Governance and Institutional Setup

Robust governance and institutional setups are key for the credibility and durability of a Country Platform. Governance provides the institutional architecture that enables a platform to function effectively over time. It supports decision-making, coordination across ministries, partner engagement, and continuity through political transitions. Governance and institutional design—including how authority is distributed, how the secretariat is structured, and how accountability is maintained—can help shape what the platform can deliver throughout its lifecycle.

Resources

The resources gathered here address some of the questions that underpin governance choices:

How should the secretariat or coordinating body be structured, and what are the trade-offs between independence, government ownership, and technical capacity?
How are roles and responsibilities allocated across ministries, the secretariat, and partners to ensure accountability and prevent duplication?
How have other governments secured the political mandate to set up a country platform?
How can governance adapt as the platform grows from design and investment planning to sustained implementation and delivery?

As the Knowledge Portal progresses to its full launch at COP31, available resources are expected to grow.

NDC Partnership

Country Coordination Mechanisms Best Practice Brief

This brief explores how governments can establish robust country coordination mechanisms to implement ambitious climate action targets. It provides practical examples of how to engage intergovernmental bodies, civil society, and development partners to structure resources, avoid policy duplication, and build resilient climate governance frameworks

Briefs & Explainers

NDC Partnership

A Practical Guide to Understanding and Establishing Climate Finance Units

This policy brief provides actionable insights and a step-by-step guide for designing and implementing Climate Finance Units (CFUs) within government structures. It is useful for governments and technical experts seeking to mainstream climate priorities into national development, improve multi-sectoral coordination, and mobilize both public and private climate finance.

Tools and Frameworks

The resources gathered here address some of the questions that underpin governance choices:

How should the secretariat or coordinating body be structured, and what are the trade-offs between independence, government ownership, and technical capacity?
How are roles and responsibilities allocated across ministries, the secretariat, and partners to ensure accountability and prevent duplication?
How have other governments secured the political mandate to set up a country platform?
How can governance adapt as the platform grows from design and investment planning to sustained implementation and delivery?

As the Knowledge Portal progresses to its full launch at COP31, available resources are expected to grow.