Strengthening Project Preparation for Subnational Climate Finance: A Systems and Operations Management Approach

This session presents insights from a Cambridge University–sponsored study on how subnational governments can navigate Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) to develop bankable climate and urban infrastructure projects. Drawing on real-life experiences from African cities, project sponsors, and developers, it uncovers the bottlenecks that stall projects in early, pre-feasibility stages and explores how innovative PPF design - single vs. multi-funder models, embedded private finance, and cost-recovery mechanisms - can enhance project bankability. The session is highly relevant for subnational and national governments, PPF managers, fund managers, and city networks, offering practical lessons on upstream project preparation and the strategic use of PPFs. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how operational design and systems thinking affect a city’s ability to develop bankable pipelines and secure climate finance to accelerate sustainable urban development.