1 Civil Society and Public Participation in the GEF Bonizella Biagini NGO Coordinator Global Environment Facility

2 GEF Public Participation Policy: a work in progress Goal Goal to expand the role of civil society in all GEF activities and operations Objective Objective to improve the GEF’s overall performance through engagement of civil society representatives, including NGOs, local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders

3 Levels of Civil Society Participation in the GEF Global Environmental and Financial Governance Global Environmental and Financial Governance  Council, Assembly  Conventions (Biodiversity, Climate, POPs) Projects Projects

4 GEF Projects Full Size projects Full Size projects (Generally, but not exclusively, managed by governments) MSPs MSPs (up to $1 Million, can be submitted by NGOs) Small Grants Small Grants (Up to $50,000, managed by NGOs and local communities)

5 GEF’s Thematic Areas Biodiversity Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change International Waters International Waters Land Degradation Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Ozone Depletion (CEITs only)

6 The GEF/NGO Network Regional Representation Regional Representation One Central Focal Point One Central Focal Point 14 Regional Focal Points 14 Regional Focal Points

7 GEF/NGO Consultation Twice a year, prior to the Council Meeting Twice a year, prior to the Council Meeting Funds available for Developing Country NGOs (travel, accommodation, per diem) Funds available for Developing Country NGOs (travel, accommodation, per diem) Pre-Consultation Meeting Pre-Consultation Meeting GEF/NGO Consultation GEF/NGO Consultation GEF Council (GEF/NGOs as participants/observers) GEF Council (GEF/NGOs as participants/observers)

8 New Activities and Responsibilities for the GEF/NGO Network GEF/NGOs involved in all three levels of participation GEF/NGO’s expertise should reflect all focal areas GEF/NGO network Working Groups International NGOs NationalNGOsLocal/grassroots NGOs and communities NGOs responsibilities NetworkingCountryDialogWorkshops

9 Financial Support GEF-related issues in the international agenda GEF-related issues in the international agenda Funding Proposals for specific activities of the GEF/NGO network (GEF, bilateral, multilateral sources, private foundations) Funding Proposals for specific activities of the GEF/NGO network (GEF, bilateral, multilateral sources, private foundations) Full Size, MSPs and Small Grants Full Size, MSPs and Small Grants

10 GEF’s Responsibilities Facilitate NGO participation in: Facilitate NGO participation in:  GEF/NGO Consultation and Council Meetings  Conventions (CBD, Climate, POPs)  Projects  Country Dialog Workshops  Outreach Activities  Monitoring & Evaluation

11 GEF Public Participation Policy Rationale Rationale Effective public involvement is critical to the success of GEF- financed projects Definition Public involvement consists of information dissemination, consultation, and stakeholder participation

12 Information Dissemination Information Dissemination  Availability and distribution of timely and relevant information on GEF-financed projects Consultation Consultation  Information exchanges among the government, the Implementing Agency and other stakeholders Stakeholder Participation Stakeholder Participation  Identification of project concepts and objectives, selection of sites, design and implementation of activities, monitoring and evaluation of projects

13 Some statistics on NGO participation in GEF-funded projects:

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19 Thank you