As the GEF transitions from the Country Support Program to a more expansive Country Engagement Strategy under GEF-8, this evaluation assesses whether increased resources and a broadened mandate are delivering more coherent, timely, and accountable country-level engagement.
The findings suggest that while the CES has strengthened elements of country engagement, its added value will depend on moving from episodic support to a more strategically sequenced and institutionally grounded approach.
Background study overview
- Engagement activities helped countries refine and prioritize their GEF portfolios when delivered in a timely and coordinated way. Overall progress, however, has been uneven and slower than expected.
- The report calls for clearer design, stronger coordination, and better sequencing of engagement efforts to translate expanded resources into more consistent results.
- Persistent gaps in monitoring, coordination, and country-level capacity have constrained the depth and continuity of engagement.
Methodology
This review covers the initial implementation period (October 2022–January 2025) and draws on document review, portfolio analysis, a global stakeholder survey, country case studies in Lesotho, the Philippines, Suriname, and Togo, interviews and focus groups, and observation of CES events.
