GEF’s second partnership expansion (2013–2015) added eight new Agencies, including national and civil society organizations, to broaden country choice and improve efficiency.

The Council asked the Independent Evaluation Office to review its effects on ownership, coverage, and cost. From 2015 to 2017, the evaluation used Agency and country surveys, portfolio reviews, and stakeholder interviews.

The evaluation finds that expansion increased competition and Agency choice, with new partners securing 8 percent of the GEF-6 portfolio, but small island developing states, fragile states, and the chemicals and waste focal area remain underserved.

Inclusion of new Agencies reduced fees and allowed smaller projects at lower cost, yet also introduced management burdens and transitional inefficiencies.

Operational focal points report modest improvements in country ownership but continue to rate services from original Agencies more highly.

The report recommends maintaining the current number of Agencies during GEF-7, addressing coverage gaps by strengthening existing partners or selectively engaging new ones, and improving coordination to reduce management costs.