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In June 2015, as a key component to reforms during its sixth replenishment cycle (GEF-6), the Global Environment Facility Council approved an Integrated Approach Pilot (IAP) program on Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The integrated approach to programming resources supports recipient countries as they tackle the drivers of environmental degradation. This approach seeks to address various global environmental challenges in line with the targets and goals of the multilateral environmental agreements that the GEF serves.

Good news for the planet and its primary forests: the Global Environment Facility has engaged world-class scientists and experts on mobilizing cutting-edge tools and practices to protect tropical primary forests. The initiative was introduced during a workshop on “Advancing the Integrated Approach for Transformative Change in Tropical Forest Biomes,” held in Panama’s Gamboa Rainforest Reserve from October 7 to 10.

Since its inception in 1991, the Global Environment Facility has steadfastly supported African countries as they seek effective and innovative approaches to a nature-positive economy. The GEF has helped implement more than 1,800 projects in Africa, with a total investment of $6.2 billion. These investments have leveraged over $40 billion from other stakeholders, including governments, bilateral and multilateral partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

The Global Environment Facility’s 186 member governments on Monday allocated $916 million for international action on biodiversity, climate change, nature renewal, and pollution control, and advanced five Integrated Programs designed to tackle complex challenges in their entirety. The GEF Council, meeting in Washington DC, approved funding for 45 projects and programs, including four blended finance initiatives involving the private sector. The support will directly help more than 12 million people, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The GEF will deploy funds from a record replenishment in 2022 to promote a green, blue, and resilient recovery. GEF-8 will invest in both integrated programming and specific focal areas. All told, 11 integrated programs will deliver global environmental benefits across multiple focal areas. At the same time, GEF-8 will continue to invest resources in single focal areas to support the goals of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

The GEF-8 Europe and Central Asia-Middle East Regional Workshop took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 6-9, 2022. The event was part of a series of workshops to give countries an overview of the GEF-8 programming strategies, with a particular focus on the GEF-8 Integrated Programs (IPs) and how they will be rolled out. Discussions also centered on focal areas and global programs, as well as the country Expression of Interest process.

This GEF-8 Regional Workshop took place in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 11-14, with participants from countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the GEF Secretariat, GEF agencies, and partners. It was part of a series of workshops to give countries an overview of the GEF-8 programming strategies, with a particular focus on the GEF-8 Integrated Programs (IPs) and how they will be rolled out. Specific breakout groups allowed more in-depth discussions on the different IPs, as well as regional challenges and opportunities.