1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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
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.

7. GEF CSO Network Strategic Plan 2015 - 2022
Highlights Network vision and targets in the GEF 6 and GEF 7 periods (between )
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.

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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