Women play a central role in adaptation in climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, forestry and land-use, yet they continue to face significant barriers in accessing climate finance. Complex accreditation processes, loan-centric financing models, limited collateral and restrictive socio-cultural norms prevent women and women-led organisations from receiving the resources needed to strengthen resilience. These barriers undermine both gender equality and the effectiveness of adaptation, particularly in areas where women’s labour and knowledge are critical.

The brief analyses these institutional, financial and structural barriers and shows how global climate finance flows remain skewed towards mitigation while adaptation receives far fewer resources. It highlights how little funding reaches the local level and even less reaches women’s groups, despite their central role in advancing adaptation. Building on good practices, it sets out recommendations for reforming access modalities, strengthening national and local capacities and expanding grant-based and inclusive mechanisms to ensure adaptation finance is more accessible, gender responsive and impactful.