The document outlines reforms to the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) policies and project cycle for its 4th replenishment period (GEF-4) from 2007-2010. Key reforms include revising the GEF's focal area strategies to have a stronger focus on priority issues, measurable results, and integration across areas. A results-based management approach is also adopted to shift from approval-based to outcome-based monitoring. The project cycle is streamlined and a Resource Allocation Framework is introduced to distribute funds across focal areas more objectively. The International Waters focal area will have 4 strategic programs focusing on issues like coastal fisheries, land-based pollution, transboundary water basins, and reducing persistent toxics.

1. GEF Policy reforms
• Revision of focal area strategies
• Results based management (RBM)
• Streamlining of the GEF project cycle
• Level playing field among GEF agencies
• Resource Allocation Framework (RAF)

2. Revision of focal area strategies
• Focus on priority issues
• Programmatic approach
• Measurable results
• Integration across focal areas
• Consistency with the replenishment of
GEF4

3. FA strategies – revision process
• Advisory groups (TAGs and SAG) with
external experts, STAP, Conventions
• Drafts and process papers posted on the
GEF website
• Comments received from GEF partners
and also web-posted
• Revised focal area strategies presented to
Council in June ’07

4. Revised focal area strategies
• Strategic objectives (long-term) with
expected impacts
• Strategic programs for GEF-4 with
expected outcomes
• Measurable indicators for impacts and
outcomes
• Harmonized structure among focal areas

5. Results based management (RBM)
• Shift from ‘approval culture’ to RBM
• Emphasis on cost effectiveness
• Indicator framework following OECD
terminology, to be further developed
• Project log frames will support the RBM
• Transition in reporting (PIR) to RBM, may
include GEF-3 projects.

6. New GEF Project Cycle
• Concept notes (PIFs) and PPG release
• Work Program inclusion based on PIFs
• Approval of fully prepared projects
• Reduce project preparation to max 2 years
• Streamline and simplify required project
documentation
• Shift the effort to implementation

7. Resource Allocation Framework
• Introduced in GEF-4 for BD and CC focal
areas
• To cover all focal areas from GEF-5
• Review in 2008

8. International Waters Focal
Strategic Programs for GEF-4
(2007-2010)
Four Strategic Programs

9. Strategic Program 1:
Restoring and sustaining coastal and marine
fish stocks and associated biological diversity
Examples:
•Benguela Current
•Danube Basin

10. Strategic Program 2
Reducing nutrient over-enrichment and
oxygen depletion from land-based pollution
of coastal waters in LMEs consistent with
the GPA
Examples:
• Danube Basin
• Romania Agricultural Pollution
Control
• Manila 3rd Sewerage Project

11. Strategic Program 3
Balancing overuse and conflicting uses
of water resources in transboundary
surface and groundwater basins
Examples:
• Nile Basin Initiative
• Lake Victoria (LVEMP)
• Amazon Basin Management

12. Strategic Program 4
Reducing Persistent Toxic Substances
and Adaptive Management of Waters with
Melting Ice
Examples:
• Melting Glaciers
– Himalaya/Ganges
• Pesticides in LMEs
• Mercury in Goldmining

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