The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides support to address global environmental concerns related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. Since its inception in 1991, the GEF has provided developing countries and countries with economies in transition US $23 billion in grants and is an official financial mechanism to carry out the goals of several multilateral environmental conventions such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These grants are implemented on ground through a network of 18 accredited agencies (GEF Agencies). The GEF Independent Evaluation Office (GEF IEO) has a central role in ensuring the independent evaluation function within the GEF.

Introduction

1. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides support to address global environmental concerns related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals and waste. Since its inception in 1991, the GEF has provided developing countries and countries with economies in transition US $25 billion in grants and mobilized more than US $138 billion in cofinancing. These grants are implemented on the ground through a network of 18 accredited agencies (GEF Agencies). The GEF receives its funds through a four-year replenishment cycle.