Covering 159 recently completed projects and cumulative findings from over 1,000 since 2000, the 2015 APR highlights portfolio outcomes and sustainability while assessing the burden and utility of tracking tools.

The 2015 Annual Performance Report (APR) reviewed 159 recently completed projects, representing $728.3 million in GEF funding and $3.3 billion in realized cofinancing, alongside cumulative findings from 1,077 projects completed since 2000. Using validated terminal evaluations from GEF partner Agencies, the analysis assessed project outcomes, sustainability, quality of implementation and execution, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, cofinancing, and the use of tracking tools.

The review finds that 74 percent of projects, accounting for 73 percent of funding, achieved outcomes in the satisfactory range, slightly below earlier cohorts due in part to lower performance in Africa and small island developing states.

Sustainability ratings improved compared to earlier phases, with 65 percent of projects assessed as moderately likely or above, though one-third of completed GEF-4 projects still demonstrated unsatisfactory M&E design and implementation.

Quality of implementation remained steady at 77 percent, while execution ratings were lower at 72 percent, particularly for projects in Africa and under joint arrangements. Tracking tools in GEF-6 were streamlined and better aligned with results frameworks, but gaps in compliance and management persist.

The APR recommends reassessing the burden and utility of tracking tools for GEF-7, particularly in the biodiversity focal area.