Relationships between the GEF and its recipient countries have greatly evolved over time.

Since 2006, consolidating the relationships between the GEF and its recipient countries has become a priority for the Secretariat, in accordance with the vision of the GEF's CEO Monique Barbut and the initial implementation of the Resources Allocation Framework (RAF) that illustrated the need for more direct and frequent communication with the countries.

 

 

 

In order to encourage and facilitate a closer relation between the Secretariat and the countries, the External Affairs team counts on Country Relation Officers, whose role it is to collaborate with governments on GEF issues, including country programming and RAF implementation, to lead GEF country dialogue workshops, and represent the GEF in country consultations.

 

The Secretariat has strengthened several aspects of its country relations function, providing countries with direct access to data for programming discussions. Since December 2007, the Country Profile Web page has provided data on all countries, allowing access to the status and full details of all approved projects in any country.

 

In the password-restricted area, Country Focal Points can access all data on project concepts under consideration. In the future, the fully upgraded management information system will provide real-time information regarding availability of resources and more data on the status of proposals to recipient countries.

 

The effort to strengthen communication has been supported and amplified by activities under the different GEF corporate programs such as the National Dialogue Initiative (NDI), Country Support Program (CSP), Council Member Support Program (CMSP), and the Conflict Resolution Framework.

 

 

 

The NDI is one of the activities of the GEF corporate programs and it is managed by UNDP. The NDI provides a forum for consultations on global environmental management and national sustainable development issues in GEF recipient countries.

 

It also provides an opportunity for GEF partners to dialogue with key stakeholders representing a wide range of national and local interests and areas of expertise. At the country level, each National Dialogue is managed as a collaborative effort involving the national GEF Focal Points, the GEF Secretariat, and the GEF Agencies.

 

Following the guidance provided in decision 7/CP.13, the GEF has taken multiple steps to continue the enhancement of the NDI. During GEF-4 ,the NDI has made an important shift in responding to new country opportunities and challenges associated with the RAF.

 

Under the guidance of the Inter-agency Steering Committee, National Dialogues set as their aim, starting November 2007, a responsive, strategic, timely, and flexible delivery tailored to country needs in line with the opportunities and challenges of GEF-4.

 

National Dialogues have continued to complement the three components of the Country Support Program: the online Knowledge Facility; Direct Support Funding; and Subregional Workshops for GEF focal points – by sharing the goal of supporting GEF focal points and other stakeholders to enhance and strengthen their engagement with the GEF.

 

 

 

The subregional workshops for Focal Points provide them an opportunity to meet with their counterparts from other countries in the region, and for GEF Partners to discuss and review policies and procedures to share lessons and experiences from development and implementation of GEF projects,  and to discuss their integration in national policy frameworks.

 

The design and content of the subregional workshops are based on the evolving needs and requests expressed by GEF Focal Points during earlier GEF consultation workshops. Highlights include presentations and discussions of the implementation of policies and strategies approved by the GEF Council in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Topics include: Focal Area and Cross-cutting Strategies, Agency Comparative Advantages, SGP Evaluation, and the revised Project Cycle and Format.

 

In 2008 and 2009, workshop topics included updates on the RAF, Fourth Overall Performance Study of the GEF (OPS4), GEF Focal Area strategies and Adaptation Funds, knowledge management and monitoring tools and resources available to Focal Points, constituency coordination, lessons and good practices, and civil society participation in the GEF and Small Grants Programme.

 

Of great importance is the provision for rich peer-to-peer exchange of experience and knowledge in national and regional GEF project formulation, implementation, and monitoring; national GEF coordination; integration of the GEF ino national plans and priorities; and priority setting for national RAF allocations. To obtain more detailed information on the individual National Dialogues and subregional workshops, please see the GEF Country Support Web site.

 

 

 

The Council approved the new four-year phase of the CMSP in June 2005. This new program was developed in response to the evaluation of the first Focal Point Support Program, as well as to the recommendations of the three GEF Overall Performance Studies and the Third Replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund. The CMSP provides financial assistance to Council Members to facilitate communication between them and constituency members.

 

Council Members can hold up to two constituency meetings per year to enhance coordination, cooperation, and communication. The program provides financial and logistical support, including travel arrangements, hotels, and daily subsistence allowance. During 2009–10, the CMSP will continue its support to eligible recipient countries. This implies that up to 32 of these constituency meetings will be supported. To date, 38 constituency meetings have taken place with more than 328 participants.