Understanding the GEF CSO Network and CSO evolving roles in GEF Presentation to CSO Meeting, Expanded Constituency Workshop 2019 15 February 2019 Christine Mbatuusa Programme Assistant - EMLI GEF CSO Network, RFP- Eastern Africa Global Environment Facility Civil Society Organizations Network www.gefcso.org

Contents Categorization of CSOs under United Nations Roles of CSOs What is the GEF CSO Network Case studies on CSO roles The Updated Vision to Enhance Civil Society Engagement with the GEF (2017) Limitations for CSO engagement Evolving roles of CSOs Recommendations

Categorization of CSOs in the UN Agenda 21 (1992) Women Children & Youth Workers & Trade Union Farmers NGOs Local Authorities Scientific & Technological Community Indigenous Peoples Business & Industry Government Rio+20 (2012) Other stakeholders were invited: local communities, volunteer groups and foundations, migrants and families, older persons and persons with disabilities Civil society is sometimes referred to as non-state actors © EMLI

The role of CSOs Civil society is sometimes referred to as “third sector” of society, along with government and business (UN). Society Policy Formulation Society dev’t Government Advocacy Watchdog role Information © EMLI

Indigenous peoples Focal Points The GEF CSO Network Governance Management 16 Regional Focal Points Central Africa Eastern Africa Northern Africa Souther n Africa Western Africa Pacific South Asia North East Asia South East Asia West Asia Caribbea n South America Mesoameric a North America East Europe and Central Asia Europe Coordination Committee Indigenous peoples Focal Points Africa Asia Latin America Chair & Vice - Chair SECRETARIAT Sub-Committees Governance, Membership & Elections Outreach, Communication & Capacity Strategy & Planning Technical

Membership to GEF CSO Network Open to all non profit CSOs working in the focal areas of GEF Application web based with submission of basic information through www.gefcso.org Membership is equivalent to accreditation to GEF – for participation in GEF related meetings Some of the Achievements Contributed to enhancing civil society engagement in GEF policy making Completed the review of the implementation of the GEF Public Involvement Policy, which gave input to the development of the new Guidelines by GEF. Contributed actively to GEF 7 Focal Area Strategies and Replenishment.

GEF CSO Network Strategic Plan 2015 - 2022 Highlights Network vision and targets in the GEF 6 and GEF 7 periods (between 2015-2022) The strategic plan is hinged on the objectives: To enhance the role of civil society in safeguarding the global environment; To promote effective engagement of civil society in GEF operations; To strengthen the capacity of the Network and CSO members to participate in GEF-related activities.

CSO Roles in the GEF Family Under the Updated Vision to Enhance Civil Society Engagement with the GEF (2017)

Limitations for CSOs engagement Reduced budget for country support program & cross-cutting capacity building in GEF 7 yet capacity building is a continuous process that equips CSOs through knowledge and understanding for effective engagement with GEF Lack of support for effective regional stakeholder engagements i.e. face to face meetings of regional representatives (RFPs) with Network members to seek input to inform Council Meeting, currently done remotely via online with few inputs. Limited in-country action within CSOs and between CSOs and GEF Agencies Limited engagement with private sector in enhancing environmental sustainability

The Evolving roles of CSOs Facilitators Conveners Advocates Innovators Service providers Public awareness, resource mobilisation Implementation of projects/programmes in key sectors Networks & Dialogues Value chain dev’,t & incubation of ideas Policy, Legal & fiscal reforms lobbying

Recommendations GEFSEC may consider supporting regional CSO workshops alongside the regular Constituency Meetings to enable strengthen relations between CSOs, RFPs, Council Members and Country Focal Points. This will also enable effective regional consultations prior to Meetings of Council and improve accountability Increase the participation of CSOs in Expanded Constituency Meetings (ECWs) by supporting 4 representatives per country (women, Indigenous peoples, youth and NGO) Support a special initiative for CSO-Private Sector – Government dialogues in East Africa to promote responsible business Revitalize the operations of the NGO voluntary fund to support GEF CSO Network activities so that the Network implement its commitments under the Updated Vision to enhance civil society engagement with the GEF