights gained from the discussions as well as research and stakeholder engagement in 2024 and 2025.

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