Trainings & Events

When designing and implementing environmental programming, engaging marginalized groups is increasingly recognized as a paramount consideration. A growing body of evidence and practice indicates that such consideration is important – not just because these groups need protection, but also because their engagement improves the sustainability and effectiveness of the programming and other measures of performance.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has a long history of engaging historically marginalized groups in its projects and programs through its policies, guidelines, and strategies to ensure participation of key stakeholders. The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the GEF Independent Evaluation Office conducted an evaluation of the GEF’s support to women, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth, and persons with disabilities. Using a mixed-methods approach, including a qualitative review of 300 projects, five country case studies, and a regression analysis, ELI and the Independent Evaluation Office explored the relationship between engagement of marginalized groups and project outcomes and sustainability, as well as the approaches taken by the GEF to address engagement challenges.

Join ELI as they present the key findings of the evaluation and highlight some of the broad issues at the intersection of environment and inclusion.