The CVF-V20 Secretariat recently welcomed the newly appointed members of the V20 Funding Program (VFP) Committee during a two-day orientation session, officially launching their work to oversee a five-year initiative supporting innovative climate change adaptation across CVF-V20 member countries.

The VFP Committee features balanced regional representation from Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific, ensuring diverse perspectives help shape the initiative’s strategic direction and oversight. It is composed of representatives drawn from across CVF-V20 member countries:

• John Adrian Narag, Director IV, Department of Finance (Philippines); 
• Maryam Abdul Nasir, Director General, Public Finance Modernization and Reform Department, Ministry of Finance (Maldives);
• Mohammed Jabid, Head of Administration, Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics (Fiji);
• Kilisitina Tuaimeiapi, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance (Tonga), Precious Mbemba, Economist and Project Manager G2G Project, Debt and Aid Management Division, Ministry of Finance (Malawi); 
• Isatou Camara, Director of Climate Finance, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (The Gambia);
• Gerty Pierre, Director of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment (Haiti); and 
• Antonino Inniss, Chief Debt Strategy Analyst, Debt Management Unit, Ministry of Finance (Barbados). 

The VFP is a five-year global initiative with an allocation of USD 5.3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNIDO co-financing, and CVF-V20 contribution. It will fund demonstration projects led by Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure, livelihood protection, and reconstruction in communities affected by climate impacts.

Core components of the project include establishing governance structures, allocation methodology, and operational frameworks; implementing at least 50 high-impact demonstration projects across five regions (Africa, Asia & Middle East, Caribbean, Latin America, Pacific); capacity building, regional knowledge exchange, and dissemination of best practices; and continuous monitoring and evaluation to measure impact and inform future programs.

The 2026 work plan focuses on operationalizing the VFP, including launching the first call for proposals, providing technical support for applicants, establishing regional training hubs, and ensuring robust project evaluation and approval processes. 

“We plan to front-load the funding for the first two years. For 2026 and 2027, we intend to mobilize USD 1 million each year. In 2028, we plan to mobilize USD 0.5 million. In 2029, our focus will shift to monitoring, evaluation, and completing the entire project,” said Pankaj Singh, Deputy Director for Financial Protection and Vertical Funds, CVF-V20 Secretariat.

“Regarding project size, each project is estimated at USD 50,000. This means that for 2026, with a proposed budget of USD 1 million, we are looking at funding approximately 50 projects—around 10 projects per region,” added Singh.

Looking ahead, the VFP aims to strengthen resilience through financial protection, locally led adaptation solutions, and adaptive social protection for MSMEs and vulnerable communities. By 2029, the program plans to transition from direct funding to serving as a self-sustaining catalyst embedded within broader CVF-V20 initiatives, ensuring long-term climate adaptation impact.

The next VFP Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on the margins of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings.