GCBC Accelerator

We want to identify, celebrate and support the most impactful and highest potential sustainable finance capacity building initiatives in and for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The 2026 GCBC Accelerator is now closed for applications - thank you to all who applied. The selected initiatives will be announced in October.

We expect to be back with a call for applications for the 2027 Accelerator next year. Watch this space, and follow the GCBC on LinkedIn to stay informed.

2026 GCBC Accelerator Winners

CouncilonEnergy,EnvironmentandWater(CEEW)

CEEW is a leading independent policy research institution in India, with expertise spanning climate risk, adaptation finance and green industrialization that speaks to the needs of developing economies. It has provided knowledge support to ten union ministries, contributed to India’s climate finance taxonomy and supported state-level climate action planning. Through the GCBC Accelerator, CEEW will advance adaptation finance capacity building in India through its Risk-to-Pipeline approach, turning climate risk data into financeable projects.

CrossBoundary and CCREEE

CCREEE, CARICOM's regional institution for renewable energy and energy transition, works with governments, regulators, and utilities to strengthen energy planning, identify investment opportunities, and build the institutions needed to deliver projects. CrossBoundary is a transaction advisory firm that helps turn investment priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean into investable transactions by supporting feasibility work, financial modeling, deal structuring and negotiations. Through the GCBC Accelerator, the two organizations will support the Caribbean regional country platform, combining CrossBoundary's pipeline development and investment expertise with CCREEE's deep institutional knowledge, regional insight, and genuine commitment to the CARICOM member states.

FSDAfrica

A specialist financial sector development agency, FSD Africa works with governments, regulators, and financial institutions across over 30 African countries to change the conditions of African finance and enable capital to flow where it is needed most. Its work includes establishing a dedicated climate finance unit within Zambia’s finance ministry and supporting Ghana’s debt office ahead of a sovereign issuance. With support from the GCBC Accelerator, FSD Africa will build on this experience to help more finance ministries strengthen their institutional capacity and build the project pipelines needed to mobilize climate investment.

IMALInitiativeforClimateDevelopment(IMAL)

IMAL is a Morocco-based climate think tank working with governments, central banks and regulators across Africa, the Arab region and the Mediterranean. The initiative has brought together senior stakeholders around the development of Morocco’s emerging climate investment platform and has partnered with the energy transition ministry on providing analysis and technical studies concerning key sectors. With support from the GCBC Accelerator, IMAL will help design training and technical support for the platform to identify priority areas, strengthen government capacity, and develop an approach that can be applied across North and West Africa.

IniciativaClimáticadeMéxico(ICM)

ICM is an independent Mexican think tank working at the intersection of climate ambition, energy policy and just transition. ICM has helped shape Mexico’s emerging country platform by adapting the concept to the national context and convening open dialogues with key stakeholders, including Mexico’s international experts, the finance sector, academia and civil society organizations. Through the GCBC Accelerator, ICM will work with government and relevant organizations to strengthen collaboration across ministries and between public and private finance, helping advance the platform from design toward implementation.

Solution Areas

The 2026 GCBC Accelerator is looking for organizations that have practical, scalable solutions that can help emerging and developing economies design and implement effective country platforms.

We are especially interested in organizations that bring hands-on experience, strong local or regional knowledge, and tools or advisory models that can help emerging markets and developing economies move from ambition to investable action.

Strengthening enabling environments

Solutions that help EMDE governments and institutions build the institutional foundations for country platforms, including governance design, stakeholder management, cross-ministerial collaboration, and tools to assess and identify flow of capital.

Improving planning

Solutions that help EMDE governments and institutions translate long-term climate and development goals into near-term, investable strategies, including sectoral modelling, policy roadmaps, readiness assessments, and project pipeline development.

Overcoming financing hurdles

Solutions that help EMDEs access appropriate catalytic capital and mobilize private investment, including financial modeling, business case articulation, and early engagement with DFIs, donors, and private investors.

Supporting Implementation

Solutions that help move country priorities from pipeline to delivery, including project preparation, transaction advisory, investment readiness support, and capacity building for local government stakeholders.

Non-exhaustive list of potential solution areas

•Financial or energy modeling support
•Policy roadmap support and technical assistance
•Readiness assessments
•Macro-economic frameworks
•Project readiness and preparation facilities
•Transaction advisory services
•Technical assistance to governments on climate finance challenges

What will selected initiatives receive?

Selected initiatives will be invited to join a bespoke accelerator program offering a wide range of in-kind support that may include:

Tailored country platform support for delivery

Co-designing and co-delivery of capacity building work linked to emerging country platforms, in partnership with governments, platform secretariats, or implementing partners.

Product development and technical support

Strategy and technical product review and suggested refinement.

Network access

Access to GCBC’s global network of members – financial institutions, MDBs, DFIs, and peer organizations – to facilitate partnerships and learning.

Communications and visibility support

Communications audits, media training, and strategic positioning to increase organizational visibility and credibility with governments and partners.

Judges

Our 2026 judging panel is comprised of renowned global leaders in sustainability and capacity building who evaluated the shortlisted submissions to identify initiatives demonstrating excellence. The panel is chaired by GCBC Chair Mary Schapiro.

Mary L. Schapiro

Chair of the GCBC

Alain Beauvillard

Director, Department of Strategy, Policy, and Innovation, Green Climate Fund

Barbara Buchner

Chief Executive Officer, Climate Policy Initiative

Josue Tanaka

Senior Advisor, Country Platforms Hub

Marla Garin-Alvarez

Vice President & Head, Sustainability Office, Compliance Group, BDO Unibank

Nana Maidugu

Head, Sustainability and ESG, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)

Olga Cantillo

Executive President of Latinex

Pablo Vieira

Global Director of the NDC Partnership Support Unit, NDCP

Eligibility Criteria

The 2026 GCBC Accelerator is open to organizations, partnerships, and specific programs working on capacity building across emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Applicants should be based in or have a very strong presence in EMDEs.

Applicants do not need to be working on a live country platform or program today to apply. If your work is relevant to how country platforms are designed, financed, or delivered, we want to hear from you.

This includes efforts linked to pipeline preparation facilities, transaction advisory services, technical advisory to governments and other enabling environment work that facilitates the flow of capital.

Note: GCBC members are eligible to apply. Founding Members may not apply individually, but are eligible to apply as part of partnerships.

Judging Criteria

Country Platform Fit

Does the applicant demonstrate a strong understanding of one or more key country platform bottlenecks that hinder mobilization of capital in EMDEs, and is either already supporting related activities or has clear potential and ambition to contribute meaningfully to development?

Demand-Driven Design

Is the work shaped by, and responsive to, what end-users actually need in terms of capacity building?

Track Record and Technical Expertise

Does the organization have the track record and technical expertise in sustainable finance capacity?

Finance Mobilization and Lasting Impact

Does this work mobilize sustainable finance and deliver change that outlasts the engagement?

Readiness for GCBC Support

Can this organization absorb, deploy, and amplify GCBC support modalities – particularly co-design of capacity building?

Feedback or questions?

Please note that the Secretariat cannot provide feedback on individual applications.

Get In Touch

GCBC Accelerator Info Sessions!

GCBC Accelerator

2026 GCBC Accelerator Winners