Membership of the Network is open to CSOs worldwide. However, the majority of the Network's CSO members are from the global South where the Adaptation Fund implements its projects. Member CSOs engage in the Network's activities and act as the voice of the Network in their country and region. The Adaptation Fund CSO Network is open to any stakeholder from civil society that is interested in the Adaptation Fund and supports the vision, mission and objectives of the AF CSO Network.

The Network's CSO members include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), foundations, indigenous peoples, women and youth organisations, community-based organisations, social enterprises and associations, academic or research institutions, as well as other types of organisations from civil society. The geographic scope of member CSOs varies as well. While some focus on subnational adaptation activities in the field, others focus on national, regional and in some cases international adaptation policy processes. This large number and variety of CSO members ensures the global and bottom-up legitimacy for the Network's policy demands.