Three breakthrough initiatives will tap GCBC’s expertise and network to scale climate finance capacity-building solutions in emerging markets and developing economies
NEW YORK, September 23, 2025 – The Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) today announced the three winners of its inaugural GCBC Accelerator cohort. Selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 50 applications, these initiatives tackle climate finance challenges on multiple fronts – mobilizing adaptation finance in Africa, strengthening climate risk disclosure across Latin America, and turning national climate pledges into actionable investments in Africa and Asia. Together, they demonstrate how locally driven capacity-building solutions can unlock global progress.
“Accelerating the clean energy transition in emerging markets and developing economies requires access to the right tools, resources, and support,” said Mary Schapiro, Chair of the Global Capacity Building Coalition. “The winners of the GCBC Accelerator exemplify the kind of innovative, high-impact projects that can mobilize sustainable finance and help close the investment and capacity gap. The GCBC is proud to celebrate and support these organizations as they work to build resilient, sustainable economies.” Capacity building remains one of the greatest hurdles for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Roughly half of the $2.4 trillion annual financing gap for sustainable development is expected to come from domestic resource mobilization, underscoring the urgent need for local expertise and institutional capacity. The three winners of the GCBC Accelerator offer practical, scalable solutions that strengthen institutions, mobilize resources, and direct capital to where it is needed most.
- Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) – Africa is among the most climate-vulnerable regions, yet local institutions manage only a fraction of the finance flowing to the continent. Mandated by African Heads of State and Government, AAI builds the capacity of governments and financial professionals to access and deploy climate funds directly. Its Adaptation Finance Academy combines training, peer exchange, and tailored support to guide institutions through the entire process, from project design to resource mobilization. With the support of the GCBC Accelerator, AAI will expand this work to ensure climate finance in Africa is not just available – but led and managed by local institutions.
- Climate Compatible Growth (CCG)– CCG’s Data-to-Deal (D2D) framework bridges the gap between national climate plans and investment-ready projects. By embedding data-driven expertise within countries across Asia and Africa, CCG helps governments integrate climate and development goals while securing real financing. Already shown to unlock billions in investment, CCG, with the support of the GCBC Accelerator, aims to increase its support for country-owned, investment-ready strategies that deliver both decarbonization and social benefits such as healthcare, education, and rural electrification.
- Transform– Transforma has pioneered climate risk disclosure in Colombia, Mexico, and Peru by tailoring global frameworks to local contexts. Its training and technical assistance have helped nine financial institutions in Colombia, representing 34% of the country’s GDP, strengthen climate-related reporting. Supported by the GCBC Accelerator, Transforma aims to extend this model across new regions and sectors, embedding climate risk into decision-making throughout Latin America.
At a GCBC showcase event during New York Climate Week, the winners will present their approaches, discuss regional challenges, and connect with coalition members and partners. Each initiative will receive tailored resources, strategic guidance, and access to GCBC’s global network to help scale their capacity-building solutions.
“CCG has always been a partnership based on research informing practical action that leads to results. When we helped to develop Data-to-Deal and saw it secure $11 billion for South American countries, we knew that it represented a step change in how countries should approach securing climate finance,” said Professor Mark Howells, Climate Compatible Growth Director. “Since that moment, we have made it part of our mission to highlight the effectiveness of D2D and support countries in the Global South to embrace it in a way that reflects their individual needs. Using D2D ensures that a project actually is investment ready when it goes to financiers for consideration. We are delighted to be selected by the Accelerator, which recognises D2D as one of the approaches making a real difference. We hope to reach even more countries and support them on their way to sustainable and climate-friendly growth.”
The Accelerator selection panel, chaired by Mary Schapiro, included leaders from across finance, sustainability, and policy: Amal Benaissa, Director of Sustainability Advocacy, Bank of Africa; Cacá Takahashi, Director of ANBIMA; Marla Garin-Alvarez, First Vice President & Head, Sustainability Office, Compliance Group at BDO Unibank; Nana Li, Head of APAC Sustainability & Stewardship at Impax AM; Nana Maidugu, Head of Sustainability & ESG at NISA; and Olga Cantillo, Executive President at Latinex.
“The GCBC Accelerator demonstrates how targeted capacity building and cross-sector collaboration can turn climate ambition into measurable progress,” said Marla Garin-Alvarez, First Vice President & Head, Sustainability Office, Compliance Group, BDO Unibank. “This inaugural cohort reflects the power of locally driven solutions and the critical role of knowledge sharing in accelerating sustainable development. By helping these initiatives scale their work from local to global, the Accelerator is empowering institutions to access and deploy climate finance where it is needed most—bridging the gap between vision and action.”
About the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC)
The Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) is an unprecedented global initiative. It brings together many of the world’s leading climate finance organizations to accelerate and scale climate and transition finance capacity building for financial institutions and finance professionals, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The Coalition is designed to enhance collaboration and respond to growing requests for capacity building support from financial institutions in EMDEs to meet the aims of the UN and the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG). The GCBC was launched by the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, alongside senior leaders of multilateral development banks, finance, and international organisations at COP28 in December 2023.
To express interest in joining the Global Capacity Building Coalition, or supporting its work in other ways, contact secretariat@capacity-building.org. Media Contact: press@capacity-building.org