GEF Introduction Seminar, September 9-10, 2024 (Virtual)

The GEF Secretariat conducted a GEF Introduction Seminar from September 9-10, 2024. This year more emphasis was given to increasing access to funding for youth, women, indigenous people and the overall access of project funds to civil society organization, CSOs. Therefore, CSOs were encouraged to regularly visit GEF website so as to access information related to regular call for proposals and new project funding opportunities. The seminar also explained the importance of CSOs to participate in Expanded Constituency Workshops. Many CSO raised a concern for the GEF to prepare in advance the time table for ECW and share it via website so many could participate.

During this meeting, members of civil society organization raised a concern that it is high time for the GEF to facilitate more CSOs to attend in person global events such as, GEF Introduction Seminar, CBD, COP meetings, GEF Council and GEF Assembly aiming at building more close relationship between GEF and civil society organizations.  However, GEF SEC responded positively that depending on availability of resources it will be considered in future.

Another key issue raised by CSOs is on increasing the overall budget allocation for Small Grants Programme so that many local community-based organization and CSOs can access the SGP.

For more details including presentations and reference materials, please click here:

https://www.thegef.org/events/gef-introduction-seminar-september-2024