Madagascar’s exceptional biodiversity and extensive GEF portfolio make it a critical case for assessing country-level support.

From 1994 to 2007, the country received about $36 million for 10 national projects and participated in 8 regional projects with significant Malagasy involvement. This country portfolio evaluation reviewed support to Madagascar through document analysis, interviews, workshops, and field visits.

The evaluation finds that GEF support has been highly relevant to Madagascar’s environmental strategies and global biodiversity priorities. It contributed to expanding the protected area system from 21 to 46 reserves, reducing deforestation within protected zones, and developing policy frameworks under the National Environmental Action Plan and Durban Vision.

Support also enabled initial progress in climate change adaptation, POPs management, and international waters, although biodiversity remained the dominant focus. The evaluation notes that results face risks from limited financial and institutional sustainability, weak country ownership, and inefficiencies in project approval and coordination.

It recommends strengthening trust funds to secure long-term financing, creating a permanent interministerial environmental committee, diversifying investment beyond protected areas, and fostering closer collaboration between Implementing Agencies and the government.