Global Climate Commitment
The Paris Agreement (COP21) is adopted, setting the global ambition to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C and laying the foundation for climate resilience and adaptation action worldwide.
Origin and Global Mandate
BCRUP is launched as one of 41 global climate action initiatives under the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, giving the programme a global mandate to address urban climate vulnerability.
During this period, successful blended finance models emerged across Africa, including a USD 154 million renewable energy financing framework in Zambia, supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), African Development Bank (AfDB), and private sector investors demonstrating the scale of climate finance possible through partnership.
Global Disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global systems and slowed implementation, temporarily placing BCRUP activities on hold.
Regrouping and Strategic Momentum
BCRUP regained momentum during Africities, hosted by UCLG-Africa. Kenya and UCLG-Africa agreed to transition the programme from engagement to implementation, including hotspot identification and partner coordination.
In the same year, climate-resilient infrastructure projects continued across the continent, including the commissioning of the Baoma Solar Power Station in Sierra Leone, developed through a public-private partnership.
Formalization and Continental Recognition
BCRUP transitioned from concept to a formal programme at the UN-Habitat General Assembly, attracting new partners including the Commonwealth and African Development Bank-aligned networks to support policy advocacy and climate finance access.
Key milestones included:
- Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and UCLG-Africa (June 2023)
- Recognition of BCRUP as a priority climate action initiative by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) (August 2023)
- Launch of the BCRUP Implementation Strategy at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi (September 2023)
In December 2023, BCRUP’s 10-Year Implementation Plan (2024 to 2034) was launched at Expo City Dubai, outlining an estimated USD 5 billion investment requirement to operationalize climate resilience actions across Africa.
Readiness, Partnerships, and Advocacy
A continental technical workshop was held in Naivasha, Kenya, bringing together governments and partners to refine operational frameworks and pilot readiness activities.
BCRUP was integrated as a flagship programme for African cities during the inaugural African Urban Forum (AUF) and received high-level mobilization support at the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo and COP29 in Baku.
High-Level Advocacy and Climate Finance Dialogue
BCRUP advanced into financing readiness with the submission of a regional readiness concept note for African pilot countries in January 2025.
Brazil launched the Green Resilient Model Cities Programme, while later in the year, Kenya and Brazil co-hosted a high-level BCRUP dialogue at COP30 in Belém, strengthening South-South cooperation and mobilizing global climate finance support for urban resilience.
Towards Implementation at Scale
The 2026 engagements mark an important phase in BCRUP’s transition from programme development and partnership-building towards implementation and investment at scale. Through regional and global platforms, the initiative continued to strengthen collaboration among governments, development partners, financial institutions, private sector actors and other stakeholders. These engagements have contributed to building the partnerships, investment pathways and institutional foundations required to advance climate-resilient and inclusive urban development for vulnerable communities across Africa.
African Urban Forum II, Nairobi, Kenya
April 2026BCRUP participated in the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF II) held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, from 8 to 10 April 2026, under the theme Housing for All. The programme provided an important platform for advancing dialogue on climate-resilient and inclusive urban development. BCRUP convened strategic discussions on resource mobilisation for resilient urban development, bringing together government representatives, development partners and urban experts to explore sustainable financing, stronger national-county coordination, climate finance and institutional capacity. Through its pavilion and programme engagements, BCRUP also showcased its approach to strengthening resilience among vulnerable urban communities and identified opportunities for collaboration with partners across Africa.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships at AUF II
April 2026During AUF II, BCRUP held strategic bilateral engagements with governments and regional partners to advance locally driven climate finance and urban resilience. A key engagement brought together representatives of the Government of Botswana, the BCRUP Regional Coordinator and the President of AfDAN/FLOCCA to explore Botswana’s integration into the BCRUP framework. Discussions focused on creating pathways for locally driven climate finance and strengthening resilience at community level, with follow-up inter-ministerial consultations identified as an important next step towards formal engagement with the regional programme.
BCRUP Regional Readiness Technical Workshop, Nairobi
2026The BCRUP Regional Readiness Technical Workshop, held during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, brought together National Designated Authorities, development partners, climate finance institutions, UN agencies and urban development experts. The workshop focused on strengthening country readiness frameworks, refining processes for neighbourhood selection, identifying innovative financing pathways and strengthening partnerships to support inclusive and climate-resilient urban development. The engagement reinforced the importance of coordinated approaches that can translate climate finance opportunities into scalable and people-centred solutions for vulnerable urban communities.
BCRUP High-Level Event, World Urban Forum, Baku
2026BCRUP convened a High-Level Event during the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together stakeholders from Africa and beyond to discuss practical approaches to strengthening resilience among urban poor communities affected by climate change. The session focused on partnerships, resource mobilisation and opportunities to scale climate-resilient urban development. The engagement strengthened BCRUP’s role as a platform for connecting governments, development partners and other stakeholders around practical and scalable solutions for vulnerable urban communities.
Building Partnerships for the BCRUP Fund, Nairobi
2026BCRUP advanced discussions on establishing a dedicated financing mechanism to support climate-resilient urban development through a High-Level Dinner in Nairobi, co-hosted by the Government of Kenya, the Joint SDG Fund and the Embassy of Spain. The engagement brought together catalytic capital providers, commercial banks, sovereign partners and other development actors to explore the development of a structured and investable project pipeline. Discussions focused on blended climate finance, de-risking investments, mobilising private capital and developing a potential BCRUP Fund to accelerate resilient infrastructure and deliver greater impact for urban poor communities.
Engagement with Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States
2026BCRUP held a strategic briefing with H.E. David Kerich, Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States, in Washington, DC, to discuss the implementation and scaling of the BCRUP Initiative. Discussions highlighted demand-driven resilience projects, green jobs and approaches to strengthening the adaptive capacity of vulnerable urban communities. The engagement also explored opportunities for collaboration and support from the Kenyan Embassy ahead of planned BCRUP engagements during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Road to UNGA 81: Strategic Preparatory Engagements
2026Leading up to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, BCRUP undertook a series of preparatory engagements with governments, development partners and other stakeholders to align priorities and strengthen partnerships around climate-resilient urban development. The engagements focused on translating Africa’s urban priorities into practical investment and implementation pathways, with particular attention to innovative financing, institutional coordination and community-level resilience. These consultations laid the groundwork for BCRUP’s High-Level Special Event at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
BCRUP High-Level Special Event, UN Headquarters, New York
23 September 2026The Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) Initiative convened a High-Level Special Event at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 23 September 2026. The event brought together senior government representatives, development partners, international financial institutions and other stakeholders to advance the operationalisation and implementation of the BCRUP Initiative. Discussions centred on the BCRUP investment proposition, strengthening partnerships, mobilising climate finance and accelerating practical solutions for vulnerable urban communities. The event also provided a platform for development and financial institutions to highlight areas of partnership and commitment, supporting the transition from global commitments to coordinated implementation at scale.
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