IEU publications
To serve the needs of our stakeholders, the IEU issues a variety of publications related to our work, including in the context of evaluations and learning. Keep up with the IEU’s latest publications here.
Featured publications
Independent Evaluation of the GCF's Approach to Country Ownership (COA2025)
This independent evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) approach to country ownership was approved by the GCF Board as part of the 2025 workplan of the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) and is submitted in time for its forty-third meeting (B
MELting Silos: Mixing Evaluations with Monitoring & Learning Across the Green Climate Fund
This IEU Learning Brief, prepared jointly by the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) and the Department of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (DMEL), examines how the Green Climate Fund (GCF) can better align its monitoring, evaluation, and learni
Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Simplified Approval Process (SAP2025)
The Green Climate Fund’s Simplified Approval Process (SAP) was created to make climate finance more accessible and responsive, thus enabling smaller, lower-risk projects to address urgent climate needs in vulnerable countries.
The Third Evaluability assessment of the Green Climate Fund’s Funding Proposals
This report presents the third evaluability study conducted by the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The study assesses whether GCF projects and programmes can be evaluated in a reliable and credible manner.
Evidence Review on Forest Conservation – An Evidence Gap Map
March 2025
This report presents an evidence gap map summarizing the available evidence on certification and land tenure interventions to conserve forests in developing countries. It identifies areas with strong evidence and highlights critical gaps where further research is needed. The map supports decision-making for climate and forest policy by showing where interventions have been studied and what outcomes they influence.
Approach Paper: Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Simplified Approval Process (SAP2025)
February 2025
The Simplified Approval Process (SAP), adopted by the GCF Board in 2017 (B.18) and updated in 2022 (B.32), aims to streamline funding access for small-scale climate projects, enhancing efficiency in approval and disbursement. Building on the IEU’s 2020 assessment of the SAP Pilot Scheme, this 2025 evaluation examines how effectively the updated SAP delivers simplified access and meets developing countries' needs. This approach paper outlines the evaluation’s methodology, key questions, timeline...
Impact evaluation baseline report for FP034: Building resilient communities, wetlands ecosystems and associated catchments in Uganda
February 2025
This baseline report evaluates FP034, a wetland restoration and community resilience project in Uganda, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Assessed under the Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) Programme, the study uses a difference-in-differences design with matching to measure project impact. Data was collected from 1,666 households across treatment and comparison wetland systems in eastern and southwestern Uganda, alongside flora and fauna...
Infographic (PPWW2024)
February 2025
This infographic presents key findings and recommendations from the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s Approach to and Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses (PPWW2024). It highlights insights from surveys, interviews, and stakeholder consultations on the effectiveness, awareness, and implementation of the GCF’s whistleblower protection policy.
Country case study: Tajikistan (HWFW2024)
February 2025
This case study was undertaken as part of the independent evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Result Area (RA) “Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Water Security” (HWFW). The evaluation was launched in April 2024 by the GCF Independent Evaluation Unit, with the objectives of reporting on the GCF’s HWFW results and progress towards targets, while also shedding light on why results have been achieved or not, and how the GCF’s interventions can be improved.
Country case study: Republic of Marshall Islands (HWFW2024)
February 2025
This case study was undertaken as part of the independent evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Result Area (RA) “Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Water Security” (HWFW). The evaluation was launched in April 2024 by the GCF Independent Evaluation Unit, with the objectives of reporting on the GCF’s HWFW results and progress towards targets, while also shedding light on why results have been achieved or not, and how the GCF’s interventions can be improved.
Country case study: Namibia
February 2025
This case study was undertaken as part of the independent evaluation of the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Result Area (RA) “Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Water Security” (HWFW). The evaluation was launched in April 2024 by the GCF Independent Evaluation Unit, with the objectives of reporting on the GCF’s HWFW results and progress towards targets, while also shedding light on why results have been achieved or not, and how the GCF’s interventions can be improved.
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.
Final Report of the Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Result Area “Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Water Security” (HWFW)
January 2025
In 2024, the IEU undertook the Independent Evaluation of the GCF’s Result Area “Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Water Security” (HWFW) in line with its Board-approved 2024 work plan.This evaluation was launched in March 2024. The final evaluation report was submitted in January 2025 in time for B.41, the first Board meeting to take place in 2025. This evaluation assessed the actual and likely achievements of the HWFW result area-tagged GCF investments and key factors that enable or hinder...
