Measuring environmental results across a partnership of 184 countries, 18 Agencies, and diverse stakeholders requires clear and consistent standards.

The Evaluation Policy responds by establishing principles and minimum requirements for monitoring and evaluation of all GEF-financed projects and programs.

Each initiative must include a fully budgeted plan with baselines, SMART indicators, and arrangements for midterm reviews and terminal evaluations.

Agencies are responsible for applying these plans during implementation by tracking indicators, collecting data, and ensuring resources are used as intended.

All full- and medium-size projects and programs undergo terminal evaluations that assess outputs, outcomes, sustainability, and GEF additionality, with program-level evaluations also determining the added value of integrated approaches. Operational focal points participate in monitoring and evaluation activities, receive draft and final reports, and contribute to management responses.

The Policy further guarantees the IEO access to Agency records and requires evaluation findings to be disclosed publicly. Together, these provisions aim to strengthen accountability, promote learning, and ensure that evidence on performance informs future programming across the GEF partnership.