GEF NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISMS: STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITY SETTING AND IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND RESULTS IN THE FIELD CAMEROON’S EXPERIENCE By: Justin NANTCHOU NGOKO GEF/Cameroon Operational Focal Point

PRESENTATION OUTLINE 1. BACKGROUND: Why and how Cameroon decided to undertake the coordination and priority-setting process 2. Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms, elaborate strategies, determine national priorities and improve the communications system and results in the field terrain 3. Main actors and agencies involved in the GEF coordination process 4. Impact of the process on Cameroon’s contribution within GEF 5. Challenges/difficulties encountered and solutions found 6. Main lessons learnt and outlook

1. BACKGROUND:  Scattered activities/conflicts between actors and limited impacts on the ground  Current GEF reforms (RAF): need for results on the ground; need for better organization to avoid waste of time and available resources  GEF Awareness-raising to enhance support to GEF Focal Points in their coordination roles

2. Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms …  National information and training workshop on GEF mechanisms  Identification of key stakeholders based on principles and selection criteria in relation with roles to be played

2. Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms … (cont’d)  Creation of National GEF Committee by ministerial order: composition, missions and relations with GEF Focal Points  Compilation of telephone and address directory  Elaboration of activity monitoring plan

3. Main actors and agencies involved: composition and roles  Public sector: Government ministries, Universities and Research Institutions, Convention Focal Points (biodiversity, climate change, desertification, POPs, NEPAD, etc.). Coordinate process, initiate projects, technical support, mobilization of projects’ counterpart contributions  Private sector and civil society : initiate projects in relation with local communities, support cofinancing mobilization and project implementation

3. Main actors and agencies involved: composition and roles (cont’d)  GEF Implementing Agents : Technical expertise and support for cofinancing mobilization  Occasionally, Subregional Organizations: e.g. COMIFAC

4. Impact of the process on Cameroon’s contribution within GEF  Visibility of activities on the ground and enhanced synergy between actors  Strengthened motivation and dynamism of actors on the ground and improved contribution to GEF work programme  Participatory approach to priority- identification processus within the RAF

5. Challenges/Difficulties encountered, and solutions found 5.1. Challenges/Difficulties encountered  Limited confidence on the ground: GEF procedures  Difficulties in understanding the RAF and meeting the deadlines for submitting the list of project concepts  Disproportion between CSP funds and the scope of GEF-OFPs’ tasks to be carried out on the ground

5.1. Challenges/Difficulties encountered (cont’d)  Stakeholders’ allowances and media motivation  Conflicts between Implementing Agents’ procedures and GEF procedures on the ground  GEF/OFP under threat of being removed at any time without valid reasons

5.2. Solutions found and envisioned  Awareness-raising of stakeholders on their personal interest in the process  Suggestion to GEF regarding production of simple guide to project elaboration in RAF thematic areas  Suggestion to GEF regarding enhanced support to GEF/OFPs commensurate with their missions: ongoing training to RAF, operating funds, etc.

5.2. Solutions found and envisioned (cont’d)  Consideration being given to possible budget allocation for GEF activities  Suggestions to GEF regarding actions to increase stability of the GEF FP institution: requiring set duration of FP mandate, ensuring permanence and sustainability of actions on the ground

6. Main lessons learnt and outlook 6.1. Main lessons learnt  An enduring process requiring consistency and perseverance  A place to share experiences and identify real problems as well as sometimes unhoped-for solutions  Facilitation of ownership of initiatives and priorities  Facilitation of ownership of initiatives and priorities

6.2. Outlook  Building stakeholders’ capacities: RAF/Small Grant Projects  Participation of the GEF/OFP in a Radio/TV broadcast programme  Creation of collaborative platform with some media outlets such as Radio Environnement (Radio) et Canal 2 International (TV)

6.2. Outlook (cont’d)  Continuation of consultations in connection with identification of Cameroon’s environmental priorities within the GEF Resource Allocation Framework (RAF)  Holding regular meetings of the National GEF Committee  Awareness-raising for local groups  Elaboration of a database of projects and on the ground monitoring activities (as allowed by our resources)

THE END THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION !!!