GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership, UN-Habitat, and ESCWA Collaborate on Capacity Building for Project Preparation in the Levant Region

Across the Levant, municipalities are advancing climate ambition and seeking practical ways to turn plans into investable projects that improve daily life. Local governments face acute climate risks alongside fiscal and capacity constraints, and while many have developed strong climate action plans, they often need support to translate these into bankable projects that can attract investment. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)-City Climate Finance Gap Fund Partnership team, working with UN-Habitat and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), has launched a capacity-building program that addresses these gaps by supporting cities in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine to shape credible proposals, connect with financiers, and accelerate delivery against national climate commitments.

The program began on 22 September with an opening session that mapped the financing ecosystem and clarified the steps from concept to implementation, helping municipalities navigate what is often a complex and unfamiliar landscape. A second virtual session on 24 September guided municipal teams to identify service gaps, apply simple project ideation tools, and draft early concepts suitable for future submission. By focusing on practical skills and key city priorities, the sessions strengthened municipal capacity to refine problem statements, outline expected results, and define initial technical parameters for subsequent feasibility work.
In the weeks ahead, the program will continue working closely with participating municipalities, equipping them with practical tools, knowledge, and exposure to innovative solutions and successful case studies across urban climate sectors. More than 100 participants joined each session, with strong engagement expected to continue. Upcoming sessions will dive into priority themes such as mobility, energy, solid waste management, and adaptation, while guiding cities to align proposals with national strategies and NDCs . This approach strengthens coordination between cities, national ministries, and financiers, thus improving data and evidence for decision-making. Consistent attendance is required to remain eligible for the in-person stages, which will concentrate on strengthening proposals, mapping pathways to financing, and preparing for implementation.

These efforts will culminate in two key milestones. A Proposal Development Workshop in Beirut on 11-12 November 2025 will provide hands-on coaching to help cities sharpen proposals and practice pitching to project-preparation facilities. Municipalities will leave with stronger concepts and, where ready, clear next steps to engage with financiers. Using the Gap Fund framework as an example, cities will leave ready to pitch their ideas to project preparation facilities working in the region. A Pathways to Finance Forum in Jordan, on 10-11 December 2025 will connect municipal leaders with project preparation facilities and financing partners, opening opportunities to advance the most promising proposals. Together, these events aim to move early ideas toward credible pipelines and pathways to finance, while building a peer network that shares templates, tools, and lessons for replication across the region.

The initiative brings together a broad coalition, including the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), Clima-Med, and UN-Habitat country offices, to ensure reach and tailored support in each national context. By building practical skills in project identification, early scoping, and preparation while opening channels to project preparation facilities and funders, the program helps cities move from climate ambition to bankable projects. The ultimate goal: equip municipalities with the confidence, evidence, and partnerships to improve services, attract investment, and build long-term resilience.