Small island developing states (SIDS) face outsized environmental and economic risks despite their small size.

The Strategic Country Cluster Evaluation (SCCE) examines whether GEF support between 2006 and 2018—covering 337 projects with $1.37 billion in funding across 39 SIDS—has effectively addressed these vulnerabilities. The evaluation applies a mixed-methods design, drawing on country visits, interviews, and analysis of closed and ongoing projects to assess relevance, performance, and sustainability.

Findings show that GEF projects align closely with government priorities and focal areas, and regional programs perform particularly well on outcomes and sustainability. Integrated approaches such as ridge-to-reef management have advanced soil, water, and biodiversity conservation, though further progress is needed in project design quality, exit strategies, and private sector financing.

Sustainability is reinforced by national ownership, legal reforms, and institutional partnerships, but undermined by weak capacity, limited awareness, and pressure from agriculture and tourism. Cross-cutting issues—gender, resilience, and private sector engagement—are increasingly incorporated but remain uneven in practice.

The report recommends deepening Agency engagement in SIDS, scaling up integrated and multiphase projects, promoting innovation and South-South learning, strengthening institutional capacity and project design, and strategically advancing renewable energy and waste management solutions.