1. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop Fiji, July 2019
GEF Approaches ``
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
Fiji, July 2019

2. Stakeholder Gender Equality & Environmental & Engagement
Good afternoon. We have been talking about programming strategies and priorities for GEF-7, as well as operational matters. Now is time to talk about three inter-related and very important approaches that are required in any GEF-financed activity. These are the policies that entail inclusion, participation, transparency, equality and safeguards: the Policies on Stakeholder engagement, Gender Equality and environmental and social safeguards.
Photo: Maria Leihner
Photo: IISD
Stakeholder
Engagement
Gender Equality &
Women’s Empowerment
Environmental &
Social Safeguards

3. Why do we need a specific approach to Stakeholder Engagement?
Ask the audience: Who are the stakeholders in a program or project?- Why is it important to engage stakeholders?
Photo: Maria Leichner
Why do we need a specific approach to Stakeholder Engagement?

4. GEF ‘s Approach to Stakeholder Engagement
“full disclosure of all non-confidential information, and consultation with, and participation as appropriate of, major groups and local communities, throughout the project cycle.”
(Paragraph 5 of GEF Instrument)
Since its beginnings in the early 1990’s, the GEF has recognized that effective and meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential to its work and fundamental to the success of its efforts to help protect the global environment. In 1994, the GEF instrument included a very strong tenant regarding disclosure (transparency) and consultation and participation of all GEF projects.
The Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured GEF (1994) states in paragraph 5 that with respect to GEF-financed projects, GEF’s operational policies “shall provide for full disclosure of all non-confidential information, and consultation with, and participation as appropriate of, major groups and local communities, throughout the project cycle.”

5. GEF’s Evolving approach to Stakeholder Engagement
1994
Instrument- Disclosure and participation
1996
Policy on public involvement
2014
Guidelines to implement the principles of the 1996 Policy
2017
Policy on stakeholder engagement
In 1996, the GEF Council approved the Policy on Public Involvement in GEF Projects (1996). The principles stipulated are: Effective public involvement should enhance the social, environmental, and financial sustainability of projects and programs.
Responsibility for assuring public involvement rests within the country, normally with the government and project executing agency or agencies, with the support of the GEF Partner Agencies. Public involvement activities should be designed and implemented in a flexible manner, adapting and responding to recipient countries’ national and local conditions and to project requirements.
To be effective, public involvement activities should be broad-based and sustainable. GEF Partner Agencies will include in project budgets, as needed, the necessary financial and technical assistance to recipient governments and project executing agencies to ensure effective public involvement.
Public involvement activities will be carried out in a transparent and open manner. All GEF-financed projects and programs should have full documentation of public involvement.
Between 2014 and 2017, the GEF Secretariat with inputs from the CSO Network and the IEO evaluation on CSO participation, Established a multistakeholder Working Group and led a participatory process to review public involvement in the GEF. The Analysis concluded that the Policy was outdated, that in those 18 years the world had changed and that there was a need to reinforce the requirements for consultation, participation and engagement. The Working Group recommended to Council that the Policy be update. In Nov 2017, Council approved an Updated Policy on Stakeholder Engagement to reinforce and enhance stakeholder engagement in GEF’s work and operations, and to reflect the evolution of other GEF policies, principles and practices regarding stakeholder engagement, including among many GEF Agencies
Updated Policy: introduces a set of minimum requirements for Agencies’ policies, procedures and capabilities related to stakeholder engagement

6. Core Principles Objective
Updated Policy on Stakeholder Engagement
Objective
Promote the inclusive and meaningful participation of Stakeholders in GEF’s governance and operations in support of the GEF’s mandate to protect the global environment.
The Policy applies to GEF Agencies and the GEF Secretariat, but it’s important that all OFPs and Civil Society as well as other stakeholders are aware that the Policya exists, and that it has several mandatory requirements at each stage of the program and project that have to be complied with.
The intention of the Policy is encompassed by its principles:
Core Principles
Constructive, responsive, accountable and transparent
Fair, balanced, and inclusive participation
It applies to all GEF-financed activities
Sustained commitment and action, including allocation of resources
Supported by appropriate documentation and easy and timely access to information

7. Updated Policy on Stakeholder Engagement
Overview of Policy Requirements
Project and Program Cycle Requirements
PIF & PFD
CEO Endorsement
Reporting
Description of any consultations undertaken
Information on how will stakeholders be engaged and means of engagement throughout the project cycle
Provide Stakeholder Engagement Plan or equivalent documentation
PIRs, MTRs, TEs information on progress, challenges and outcomes of stakeholder engagement
The Policy sets out the core principles and mandatory requirements for stakeholder engagement in GEF governance and operations.
* Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Stakeholders who have been and will be engaged
means of engagement
dissemination of information
roles and responsibilities
resource requirements
timing of engagement

8. GEF Secretariat Responsibilities
Updated Policy on Stakeholder Engagement
Overview of GEF Secretariat’s Responsibilities
GEF Secretariat Responsibilities
Report to the Council
Assess if measures are adequate
Update and maintain templates
And…
Engage with stakeholders: transparent, inclusive manner aimed at fair representation
Appropriate stakeholder engagement in the development of GEF policies, guidelines and strategy
The GEF Secretariat has roles and responsibilities in terms of monitoring and reviewing the application of the Policy by GEF Agencies and on reporting to Council. Also, it has the responsibility to ensure that the policy is applied in all activities led by the GEF Sec.

9. Guidelines for the Implementation of the Policy
Guidelines provide guidance and information on how to implement the Policy, including best practices and useful tools that can be used to conduct meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout the GEF program and project cycles.
In December 2018, the Guidelines were approved.

10. for further information please contact
Stakeholder Engagement
for further information please contact
Pilar Barrera Rey
Senior Operations Officer, Partnerships
Partnerships Coordinator
For more information -

11. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
The GEF has long recognized gender equality as a cross-cutting priority that is integral to the GEF’s ability to achieve global environmental benefits
Gender Equality and
Women’s Empowerment
Photo: IISD

12. 43% 37 % 4 % 59 % Gender and the Environment Unequal access to land
Globally, 43% of agricultural laborers are women, but only 20% of land has female ownership
Compared to men, women
are more absent in decision making
have less access to and control over land and natural resources
have less access to markets, financing and credit
Source: FAO, 2015
EQUAL LAND RIGHTS: The law guarantees the same rights to own, use and control land to both women and men.
37 %
4 %
UNEQUAL LAND RIGHTS:
The law does not guarantee the same rights to own, use and control land to women and men, or women have no legal rights to own, use and control land.
LEGAL LAND RIGHTS ARE NOT FOLLOWED IN PRACTICE:
The law guarantees the same rights to own, use and control land to women and men, but there are some customary, traditional or religious practices that discriminate against women.
59 %
Unequal access to land
Women and men use natural resources in different ways. They also influence in different ways markets; policies; and global, regional, national, and local incentives and behaviors that impact the health of the global environment. As such, women are vital to tackling environmental challenges. Nevertheless, gender inequalities and gaps persist.

13. The GEF Gender Partnership
GEF’s Evolving Approach on Gender
Moving from a “do no harm” to a “do good” gender responsive approach
GEF Policy on Gender Mainstreaming
GEF Gender Action
Plan
GEF Policy on Gender Equality
2012
2014
2017
The GEF Gender Partnership
Gender Implementation Strategy
Guidance on addressing gender in GEF Projects and programs
Evolution of Approach –
The GEF’s efforts to address gender equality have been guided by several GEF policies and strategies. These include (i) the Policy on Public Involvement in GEF Projects8; (ii) the Policy on Gender Mainstreaming; and (iii) the GEF 2020 Strategy; and (iv) the Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP).
The 2011 Policy on Gender Mainstreaming was approved in connection with the Council’s decision to pilot an expansion of the GEF Partnership.
The Policy aimed to ensure that Agencies have the systems in place to mainstream gender into their operations, including efforts to systematically analyze
and address the specific needs of both women and in GEF-financed projects and programs.
Drawing on the findings, conclusions and recommendations of IEO’s Evaluation of Gender Mainstreaming in the GEF, analysis carried out by the Secretariat, consultations with and input from Agencies and the multi-stakeholder, GEF Gender Partnership, as well as input received through public consultations, the proposed new Policy on Gender Equality translates into concrete policy requirements the GEF’s ambition to shift from a gender-aware, “do no
harm” approach to a “do good”, gender-responsive approach that seeks to seize opportunities to address gender inequalities and promote the empowerment of women. The Policy specifies gender-responsive actions, from design to implementation; and monitoring and evaluation to ensure that GEF programs and projects are not only designed with a good understanding of relevant gender differences, roles and needs, but also that they actively pursue activities that contribute to equal access to and control over resources and decision making while empowering women and girls.
Improvements in project design
Focus on analyses and learning

14. GEF’s Policy on Gender Equality
Responds to the increased attention to gender equality and women’s empowerment by the MEAs that the GEF serves
Recognizes that efforts to combat environmental degradation and those to address gender inequality can be mutually supportive
Aims to catalyze projects that have the potential to materialize greater environmental impact through gender-responsive approaches and results
Seeks to ensure equal opportunities for women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit from GEF-Financed Activities
Outlines clear GEF project and program cycle requirements

15. Gender-responsive project identification and development
Project Implementation and Monitoring
PIF/PFD Submission
Terminal Evaluations
CEO Endorsement Submission
Mid-term Reviews
Project Implementation Reports
PPG
Carry out an gender analysis
Identify gender-responsive actions
Define gender-sensitive indicators
Gender tagging: indicating expected gender result areas
Collect information on gender issues relevant to the project context
Carry out gender-responsive stakeholder consultations
Report on progress on gender responsive measures
Learning and adaptation
Report on progress on gender responsive measures, indicators, and intermediate results
Learning and adaptation
Evaluate and report on completed activities and results
Capture and share lessons learned and best practices

16. Additional Resources Open online Course on Gender and Environment
Do you want to find out why promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment can help deliver better environmental outcome, and to figure out how you can do it?
The course will give you facts and figures and the knowledge and tools to mainstream gender, and to be an effective change-maker for sustainable development.
It is a “one-stop-shop” for information on gender dimensions linked to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste.

17. for further information please contact:
Gender Equality
for further information please contact:
Gabriella Richardson Temm
GEF Senior Specialist and Lead on Gender and Social Issues

18. Environmental and Social Safeguards
The term “Environmental and Social Safeguards (or Standards)” is used by development institutions, international treaties and agencies to refer to policies, standards and operational procedures designed to first identify and then try to avoid, mitigate and minimize adverse environmental and social impacts that may arise in the implementation of development projects.
ESS also have a pro-active dimension to try to increase chances that development projects deliver better outcomes for people and the environment.
Environmental and Social Safeguards

19. ESS Policy aims to:
ensure that GEF projects and programs systematically identify and address any environmental and social risks and potential impacts
The GEF was established to support
“the protection of the global environment and promote thereby environmentally sound and sustainable economic development” [providing for] “consultation with, and participation [of] major groups and local communities”
(Instrument for the Establishment of the
Restructured Global Environment Facility)
In accordance with the purpose of the GEF and relevant provisions of the Instrument, GEF’s E&S Safeguards Policy sets out the GEF’s approach to anticipating, and then avoiding, preventing, minimizing, mitigating, managing, offsetting or compensating any adverse impacts that GEF financed projects and programs may have on people or the environment throughout the project or program cycle - thereby enhancing the environmental and social outcomes of such projects and programs
In addition to this Policy, the GEF’s approach to identifying and addressing relevant Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts is supported by the Policy on Stakeholder Engagement, the Policy on Gender Equality, and the Minimum Fiduciary Standards for GEF Partner Agencies.

20. evolution of the policy
Accreditation pilot
ESS policy approved
Assessment of Agencies
Accreditation pilot completed
IEO review of ESS policy and IP engagement
GEFSEC plan to review and update the E&S policy approved
Updated policy approved by Council
by June 2019: guidelines
by Nov 2019: assessment of Agencies
2010
2011
2015
2017
2018
Approach paper
Stocktaking/gap assessment
Consultations on draft policy
Agencies in compliance with GEF ESS standards
The Council approved a Provisional Policy on Environmental and Social Safeguard Standards in May 2011, in connection with its decision to pilot an expansion of the GEF Partnership. This policy was introduced with a view to ensuring that all Agencies that implement GEF-financed activities – including any new Agencies accredited as part of the pilot to broaden the Partnership – have robust systems in place to avoid, minimize and mitigate any potentially adverse environmental and social impacts.
In 2017, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) presented the findings, conclusions and recommendations of its Review of the GEF Policy on Agency Minimum Standards on Environmental and Social Safeguards. The review found that: (a) GEF Safeguards have served as a catalyst among many Agencies to strengthen existing safeguard policies and, in a number of cases, adopt comprehensive safeguard policy frameworks. (b) Unlike some peer institutions, the GEF does not have requirements in place for monitoring and reporting on safeguards implementation. (c) A high-level comparison of the GEF’s policy with more recently adopted frameworks (incl World Bank) suggests that there are several, possible gaps and/or areas that could merit greater emphasis, including: climate and disaster risks; community health, safety and security; disability inclusion, disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals and groups;cultural heritage; and labor and working conditions.
In light of the above findings, IEO recommended that the GEF’s minimum standards on environmental and social safeguards be reviewed to fill critical gaps while avoiding an excessive burden on Agencies. The review further recommended that safeguards monitoring and reporting be improved at the project and portfolio levels, and that capacity development and knowledge sharing be strengthened to enable a more effective dissemination of safeguards related expertise and experience across the GEF Partnership.
Review of the GEF's Engagement with Indigenous Peoples recommended that the GEF update relevant policies and guidelines to reflect best practice standards concerning indigenous peoples. Specifically, it recommended that attention be given to “the right to self- determination and to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) as they pertain to consultations with indigenous peoples concerning GEF projects
The new Policy taked into account the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the IEO reviews, the additional analysis carried out by the Secretariat in collaboration with the multi-stakeholder Working Group, as well as the input provided by stakeholders

21. the GEF’s approach at a glance
agency minimum standards
portfolio monitoring and reporting
projects and programs
the GEF’s approach at a glance
The proposed policy includes
new requirements for the documentation of and reporting on environmental and social risks and impacts, and their management, throughout the GEF project and program cycle. These requirements are intended to enhance the flow of information on safeguards implementation across GEF-financed projects and programs.
Role for the Secretariat to review projects and programs for the availability, clarity and completeness of the information requested at the various stages od the project cycle, and the monitoring of and reporting on safeguards implementation at the portfolio level
Expanded and strengthened standards in line good international practices ( and recommendations of the IEO)
Provisions related to the GEF conflict Resolution Commissioner.
GEF Conflict Resolution Commissioner

22. minimum standards for GEF Agencies
1: Environmental and Social Assessment, Management and Monitoring
2: Accountability, Grievance and Conflict Resolution
3: Biodiversity Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
4: Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement
5: Indigenous Peoples
6: Cultural Heritage
7: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
8: Labor and Working Conditions
9: Community Health, Safety and Security
The news policy expands and sharpens the minimum standards in line with good international practice.
New areas addressed in the proposed policy include, labor and working conditions; community health, safety, and security; climate and disaster risks; disability inclusion; disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups; adverse gender-related impacts, including gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse. The proposed policy also strengthens protections for the rights of indigenous peoples.

23. CEO Endorsement/ Approval
E&S safeguards in the project cycle
indicative information on E&S risks and potential impacts; and any measures to address such risks and impacts
PIF/PFD
additional information on E&S risks and impacts, and measures to address these, including any environmental and social assessments carried out, and any Environmental and Social Management Plans or the equivalent
CEO Endorsement/ Approval
information on the implementation of relevant environmental and social management measures at project mid-term, if applicable, and at project completion
post-approval
+ annual reporting by Agencies on cases reported to their accountability, grievance and conflict resolution mechanisms in connection with GEF projects or programs

24. next steps assessment of Agency compliance
capture of data and information through GEF Portal
sharing knowledge
For each of the three policies, if an Agency does not meet one or more of the minimum standards, the Agency, in consultation with the Secretariat, develops a concrete, time-bound action plan to achieve compliance. The Secretariat, on behalf of the Agency, submits the action plan for review and approval by the Council. The Council decides whether the Agency may continue to seek GEF financing while it implements the time-bound action plan.
Finally, once an Agency has been found to meet all Minimum Standards, the Agency and the Secretariat carry out periodic reporting and monitoring of compliance using the modalities set out in the Policy on Monitoring Agencies’ Compliance.
ME/PL/02 (
In line with that policy, as well as the previously-approved policies on gender equality and stakeholder engagement, the Secretariat is requested to facilitate an assessment of Agencies’ compliance with the minimum standards and requirements contained in these three policies, to be presented for Council review and decision no later than December 31, 2019.