Cities face complex sustainability challenges that require coordinated action across sectors and levels of governance.
In response, the GEF launched the Sustainable Cities Program in GEF-6 to test integrated urban approaches, later expanding it into a long-term initiative with $480 million in GEF funding and over $5.3 billion in co-financing. This independent evaluation examines how the approach has been implemented and what it is delivering.
The evaluation will be presented at the June 2026 Council meeting.
The evaluation will draw upon a portfolio review of all Sustainable Cities Program completed and ongoing child projects from GEF-6 to GEF-8, as well as stakeholder consultations and field-based case studies in nine countries, including Mexico, Paraguay, Morocco, Senegal, and China.
