Stakeholders, whether they come from the private/public sectors, non-profit or business world, collaboratively engage, as appropriate, in the identification of project concepts and objectives, selection of sites, design and implementation of activities, and monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Developing strategies for incorporating stakeholder participation throughout the project cycle is particularly necessary in projects which impact the incomes and livelihoods of local groups, especially disadvantaged populations in and around project sites (for example, indigenous communities, women, and poor households).

The need for public involvement - information dissemination, consultation, and stakeholder participation - is set forth explicitly in the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility (or Instrument).

As stated in the basic provisions of the Instrument, all GEF-financed projects will "provide for full disclosure of non-confidential information, and consultation with, and participation as appropriate of, major groups and local communities throughout the project cycle".

The Secretariat is "in consultation with the Implementing Agencies, [to] ensure the implementation of the operational policies adopted by the Council through the preparation of common guidelines on the project cycle. Such guidelines shall address project identification and development, including the proper and adequate review of project and work program proposals, consultation with and participation of local communities and other interested parties".

The Implementing Agencies also have their own policies, guidelines, and procedures on public involvement which are consistent with the above provisions.