Inception phase

The scoping exercise gathers all available information and assessments related to each of the four building blocks. Because an INFF is intrinsically linked to a country’s national sustainable development strategy/plan, the scoping exercise should also review this document. This information provides a first indication of available financing and capacity and identifies potential gaps and constraints associated with financing national sustainable development priorities. 

In parallel to the scoping process, the inception phase should identify and/or establish an institutional home for the INFF. This also involves establishing a central oversight body or committee that will drive the INFF development and implementation process. 

In many countries, an appropriate institutional mechanism for the INFF is already in place – for example, the body responsible for implementing the national development plan. When no such mechanism exists, relevant ministries can be brought together during the inception phase to consider whether a new mechanism should be established and determine a way forward. 

The inception phase concludes with agreement on next steps. A plan should be drafted and agreed upon by the oversight committee. It may take the form of a formal roadmap document. Alternatively, the oversight committee may wish to articulate these steps in by incorporating them into existing workplans, or in some other format.

Regardless of its format, the aim of the plan is to clearly lay out the steps for developing and implementing an INFF. It should outline timelines, milestones, responsibilities and support required from the international community.