Launched at COP26, the Centre of Excellence on Gender-Smart Solutions is a platform that connects knowledge, people, and action to advance gender equality in Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI). Funded by Global Affairs Canada and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Centre of Excellence equips governments, institutions, and partners with the tools and expertise to design and implement gender-responsive strategies.
Vision
A future where gender equality is fully embedded in Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance, ensuring everyone has equitable access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making to build resilience against climate hazards and disasters.
Mission
To advance gender equality in Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance by providing technical expertise, strengthening institutional and government capacity, and fostering strategic partnerships. Through evidence generation, knowledge sharing, and capacity development, the Centre of Excellence aims to ensure that gender equality becomes a core element of strategies that protect vulnerable communities and build climate resilience.
Persistent gender gaps continue to limit social, economic, and environmental progress. Despite global commitments and national efforts, many policies and programs are still designed without adequate consideration of gender dynamics, resulting in unequal access to resources, opportunities, and resilience. This not only undermines equity but also weakens the effectiveness and sustainability of development outcomes.
The Centre of Excellence on Gender-Smart Solutions exists to address this gap. It provides a dedicated platform to consolidate expertise, generate context-specific insights, and facilitate cross-sectoral learning. By convening stakeholders and offering practical, actionable solutions, the Centre of Excellence responds to the pressing need for institutions and decision-makers to move beyond intent and translate gender commitments into measurable impact.
The Global Shield against Climate Risks enables countries enhance Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance policies and programmes to protect vulnerable communities. The Centre of Excellence ensures that gender equality is central to this work. We contribute through:
Providing insights into gender policies and practices in participating countries.
Identifying barriers that limit women and vulnerable groups from accessing financial protection.
Providing tailored technical assistance, including capacity building, while recommending gender-responsive entry points and guiding the integration of inclusive approaches into national strategies.
Through this role, the Centre of Excellence strengthens the equity and impact of Global Shield support packages, ensuring they respond to the diverse needs of climate-vulnerable communities.
To learn more about the Global Shield, click HERE
Government Institutions
Donors and Development Partners
Financial Institutions
Private Sector Actors
Academic and Research Institutions
Civil Society Organisations and Community-Based Organisations
Regulatory and Supervisory Authorities
© 2026 Center of Excellence
