The devolved climate finance mechanisms: principles, implementation and lessons from four semi-arid countries

The Devolved Climate Finance (DCF) mechanism is an innovative model for investing at the local level in developing countries and building sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods. The mechanism builds on the premise that local communities have in-depth knowledge about climate variability and risks. The process involves integrating flexible, local and often customary planning with formal planning and budgeting processes, to create informed and inclusive governance processes. This paper shares the DCF mechanism as implemented under contextualised conditions in Kenya, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania as a contribution to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.