GEF Global 37649 onClimate Change Action BUILDING COUNTRY CAPACITY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE Providing people, institutions, and developing coun- To date, the GEF has contributed more than $28 tries with the tools and training to make choices million to help 138 countries assess their envi- about the environment is a critical element of ronmental governance and capacity needs Global Environment Facility (GEF) climate change through NCSAs. projects. By strengthening countries' capacity to reduce poverty and promote sustainable livelihoods, As one participant from Georgia said, "NCSAs the GEF helps create an enabling environment for are not only about an assessment or an action mitigating and adapting to climate change. plan, but about changing the mind-sets, approaches, and attitudes that are so crucial for Capacity building is a fundamental element of global environmental management." GEF's support to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A The GEF initiated a Global Support Program review undertaken by the GEF Implementing managed jointly by the UN Development Agencies found that GEF support for capacity Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment building activities in all its focal areas exceeded Programme (UNEP) to provide technical back- $1.5 billion. stopping to countries and to ensure timely com- pletion of NCSAs. The support program is Capacity building is not a "one size fits all" for- structured as a learning process and knowledge mula, but rather a country-driven assessment of management mechanism, emphasizing the the specific needs and conditions of developing information and knowledge generated by the countries, reflecting nationally sustainable devel- NCSA process. opment strategies, priorities, and initiatives. The Global Support Program organized 10 Recognizing this diversity, the GEF provides sup- regional and subregional training and exchange port for National Capacity Self-Assessments workshops to address technical and implementa- (NCSAs) to assist countries with assessing their tion issues, while promoting the exchange of capacity needs. NCSAs are flexible, powerful experiences and networking. tools to help countries analyze national priorities and identify how best to mobilize and allocate INDICATORS resources to implement the major environmental The GEF is working with the UNFCCC conventions--UNFCCC, the UN Convention on Secretariat to develop targets and indicators for Biological Diversity, and the UN Convention to measuring the results and impacts of capacity Combat Desertification--in a coordinated and building activities. Analytical work necessary to cost-effective manner. The NCSAs provide propose indicators is currently being conducted resources to mobilize linkages at the local levels to allow effective benchmarking and assess- of the three conventions. ment of capacity building activities supported by the GEF, in collaboration with the monitoring groups in climate change activities. In the past and evaluation units of the GEF, UNDP, UNEP, year alone, the SGP awarded 174 grants for cli- and World Bank. mate change projects to NGOs and community- based organizations. These grants total $4.59 CIVIL SOCIETY million in GEF financing, in addition to $4.61 mil- GEF's Small Grants Programme (SGP) will con- lion in cofinancing. These projects help countries tinue strengthening national capacities by avoid greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the increasing involvement of NGOs and community risks of global climate change. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT PROGRAM The GEF funds national communications for STATUS OF GEF FINANCING TO non-Annex 1 countries in the UNFCCC. SUPPORT SECOND NATIONAL Through GEF's National Communications COMMUNICATIONS, 2004-2006 Support Program (NCSP), implemented by UNDP and UNEP, countries can receive support and technical assistance for national communi- 2004 cations. These national communications enable countries to analyze their greenhouse gas emis- 2005 sions and vulnerability to climate change. Countries can also develop climate change action plans and identify technology needs in 2006 their national communications. 0 30 60 90 120 150 Currently, a majority of the non-Annex 1 part- ners have requested GEF funds for the self- Project approved assessment exercise, the first step in preparing project proposals for national communications. Funding provided for self-assessment Since December 2006, UNDP and UNEP have approved 118 country requests for assistance to conduct stock-taking. FOR MORE INFORMATION Global Environment Facility 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 USA www.theGEF.org Tel: 202-473-0508 Fax: 202-522-3240 September 2007