The COP29 Presidency-Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Fund was established through a partnership between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the 2024 COP29 Presidency. COP29 Presidency initiatives are hosted within the Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for implementation.
Beginning in 2026, up to five projects will be funded annually through competitive grant calls, with grants of up to US$ 200,000 available per project.
About the Fund
Commonwealth SIDS face some of the world's most acute environmental and climate-related challenges. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, energy insecurity and constrained access to affordable finance threaten sustainable development and resilience.
The Fund provides dedicated financing to help Commonwealth SIDS address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean degradation and energy insecurity, and is designed to support targeted, high-impact interventions that strengthen national capacity, accelerate project development and unlock longer-term investment.
It aims to strengthen environmental resilience by supporting projects that:
- Advance climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Restore, conserve and sustainably use the ocean; and
- Advance sustainable, resilient energy systems and a just energy transition
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from the governments of Commonwealth Small Island Developing States.
Applications should be submitted by a lead government ministry, department or agency that will be responsible for project implementation and oversight to their respective High Commissions in London copying [email protected].
Only one proposal may be submitted per country.
Grant value and duration
- Maximum grant value: US$ 200,000
- Maximum project duration: 24 months
- Up to five projects funded annually beginning in 2026
Funding windows
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Projects may focus on:
- Climate adaptation
- Climate mitigation
- Climate resilience
- Loss and damage responses
- Climate advocacy and participation in international climate processes
Ocean restoration and conservation
Projects may focus on:
- Strengthening ocean governance
- Reducing marine pollution
- Sustainable fisheries management
- Marine protection and restoration
- Ocean-climate nexus and the sustainable blue economy
Sustainable and resilient energy systems
Projects may focus on:
- Accelerating renewable energy development
- Reducing energy emissions
- Energy sector reform and national strategy and planning
- Resilient energy infrastructure
- Energy financing
Credit: Ryan Brown / UN Women
Key principles
Projects supported by the Fund should be:
- Country-led and nationally owned
- Aligned with national priorities and development plans
- Inclusive and gender-responsive, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and young people
- Environmentally sustainable
- Evidence-based and results-oriented
- Scalable and capable of leveraging additional investment and partnerships
Steering Committee
Commonwealth Secretariat:
Suresh Yadav, Senior Director, Climate Change and Oceans Directorate (Co-Chair)
Naadira Ogeer, Acting Head, Energy and Natural Resources
Mithika Dcruz, Head, Portfolio Management
Kele Maimela, Head, Innovations and Partnerships
Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Director, Middle East and African Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Azerbaijan (Co-Chair)
Ulfat Machanov, Deputy Director, Climate Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Parviz Yarmammad, Third Secretary, Climate Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Contact us
For enquiries regarding the Fund, proposal development or the application process, please contact:
Climate Change and Oceans Directorate
Commonwealth Secretariat
