As climate change accelerates, its impacts are felt most acutely in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where resources and capacities to respond are often limited. Between 1970 and 2021, 90% of global climate-related deaths occurred in developing countries.
In response to these challenges, the UNI-LEAD project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNEP, is strengthening the capacities of LDCs to adapt to climate change by creating think-tanks within universities to provide essential technical support and policy guidance.
A key obstacle to adaptation in LDCs is the lack of in-country capacity to develop fundable proposals and manage climate finance, resulting in reliance on costly international experts. By establishing university-based think-tanks, the UNI-LEAD project builds local expertise, engages young students, and fosters sustained technical services.
The project works closely with the Least Developed Countries Universities Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC), enhancing coordination among its 15 member universities. The first component of the project focuses on capacity development and institutional strengthening, prioritizing skill-building in climate adaptation policy and project development. Think-tanks have been established in four LUCCC universities, serving as a catalytic proof-of-concept in Nepal, Uganda, Mozambique and Senegal.
Uganda: Enhancing Access to Climate Finance
In Uganda, accessing and utilizing climate finance is a major barrier to adaptation. Embedded in Makerere University in Kampala, the Climate Finance Hub (CFH) provides capacity-building support to governmental and non-state actors, helping them navigate the international climate finance landscape and develop bankable project proposals.
The CFH developed Uganda’s first climate finance tracking system for the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED). This web-based tool monitors climate finance flows by district, climate action, and sector, offering novel insights into resource allocation across priority sectors identified in Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
It’s also the first time a university-based think-tank has been specifically designed to meet government-identified needs, such as increasing access to climate finance, improving fund allocation, and promoting whole-of-society efforts to scale up climate adaptation. The CFH’s potential to sustainably strengthen Uganda’s climate adaptation institutions is significant.
By embedding the CFH within the university’s Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovation (MUCCRI), the initiative consolidates existing knowledge and resources to meet evolving government needs. The CFH is formalizing collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, while developing a business plan to offer paid training programs in climate modelling, project design, and monitoring. These initiatives ensure long-term support to both governmental and non-governmental actors.
The CFH offers capacity-building services to enhance Uganda’s access to international climate finance, including guidance on articulating climate finance needs, mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and developing bankable proposals for global climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Nepal Climate Institute: Building Resilience to Glacial Flooding
Nepal, with its unique geographic and climatic challenges, is also benefitting from the UNI-LEAD project. Warming trends have led to more intense rainfall and rapid snowmelt, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst flooding. The Nepal Climate Institute (NCI), established at Pokhara University and led by Prof. Ajay Mathema, is at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to access climate funds.
NCI provides technical services to governments based on government-identified skill-building needs. The think tank is the first of its kind in Nepal, providing local expertise for climate finance access and project implementation.
“This initiative not only enhances resilience but also empowers local communities to take ownership of their adaptation strategies”, added Mathema.
By collaborating with ministries and national accredited entities, NCI is positioning itself as a trusted partner in government efforts to tackle climate challenges across key sectors, including agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk reduction.
As part of its business plan, NCI is mapping expertise at the university level and developing services for governmental and non-governmental sectors. The think tank is also training policymakers and ensuring that provincial and local levels are equipped to incorporate adaptation measures into their policies and programs, thus catalyzing a sustainable framework for future climate action.
Expanding the Network of Think-Tanks
The third component of the UNI-LEAD project aims to expand the network of university-based think-tanks across LDCs. By sharing success stories and lessons learned, the project fosters a more coordinated and robust response to climate change.
The UNI-LEAD project represents a crucial way to overcome the barriers to adaptation action in LDCs. By building local capacities through university-based think-tanks, the project not only addresses immediate adaptation needs but also creates a sustainable framework for future efforts. The success of these think-tanks demonstrates the potential of this approach to transform climate adaptation strategies in LDCs.
To learn more about the UNI-LEAD project, officially titled Strengthening endogenous capacities of Least Developed Countries to Access Finance for Climate Change Adaptation, visit here.
