1. Fourth Overall Performance Study
Interim Report
June 21, 2009

2. Interim report: overview
The GEF in a changing world
The catalytic nature of the GEF
Progress toward Impact: from Hypothesis to Evidence
Programming Resources: the Challenge of Addressing Global and Transboundary Issues at the National Level
Toward Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
The GEF as a learning organization
The Nature of the GEF: at a Crossroads?

3. Interaction with NGOs and CSOs
Active engagement with NGOs and CSOs mainly through sub-regional consultations
Last one to take place with CSO and NGO representatives in Accra July 9-10
Representatives selected in collaboration with NGO Network and SGP
But also: NGO and CSO reports
Issues that were raised consistently:
Access of CSOs to GEF funding is becoming increasingly difficult
Effects of the RAF?
GEF could better incorporate sustainable development needs of local communities
Lack of transparency in national operational focal point mechanism
Involvement in monitoring & evaluation at project level
GEF not well known
Insufficient attention to capturing and disseminating lessons
Need to strengthen the NGO network

4. The GEF in a changing world
Climate Change is more rapid than expected; cost for mitigation and adaptation very high
International public funding for environment and related issues has gone down since 1997 – new funds not yet visible on the ground
GEF funding has gone down as percentage of overall ODA
Fragmentation and lack of coordination in international environmental governance structure
International financial crisis is complicating factor

5. Catalytic nature of GEF
Three categories approach:
“Foundational” and enabling activities focus on policy, regulatory frameworks, and national priority setting and relevant capacity;
Medium-size and full-size projects and the Small Grants Programme focus on demonstration, capacity development, innovation, and market barrier removal
Full-size projects with high rates of cofunding, catalyzing investments or implementing a new strategic approach at a national level.

6. Progress toward Impact
Solid progress toward impact in all three categories
Climate Change:
Approximately 60 percent of the projects reviewed already show impacts at project termination through reduced and avoided GHG emissions.
Biodiversity:
10-15 of projects show impact – but impact takes years to achieve – and 60% of projects are progressing toward impact
International Waters:
Solid achievements, especially in threat reduction
Ozone Depleting Substances:
Production stopped; use slowly re-emerging due to illegal trade
Other focal areas: no impact yet

7. Ability to deliver? Perception is linked to the preparatory phase
Reform processes have not yet led to visible improvements at the country level
The final report of OPS4 will aim to provide insight in causes and possible solutions
While further improvements in the programming phase are necessary, the final report will also look at whether the current funding levels of the GEF are sufficient for the kind of support that the GEF is supposed to make available according to guidance of the conventions and its catalytic and incremental role
Current evidence suggests that funding levels are not adequate.

8. According to guidance?
GEF support continues to be in line with guidance from the conventions, where applicable, as noted in OPS3
No evidence that the increasing emphasis on national programming in the GEF leads to reduced attention for global environmental issues
Through becoming signatories to a convention, countries are required to bring their national policies in line with convention obligations.
Evidence so far suggests that countries have used GEF support to introduce new policies and to support the requisite environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks.

9. Three issues
Tackling transboundary problems in the context of national programming will be a challenge for GEF-5
GEF as learning organization has many advantages, but needs to improve learning across agencies and countries
Evaluative evidence so far suggests that the GEF needs to solve the tension in its network relationships to become a smooth and efficient operator, especially in identifying project ideas, programming of national support, and appraisal and approval.

10. Governance
On the governance of the GEF the final OPS4 report will contain an assessment of the current structure and the role of its various components
On the replenishment process, current best practice in several recent replenishments has been to involve recipient countries as members of the process
The 15th replenishment of the International Development Association included nine borrower country members
The interim report recommends that recipient countries of the GEF should be included in the replenishment process

11. Suggestions, comments, issues, questions?
THANKS