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.
Evaluation-linked synthesis
Independent Synthesis of the GCF’s Gender Approach
26 Sep 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
01 Feb 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.
Second Performance Review: Report of the Synthesis Study
09 Mar 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.
Thematic synthesis
IEU Synthesis on Access in the GCF
24 Jun 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.
Modality-focused synthesis
Final report of the Independent Synthesis of Direct Access in the Green Climate Fund
23 Feb 2023
The synthesis of Direct Access in the Green Climate Fund was conducted to assess and provide learning on the Fund’s implementation of the direct access concept and approach and to improve the relevance and performance of the GCF’s direct access modality as a way of accessing financing from the Fund. This independent synthesis used a utilization-focused framework, with the objective of being beneficial to its intended users in terms of providing learning, informing decision-making, and assessing and improving overall performance.
Final report of the Independent synthesis of the Green Climate Fund’s accreditation function
30 Jun 2020
The synthesis study was a desk study and examined existing evidence on accreditation. It systematically and objectively synthesized key findings and made recommendations for the GCF’s accreditation strategy. The aims of this study were to (a) collect all relevant documents produced by the GCF Secretariat, IEU and external stakeholders; (b) critically appraise those documents; and (c) synthesize high-quality evidence into knowledge and lessons learned.
Synthesis briefs and notes
Synthesis brief: Evidence review on results-based payments in the context of climate change
15 Apr 2024
This 2-page brief presents synthesized findings from the evidence review on the effectiveness of results-based payment interventions in the context of climate change, conducted by the IEU in 2020.
Synthesis Note: An IEU deliverable for the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund's Readiness and Preparatory Support Program
09 Mar 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 efficiency of the RPSP in developing countries.