Global Environment Facility
World's largest multilateral environmental fund providing grants for biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, chemicals, and international waters projects in developing countries.
Overview
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the world's largest multilateral fund for the global environment, established in 1991 and serving as the financial mechanism for five major UN environmental conventions: CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, Stockholm Convention, and Minamata Convention. GEF provides grants for projects addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, persistent organic pollutants, mercury, and sustainable management of international waters in developing countries. Funding is managed through 18 GEF Agencies (UN organisations, development banks, and NGOs) which submit projects on behalf of countries. The GEF Small Grants Programme directly supports community and civil society projects.
What You Can Find Here
- Biodiversity grants for protected areas, species conservation, and ecosystem management
- Climate change grants for mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries
- Land degradation and sustainable land management grants
- Chemicals and waste grants for reducing persistent organic pollutants and mercury
- International waters grants for transboundary water body management
- GEF Small Grants Programme - direct grants up to $50,000 for community and CSO projects
- GEF Integrated Programs combining multiple focal areas for transformative landscape change
- Non-Grant Instruments including equity, guarantees, and revolving funds
Who Should Use This
- Government agencies in eligible developing countries seeking grants for national environmental programs
- GEF Agencies (UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, IADB, ADB, etc.) submitting projects on behalf of countries
- NGOs and civil society in developing countries accessing GEF through the Small Grants Programme
- Private sector entities in developing countries seeking GEF non-grant instruments for environmental investments
- Researchers and environmental scientists supporting government GEF project preparation
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Identify your country's GEF Operational Focal Point and National Focal Points for relevant conventions
- Step 2: Review your country's STAR (System for Transparent Allocation of Resources) allocation to understand available indicative resources
- Step 3: Work with a GEF Agency (UN body or development bank) to develop a Project Identification Form (PIF)
- Step 4: For community projects, contact the GEF Small Grants Programme national coordinator in your country
- Step 5: Submit PIFs through the GEF Portal for CEO Endorsement before developing a full project document
- Step 6: Full project approval by the GEF Council or CEO happens on a rolling basis
Things to Check Before Applying
- GEF only funds incremental costs of environmental benefits - baseline project costs must come from other sources
- All GEF projects must be endorsed by the national government GEF Focal Point
- GEF Small Grants Programme is separately managed and has different access rules - contact your national SGP coordinator
- GEF requires co-financing - typically 3-6 times the GEF grant amount in co-financing from the government, other donors, or private sector
- GEF project processing is lengthy - plan 12-24 months from concept to approval for regular projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GEF STAR allocation?
STAR (System for Transparent Allocation of Resources) is GEF's country-based allocation system that provides eligible countries with indicative resource envelopes for biodiversity, climate, and land degradation focal areas during each GEF replenishment period.
What is the GEF Small Grants Programme?
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), managed by UNDP, provides direct grants up to $50,000 to community-based organizations and NGOs in developing countries for local environmental projects. It has supported over 25,000 projects in 125 countries.
Who are the GEF Agencies?
GEF Agencies are 18 international organisations accredited to receive and manage GEF funds, including UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, FAO, IADB, ADB, AfDB, and several civil society organisations. They act as financial intermediaries between GEF and project countries.
Does GEF fund climate adaptation?
Yes. GEF funds climate change adaptation projects in developing countries, particularly those in the UNFCCC focal area. The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), also managed by GEF, specifically target adaptation.
Can developed countries access GEF funds?
No. GEF funding is exclusively for eligible developing and transition economy countries. However, organisations from developed countries can participate as co-financiers or technical partners in GEF projects.
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