Australia Awards South and West Asia

Global calls for greater climate ambition must be accompanied by provision of the means for implementation, including finance, from developed countries to developing countries. Generally, climate finance refers to collecting and utilising money from different sources to better the natural environment and reduce natural and manufactured disasters caused by climate change. Climate finance is defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as “local, national, or transnational financing—drawn from public, private, and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change”. Climate finance is one of the essential goals of sustainable development.

However, accessing financing for climate resilience projects remains a challenge for many countries. Continuing high inflation, slow economic growth, and the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic have constrained the fiscal space of governments across South Asia and Mongolia. Unlocking private investment in climate resilience and adaptation has proven difficult.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including capacity building, technical assistance, improved data collection and management systems, streamlined application processes, and stable policy frameworks. Collaborative efforts between governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector are essential to overcoming these barriers and ensuring developing countries can access climate financing effectively.

The purpose of this regional Short Course in accessing climate finance is to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to navigate the complex landscape of climate-related finance, contribute to sustainable development, and support the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Short Course will aim to:

enhance knowledge: deepen participants’ understanding of climate finance concepts, mechanisms, and instruments. It may cover topics such as climate finance sources, project financing, investment frameworks, and risk management.

build capacity: develop participants’ skills and expertise in analysing, planning, and implementing climate finance strategies.

facilitate decision-making: provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective decision-making in climate-related financial matters. This may involve assessing investment opportunities, evaluating financial risks, and considering the economic viability of climate projects.

promote sustainable investments: emphasise the importance of directing financial resources towards sustainable projects and initiatives. Participants may learn about green investment criteria, sustainable finance frameworks, and emerging trends in climate-related investments.

encourage policy understanding: enhance participants’ understanding of policy frameworks and international agreements related to climate change and finance. This may include exploring the roles of various stakeholders, understanding policy instruments, and examining global climate finance mechanisms.

foster collaboration: provide a platform for networking and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration can help facilitate knowledge sharing and foster partnerships to address climate finance challenges.

promote innovation: foster innovation in financial solutions for climate-related challenges. Participants may be encouraged to explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, carbon markets, and impact investing.

Up to 25 regional participants will be selected through a country-specific selection process.

Eligible Nepali citizens are invited to apply.

Participants for this Short Course should meet the following criteria:

• be a citizen of their respective country, currently residing in that country.
• not be applying for or hold permanent residency in either Australia or New Zealand, or be married, engaged to, or a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency. This criterion applies at any stage of the application, selection or mobilisation phases of the course.
• be able to provide attested documents for processing a visa application to enter Australia for the duration of the Australian component of the course and satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs for an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) or an Australian Visitor (Business Visitor stream) Visa (Subclass 600).
• not be a currently serving military personnel.
• obtain the necessary study and travel approvals from their employer and be available and committed to participate in the course based on the anticipated course schedule outlined below.
• not have attended a Short Course previously (however Australian Awards Scholarships alumni who completed their degrees more than two years ago may be considered).

Participants will have the following qualifications, skills and experience:

• demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing the skills and knowledge gained during the Short Course within and across Participants’ organisations to support regional connectivity.
• willingness to participate in a virtual ‘community of practice’ with other Participants and the course Provider to maintain connections made during the course.
• have knowledge and experience working in ministries or organisations focussed on climate change adaptation/mitigation and have occupied their current position for at least 12 months.
• have access to the internet and be computer literate.

Participants must be committed and available to participate in the activity both in person and online and must obtain the necessary study leave approvals from their business.

All dates and locations are tentative and more information will be provided at the time of selection.

To apply for this Short Course, applicants must: complete an application online at https://oscar.australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org/ and upload the required documentation by 6 November 2023. Only completed applications submitted online will be considered.

All candidates will need to submit an online application, including their responses to application questions (exploring their motivation for joining the Short Course) and a CV outlining the roles and responsibilities of their current role, as well as any other relevant experience or qualifications.

Applicants must upload the following documents in their application:

Employer Nomination Letter, Head of Agency endorsement, Passport Bio page, Academic Certificates (Highest degree only), CV (any format), English proficiency evidence (if available), COVID Vaccination certificate.