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IEU NEWSLETTER
Issue 21 - April 2024

IN THIS ISSUE
Dear friends and colleagues,  

I'm happy to share with you the latest updates from the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU). Over the past few months, we have completed and delivered two evaluations, laid the groundwork and progressed with our 2024 evaluations, continued to promote learning within the GCF ecosystem and foster dialogue on evaluation and climate through engagements. 

In time for B.38, IEU delivered the final reports of the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Investment Framework and the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Energy Sector Portfolio and Approach. During B.38, we organized the side event Well begun or half done? A summary of the evaluability of GCF funding proposals. Also during the Board meeting, the GCF Board members visited the site of the GCF project FP073, which focuses on increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Rwanda's Gicumbi District. FP073 is also part of the projects supported by the IEU’s impact evaluation programme LORTA. The IEU will provide further insights into results of the GCF-funded activities with an impact evaluation to be finalized in 2025. Learn more about IEU at B.38 below.

The IEU's 2024 evaluations are also well underway, covering the GCF's approach to Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses, Indigenous Peoples, and Health, Well-being, Food and Water Security result area, and investments in the Latin American and Caribbean States. In the last few months, we have constituted the evaluation teams, organized inception workshops, and interviewed GCF staff members. These activities help inform the development and finalization of evaluation approach papers. Preliminary approaches have been shared with GCF stakeholders. Learn more about IEU's evaluations below.

We have also continued to foster dialogue in evaluations and climate change with internal and external stakeholders. Since the beginning of the year, the team has organized and participated in 14 events. These include the UN Evaluation Group's Evaluation Week and the 4th Conference on Evaluating Environment and Development, internal learning events for the GCF Secretariat, and information sharing events for the GCF Board.  Learn more about IEU engagements below.

For more frequent updates on our evaluations and activities, you can subscribe to our social media channels.   

Thank you, 
Andreas Reumann, 
Head of the IEU 
IEU AT B.38 
The thirty-eight meeting of the GCF Board (B.38) was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 4 to 8 March 2024. Ahead of B.38, IEU delivered the final reports of the Investment Framework and Energy Sector evaluations. Additionally, we delivered the 2023 Annual Report which included the Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) Synthesis Report 2023; Progress Report and Management Action Report of the Second Performance Review of the Green Climate Fund; and Management Action Report on the Independent Synthesis of Direct Access in the Green Climate Fund.  

During the Board meeting, the IEU organized the side event Well begun or half done? A summary of the evaluability of GCF funding proposals. Around 60 participants attended the event, generating a rich discussion across Board members, observers, NDAs and entities. The event presented findings from the upcoming learning paper The Evaluability Assessment of Green Climate Fund's Funding Proposals (2023), which addresses the question "to what extent can the projects and programmes supported by the GCF credibly report their own impacts and effectiveness in an evidence-based and robust manner?" Access the learning paper summary here.

Also during B.38, the GCF Board members visited the site of the GCF project FP073: Strengthening Climate Resilience of Rural Communities in Northern Rwanda, which focuses on increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in nine sectors of Rwanda’s Gicumbi District. This project is also part of the GCF projects supported by the IEU’s Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) programme. The IEU will provide further insights into results with an impact evaluation on this project in 2025. Meanwhile, a second impact evaluation under the LORTA programme was finalized in March 2024. This second impact evaluation by LORTA examined the impact of the livelihood support component of the GCF project FP069 on women’s lives in two districts of Bangladesh – Khulna and Satkhira. Access the LORTA impact evaluation report on FP069 here. 
2023 EVALUATION UPDATES
The Independent Evaluation of GCF’s Energy Sector Portfolio and Approach looks at the relevance, efficiency, suitability, effectiveness, and innovativeness of GCF’s portfolio in the energy sector. In time for B.38, the IEU completed and delivered the evaluation Final Report. Work also continued on finalizing the case studies, which will be released in the coming months.
Find out more about the evaluation here. 
The Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Investment Framework examines how effective and fit-for-purpose the GCF’s investment framework, tools, criteria, and guidelines are in fulfilling the Fund’s strategic goals and mandate. In time for B.38, the IEU completed and delivered the evaluation Final Report. 
Find out more about the evaluation here. 
2024 EVALUATION UPDATES
The Independent Evaluation of GCF’s Policy on Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses has now been launched. The evaluation seeks to provide valuable insights into the awareness of, accessibility to, functioning and impact of the Policy on the Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses. In February and March, inception workshops took place, consulting key GCF Secretariat members. The evaluation team also shared the evaluation approach with stakeholders. 
Find out more about the evaluation here.
The Independent Evaluation of the Relevance and Effectiveness of GCF’s Investments in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) States has been launched. The evaluation seeks to assess the effectiveness of the GCF in reducing the vulnerability of local communities, the Indigenous Peoples, and their livelihoods to the impacts of climate change while assessing the sustainability of these impacts over time. In March, an inception workshop took place, consulting key GCF Secretariat members. The evaluation team also shared the evaluation approach with stakeholders. 
Find out more about the evaluation here.
The Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Approach to Indigenous Peoples has now been launched. The evaluation seeks to assess the extent to which the GCF portfolio and modalities have impacted and benefited Indigenous Peoples​. The evaluation team is preparing an approach paper and identifying evaluation questions and methods.
Find out more about the evaluation here.
The Independent Evaluation of the GCF's 'Health, Well-being, Food and Water Security' (HWFW) Result Area has now been launched. The evaluation seeks to examine the HWFW result area, particularly from the perspective of relevance, effectiveness, and impact. This result area is the second largest in terms of the number of projects approved and the share of total GCF financing. The evaluation team is preparing an approach paper and identifying evaluation questions and methods.
Find out more about the evaluation here.
LORTA

In January, Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) lead Susumu Yoshida traveled to Dili, Timor-Leste, to lead an impact evaluation design mission for the GCF project SAP021: Community-based Landscape Management for Enhanced Climate Resilience and Reduction of Deforestation in Critical Watersheds. The 9-day mission was aimed at meeting stakeholders to develop a comprehensive impact evaluation framework, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and prepare for a baseline data collection. During the mission, some challenges were identified, including differing capacities and the quality and availability of data. Visiting the site and meeting with the project teams on the ground early on allows these challenges to be mitigated and improves the evidence generated for the impact evaluation.  

In time for B.38 the LORTA Synthesis Report 2023 was delivered to the Board, as part of the IEU's 2023 Annual Report. 

Also in March 2024, the LORTA team published its second final Impact evaluation report for FP069 — Enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with climate change induced salinity in Bangladesh. This impact evaluation is a result of continuous support and collaboration with the project team and country partners on the ground, capacity building efforts and advisory support provided by the IEU. Access the full impact evaluation report here.

SPOTLIGHT: Impact evaluation report for FP069


The IEU's latest impact evaluation report examined the impact of the livelihood support component of GCF-funded project FP069 on women’s lives in two southern districts of Bangladesh: Khulna and Satkhira. The IEU impact evaluation employed a stratified randomized control trial with a phase-in component, in which all beneficiaries receive the intervention, but at different times of the project life-cycle to enable comparison between the groups to generate rigorous evidence on the intervention's impact. The impact evaluation analysed baseline and endline household data on 3,120 beneficiaries, especially women.
 


Findings

Besides an observed rise in total household income, the food security measured by the Food Consumption Score increased by 8 per cent, which is expected to be a direct outcome of the increased welfare. Programme beneficiaries exhibit a 4 percentage point increase in their perception of household preparedness against future extreme weather events.

While the project did not (yet) lead to increases in women’s decision-making power, with respect to women’s empowerment and participation, the results indicate a higher share of women engaged in at least one income-generating activity, which increased by 8.3 percentage points between baseline and endline data collection.

The LORTA programme employs impact evaluation to help GCF projects understand which activities are working and to generate evidence in the climate. 
 
PUBLICATIONS 
Since the previous newsletter the IEU has published 15 new materials covering key findings and insights from our ongoing evaluations, LORTA programme, and evidence reviews. 

Evaluations:
  • Final report of the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Investment Framework - This evaluation assesses the relevance and effectiveness of the GCF Investment Framework in fulfilling the GCF’s mandate and strategic goals. Available here.
  • GEvalNote 18 - This 2-pager summarizes the main findings and recommendations of the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Investment Framework. Available here.
  • Final report of the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund's Energy Sector Portfolio and Approach - This evaluation examines the GCF’s effectiveness and efficiency in reducing the effects of climate change, and promoting a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways through its investments in the energy sector. Available here.
  • GEvalBrief 17 - This 4-page brief summarizes the key findings and conclusions of the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Energy Sector Portfolio and Approach. Available here.
Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) Programme:
  • Impact Evaluation midline report for FP026 - Sustainable Landscapes for Eastern Madagascar - FP026 aims to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers and reduce carbon emissions by implementing climate-smart agriculture and sustainable forest management. The midline evaluation of FP026 impacts enables us to gauge the project's progress towards its longer-term objectives. Available here.
  • LORTA Impact Evaluation Midline Brief: FP026 - This brief summarises the context and findings of the impact evaluation midline report for FP026 "Sustainable Landscapes in Eastern Madagascar". Available here.
  • Impact evaluation report for FP069 - Enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with climate change induced salinity in Bangladesh - This impact evaluation examines the impact of the livelihood support component of the funding project FP069 on women’s lives in two southern districts, Khulna and Satkhira, of Bangladesh. Available here. 
  • LORTA Impact Evaluation Brief: FP069 - This brief summarises the context and findings of the impact evaluation report for FP069 "Enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with climate change induced salinity". Available here.

Evidence Reviews and Learnings:
  • [Approach paper] Realist review of just transition -This paper describes the realist approach for a global evidence review of interventions that could be regarded as aiming at outcomes consistent with a just transition in non-Annex I countries. Available here.
  • IEU Brief No. 5 - 2023 - This brief provides a summary of the key findings from the GCF-IEU and ILO’s realist review on just transition. Available here.
  • Learning Paper Summary: The Evaluability Assessment of Green Climate Fund's Funding Proposals (2023) - This 2-page summary provides an overview of the IEU’s learning paper on the Evaluability assessment of Green Climate Fund’s Funding Proposals (2023). Available here.
  • Proceedings Paper: Harnessing Research and Evaluation to Inform the Green Climate Fund - This proceedings paper summarizes the key takeaways from a 2-day workshop aimed at facilitating a dialogue on multilateral climate finance among researchers and thought leaders, the IEU, and the GCF Secretariat. Available here.
  • Evidence Review on Market-Based Approaches to Mitigation and Adaptation: Approach Paper - This approach paper explains the objectives of the evidence review on four market-based approaches. Available here. 
Operational:
  • Annual Report 2023 - This document contains the Independent Evaluation Unit's Annual Report for 2023. Available here.
Access all IEU's publications here.
  
BLOGS & ARTICLES 
In the last few months, the IEU published the following blogs and articles: Disclaimer: The views expressed in blogs are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Independent Evaluation Unit of the Green Climate Fund.

BOARD ENGAGEMENT 

In January, the IEU organized an evaluation webinar on the findings, conclusions and areas of recommendations for the Independent Evaluation of GCF’s Energy Sector Portfolio and Approach and the Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Investment Framework. 

Also in January and February, IEU Head Andreas Reumann presented an overview of the Unit and 2024 priorities during the online onboarding sessions for the new GCF Co-Chairs and Board members.

Finally, in March the IEU organized an evaluation webinar for GCF Board Members, alternate members, and advisors on the approaches for the 2024 evaluations. During the webinar, key evaluation questions, criteria for identifying countries for case studies, and evaluation timelines were presented.  

SECRETARIAT ENGAGEMENT 
The IEU continues to use learning talks and webinars to promote the uptake of evaluative evidence, foster a culture of learning and dialogue, and build capacity within the GCF ecosystem. From November 2023 to March 2024, the IEU held several learning talks and webinars for the GCF Secretariat. Click the links below to learn more: 

 EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH
In line with its TOR and the GCF Evaluation Policy, the IEU regularly engages in events, conferences, and activities to present key findings and lessons learned from its evaluations, evidence reviews and learning papers. Recent months have seen team members continue to build relationships and gain insight into the latest international initiatives regarding evaluations and climate finance. 

In the past few months, the IEU organized or participated in the following events:

GCF Stakeholders Climate Change and Climate Finance Evaluation and Research Networks

NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Dr. Michell Dong Jeehyun Yoon,  
Impact Evaluation Specialist
Prior to the IEU, Michell worked on various impact evaluation projects in the fields of agriculture and health with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Over the past nine years, she has primarily worked on designing and implementing household surveys and analyzing survey data for development projects. Michell holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations/Economics from Wellesley College and Ph.D. in Development Policy from KDI School.
Chenhao Liu,  
Research Assistant Consultant
Chenhao is an applied economist currently working as a research assistant consultant with the IEU. He had 7.5 years’ extensive working experience with the UN common system focusing on social development, sustainable development, climate finance, and economic development, in agencies including the Global Environment Facility-World Bank Group, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Green Climate Fund. He holds two master’s degrees in economic development, and is a CFA level-2 candidate.
Booyoung Jang,  
Researcher
Booyoung is a Researcher at the IEU. Before joining the IEU, she held roles in program organization and multilateral partnership management for development programs focusing on the Southeast Asia region with years of research and analysis experiences fostering regional cooperation and integration. She holds an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
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