SS Desk
19 December, Washington DC:
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved more than US$372 million in new funding to support 36 programs and projects aimed at tackling major environmental challenges across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiatives will benefit 59 countries, including 21 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 21 Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The funding package includes US$291 million from the GEF Trust Fund, US$49 million from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), US$3 million from the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and US$29 million from the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). The projects focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, pollution reduction, sustainable fisheries, marine habitat protection, regenerative agriculture, and large-scale landscape restoration.
GEF officials said the approved projects are expected to mobilize significant additional resources, with an average of US$8.50 in co-financing for every GEF dollar, including strong participation from the private sector.
The Council meetings also highlighted the growing role of civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in project design and implementation, particularly through GBFF-supported initiatives that emphasize community stewardship and rights-based approaches.
During the meetings, donors announced nearly US$39 million in new pledges to the LDCF and SCCF, with contributions from Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden.
The GEF also announced that Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson Carlos Manuel RodrÃguez has stepped down. Claude Gascon, Director of Strategy and Operations, has been appointed interim CEO.
Looking ahead, donor countries will meet in January 2026 in Bonn, Germany, to begin negotiations for the ninth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund, which will guide funding priorities beyond June 2026.
Source: The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
