Figures from the approved funding proposal, Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands (FP281), approved by the GCF Board on 30 October 2025. Implementation runs 84 months.
Upgrading buildings built before 2019
The EDA Facility funds upgrades to existing homes and buildings constructed before 2019, so they better comply with the Cook Islands Building Code 2019.
Roofs
Roof replacement and cyclone tie-downs.
Water
Gutters, spouting and water tanks.
Windows
Window storm shutters.
Sanitation
Septic and drainage system upgrades.
Two funding windows
Applicants must be Cook Islanders or permanent residents, and the building must have been built before 2019.
Community buildings
Community groups, NGOs and civil society organisations can apply for grants to strengthen existing community buildings, such as halls, churches or clinics used as emergency shelters.
Homes and small businesses
Funding for private homes and small businesses is delivered through the Bank of the Cook Islands. Support is for homes and businesses built before 2019, and the mix of grant and interest-free loan depends on your tier.
Funding tiers
Your tier depends on your circumstances and where you live. Any loan part is interest-free and repaid to BCI, and repayments go back into a revolving fund so support continues after the project ends. Funding amounts will be confirmed when applications open.
Vulnerable households
Low-income earners, elderly people, people with disabilities, and applicants classed as vulnerable under the Internal Affairs system.
Grant, no repaymentPa Enua
All eligible homeowners and small businesses in the Pa Enua.
Grant and interest-free loanRarotonga and Aitutaki
All eligible homeowners and small businesses on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Grant and interest-free loanFrom call for proposals to certified building
Training and certification
CITTI will train and certify local builders, plumbers, electricians and inspectors, with funding to encourage local participation.
Funding rounds
Once MFEM has set up the EDA Facility, applications open to community groups, homeowners and small businesses.
Inspections and quality checks
Every completed project is inspected by qualified assessors against the Building Code 2019 and national climate-resilient safety standards.
What to have ready
- Proof you are a Cook Islander or permanent resident
- The island and village of the building, and roughly when it was built
- Proof of your right to the land (occupation right, lease or family consent)
- Photos of the building, especially the roof, windows, water supply and septic
- For small businesses, your business registration
- For community groups, a letter from your committee
Who runs the EDA Facility?
MFEM is the accredited entity to the Green Climate Fund and leads the Facility. CCCI is an executing entity and the National Designated Authority, and leads community outreach through island focal points. BCI is an executing entity and manages the loans.
Do I have to pay anything back?
Tier 1 applicants pay nothing back. Tier 2 (Pa Enua) and Tier 3 (Rarotonga and Aitutaki) applicants receive part of their support as an interest-free loan repaid to BCI. Community groups under Window 1 receive grants. Funding amounts will be confirmed when applications open.
Will I receive the money?
No. No cash payments are made to applicants. Payments go directly to accredited tradespeople and suppliers.
My house was built after 2019. Can I apply?
No. The Facility upgrades homes and buildings built before 2019 to the Cook Islands Building Code 2019.
Who does the building work?
Certified local tradespeople, trained through CITTI. Every completed project is inspected by qualified assessors.
When can I apply?
Funding rounds open once MFEM has set up the EDA Facility and tradespeople are certified. We will announce each round here.
Funding proposal and factsheet
FP281 Full Funding Proposal: Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands
More information: mfem.gov.ck/nae-full-proposal ↗
Government of the Cook Islands