Developing National GEF Strategies and Setting Priorities: Ethiopia's Experience By: Shimelis Fekadu Head, Planning Department and GEF-OFP Coordinator, EPA, ETHIOPIA

Introduction Ethiopia: a glance National policies and action plans guiding GEF operation Efforts towards setting national GEF priorities Major achievements Major challenges Lessons to be shared

Ethiopia: a glance Ethiopia twice the size of France Hosts most sub-Saharan Africans after Nigeria Represents one of the oldest African civilizations Has its own calendar: Ethiopia celebrates Millennium in September 2007, also declared African Millennium by AU

Ethiopia: a glance Water tower for North Eastern Africa, supplying water for millions of brothers and sisters across the border Ecologically diverse, hosts two of the world’s biodiversity hotspots Very important center of origin and diversity for world’s most important crops Endowed with environmental resources, yet development challenged by anthropogenic environmental degradation

National Policies and Action Plans Guiding GEF Operation Environment Policy of Ethiopia and Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia Plan for Accelerated Sustainable Development National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan National Action Plan to Combat Desertification National Communication to UNFCCC and NAPA POP/NIP Other sector strategies

Legislative Basis to Implement GEF Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia recognizes right to clean and healthy environment According to constitution, environmental agreements ratified by Ethiopia are integral part of the law of the land Other environmental laws: EIA, pollution control, environmental organs establishment proclamations

Efforts Towards Setting National GEF Priorities National consultations: General GEF awareness workshop, 2001 GEF National Country Dialogue Workshop, 2003 (GO, NGO, academia, private sector, donors) Biannual project review and round table meetings for ongoing projects GEF project planning training workshops for interested national stakeholders (universities, convention focal points, regional and federal government agencies), 2007

Major Achievements Awareness of what GEF strives for increased, thus GEF serves as flagship for sustainable development GEF proved to be single most dependable multilateral environmental financing mechanism in country About 15 project ideas generated by diverse stakeholders for planning under RAF Ethiopia participates in GEF Small Grants Programme Various national and regional GEF projects are being implemented Communication with the GEF Sec highly enhanced Root cause for the GEF project under-delivery has been assessed

Major Challenges Non responsiveness and little support from IAs and ExAs Perception of GEF accessibility led to less motivated actors Limitations in project delivery due to various concurrent forces Absence of joint project monitoring and evaluation between FP and IAs/ExAs Competition rather than collaboration among government agencies

Lessons to be shared Importance of national defined niche for GEF intervention in line with GEF strategic objectives Realization that completely different approach can be thought of e.g., country GEF Biodiversity Programme, etc. Most projects address multiple focal areas, thus synergy may yield better result National hub for GEF IA/ExA - dealing with so many agencies and almost yielding nothing

Lessons to be shared Depending on country allocation, possibility of establishing autonomous GEF project support office under the GEF OFP Minimizes overhead cost Solves multiple incentive related claims