The Mitigation Action Facility has reached another important milestone in its Call for Projects 2026 cycle. Following the completion of the desktop assessment of more than 900 submitted Project Concepts, the Board of the Mitigation Action Facility selected 25 Concepts to advance to the Pitch – a newly introduced key step in identifying ambitious and feasible climate mitigation projects with strong transformational potential.
The selected portfolio reflects the breadth and diversity of mitigation solutions emerging across emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The projects span the Mitigation Action Facility’s priority sectors of energy, industry and transport, with 10 energy projects, 7 industry projects, and 8 transport projects. South and Southeast Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa are the regions most strongly represented across the selected portfolio.
What happens during the period of Pitches?
The Pitch period will officially begin end of May and will continue through June 2026. During this period, each shortlisted project participates in a two-day interview process with Technical Support Unit (TSU) assessors and external experts. These discussions allow applicants to further elaborate on their Concepts, clarify technical and financial approaches, and demonstrate the projects’ mitigation potential and scalability.
The Pitch forms an important part of the Mitigation Action Facility’s project cycle, helping ensure that selected projects combine strong mitigation ambition with practical implementation pathways and long-term transformational impact.
A diverse project pipeline across sectors and regions
The shortlisted Concepts showcase a wide range of innovative financial mechanisms, technologies and implementation approaches.
Across the energy sector, selected projects include large-scale battery energy storage systems, floating solar PV, district heating modernisation, renewable energy hubs, biomethane development, and grid stability infrastructure designed to facilitate renewable energy integration. Several Concepts also focus on enabling renewable energy deployment through blended finance, policy reform and regulatory strengthening.
In the industry sector, the selected Concepts demonstrate approaches to decarbonising hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel, fertiliser and nickel production. Proposed solutions include green hydrogen-based fertiliser production, low-carbon cement technologies, waste heat recovery, circular economy approaches for electronics, and climate-friendly refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Meanwhile, transport-related projects highlight innovative pathways to accelerate freight and public transport electrification. Selected Concepts aim to scale up electric trucks, electrify urban logistics and river transport systems, deploy charging infrastructure, and establish financial risk-sharing and guarantee mechanisms to unlock private investment.
Several projects also specifically focus on the integration of gender-responsive approaches and measures to support female participation across transport value chains.
Innovative financial mechanisms and Lighthouse potential
The portfolio pipeline demonstrates significant innovation in financial mechanisms. Proposed mechanisms include blended finance facilities, guarantee-based instruments, project preparation facilities and risk-sharing frameworks designed to de-risk investments and mobilise private capital at scale. Some projects specifically focus on improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable communities.
Among the 25 shortlisted Concepts, six were identified as Lighthouse Pilot Projects — recognising projects that demonstrate particularly innovative solutions, first-of-a-kind technologies, and/or novel financing approaches.
Looking ahead within the Call for Projects 2026
Following the completion of all Pitches, decisions will be taken on which projects will advance to the Detailed Preparation Phase (DPP). Through this process, the Mitigation Action Facility continues to build a strong pipeline of ambitious and investment-ready mitigation projects capable of catalysing systemic change and supporting ODA-eligible countries in advancing their climate and development goals.
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