Here, we share insights, updates, and stories about how the GEF supports a healthier planet. The IEO helps ensure that GEF projects are effective, efficient, and truly make a difference for people and nature around the world.

Our blog covers a wide range of topics - from biodiversity and climate action to sustainable development and lessons learned from projects in different countries. Whether you’re a policymaker, practitioner, student, or simply curious about the environment, you’ll find clear and engaging content to help you understand how global efforts come together to protect our planet’s future.

Stay tuned for expert analyses, success stories, and behind-the-scenes looks at how the GEF and IEO work to improve the world we all share.

Evaluation in the time of pandemic

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The year 2020 has been defined by the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted lives and livelihoods everywhere around the world. The way we work has been interrupted and altered. This is true for those working to advance and manage international environmental projects and programs - it is also true for the professionals working to evaluate for effectiveness and impact of those initiatives. At the GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), the body I lead, we have had to innovate in our data collection and analysis to counter the travel and other limitations posed by the situation. The fact that…

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Integrating Geospatial Methods into Evaluations Opportunities and Lessons

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Blog co-author: Hur Hassnain, Senior Evaluation Advisor, European Commission DEVCO/EES

The presentation titled Geospatial, location, and big data: ‘Where have we been and where can we go?‘ organized by the…

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Evaluation from Space - Evaluations during Difficult Times

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Blog co-author: Hur Hassnain, Senior Evaluation Advisor, European Commission DEVCO/EES

Evaluations in contexts that are not easily accessible, constantly changing, and unpredictable, for example, the situation posed by the current global pandemic, are challenging and call for special considerations. Now that in-person interactions with respondents becoming impossible, we would like to illustrate the use of satellite data that can be applied for remote evaluations of development and humanitarian interventions. "The use of geospatial data analysis is particularly relevant…

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Safeguarding People and the Environment Against Infectious Waste During Health Crises

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GEF’s support to countries is critical in promoting and implementing environmentally sound practices for medical waste treatment during health crises. It not only promotes global environmental benefits through best management practices, but also builds capacities in countries to minimize the impact of infectious waste on people. Synergies between health care and environmental sustainability are demonstrated through GEF-financed interventions, leading to overall reduction in harm to human health and the environment.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019,  globally, there…

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Evaluating Environmental Interventions in the Yellow Sea during the Pandemic

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Introduction

This blog is the second in our series to address challenges in evaluating impacts of environmental interventions during the pandemic. The Global Environment Facility enters the eighth replenishment process in Spring next year. The Independent Evaluation Office plays a significant role in informing the replenishment process through a comprehensive evaluation of the GEF, and donors are increasingly challenging us to report not just on outcomes at project closure but also on long…

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