The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has, from its inception in 1991, valued the perspectives and contributions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Accordingly, the relationship between the GEF Council, the GEF Secretariat and grass roots civil society organizations (CSOs) has regularly been critically examined and evaluated.

Clearly, from the earliest days of the GEF, input from CSOs was desired, sought and perceived as an important part of governance and the decision making process. Discussions about specific ways of including views of civil society centered on creating, financing, organizing and managing the most appropriate and most effective channels and procedures for funneling information both to and from civil society into the GEF Council, Assembly and the work of various affiliated agencies and conventions.

After discussions, reviews and policy papers in the period of 1991- 1995, the GEF’s policy paper of June 1996, “Public Involvement in GEF-Financed projects” further solidified the CSO’s role in GEF activities. GEF, together with numerous organizations, united to bring about the formal creation of the GEF NGO Network in 2001, made up of GEF-accredited civil society organizations.

These organizations comprising the GEF NGO Network work in the fields of environment and sustainable development in a manner that is aligned with the GEF mandate. The Network was structured by developing “By-Laws for the Board of the GEF-NGO Network”. The main aim of these guidelines was to establish and clarify the roles and responsibilities of different governing bodies of the Network---i.e. the Coordination Committee, Regional Focal Points (RFPs) and the Central Focal Point (CFP)---and make more probable a more effective contribution by the Network.

The role of the Network, in general, is seen as the embodiment of an active partnership for developing policy documents, disseminating information about the GEF mission, objectives and activities to, and receiving information about issues and concerns from, civil society organizations at the grassroots, regional, national and international levels. Those issues and concerns are then transmitted to the governing bodies of the GEF.

The core structure of the Network is comprised of 16 Regional Focal Points (RFPs) representing the membership, and a Central Focal Point (CFP), elected from the ranks of the RFPs, who coordinates the activities of the Network, and a Network Coordination Committee, which through meetings and workings of its subcommittees, facilitates activities and input from member organizations. For more info please visit www.gefngo.org

Regular, semiannual and ad hoc consultative meetings and discussions are organized and held between civil society representatives and GEFSEC and the Council before every Council meeting. These opportunities for constructive dialogue often result in significant and positive contributions into the development process of global environmental policies and projects.

Accreditation

In line with the decision of the GEF Council decision Enhancing Civil Society Engagement and Partnership with the GEF, the accreditation for civil society organizations to the GEF has been replaced by membership in the GEF NGO Network www.gefngo.org.

The Network currently has 400 members from all regions around the world and is inviting civil society organizations that work in GEF funded areas and projects to apply for membership in the GEF NGO Network. Being a member will allow you to contribute towards better policies, programs and projects that are funded by the GEF and share ideas and experiences openly with a global network of civil society organizations.
 

• List of Accredited NGOs

For all questions related to GEF relations with CSOs please write to Mr.Danielius Pivoriunas at: gefcivilsociety@thegef.org.

Major groups of Civil Society

As early as 1991, GEF recognized the value of having civil society contribute to GEF processes and included civil society in the GEF governance. In its policy paper June 1996, “Public Involvement in GEF-Financed projects” it was noted that effective public involvement at all levels of the GEF is critical to its success, as the skills, experiences, and knowledge of the civil society community play a key role in the development of GEF policies and practices, in the formulation and implementation of sustainable GEF projects, and in the maintenance of partnerships with key stakeholders.

Public involvement is also essential for strengthening a sense of country and local ownership in the GEF projects.

The policy calls for public involvement to consist of three related, and often overlapping, processes:

1. Information dissemination: the availability and distribution of timely and relevant information on GEF-financed projects;
2. Consultation: the sharing of information among governments, GEF agencies and other stakeholders; and
3. Stakeholder participation: the collaborative engagement, as appropriate, of stakeholders in the identification of project concepts and objectives, the selection of sites, the design and implementation of activities, and the monitoring and evaluation of projects.

The original intent of organizing interaction with civil society was to involve constituencies not previously represented within the GEF, similar to the involvement in the United Nations of the UN Major Groups, as defined in Agenda 21, which include NGOs, indigenous peoples, business and industry, women, children and youth, local authorities, workers and trade unions, scientific and technological communities, and farmers.

In 2008, the Council adopted a new policy for relations with civil society community. It redefined priorities by seeking closer cooperation and partnerships to protect the global environment and to ensure sustainable preservation and balanced development of our landscapes, seas, climate, biodiversity, forests and lands.

The Council also foresaw stronger linkages with different focus groups of civil society, i.e. the scientific and technological community, business and industry, local authorities, women and others. Contributions to the GEF from civil society community always augment and enhance the activities of the GEF, in synergistic and dynamic ways.