On May 29, 2025, a significant event occurred in the climate space.
Over 200 participants gathered virtually for the GEF Consultation with Civil Society. The focus of the event was clear: “Operationalizing the GEF Whole of Society Approach: Enhancing Engagement and Support to Civil Society in GEF-9.”
This wasn’t just another online meeting. It was a space where voices from all corners of the world came together to shape how the Global Environment Facility will work in its ninth funding cycle.
A Strong Start with Clear Intent
Gabriella Richardson from the GEF Secretariat opened the session with a clear message. This was about moving forward together. The conversation would not only reflect on lessons from the past but also look ahead with purpose and collaboration.
Adriana Moreira presented the current landscape of civil society engagement in GEF projects. She explained how civil society contributes at every stage, from shaping projects to implementing them on the ground. Programs like the Small Grants Programme and the Fonseca Leadership Program were highlighted as key ways to support Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth.
One of the most powerful announcements was the goal to allocate at least 10 percent of GEF-9 funding directly to civil society organizations. This is a significant step toward more inclusive and impactful action.
Voices from the Field
Sagar Aryal, Chief Technology Officer of Plant-for-the-Planet and Head of the Technical Subcommittee of the GEF CSO Network, delivered a deeply resonant presentation. He shared reflections from the GEF-9 Technical Advisory Group and emphasized that the Whole of Society Approach is not just a principle, but a real shift in power.
Sagar outlined both the progress and the gaps in civil society engagement. He welcomed GEF’s recognition of structural barriers and the strengthened commitment to programs like the Small Grants Programme (SGP) and the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI). However, he highlighted five key areas where more commitment is needed:
- Inclusion: Civil society must be central to any global effort to protect the environment.
- Scaling: Proven models like SGP and ICI must be scaled up to create broader impact.
- Barriers: Access, capacity, and engagement challenges must be addressed.
- Decline: There is a noticeable drop in CSO-led GEF projects that must be reversed.
- Representation and Empowerment: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities need funding, rights recognition, and decision-making power.
He also proposed bold actions:
- Allocate at least 10 percent of GEF-9 funds directly to CSOs, IPLCs, youth, and women-led initiatives.
- Develop clear engagement strategies for Indigenous Peoples.
- Launch a Best Practices Award to celebrate civil society-government collaboration.
- Track involvement through stronger indicators.
Sagar closed with a powerful message: “The GEF CSO Network stands ready to co-lead this transformation, not just advise it.”
Other speakers brought their unique perspectives. Jennifer Tauli Corpuz from Nia Tero called for protecting environmental defenders. Arturo Arreola from Mesoamerica pointed out the financial challenges that many grassroots organizations face. Mailes Zulu from Zambia emphasized the importance of supporting women on the ground. Darien Castro from Ecuador highlighted the link between climate education and empowerment.
Support for Real Inclusion
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson, emphasized the need for broader collaboration. He encouraged civil society to work closely with governments, hold them accountable, and help bridge gaps between international commitments and local realities.
An interactive poll during the session showed strong optimism about GEF-9. More than 80 percent of participants were either very or somewhat optimistic. They identified direct funding, technical assistance, and capacity building as the most empowering forms of support.
The message was clear. If we want lasting impact, civil society must be included from the start and treated as equal partners.
Panel Reflections and Collective Wisdom
A special session moderated by Faizal Parish, Chair of the GEF CSO Network, brought together diverse voices to reflect on best practices, lived experiences, and pathways forward. Panelists emphasized the importance of:
- Centering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in project design
- Protecting environmental defenders who are on the frontlines
- Bridging financial access and capacity-building gaps, especially for women-led initiatives
- Strengthening community-based, whole-of-society approaches in GEF implementation
- Highlighting climate education and youth involvement as crucial drivers for long-term sustainability
Panelists and Their Key Messages:
- Jennifer Tauli Corpuz (Nia Tero): Urged transformative action that respects Indigenous rights and incorporates indicators like land tenure and use into GEF strategies. Highlighted the urgency of protecting environmental defenders.
- Arturo Arreola (Instituto para el Desarrollo Sustentable en Mesoamérica): Spoke on the shrinking space for civil society due to reduced funding. Called for capacity building to enable CSOs to absorb and manage resources effectively.
- Mailes Zulu (Save Environment and People Agency, Zambia): Emphasized addressing barriers faced by women on the ground, including exclusion from decision-making and access to resources.
- Darien Castro (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and Wings for Amazon EC): Advocated for climate education, creating platforms for youth-led innovation, and addressing health and environmental intersections.
This session served as a powerful reminder that true transformation happens when global policy is informed by local action and grounded voices.
Interactive Insights: What Participants Shared
The session featured a live Mentimeter engagement, offering real-time insights from participants across stakeholder groups. Here are some key highlights from the collective feedback:
- Nearly half of the participants identified as representing Civil Society Organizations.
- When asked what local communities and civil society bring to conservation, top values included:
- Local knowledge
- Stewardship
- Sustainability
- Ownership
- Innovation
- Top priorities to operationalize the Whole of Society approach in GEF-9 included:
- Mandatory inclusion of civil society in government-led GEF projects
- Directing 10 percent of GEF resources to CSOs and IPLCs
- Capacity building for civil society participation
- Types of support participants felt would be most empowering:
- Direct funding
- Technical assistance and capacity building
- Opportunities to contribute to project design
These interactive moments underscored both the enthusiasm and the clarity of civil society’s expectations and contributions moving forward.
Looking Ahead with Hope
As the session closed, there was a shared feeling of possibility. Participants called for stronger coalitions, more youth involvement, and greater support for Indigenous knowledge systems.
The GEF’s Whole of Society Approach is more than a strategy. It is a promise to listen better, collaborate smarter, and act more fairly.
This virtual gathering was not the end. It was a beginning. And it reminded us that the most powerful solutions come when everyone is invited to the table.
The future is collaborative. Let’s build it together.
#GEF9 #WholeOfSociety #ClimateAction #CivilSociety #Sustainability #GEFCouncil
