Multilateral Aid Review summary - Global Environment Facility (GEF)

As an independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, biodiversity, and persistent organic pollutants.

	comment
Contribution to UK development objectives	Satisfactory
	+	GEF is critical in the delivery of MDG7 and 100% of its funding supports the achievement of MDG7.
	+	GEFs new System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) supports the allocation of resources to those countries where support is most needed.
	+	Further reform measures are being implemented to strengthening the programmatic approach of GEF to improve its level of country ownership and country led approaches. Under GEF5, GEF is striving towards greater country level ownership and impact.
	+	GEF can demonstrate successful delivery of projects at the country against each of its stated objectives.
	_	GEF project cycle is slow (16 months is the average).
	_	Fragility and security are not specific thematic focal areas for the GEF. However, if requested (by a country) the GEF can work on these issues.
Organisational strengths	Satisfactory
	+	GEF sets indicators to ensure its implementing agencies achieve value for money and achieves a higher than average cost efficiency rating in comparison to similarly sized multilateral organisations.
	+	The GEF Secretariat is expanding partnership working to include recipient country national entities and is building their capacity to engage with the GEF.
	_	Some issues with the access to financing under the adaptation funds managed by the GEF.
	_	The GEF guidance on gender mainstreaming (inclusion of women and girls in projects) is not specific enough.
	+	GEF has in place an effective two stage Results Based System and Project Performance Matrix.
	+	All GEF allocations are decided upon by the GEF Council in an open and transparent manner.
	+	GEF publishes all project documentation and evaluations on its website.
Capacity for positive change	Likely
	+	GEF4 reform measures have been taken into account by management and implemented.
	+	GEF5 reform measures are on track, although there are challenges in rationalising the project cycle owing to the mode of operandi of the GEF.  However two of the GEF-5 reform measures are expected to reduce the project cycle by approximately 1/3rd