The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is an initiative by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). It funds climate change mitigation projects in a number of developing, newly industrialising and transition countries.

Through thematic selection procedures, IKI annually funds large-volume projects that aim to accelerate the transformation to a sustainable, low-emissions economy and supply structure. The 2024 Thematic Call focuses on bilateral projects which pursue multi-level approaches and, above all, demonstrate how climate change mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity conservation can be implemented in ODA-eligible countries. The call has the following nine new funding priorities:

1. Promoting cooperative approaches to implementing Article 6: removal activities and mobilisation of private capital.
2. Energy efficiency in buildings: business models for scaling up energy efficiency measures.
3. Climate-friendly transport: supporting partner countries in laying the foundations, developing strategies and specific approaches for climate action and transforming the transport sector and energy use in transport.
4. Scaling up innovative financing solutions for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries.
5. Development and implementation of innovative financing models and programmes for the sustainable protection of primary forests and the restoration of near-natural forests.
6. Protection, sustainable management and restoration of critical wetlands for biodiversity and climate protection.
7. From Blue Carbon to Blue Value – locally led approaches for coastal marine ecosystem services.
8. Increased climate resilience through the protection of vulnerable watersheds in South America.
9. Strengthening climate resilience for conflict prevention and peacekeeping.

Funding is provided for the following types of organisations in Germany and abroad:

• Non-governmental organisations, associations, foundations, think thanks.
• Institutions of higher education.
• International intergovernmental organisations and agencies (such as development banks).
• United Nations organisations and programmes.
• Private-sector companies, as well as industry and trade associations.
• Implementing organisations of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Institutions in the partner countries (including accredited national implementation organisations in international or multilateral organisations).

Supports of €5 million to €20 million may be granted for a period of eight years.

(This Bulletin article was the subject of a ResearchConnect news alert.)