UNESCO Climate Fund Receives 447 Proposals from 100 Countries to Combat Climate Disinformation

Launched on 5 June 2025, UNESCO’s Fund for Advancing Climate Information Integrity received an overwhelming 447 proposals from nearly 100 countries within just one month.

The scale and diversity of submissions reflect the global urgency to protect public debate from misinformation, conspiracy theories, and manipulation—especially ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

“The impressive response demonstrates both the urgency and creativity of organizations worldwide in countering disinformation on climate change,” said Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information. “This Fund connects local expertise with global priorities, ensuring reliable information guides climate action at every level.”

A Unique Mechanism to Strengthen Global Resilience

The Fund offers targeted financial support to non-profit organizations advancing research, investigative journalism, and strategic communications to strengthen climate information integrity.

Of the 447 proposals submitted by the 6 July 2025 deadline, 319 met eligibility criteria. Nearly two-thirds came from the Global South, notably Africa (23%), Asia and the Pacific (18%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (26%). This strong participation highlights the acute need for resources where climate impacts and information disorder intersect most sharply.

“Supporting these voices is essential,” said Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “They bring context-specific knowledge and lived experience crucial to building climate resilience through trustworthy information.”

First Projects and Funding

The current pool of eligible proposals requires nearly USD 38 million. With initial funding of USD 1 million from the Government of Brazil, the Fund is moving forward with a first set of ready-to-launch projects.

“The Fund is already delivering results—but its true potential lies ahead,” said João Brant, Secretary for Digital Policies at Brazil’s Social Communication Secretariat. “Each contribution supports investigations, campaigns, and research that directly combat climate disinformation.”

The Fund remains open through May 2027, with proposals held for future consideration as funding becomes available. All projects undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure alignment and impact.

A Call to Action

UNESCO is urging governments, philanthropic foundations, and private donors to join the Global Initiative and scale effective solutions. Member States are also invited to affirm their commitment to evidence-based public discourse as a foundation for climate action.

“Information integrity is central to the success of climate action,” said Jelassi. “We need to act together, and we need to act now.”

Selected Projects in Phase One (Alphabetical)

• Advancing Information Integrity on Extreme Weather and Climate-related Events

• Fake News Fighters

• Mapping the Socio-Environmental Disinformation Industry Online

• Nepal Climate Information Integrity Initiative

• Origen de la Desinformación Climática en Latinoamérica

• Strengthening Media Capacities to Combat Climate Misinformation and Disinformation

• Telling Climate Truths: Strengthening Zero Waste Journalism and Climate Information Integrity in Asia Pacific

• The Climate Check: Journalism Against Disinformation

• The Toxic Ten and Climate Capture: How Anti-Science Conspiracists and Lobbyists Subvert Public Perceptions and Policies Across Africa

• Tras los Desinformadores del Clima

Subject to final administrative review by UNESCO.