Prepared for OPS6, the 2016 review builds on earlier APRs by examining more than 1,100 completed projects to assess outcomes, sustainability, monitoring systems, and project cycle efficiency.

The 2016 review of completed GEF projects assesses project-level accomplishments to evaluate performance and impact, providing key evidence for the Sixth Overall Performance Study (OPS6). The analysis draws mainly on terminal evaluations from more than 1,100 completed projects, complemented by portfolio data and project cycle records.

Results show that 81 percent of projects achieve outcomes in the satisfactory range, with performance improving between GEF-3 and GEF-4, though about 40 percent face risks to sustaining results.

Implementation quality is generally satisfactory, cofinancing commitments have grown and are often realized, and most terminal evaluations meet minimum quality standards. Still, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) design and implementation remain weaker than other dimensions, and project cycle delays limit efficiency despite recent gains.

At completion, a majority of projects already contribute to environmental stress reduction or status change, and many support broader adoption of promoted approaches, though scope varies by country context and funding scale.

The report recommends that the Council and Agencies strengthen sustainability measures, accelerate project cycle efficiency, improve M&E quality, and expand conditions for broader adoption of successful practices.