Learning & data
Synthesis work
The Independent Evaluation Unit undertakes synthesis work to bring together findings and results from evaluations, reviews, and studies conducted by the IEU. Synthesis products aggregate existing evidence to examine issues across multiple sources, rather than focusing on a single evaluation or intervention.
Synthesis work may be developed in connection with specific evaluations or Board processes, or as analyses that cut across themes, modalities, or areas of the Green Climate Fund’s operations. These products draw on available evaluation evidence in line with the principles and standards set out in the GCF Evaluation Policy and Evaluation Standards.
IEU synthesis products are intended to complement individual evaluations by supporting learning and reflection on cross-cutting issues and patterns emerging from the evaluation portfolio.
Synthesis products
Independent Synthesis of the GCF’s Gender Approach
September 2025
Approved at the fortieth meeting of the GCF Board (B.40), this formative Gender Synthesis consolidates insights from past evaluations, assessments, and studies to inform the forthcoming Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Gender Approach. The Synthesis examines gender integration at both institutional and project levels, highlighting the Fund’s progress in advancing from a gender-sensitive to a gender-responsive approach under the 2019 Updated Gender Policy and Gender Action Plan.
COA2025: A Synthesis of Evaluative Findings on the GCF’s Country Ownership Approach
February 2025
This synthesis brings together findings from previous evaluations conducted by the IEU that include a country ownership dimension. It contributes to the upcoming Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Approach to Country Ownership by identifying common findings, conclusions, and recommendations related to country ownership across past IEU evaluations.
IEU Synthesis on Access in the GCF
June 2024
In decision B.37/21, the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved the 2024 workplan of the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the GCF. The workplan includes, among other things, the undertaking of a synthesis on access, the results of which are presented in this report. The synthesis explores the broader context of access, extending beyond mere accreditation. The synthesis aims to develop and present analysis to inform the current discussion on access to the GCF, the strengths and...
LORTA Synthesis Report 2023
February 2024
This document provides a report of the key activities of the LORTA Programme for 2023. It is Annex 5 of a report of the IEU's key activities for the period of January to December 2023, which reports on the IEU outputs and achievements in line with the Independent Evaluation Unit 2023 Work Plan and Budget and Update of its three-year work plan and objectives (document GCF/B.34/16).
LORTA Synthesis Report 2022
June 2023
This document provides a report of the key activities of the LORTA Programme for 2022. It is Annex III of a report of the key activities of the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) for the period of 1 January to 30 April 2023. It reports on the IEU’s outputs and achievements in line with its Board-approved work plan for 2023.
Synthesis Note: An IEU deliverable for the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund's Readiness and Preparatory Support Program
March 2023
This synthesis document offers an overview of existing evaluative evidence on various dimensions of importance to RPSP based on the findings of previous IEU evaluations, including repeating selected findings from the first RPSP evaluation. It will provide preliminary lessons that can feed into the ongoing drafting of a new RPSP Strategy. It will also serve as a basis for the 2023 IEU’s evaluation of the RPSP, which aims to update the GCF Secretariat and the Board on the effectiveness and...
Second Performance Review: Report of the Synthesis Study
March 2022
This synthesis report is an early, stand-alone SPR product and analytical tool that seeks to lay a foundation for common understanding of what is known about the current status of the GCF for all key stakeholders leading into the SPR. It provides a clear picture of what is already known for the SPR and serves as an update for the GCF Board on the SPR by synthesizing the key findings, conclusions, and lessons of the documents and evaluations available in the GCF-1 programming period.
