Country Portfolio Evaluation (CPE) Syria

Syria has been receiving GEF support since 1994 via regional and national projects, the majority of which are in biodiversity, alongside climate change, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and 1 multifocal project. This is in addition to the GEF corporate Small Grants programme. There are no projects combating land degradation in the country. Syria was deemed a good choice for evaluation because it is eligible for an individual climate change allocation under the Resource Allocation Framework and also for a group allocation in biodiversity, and also because it has a relatively small GEF portfolio when compared with other countries in the region. Main findings and recommendations of the Syria Country Portfolio Evaluation were presented to the GEF Council as a part of the Annual Country Portfolio Evaluation Report 2009 (ACPER 2009).

Conclusions

  • GEF support to biodiversity has been successful in creating formal protection mechanisms and strengthening management systems.
  • GEF support has influenced national energy efficiency laws, however, there are no data on greenhouse gas emission reductions.
  • Results in other GEF focal areas are limited and involve establishing the foundations for national action plans and developing national capacity.
  • Sustainability over the long-term is a challenge.
  • National priorities such as inland international waters and land degradation have not been addressed.
  • SGP project outcomes are more likely to be sustained by local communities than outcomes from full or medium-sized projects.
  • Country ownership of GEF portfolio is stronger for national projects than regional and global ones.
  • National stakeholders perceive the GEF as too complicated and inefficient which is damaging to project proposals and implementation.
  • Syria has limited access to GEF investment agencies.
  • The GEF focal point is overly internalized within the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs and there is no clear mechanism for developing and improving GEF projects.

Recommendations

  • The GEF should increase funding for land degradation and water management issues.
  • The GEF should focus on countries with limited access to international finance institutions, like Syria.
  • The GEF should proactively create financial instruments and establishing appropriate frameworks to support sustainability of GEF projects.
  • A permanent GEF national coordination committee should be established in Syria.