OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR ENGAGEMENT OF CIVIL
SOCIETY IN GEF PROJECTS AND
PROGRAMMES
presented by
Faizal Parish Regional/Central Focal
Point
GEF NGO Network
GEF and Civil Society
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Civil society as key stakeholders in the work of
GEF
GEF Public Participation Policy
GEF decisions on GEF and Civil Society
Options for engagement of Civil Society in
projects in South and East Asia
Key concerns of CSOs in this meeting
Proposed next steps
GEF NGO Network
Many indigenous cultures and local communities
depend on natural resources
Environmental Degradation has major local
and global impacts
Civil society as key stakeholders
in the work of GEF
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Important stewards of natural resources and
environment
Direct beneficiaries from sound environmental
management
Directly impacted by poor environmental
management
Can provide major contributions to safeguarding
global environmental benefits and ensuring
sustainability of GEF programmes.
Civil Society should thus be a main partner for
effective implementation and long term
sustainability of GEFs work
GEF Public participation Policy
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Adopted by GEF in 1996
Effective public involvement is critical to the
success of GEF-financed projects.
When done appropriately, public involvement
improves the performance and impact of
projects by:
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Enhancing recipient country ownership of, and accountability for,
project outcomes
Addressing the social and economic needs of affected people
Building partnerships among project executing agencies and
stakeholders
Making use of skills, experiences, and knowledge, in particular,
of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community and local
groups, and the private sector in the design, implementation,
and evaluation of project activities
GEF Public participation Policy
Key principles
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Projects should, as appropriate, address the social,
cultural, and economic needs of people affected by
GEF-financed projects.
Responsibility for assuring public involvement rests
within the country, supported by the GEF
Implementing Agencies
Public involvement activities will be conducted in a
transparent and open manner.
All GEF-financed projects should have full
documentation of public involvement activities.
There should be transparency in the preparation,
conduct, reporting, and evaluation of public involvement
activities in all projects.
The GEF Agencies will
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support countries in:
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involving stakeholders at the earliest phase of project
identification and throughout design, implementation, and
evaluation.
providing relevant, timely, and accessible information to
as many stakeholders as possible;
provide the financial and technical assistance necessary for
recipient governments and project executing agencies to ensure
effective public involvement.
facilitating broad as well as project-specific consultations,
especially at the local or sub-national levels; and
promoting the participation of stakeholder groups
throughout the project cycle. This promotion includes awareness
raising and capacity strengthening activities.
Develop guidelines for public involvement in their own GEFfinanced projects
Enhancing engagement of CSOs
in GEF 5 (Approved November 2010)
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CSOs invited to National dialogues and national
portfolio identification exercises to propose ideas
for potential projects or programmes.
CSOs invited for Extended Constituency
Meetings
CSOs to be consulted in development of Project
Concept (PIF)
PIF to identify engagement of CSOs and
proposed role
Project Document to include stakeholder
engagement plan.
Further steps being considered
to enhance engagement
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Developing policy framework for GEF and
indigenous peoples
Enhancing implementation of the GEF
Public involvement Policy
Capacity Building for Civil Society to
enhance their engagement
Monitoring and enhancing CSO access to
GEF resources
Options for engagement of CSOs in
projects in South and East Asia
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Project implementers (SGP, MSP, FSP)
Project partners or service providers
Project advisers/steering committee
members
Project target groups
Facilitating engagement of indigenous and
local communities
Monitoring and enhancing CSO access to
GEF resources
Areas of CSO action in Region
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Public Awareness and participation
Technical guidance and training
Community participation
Sustainable livelihoods
Environmental education
Recycling/waste management
River and forest rehabilitation
Renewable energy
Protected area management
Key concerns by CSOs in this
meeting
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Recent reductions in funding for CSO-led projects
Historically little strategic involvement of CSOs in the development
of country plans and projects.
GEF Public Participation policy needs to be fully implemented in this
region - In particular –
 Engagement of CSOs in national consultation and Portfolio
development processes.
 Development of clear guidelines for Civil society engagement –
generic and country specific
 Effective participation of civil society in project development and
formulation.
 Special Policy/mechanisms for engagement of indigenous
communities
 Enhanced consideration of Gender and social issues
Proposed next steps
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Strengthening of networking and collaboration among CSOs in
the region – at regional and country level
Building of capacity of CSOs in region to work effectively with
GEF
Development of guidelines for enhanced CSO engagement in
project and programme development.
Meetings in each country between CSOs and the GEF
Operational focal point (agreed by GEF Council Nov 2010).
CSOs to work in partnership with OFPs to develop options for
CSO engagement in projects and programmes.
Documentation and monitoring of level of CSO engagement
Reporting on progress and constraints to annual regional ECW
meetings.
Written proposal to meeting tomorrow.
GEF NGO Network
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Established in 1995 to facilitate CSO input
to GEF Governance
More than 400 active members in 15
regions
Facilitate Civil society input to GEF policy
making and implementation.
Organise CS consultations and provide
input on each agenda item of GEF council
Monitor and build capacity at regional and
national level for CSO engagement in GEF
activities
GEF NGO Network
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Guidance to government focal points and
agencies on options for CSO engagement
in GEF programmes
Current Regional Focal points –
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South Asia – Foundation for Ecological
Security, India
South East Asia – Global Environment Centre,
Malaysia
NE Asia - under election
Details on www.gefngo.org