CSOs Urged to Boost Role in Climate Risk Financing

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Civil society organizations (CSOs) were called to strengthen their role in climate and disaster risk financing during an information session on the Global Shield against Climate Risks held in April 2025.

The event gathered representatives from CSOs, non-government organizations, and government agencies to discuss inclusive climate finance mechanisms in the Philippines.

Organized by the Global Shield Secretariat, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), and Start Network, with support from the Department of Finance (DOF), the session emphasized multi-sectoral collaboration.

The Global Shield, a joint initiative of the Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance Ministers (V20) and the Group of Seven (G7), aims to close financial protection gaps in climate-vulnerable countries.

“Climate action is an integral part of our national strategies,” said DOF Director John Adrian M. Narag, speaking on behalf of Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan-Tiuseco.

“We recognize that the government cannot do this alone. It has been tested that cultivating relationships with stakeholders, such as CSOs and NGOs, provides more delivery mechanisms in advancing climate finance mobilization,” Narag added.

The session highlighted the need to develop a “whole-of-society” approach through the DOF’s Inter-agency Task Force for Sustainable Finance.

Nilesh Prakash, Co-Director for Strategy & Engagement of the Global Shield Secretariat, praised the Philippines’ efforts.

“With the Global Shield, we are eager to address key financial protection gaps and we are proud to support the Department of Finance in its efforts to combat climate shocks and disasters,” Prakash said.

Dr. Maria Isabel B. Lanada of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showcased adaptive programs such as Project LAWA and BINHI, which address food insecurity and water scarcity in climate-vulnerable communities.

“These initiatives aim to combat hunger, alleviate poverty, and decrease economic vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change and disasters,” she said.

Danica Marie Supnet, ICSC’s Director for Climate Policy, introduced the Multi-Actor Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (MAP-CDRFI), an initiative advocating inclusive financial protection systems.

“Through [MAP-CDRFI], we hope to further advocate for inclusive communities and informed financial protection systems, particularly looking at how entities prioritize the voices of vulnerable groups,” Supnet said.

Global Shield representatives Janina Voss, Jonathan Auer, and Amit Kumar Garg underscored CSOs’ role in community representation and objective solution-building.

Auer noted that CSOs benefit from involvement in the Global Shield In-Country Process through access to technical assistance, resources, and funding.

Arvin Caro, Start Network’s Country Crisis Financing Advisor for the Philippines, pushed for scalable, anticipatory financing mechanisms.

“Pre-financing for climate and disaster risk not only makes sense, but it is necessary to push for a sustainable and resilient economy,” Caro said.

He added that current in-country-led processes reflect a “bottom-up model” aligned with national and international strategies.

The session concluded with a consensus on reinforcing multi-stakeholder engagement to shape equitable and effective climate and disaster risk financing frameworks.