Background: Continued global warming threatens the existence of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change through easier access to funding and country ownership of financing decisions. However, research reveals that climate adaptation efforts often are inadequate and fail to meet the unique adaptation needs of SIDS.Aim: This study aims to challenge current climate adaptation practices in SIDS, by proposing an Actor-Oriented approach to evaluating the effectiveness of climate adaptation projects. The concept of agency is central to this approach, highlighting the importance of local stakeholders' active participation, perspectives, and decision-making power in the design and implementation of climate adaptation projects.Methods: A case study of the GCF FP007 project in the Maldives. Based on reports from the UNDP, GCF, and the Maldivian Ministry of Environment, it assessed the extent to which the FP007 project can be considered effective.Findings: Our evaluation of the FP007 project reveals significant limitations in its effectiveness from an Actor-Oriented perspective. The project did not adequately address local stakeholder priorities, relied heavily on foreign consultants, and maintained a top-down approach, limiting local agency. Additionally, the project’s organizational structure and normative evaluation methods perpetuated external superiority and failed to fully incorporate and value local perspectives.