A strong project idea is the starting point, but a well-structured and logical design is what makes a proposal fundable. A clear project design demonstrates to reviewers that you have a deep understanding of the climate challenge and a credible strategy for addressing it. There is a suite of four interconnected planning tools that, when used together, will help you translate your concept into a robust and convincing proposal. This suit contains Problem and Objective Tree Analysis, Logical Framework, Theory of Change, and Cost-Benefit Analysis. From diagnosing the core problem to demonstrating economic viability, these structured approaches will help you build a coherent, evidence-based, and impactful project that meets the GCF's rigorous standards.
Problem Tree & Objective Tree
Problem Tree and Objective Tree Analysis are essential, visual tools that provide a structured way to diagnose a core climate-related issue and then build a logical, coherent solution. This methodology is the crucial first step in project design, ensuring that your proposed interventions are targeted, effective, and directly aligned with the real needs of stakeholders. The Problem Tree is a powerful diagnostic tool that helps project developers and stakeholders visually map out a central problem, its underlying causes, and its resulting effects. The Objective Tree directly derives from the Problem Tree and represents a "positive mirror image" of it. It is created by rephrasing the negative problem statements into positive, achievable objectives. Using these tools ensures your project is grounded in a clear logic, which is essential for drafting a high-quality GCF Concept Note that meets rigorous requirements for clarity, impact, and strategic fit.
Logical Framework
The Logical Framework (Logframe) provides the structure and measurability needed to turn it into a concrete action plan. The Logframe is a central planning tool that organizes your project into a clear, results-oriented matrix. It systematically links your project's activities to its intended outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact, complete with measurable indicators to track success. While not formally required at the Concept Note stage, creating one is highly recommended as it forces clarity and provides a solid foundation for the Full Funding Proposal. It translates the hierarchy of goals from your Objective Tree into a formalized results chain, making your project's logic easy for reviewers to follow. It is essential that the Logframe also demonstrates how the project will contribute to a paradigm shift. This means the design must show how the project's outcomes will be scalable and sustainable, influencing policies, markets, and behaviors to create lasting, systemic change toward low-emission, climate-resilient development.
Theory of Change
The Theory of Change (ToC) explains how and why it the project has the potential to succeed. The ToC is the strategic narrative of your project, providing a clear, evidence-based pathway from your interventions to your long-term climate impact. ToC is a strategic requirement that significantly improves the quality, coherence, and fundability of a GCF proposal. A ToC is a dynamic and flexible model that can capture complex, non-linear change processes and feedback loops. A well-crafted ToC is the strategic foundation of your proposal, providing a clear and convincing explanation of how your project will deliver its intended climate impact.
Cost Benefit Analysis
A Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate the economic viability of your project by comparing its total costs against its expected benefits. This analysis is crucial for demonstrating that your project offers good value for money and directly addresses the GCF’s investment criterion of Efficiency and Effectiveness. A CBA moves beyond simply describing a project's activities to providing a data-driven justification for the requested funding. While a full, detailed CBA is required at the full Funding Proposal stage, including a clear summary in your Concept Note is strongly encouraged to demonstrate economic feasibility from the outset.
