Financial Mechanism and Resources

T22 (Participation): How to Use GEF Funding

This page aims to provide information regarding the development and implementation of national biodiversity finance plans or similar planning instruments for recipient Parties and relevant stakeholders, including how to access funding of the Global Environment Facility in this regard. It is a work in progress and will be updated as necessary.

Financial support of the Global Environment Facility

GEF-financed projects related to participation

• GEF policy framework on IPLCs ensures that all GEF investments are contributing to this target.
• BDFA: Inclusive Conservation Initiative

Guidance to the financial mechanism

The Conference of the Parties has invited the Global Environment Facility to support:

• Inclusion of perspectives of indigenous peoples and local communities, particularly women, in the financing of biodiversity and ecosystem services;( Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 17)
• Implementation of programmes and projects that strengthen the involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities, advance community conservation, promote customary sustainable use of biological diversity; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 17)

Guidance to Parties

Representation and Participation in Decision-Making

• Enable participation at all levels to foster the full and effective contributions of women, indigenous and local communities, civil-society organizations, the private sector and stakeholders from all other sectors in the full implementation of the objectives of the Convention; (X/2, para. 3(a))
• Improve participation of stakeholders and the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in relevant policy-making and implementation processes; (XII/5, para. 11; VIII/22, para. 3; X/33, para. 8(q); IX/13D, para. 2; VI/10, para. 23)
• Promote wide stakeholder consultations that are gender sensitive, including, as appropriate, through the principle of prior-informed consent or approval and involvement and accounting for the input from this process during the development of sectoral integration plans in order to identify potential adverse impacts, develop appropriate measures to minimize/mitigate them, implement the plans, and monitor and evaluate them; (XII/5, annex, para. 5)
• Promote an enabling environment (legislation, policies, capacities, and resources) for the involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders in decision making, and the development of their capacities and opportunities to establish and manage protected areas, including community-conserved and private protected areas; (VII/28, annex, goal 2.2)
• Support integrated and participatory policy development, planning and management for the conservation of important ecosystems and habitats, with the participation of a broad set of representatives from all major groups to build ownership and commitment, including indigenous peoples and local communities, subnational and local governments, the private sector and civil society; (IX/8, para. 8(m); VIII/1, annex, priority action 4.2.1.12, 1.1.1.2, 1.1.1.4; XIII/3, para. 82(a); XII/8, para. 4; NP-3/1, para. 11(c); IX/4B, para. 8)
• Document traditional knowledge, innovations and practices relevant to local species or the sustainable use with the full and effective participation and prior informed consent of indigenous and local communities, consistent with Article 8(j), and improve the infrastructure and resources for data and information collection, management and exchange and use of decision support tools; (XIII/15, para. 7(r); IX/13B, para. 4; VIII/1, annex, priority action 2.1.1, 9.1.1.1, 9.1.2.6)
• Promote effective participation of indigenous and local communities in accordance with Article 8(j) in the development of management plans, including related to soil biodiversity, and in the implementation of projects that may affect biological diversity; (VII/4, annex, goal 2.5.1; IV/4, annex I, para. 9(l); VIII/23B, annex, activity 3.3)
• Gain the full and effective participation of both men and women, considering the different needs of men and women in designing and implementing specific actions in support of the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, and promote the participation of girls and women in a meaningful, timely and effective manner; (XII/7, annex, para. 6-7)
• Encourage decentralization and enhance access to information for the full participation and involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities in decisions that affect them in relation to mountain ecosystems, and promote networking, collaborative action and participation of indigenous and local communities in decision-making processes, paying particular attention to the empowerment of women, in order to maintain mountain biodiversity and its sustainable use; (VII/27, annex, action 2.2.3, 2.2.4; VIII/1, annex, priority action 9.1.2.1)
• Encourage participation by indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders to provide input into consideration of integrating the recommendations of IMCAM into national and regional processes; (VIII/22, para. 3)
• Establish clear mechanisms and processes for equitable cost and benefit-sharing and for full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, and promote practices and mechanisms to enhance the participation of all stakeholders, including youth, in consultations and decision‑making processes related to the Convention and its Protocols at the regional and national levels, such as in ecosystem-level planning and management; (X/5, para. 2; XII/8, para. 3; VI/22, annex, programme element 1, goal 1; X/31B, para. 31(a); IX/8, para. 8(m))
• Establish effective systemic processes for the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, in full respect of their rights and recognition of their responsibilities, in the governance of protected areas and for integrating cultural, environmental, and social considerations in planning and decision-making; (IX/18A, para. 6(d); VII/16F, para. 10)
• Build stakeholder partnerships, community participation programmes, and public education campaigns and information products; (V/3, para. 6, and annex, B)
• Develop and implement participatory standards and protocols in establishing measures for the sustainable utilization of marine-based resources; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 4.2.1.1)
• Establish effective participatory monitoring, control and surveillance systems to ensure compliance with regulations by users of coastal and marine resources, at the local, national and regional levels; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 4.2.1.10)
• Promote the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders in the development of national mechanisms for participation in decision-making and implementation, recognizing the contribution of the collective actions of indigenous peoples and local communities, and the role of their holistic systems for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity; (V/25, para. 4; VI/24C, para. 12; VII/14, para. 8; VII/16G, para. 6(a); VII/19F, para. 4; VII/28, annex, goal 2.2; VII/4, annex, goal 2.5.3; IV/4, annex I, para. 9(l); VIII/1, annex, priority action 1.1.1.1; XI/14B, para. 17; XIII/1, para. 15; XIII/3, para. 52)
• Promote the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the development and implementation of marine spatial planning, in accordance with national legislation; (XIII/9, para. 3(b))
• Use participatory and science-based site‑planning processes with full and effective participation of stakeholders for protected areas; (X/31B, para. 19)
• Promote the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities and the use of relevant traditional knowledge and practices in appropriate ecosystem restoration activities, and promote holistic and integrated planning for ecosystem conservation and restoration in indigenous and local community conserved areas, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, taking into account customary use and management approaches; (XII/19, para. 4(b); XIII/5, para. 10; XI/16, para.1(g))
• Promote full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in establishing new terrestrial and marine protected areas and strengthening existing ones, with the full respect for the rights of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders; (VI/22, annex, programme element 1, goal 3, objective 3; VIII/1, annex, priority action 1.2.1; IX/20, para. 26; IX/18A, para. 19)
• Establish policies and institutional mechanisms with full participation of indigenous and local communities, to facilitate the legal recognition and effective management of indigenous and local community conserved areas in a manner consistent with the goals of conserving both biodiversity and the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities. Use social and economic benefits generated by protected areas for poverty reduction, consistent with protected-area management objectives. Engage indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders in participatory planning and governance, recalling the principles of the ecosystem approach; (VII/28, annex, goal 2.1)
• Take steps to address the priority areas identified to support the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the implementation of the Protocol, including by raising their awareness and capacity about access and benefit sharing, and supporting the development by indigenous peoples and local communities of community protocols and procedures, minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms and model contractual clauses for benefit-sharing arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, taking into consideration their customary laws; and to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders and encourage their participation in the implementation of the Protocol; (3/1, para. 6(b))
• Explore the possibility of documenting traditional knowledge, innovations and practices relevant to local species, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, consistent with Article 8(j); (VIII/1, annex, priority action 1.1.2.8)
• Develop and strengthen participatory processes in formulating and implementing the sustainable management and harvesting of wildlife, including wild meat species, with the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders; (14/7, annex, para. 28(c))
• Promote the participation of national stakeholders, and facilitate and support the development of national plant conservation partnerships with the participation of indigenous and local communities and the widest range of stakeholders, recognizing the important role of women; (XII/15, para. 7; VII/10, para. 6)
• Incorporate customary sustainable use practices or policies, as appropriate, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, into national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), as a strategic way to maintain biocultural values and achieve human well-being, and facilitate the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the design and implementation of policies and programmes on sustainable use of biodiversity at national and subnational level, according to national legislation; (XI/25, para. 8; X/32, para. 2(e); 14/14, para. 1; XII/12B, annex, V, para. 1; XI/14F, para. 8)
• Establish effective processes for the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, in full respect of their rights and recognition of their responsibilities, in the governance of protected areas, consistent with national law and applicable international obligations; (X/31B, para. 32(c))
• Ensure full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the implementation of the provisions of the Protocol related to indigenous peoples and local communities with a view to taking into account their needs as well as national circumstances; (3/1, para. 11(b))
• Implement both access and benefit sharing instruments in a mutually supportive manner, including with the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, where relevant or applicable, according to their national circumstances; (3/14, para. 8; VIII/1, annex, priority action 9.2.1.2)
• Develop, adopt and/or recognize local, national or regional effective sui generis systems with the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, taking into consideration the relevant customary law in order to protect, respect, preserve, maintain and promote their knowledge, innovations and practices, while ensuring fair and equitable benefit-sharing; (IX/13F, para. 2; VIII/5E, para. 1, 3; VII/16H, para. 7)
• Establish institutional structures and legislative, administrative and policy measures on biosafety, taking into account the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, and other relevant stakeholders, and promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation in support of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; (14/31A, para. 1; VI/26, annex, para. 4.2)
• Support participatory assessment exercises among stakeholders to identify and harness the wealth of knowledge, skills, resources and institutions of importance for conservation that are available in society; (VII/28, annex, goal 2.2)
• Promote the full participation of indigenous people and local communities in any bodies established by Governments at national, subnational and local levels, and in consultation with indigenous and local communities, in the assessment and decision-making for any development proposal, including the review and appeal process, taking into account methods of mediation and dispute resolution, which may include customary methods; (VII/16F, para. 9(a); VII/16F, para. 22)
• Carry out, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities and in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders and relevant organizations, scientific assessments of the impacts of biofuel production and use, to ensure that the sustainable agricultural practices and food and energy security of indigenous and local communities are addressed and respected, subject to national legislation, taking into account the customary laws of indigenous and local communities, where applicable; (X/37, para. 3, 4, 7)
• Ensure opportunities for the active participation of indigenous and local communities in all stages of rapid assessments of biological diversity of inland waters traditionally occupied or used by these communities, promote the use of the traditional, scientific, technical and technological knowledge of indigenous and local communities at the national level, with their full and effective participation, in support of the description of areas meeting the EBSA criteria, and carry out scientific assessments concerning organisms, components and products resulting from synthetic biology techniques with regard to potential effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity with the full participation of indigenous and local communities; (XII/22, para. 15; VII/4, para. 24; XII/24, para. 3(d))
• Promote awareness and education, with the full and effective participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous and local communities, and support initiatives by major groups that foster stakeholder participation in biological diversity conservation and sustainable use and that integrate biological diversity conservation matters into their practices and educational programmes; (X/18, para. 1; VI/26, annex, para. 4.1; IV/10B, para. 1(e); VI/22, annex, programme element 2, goal 3)
• Develop, including in local languages, as appropriate, alternative means of communicating public information on traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in plain language and diverse community-friendly formats, such as video, including television, audio for community radio, songs, posters, theatre/drama, and film, in order to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, including women and youth, at local, national and international levels, while supporting the development by indigenous and local communities of their own media tools; (IX/13E, para. 5; V/16, para. 12)
• Engage with businesses and enterprises on ways and means to contribute to the national implementation of the Convention, including through the design and implementation, with their participation, of direct and indirect positive incentive measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, acknowledging the crucial role of communication between the public and private sectors in developing incentive measures that are supportive of the national implementation of the Convention; (X/44, para. 11; XII/23, para. 3(l))
• Explore with full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, and other relevant stakeholders and strengthened cross-sectoral linkages, as appropriate, the concept of payments for ecosystem services, taking into account the fair and equitable sharing of both costs and benefits of management of protected areas with indigenous and local communities, and other relevant stakeholders; (IX/18B, para. 3(a))
• Implement capacity-building measures to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities and the application of traditional knowledge favorable to the conservation of biodiversity, with their prior informed consent in accordance with national laws, in the management, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity of inland water ecosystems. (VII/4, annex, goal 2.5.4; VIII/23C, para. 4)
• Establish a national structure, as appropriate, to coordinate the development of the clearing-house mechanism, such as an inter-institutional steering committee with participation of relevant biodiversity-related organizations and stakeholders; (IX/20, para. 2(e))
• Consider introducing necessary measures, administrative as well as legislative, for ensuring the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth and elders, in formulating, implementing and monitoring of activities aimed at mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change and disaster risk reduction; (IX/13B, para. 6; 14/5, para. 3(a))
• Integrate issues related to dry and sub-humid lands into relevant national strategies, plans and programmes, in particular, revised national biodiversity strategies and action plans, national action programmes to combat desertification, and national adaptation programmes of action with a view to improving and harmonizing implementation where possible, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities; (X/35, para. 2(b))
• Promote the effective participation of indigenous and local communities, farmers, pastoralists, animal breeders and other stakeholders, including those whose livelihoods depend on the sustainable use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, when applying the ecosystem approach to agriculture, including by respecting, preserving and maintaining the knowledge innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities as pertaining to agriculture; (IX/1, para. 15)
• Develop, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, processes and mechanisms to facilitate the return of genetic resources held in ex situ collections to their ecosystems of origin, with the view to assisting in situ conservation initiatives of indigenous and local communities; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 3.1.1.5)
• Promote the mainstreaming of biological diversity in the energy and mining, infrastructure and manufacturing and processing sectors, with the full and effective participation of relevant sectors, indigenous peoples and local communities, academia, women, youth and other relevant stakeholders, and the mainstreaming of agricultural biodiversity in national plans, programmes and strategies with the active participation of local and indigenous communities; (14/3, para. 13(e); VII/3, para. 10)
• Ensure participation by the forest sector, private sector, indigenous and local communities and non-governmental organizations in the conservation and sustainable use of forest ecosystems; (V/4, para. 9)
• Address the impacts of unsustainable aquaculture and promote sustainable aquaculture practices ensuring opportunities for the participation of indigenous and local communities; (VIII/1, annex, priority action 4.2.1.9)
• Respect, understand and support the traditions and sustainable practices of the indigenous and local communities in mountain regions in ways which accommodate their needs, participation, knowledge and practices for conservation and sustainable use of mountain biodiversity; (VII/27, annex, action 2.2.2, 1.2.5; goal 3.5)
• Ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders in the management of inland waters in decision‑making regarding policies and actions that involve the conservation and sustainable use of inland water ecosystems and contribute to the alleviation of poverty, and ensuring that the establishment and management of marine and coastal protected areas aims to make a direct contribution, where appropriate, to poverty alleviation; (X/28, para. 10(j); XI/23, para. 7; X/29, para. 13(b))
• Facilitate public participation in scientific research, assessment monitoring and early warning systems, improve knowledge-sharing among various actors and ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in research projects and programmes; (XII/17, para. 6(a); XI/6, para. 11; XIII/11, annex II, para. 5.5; IX/20, para. 25; XI/29, para. 3)
• Carry out participatory national reviews of the status, needs and context-specific mechanisms for involving stakeholders, ensuring gender and social equity, in protected areas policy and management, at the level of national policy, protected area systems and individual sites; (VII/28, annex, goal 2.2, 1.1)
• Ensure the appropriate participation of all relevant stakeholders, including women, youth, and indigenous peoples and local communities in the finalization and implementation of the NBSAP for better articulation and planning to achieve synergies; (XIII/24, annex I, para. 10(e))
• Increase technology transfer and cooperation to improve protected area management, and encourage development and use of appropriate technology, including technologies of indigenous and local communities with their participation, approval and involvement in accordance with Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, for habitat rehabilitation and restoration, resource mapping, biological inventory, and rapid assessment of biodiversity, monitoring, in situ and ex situ conservation, sustainable use, etc.; (VII/28, annex, goal 3.3; IX/18A, para. 7))

Access to Justice and Information

• Explore and maximize opportunities for cooperation in the promotion of public awareness, education and participation concerning living modified organisms through the frameworks provided by related national and international instruments, in particular the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in -making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters; (BS-II/13, para. 11)

Environmental Human Rights

Philippines (16 August 2023): Supreme Court Issues Writ of Kalikasan Against DENR and Mining Operators in Mt. Mantalingahan, Palawan

Paula R. Prist et al (2023). Protecting Brazilian Amazon Indigenous territories reduces atmospheric particulates and avoids associated health impacts and costs, Communications Earth & Environment volume 4, Article number: 34 (2023). Indigenous lands in Brazil’s Amazon have the potential to absorb over 7,000 tons of noxious fumes from forest fires every year. This would prevent about 15 million cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases annually, which would otherwise cost $2 billion to Brazil’s public health system.

Rayna Benzeev et al (2023). Formalizing tenure of Indigenous lands improved forest outcomes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, PNAS Nexus, Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2023, pgac287. Deforestation rates were lower and reforestation rates higher in Indigenous territories where land tenure had been formalized, based on the changes in forest cover in 129 Indigenous territories in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest between 1995 and 2016.

PROTECTED AREAS & INDIGENOUS TERRITORIES EFFECTIVE AGAINST DEFORESTATION ACROSS AMAZON, 15 March 2023. Protected areas and Indigenous territories in the Amazon Rainforest experienced just one-third of the loss of primary forest compared to non-protected areas. Between 2017 and 2021, protected areas lost slightly less forest than Indigenous territories, but deforestation was lower in Indigenous territories.

Wendy Francesconi et al (2023). Carbon footprints of forest degradation and deforestation by "basic-needs populations": a review, Carbon Footprints. Subsistence communities can drive forest loss to meet their basic needs when external pressures, poverty, and demand for natural resources increase, unveiling triggers that turn livelihoods from sustainable into deforestation drivers.

Tanya O’Garra at al (2023). National-level evaluation of a community-based marine management initiative, Nature Sustainability volume 6, pages908–918 (2023). Locally managed marine areas in Fiji strengthened the mechanisms believed to advance conservation efforts but ultimately led to few social, economic, or even ecological benefits.

Marine Protected Areas Improve Health, Wealth of Nearby Communities, New Smithsonian-Led Study Shows Protecting Marine Life Can Support Multiple U.N. Sustainable Development Goals in Mesoamerican Reef, 22 June 2023 . In the Mesoamerican Reef in the Caribbean, well-enforced marine protected areas are not only beneficial for conservation but can also lift up the socioeconomic status of the local and Indigenous communities that live near them.

Harry W. Fischer et al (2023). Community forest governance and synergies among carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods, Nature Climate Change volume 13, pages1340–1347 (2023). Forests in 15 tropical countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities are associated with improved outcomes for carbon storage, biodiversity, and forest livelihoods.

Rainforest Foundation Norway (2023). Falling short: Donor funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to secure tenure rights and manage forests in tropical countries (2011–2020). Indigenous peoples are important in conserving 80% of the world’s biodiversity and stewarding 36% of intact forests and 24% of carbon in tropical forests. Over 10 years, $2.7 billion was given to support IPLCs’ tenure rights and forest management, which equals 0.74% of total development aid allocated to address climate change, with 17% of the funding to IPLC tenure and management to projects that specifically included an IPLC organization, representing 0.13% of aid designated to climate change.