The 2015 GEF CSO Meeting of the Eastern

Africa region

Workshop Report July 20, 2015

Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Kigo road

Acronyms

CSO Civil society Organization

ECW Expanded Constituency Workshop

EMLI Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise

GEF Global Environmental Facility

GEFSEC GEF Secretariat

P/OFP Political/Operational Focal Point

SGP Small Grants Programme

IEO Independent Evaluation Office

1. Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a partnership for international cooperation

working with 183 countries, international institutions, civil society organizations and the

private sector, to address global environmental issues.

The GEF has provided USD13.5 billion in grants and leveraged USD65 billion in co-

financing for 3,900 projects in more than 165 developing countries and a total of USD 1

billion through the small grants programme (SGP) providing more than 20,000 grants to

civil society and community based organizations.

The GEF serves as a financial entity to the: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Stockholm

Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs); UN Convention to Combat

Desertification (UNCCD); Minamata Convention on Mercury and supports the

implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

in countries with economies in transition.

The meeting was attended by 33 participants composed of GEF CSO Network member

and non-members. Mr. Nicholas Senyonjo the country contact point of the GEF CSO

Network, Uganda Chapter welcomed the participants and urged GEF to consider

supporting more CSOs to such meetings.

2. Proceedings

The Executive Director of EMLI, Ms. Sydah Naigaga made remarks on behalf of

Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise Facility (EMLI), the

regional focal point (RFP) for Eastern Africa GEF CSO Network.

In her remarks, she informed the meeting that GEF had accepted that a new, more

proactive, and partnership-based approach is needed to address drivers of global

change. She expressed concern on the projected reduction in the country SGP

allocations since country STAR allocation also reduced though the global SGP budget

had remained USD 140m, as GEF 5.

She urged GEF to continue exploring ways to sustain the efficiency of SGP country

programmes. Specifically, she called for implementation of the CSO-Government policy

and planning dialogue platforms.

Robert Bakiika, on behalf of the RFP, made a presentation on the GEF CSO Network

setup and mode of work and governance. He also presented the 2013 CSO meeting

report.

William, the Secretary to the GEF Council, dialogued with representatives of civil

society. He reacted to some of the recommendations of the 2013 CSO meeting report.

In his reaction, he informed the meeting that GEF was established to achieve global

environmental benefits and not a development partner, therefore most of the GEF

financing is catalytic and programmed around the focal areas. He further informed the

meeting of the new accredited project executing agencies i.e. West African

Development Bank (BOAD), The Foreign Economic Cooperation Office Ministry of

Environmental Protection of China (FECO), The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO),

the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and Development Bank of Southern

Africa (DBSA).

He cited the challenge of bureaucracies with regard to convening of National Multi-

Stakeholder Dialogues by national focal points, in addition to the focal points not

applying for the USD 9,000/per year, with only a few having applied once.

The meeting was enriched with more information on GEF policies and procedures with

regard to mode of work.

Five CSO representatives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan

shared experiences on engagement with the GEF. The discussions provided basis for

the CSO recommendations to the ECW.

Anna, from the IEO, made a presentation on proposed GEF CSO Network evaluation

and undertook an exercise in form of a survey of meeting participants. Different

documents were shared to none members (including Government representative) and

members of GEF CSO Network. However due to time constraints, the exercise was not

completed.

The CSO meeting was closed by Mr. Fredrick Matyama, from the Office of the GEF

P/OFP who thanked CSOs for the track record of implementing GEF programmes and

projects especially the small grants programme.

Key highlights from the CSO meeting

There are established GEF Principles and Guidelines for Engagement with

Indigenous Peoples (2012);

There is a functional Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group composed of 7 members

(with Agency representation);

The GEF Focal area strategies and Results Framework incorporated indicators

related to Indigenous Peoples;

Over time, CSOs have continually gained experience in promoting global

environment benefits;

Disintegrated development approach biased on market oriented economic

development regardless of sustainable use of biodiversity resources;

Low levels and capacity coupled by weak networking at local and global level among

CSOs;

CSOs are increasingly represented in GEF national Steering Committees (Projects);

Some GEF projects have included a structure for small grants partnering with private

sector, e.g. promoting hotel involvement in biodiversity management, a case in

Seychelles;

SGP funded projects have contributed to realization of global environmental benefits

and the face of GEF in communities;

GEF Public Involvement Policy is the main GEF Policy used for engagement with

CSOs in some countries;

Multiple challenges continue to worsen environmental situations (Poverty,

degradation of natural capital such as the Nile.);

Some countries have no SGP;

Limited funding yet CSOs continue to increase in numbers

CSO recommendations to the 2015 ECW

Governments

Support the implementation of the CSO Government policy and planning

dialogue platforms;

Make small grants a component of the large project portfolio/FSP so that GEF

project implementation can be seen as more participatory at country level;

Build the capacity of CSOs in leadership, governance, project cycle management

and GEF work (Conventions & Focal areas).

GEF

Establish/strengthen effective networking at local and regional level in such a

way to catalyze actions required to realize global environmental benefits;

Explore new ways and opportunities to strongly engage CSOs e.g. country to

country learning, sharing of knowledge and best practices;

Strengthen CSO resource mobilization capacity so as to relieve pressure from

SGP;

Revise the SGP guidelines with the goal of increasing flexibility and make it easy

for grassroots organizations to apply;

Need to increase the SGP ceiling from USD 50,000;

Strengthen regional CSO partnership initiatives e.g. establishing fellowships for

CSOs and supporting regional networking and learning exchange program.

CSOs

• Intensify community awareness and outreach ;

• Continue exploring and building on existing citizens engagement platform to

share information relating to GEF and environmental issues at country level;

• Communicate results through quantifying activities and timely disseminating

results;

• GEF CSO Network explores ways of increasing country visibility.

Monday, July 20, 2015

8.30-9.00 am Registration

9.00-10.00 am Opening session

The opening session will be facilitated by Kheswar Beeharry Panray, Environment Protection and Conservation Organization, Mauritius.

The purpose of the session will be to recall the objectives of the CSO Meeting, and its expected outcomes and present the report of the ECW held in Kigali in 2013.

Welcome address, Nicholas Senyonjo, Country Contact Point, GEF CSO Network Uganda Chapter

Opening remarks, Sydah Naigaga, Executive Director, Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise Facility (EMLI)

Presentation of the 2013 CSO Meeting Report & other reports , Robert Bakiika

10.00-10.40 Dialogue with GEFSEC, Secretary to GEF Council

10.40-11.00 Tea/Coffee Break

11.00-13.00 Session 2: CSOs and the GEF

This session will explore the CSO engagement and the GEF by providing

a reflection on national case studies of CSOs engagement with GEF

(GEF Agency, Political/Operational Focal Point and Convention Focal

Points (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, and Chemicals & Waste) and SGP.

The session will be facilitated by Robert Bakiika.

Panelists will be invited 5 sub-regions of Eastern Africa Constituency i.e.

Lake Victoria basin countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania); Horn

of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea); Nile basin region (Sudan &

South Sudan) and Indian Ocean Countries (Madagascar, Comoros,

Mauritius, Seychelles) and share respective countries experiences on

engaging with GEF Family and one indigenous peoples representative

1. Mogues Worku, Environment & Development Society of Ethiopia

2. tbc, Rep. Nile basin region (Sudan & South Sudan)

3. Ms. Lyndy Bastienne, Sustainability for Seychelles 4. Ms. Lucy Mulenkei, Indigenous Information Network

Plenary followed by group work to develop key messages to the

ECW

13.00-14.00 Lunch break

14.00-16.00 Session 3: Presentation on GEF CSO Network Evaluation by GEF

Independent Evaluation Office. Survey administration & FGDs

16.00-16.30 Evaluation of CSO Meeting & Closure by P/OFP Uganda

List of participants

NO NAME ORGANIZATION TITLE CONTACT (EMAIL & TEL)

01

ISSA OMAR DJAMA

Youth volunteer on Environment- Djibouti

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Issa_012@hotmail.com +25377848518

02

GODFREY HABUMUREMYI

Mgahinga community Dev’t Organization

PROGRAM OFFICER

godfrey@mcdou.org +256779917370

03

HELLEN MALITH

ECO Conservation Network

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Nyw.malith@gmail.com +211915135142

04

MOGUES WORKU

Lem, the Env’t & Dev’t Organization EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR moguesworku@gmail.com +251116460675193

05

LYNDY BASTIENRE

Sustainability for Seychellis (SFS) P.A GEF SGP Seychellis

PROGRAM ASSISTANT Lyndy.sesel@gmail.com +2482781388

06

AZEB KELEMEWORK .B.

Union of Ethiopian Women Charitable Association (UEWCA)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR azebkelem@yahoo.co +251911407136

07

LUCY MULENKEI

Indigenous Information Network DIRECTOR mulenkei@gmail.com 0722914694

08

HERINE OCHOLA

Environment Liaison International Centre

PROGRAM OFFICER herineo@elci.org 0715203723

09

SENAIT MEHARI

National Union of Eritrean Women

GENERAL DIRECTOR

Senaitnuew2002@gmail.com 002917120596

10

SOPHIE NYINABAKWIZE

United Nations Development Program HEAD OF POVERTY REDUCTION-ENV’T

Sophie.nyinabakwize@undp.org

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE bakiika@gmail.com

11 ROBERT BAKIIKA

EMLI DIRECTOR

0712421234

12

BANTURAKI BENARD

Real Agency for Community Development(RACD)

PROJECTS COORDINATOR

banturakibenard@gmail.com 0774864501

13

NADIR SULIMAN

Sudanese Environment Conservation Society

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR naderawadz@yahoo.com +249912306145

14

BIRUNGI ELIZABETH

Prometra Uganda PROGRAM OFFICER prometrauganda@gmail.com +256775103608

15

ANTHONY WOLIMBWA

Climate Action Network Uganda COORDINATOR woltonny@hotmail.com +256774492372

16

EDWARD NATAMBA

South Western Institute for Policy Advocacy (SOWIPA)

COORDINATOR eddienatamba@gmail.com 0772864224

17

DAVID G. THAIGE

UNDP Kenya TEAM LEADER 0723785123

18

RONALD BUSINGYE

Earth Savers Movement Uganda Chapter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ronaldbusingye@earthsavers.org

19

NABITALO AZIZAH

Ministry Of Finance Planning and Economic Development

ECONOMIST

Azizah.Nabitalo@finance.go.ug 0414707422

20

WILLIAM EHLERS

Global Environment Facility wehlers@thegef.org

21

HACHINE ABDEREHANE

ULANGA NGAZIDJA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR hachineabder@gmail.com

22

SIXBERT MWANGA

CAN- Tanzania COORDINATOR smwanga@tanzaniaclimateactionnet.co.tz

23

BIRUNGI SILVER .J.

Chimpanzee Trust EDUCATION OFFICER education@ngambaisland.org

24

NANGOBI JOYCE .R.

Slum Women’s Initiative for Development

DIRECTOR swidorg@yahoo.com

25

ANNA VIGGH

GEF IEO SENIOR EVALUATION OFFICER

Avigghotneget.org

26

SSENYONJO NICHOLAS

UEEF / GEF CSO FOCAL POINT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

senyonjonicholas@gmail.com 0772420182

27

PETER KIWUMMULO

Uganda Association of Socio-Economic Progress

DIRECTOR kiwumulop@gmail.com

28

SYDAH NAIGAGA

EMLI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

nsydah@gmail.com

29

SEHEN J. CHRYSOSTOME

RECOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR jcsehene@rwandaenvironment.or

g

+250788438506

30

NYAKATO JULIAN

PROBICOU

PROGRAM OFFICER nyajulian@gmail.com 0771892100

31

AKELLO CAROLYN

SWAGEN

PROGRAM OFFICER Ruralwomen.ug@yahoo.com 0700576050

Jane Goodall Institute EDUCATION OFFICER umar@janegoodall.ug.org

32

UMAR TUMWINE

33

MPALANYI JULIUS

KEFA

CHAIRMAN mpajulius@gmail.com 0779487700