The Evaluation of the GEF Focal Area Strategies reviews the GEF-5 period (2010–2014) to assess how focal area strategies guided programming and aligned with international conventions.

Applying theory of change analysis and expert consultations, the evaluation examines strategies in biodiversity, climate change mitigation, international waters, land degradation, chemicals, sustainable forest management and REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation), and adaptation under the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund.

The evaluation finds that the GEF-5 strategies define objectives and results frameworks but often lack explicit causal linkages between activities and outcomes, which limits coherence. While some strategies, such as climate change mitigation and international waters, consider pathways for broader adoption, most do not outline how GEF activities could catalyze scaling or replication.

The evaluation also finds that guidance from the Convention on Biological Diversity shapes biodiversity strategies in prescriptive ways, while other conventions allow greater flexibility.

The report recommends embedding clearer causal pathways, enabling multifocal approaches, clarifying links to broader adoption, strengthening coherence with convention guidance, and revisiting capacity development in formulating the GEF-6 strategies.