Cross-Sectoral Reports and Other Studies

Evaluation of Incremental Cost Calculation (2006). Incremental cost funding is the fundamental operational principle of the GEF. The GEF finances the increment or additional costs associated with transforming a project with national/local benefits into one with global environmental benefits as well. The objective of this evaluation was to access the processes and methodologies used for incremental cost assessment, and the process of negotiation of incremental costs.

Main findings:

• The principle of incremental funding is alive and well in GEF projects. Incremental reasoning underpins the global environmental focus of the design of GEF projects.
• There remains weak understanding and much confusion about incremental cost concepts and procedures.
• Most project documents register low quality and compliance when measured against GEF requirements for incremental cost assessment and reporting.
• Current incremental cost assessment and reporting do not add value to project design, documentation and implementation.

Main recommendations:

• Incremental cost assessment and reporting should be dropped as requirements for GEF projects.
• Incremental reasoning in project objectives and design should be acknowledged and recognized, in particular at the project concept stage, during implementation and at completion.

Based on the evaluation the GEF Council decided (see Joint Summary of Chairs, paras.9-12) that incremental cost assessment and reporting requirements for project should be reformed. The incremental reasoning in project objectives should be explicitly addressed in appropriate documentation and reporting simplified.

GEF Management Response to the Review of the GEF Operational Program 12: Integrated Ecosystem Management (2005)

Review of the GEF Operational Program 12: Integrated Ecosystem Management (2005). This study had two main objectives (1) to assess the consistency of the projects in the OP12 portfolio; and (2) to glean lessons from the OP12 experience to promote more effective integration among GEF activities. The review found that, overall, project documents did a good job in addressing process-related issues such as partnership arrangements, country-drivenness, stakeholder participation, and the identification of procedures for cross-sectoral management. Projects did not score as well, however, on technical factors that are important to potential success. Such factors include sound initial diagnosis of problems and assessment of potential solutions, accurate establishment of baselines, appropriate scientific and technical approaches to problem solution, monitoring of change or impact, and mechanisms to learn from experiences and adapt accordingly. Very few projects convincingly presented potential synergies among focal areas-an important criterion for success of OP12 projects.

GEF Management Response to the Private Sector Review (2004)

Review of GEF´s Engagement with the Private Sector (2004)

Action Plan to Respond to the Recommendations of the Medium-Sized Projects Evaluation (2004)

Medium-Sized Projects Evaluation (2002). The GEF Council approved a Proposal for Medium-Sized Projects (MSPs) in April 1996 to encourage the submission of proposals and execution of smaller projects by a broad range of groups and organizations. The goal of "streamlining and simplifying all stages of the project preparation and implementation" was highlighted by the Council. For this study, the GEF Office of Monitoring and Evaluation carried out a desk review of MSPs in mid 1998, generating recommendations on aspects such as, Preparation and Approval, Information and Knowledge Management and Country Ownership.

Study of Impacts of GEF Activities on Phase-Out of Ozone Depleting Substances (2000). This Study provides a detailed account of the effects of GEF support and other progress made in 14 out of the 19 countries supported in East Europe and Central Asia to phase-out ozone depleting substances (ODS). Also, how the GEF support through UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank has played a crucial role in the phase-out process by providing much needed financial assistance, assistance in establishment legal frameworks and technical expertise, and supporting learning and dissemination of project lessons within each country and in a regional context.

GEF Land Degradation Linkage Study (2001). This Report is to identify the results and initial impact of the land degradation component of those linkage projects which link biodiversity, international waters and climate change with land degradation. The lessons learned from this review lead to a set of recommendations on how land degradation issues should be addressed in focal area reviews and in subsequent GEF activities.

For publications before 2000 please see the Archives.