GEF agencies create project proposals and then manage these projects on the ground. In so doing, they help eligible governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop, implement, and execute their projects. Often, the agencies work together on GEF projects, pooling expertise. Not only does this allow a more holistic approach to programming, it also reinforces the individual agency's efforts to mainstream or incorporate global environment concerns into its internal policies, programs, and projects.
Eighteen institutions act as GEF agencies:
| Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s comparative advantage for the GEF includes investment projects at the country and multi-country level in Asia as well as the ability to incorporate capacity building and technical assistance into its projects. The ADB has strong experience in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and natural resources management including water and sustainable land management. |
| African Development Bank (AfDB)'s comparative advantage for the GEF lies in its capacity as a regional development bank. The AfDB will focus on establishing a track record for environmental projects related to the GEF focal areas of climate change (adaptation, renewable energy and energy efficiency), land degradation (deforestation, desertification) and international waters (water management and fisheries). |
| European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)'s comparative advantage for the GEF lies in its experience and track record in market creation and transformation; and ensuring sustainability through private sector and municipal environmental infrastructure projects at the country and regional level in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia, particularly in the fields of energy efficiency, biodiversity and water management. |
| Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s comparative advantage for the GEF is its technical capacity and experience in fisheries, forestry, agriculture, and natural resources management. The FAO has strong experience in sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity, bioenergy, biosafety, sustainable development in production landscapes, and integrated pest and pesticides management. |
| Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)'s comparative advantage for the GEF includes investment projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB finances operations related to the following GEF focal areas: biodiversity (protected areas, marine resources, forestry biotechnology), climate change (including biofuels), international waters (watershed management), land degradation (erosion control), and persistent organic pollutants (pest management). |
| International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s comparative advantage for the GEF lies in its work related to land degradation, rural sustainable development, integrated land management, and its role in the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. IFAD has been working intensively in marginal lands, degraded ecosystems and in post-conflict situations. |
| United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s comparative advantage for the GEF lies in its global network of country offices, its experience in integrated policy development, human resources development, institutional strengthening, and non-governmental and community participation. UNDP assists countries in designing and implementing activities consistent with both the GEF mandate and national sustainable development plans. |
| United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s comparative advantage for the GEF is related to it being the only United Nations organization with a mandate to coordinate the work of the United Nations in the area of environment for which the core business is the field of environment. UNEP also provides the GEF with a range of relevant experiences, proof of concept, testing of ideas, and the best available science and knowledge upon which it can base its investments. It also serves as the Secretariat to three of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), for which GEF is the/a financial mechanism. |
| United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s comparative advantage for the GEF is that it can involve the industrial sector in GEF projects in the following areas: industrial energy efficiency, renewable energy services, water management, chemicals management (including persistent organic pollutants and ozone depleting substances), and biotechnology. UNIDO also has extensive knowledge of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing and transition economy countries. |
| The World Bank Group (WBG)’s comparative advantage for the GEF is as a leading international financial institution at the global scale in a number of sectors, similar to the comparative advantage of the regional development banks. The WBG has strong experience in investment lending focusing on institution building, infrastructure development and policy reform across all the focal areas of the GEF. |
| Conservation International (CI) works globally with governments and engages with all sectors of society to achieve the ultimate goal of improved human well-being, particularly focusing on the essential services that nature provides. As a GEF project Agency, they leverage t |