GEF
The Global Environment Facility
A Guide for NGOs
Authors: Stanley W. Burgiel, Sheldon Cohen
Copyright:© 1997 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged.
Acronyms
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CEO Chief Executive Officer
COP Conference of the Parties
FCCC Framework Convention on Climate Change
GEF Global Environment Facility
GHG Greenhouse Gas
IA Implementing Agency
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MSG Medium-Size Grant
NGO Nongovernmental Organisation
ODS Ozone-Depleting Substance
OP Operational Programme
OS Operation Strategy
PDF Project Preparation and Development Facility
SGP Small Grants Programme
STAP Scientific and Technical Advisory Board
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
Foreword
As an international funding mechanism approving hundreds of millions of dollars in grants each year, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) presents a tremendous opportunity to address some of the most urgent environmental problems threatening human prosperity and survival, including: global biodiversity loss, climate change, ozone depletion, and the degradation of the world's oceans and other international waters. The potential of the GEF is vast. However, much of this potential is yet to be realised. NGOs have cited various reasons for this: the cumbersome institutional structure of the GEF, the need for greater transparency and involvement of civil society at all stages of the GEF "project cycle," lack of progress in mainstreaming global environmental objectives into the overall lending portfolios of the GEF's Implementing Agencies, and the need for more effective monitoring and evaluation of GEF resources.
The GEF's immense potential and its problems have resulted in what seems to be an ambiguous relationship between the NGO community and the GEF. It is disturbing that in recent years, we have seen a gradual waning of NGO interest and involvement in the GEF process. Some of us are "burnt out" and have become sceptical about the GEF's ability to improve its operations. However, in assessing whether or how to be involved in the GEF process, the NGO community needs to consider such factors as:.The Global Environment Facility
• the GEF is probably here to stay and will likely continue to approve hundreds of millions of dollars in grants each year for projects related to issues we care deeply about;
• some recent developments, such as the opening of a medium-size grants (MSG) window and the expansion of the small grants programme (SGP) should create much greater opportunities for NGOs to access GEF funding; and
• NGOs have already demonstrated an ability to help catalyse improvements in the GEF (e.g., helping to create the MSG window, helping to shape the GEF Operational Strategy).
This NGO Guide is intended to help re-energise the interest of NGOs around the world in the GEF process, and to stimulate their involvement in such areas as: policy advocacy, evaluation and monitoring, and project implementation.
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