Event

Lessons from an Evaluation of the GEF's Interventions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations

Date

June 3, 2021

Location

Virtual Meeting

The Shepherd from Asian Egypt, with his flock in the Sudan desert

On June 3, 2021, the GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), the Environmental Law Institute, and the World Bank co-hosted a webinar on Lessons from an Evaluation of the GEF’s Interventions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations. The event was held as part of gLOCAL Evaluation Week 2021.

The webinar examined the complex relationships between environmental issues, fragility, and conflict, and how these dynamics shape post-conflict recovery, cooperation, and transformation. Speakers highlighted the role that well-managed natural resources can play in supporting livelihoods, reducing poverty, and strengthening post-conflict economies.

The session presented findings from the first evaluation conducted by the GEF IEO on GEF interventions in fragile and conflict-affected situations since the GEF’s inception. The evaluation, undertaken in collaboration with the Environmental Law Institute, assessed a portfolio representing more than $4 billion in GEF investments, accounting for approximately 29 percent of the GEF’s global portfolio.

Using a mixed-methods approach—including remote sensing, statistical analysis, and qualitative methods—the evaluation explored five key pathways through which fragility and conflict affect GEF-supported projects. The discussion also addressed how the GEF has responded to implementation challenges in these contexts and considered broader implications for conflict-sensitive environmental programming.

The webinar concluded with reflections on how evaluation evidence can inform future GEF strategies and support more effective, resilient programming in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Speakers

Independent Evaluation Office, Global Environment Facility Chief Evaluation Officer and Deputy Director

Geeta Batra

Dr. Geeta Batra has over 25 years of experience in international development including 15 years of experience in program evaluation. At the IEO, she manages a team of evaluation professionals and provides oversight on the design, implementation, and quality of evaluations.

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The World Bank Global Lead for Fragile and Conflict States, ENB Global Practice

Tracy Hart

Dr. Hart's career has spanned 30 years and 75 countries, with substantial experience in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Her current role includes thought leadership in how FCS at sub-national, national, and regional levels influence the management of natural resource assets, and vice versa.

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Environmental Law Institute Director of International Programs

Carl Bruch

Carl Bruch, Esq., is the Director of International Programs at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the founding President of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPAx). His work focuses on environmental peacebuilding, environmental governance, and adaptation.

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Independent Evaluation Office, Global Environment Facility Evaluation Officer

Anupam Anand

Dr. Anand has over 15 years of experience in evaluation, international development, academic research, and teaching. At the GEF-IEO, he has led evaluations on biodiversity, SFM and REDD+, land degradation, fragility and conflict, and illegal wildlife trade.

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