IEU publications
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
Final report of the Second Performance Review of the Green Climate Fund
The Second Performance Review of the Green Climate Fund covers the GCF-1 period and seeks to inform, among other things, the next update to the strategic plan (USP-2), currently being discussed for the GCF-2 period (2024–2027).
Final report of the Independent Synthesis of Direct Access in the Green Climate Fund
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 mo
Synthesis Note: An IEU deliverable for the Independent Evaluation of the Green Climate Fund's Readiness and Preparatory Support Program
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.
Final Report of the Independent Evaluation of the Relevance and Effectiveness of the Green Climate Fund's Investments in the African States
This independent evaluation assesses whether the GCF’s approach and investments in the African States have been effective in promoting a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways.
Final report on the Independent Evaluation of the Relevance and Effectiveness of the Green Climate Fund's Investments in the SIDS
October 2020
SIDS are an exceptionally heterogeneous group of countries. But they all have one thing in common: they are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. SIDS face numerous climate threats, including rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, flooding, drought, reduced availability of fresh water, coral reef decline and sea level rise. SIDS suffer inordinately more from climate change than they contribute to it through greenhouse gas emissions. They have been vocal about...
GEvalNote 08
October 2020
Small island developing States (SIDS) face numerous climate threats, such as rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, drought and coral reef decline. Due to rising sea levels many SIDS expect to face food and freshwater insecurity. This 2020 2-page note introduces decision makers to the key points of the IEU’s evaluation of the relevance and effectiveness of the GCF’s investments in SIDS. It describes in clear terms the evaluation’s background, context, conclusions,...
GEvalBrief 08
October 2020
Small island developing states (SIDS) face numerous climate threats, such as rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, drought and coral reef decline. Due to rising sea levels many SIDS expect to face food and freshwater insecurity. This 2020 4-page brief introduces decision makers to the key points in the IEU’s evaluation of the relevance and effectiveness of the GCF’s investments in SIDS. With the effective use of graphs and tables and clear text, it describes the evaluation’...
Impact Evaluation Baseline Report for FP073: Strengthening Climate Resilience of Rural Communities in Northern Rwanda "Green Gicumbi Project"
September 2020
This report presents the findings of the baseline survey for strengthening climate resilience of rural communities in Northern Rwanda commonly known as the "Green Gicumbi Project".
Final report on the independent evaluation of the GCF's Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP2019)
August 2020
This report presents the findings of the Independent Evaluation of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The RPSP was launched in 2014, less than one year after the GCF officially opened its permanent headquarters in Songdo, Republic of Korea in December 2013. It is a strategic priority of the GCF Board, as stated in decision B.05/14 and again in decision B.08/11. With its decision B.17/07, the Board invited the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU...
IEU brochure
August 2020
The Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) ensures GCF is accountable and effective. It conducts independent evaluations of GCF’s activities to guarantee its accountability, and synthesises learnings from these assessments to support GCF’s effectiveness as a learning institution.
GEvalNote 06
August 2020
In deploying its resources, the GCF works through a wide range of institutions to finance projects and programmes. To access funding, these institutions must fulfil the requirements of an accreditation process. This 2-page note introduces decision makers to the key points in the IEU’s synthesis of the GCF's accreditation function. It describes in clear terms the accreditation function, key questions, key findings and separate recommendations for the Secretariat and the Board.
GEvalBrief 06
August 2020
In deploying its resources, the GCF works through a wide range of institutions to finance projects and programmes. To access funding, these institutions must fulfil the requirements of an accreditation process. This 2020 4-page brief introduces decision makers to the key points in the IEU’s synthesis of the GCF's accreditation function. It describes the aims of the synthesis, the accreditation function, overall findings and separate recommendations for the Secretariat and the Board.
GEvalNote 07
August 2020
The simplified approval process pilot scheme (SAP) aims to expedite the GCF’s efforts of bringing innovative climate solutions from concept to impact through easier documentation and clearer application guidelines. This 2020 2-page note introduces decision makers to the key points of the IEU’s rapid assessment of the SAP pilot scheme. It describes in clear terms the evaluation’s background, the GCF’s SAP modality, findings, recommendations and methods.
GEvalBrief 07
August 2020
The simplified approval process pilot scheme (SAP) aims to expedite the GCF’s efforts of bringing innovative climate solutions from concept to impact through easier documentation and clearer application guidelines. This 2020 4-page brief introduces decision makers to the key points of the IEU’s rapid assessment of the SAP pilot scheme. With the effective use of graphs and tables and clear text, It describes the evaluation’s background, the GCF’s SAP modality, findings and recommendations.
Independent Review recommends changes to the Green Climate Fund
July 2020
The world’s largest funding body for climate change actions, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has been urged in an independent Review to adopt several changes if it is to remain at the forefront of supporting and financing developing country needs with respect to climate change.
Approach Brief: SAP2020
July 2020
The simplified approval process pilot scheme (SAP) aims to expedite the GCF’s process of bringing innovative climate solutions from concept to impact through easier documentation and clearer application guidelines. This 2020 2-page introductory brief provides a pre-implementation summary of the IEU’s planned assessment of the SAP. It describes the assessment’s context, purpose, scope, methods and approach to country missions.
"Show me the money": Resource allocation, funding windows and country needs
June 2020
As the initial resource mobilization period of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) draws to an end with over USD 10 billion received in commitments, this paper examines the GCF’s financial flows over this time. The paper begins by exploring the GCF’s three main funding activities: the project portfolio, the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme and the Project Preparation Facility. Following by examining the extent to which this funding trickles down to ground-level beneficiaries. Finally, it...
Final report of the Independent synthesis of the Green Climate Fund’s accreditation function
June 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.
Final report on the independent synthesis of the GCF's accreditation function
June 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. This study is not an evaluation but a...
Final report on the independent assessment of the GCF's Simplified Approval Process (SAP) Pilot Scheme
June 2020
At the twenty-fourth meeting of the Board (B.24), the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the GCF was requested by the Board to conduct an independent assessment of the GCF SAP Pilot Scheme, with the aim of informing the Board on the performance of the SAP, as well as supporting the scheme’s further development.
Approach Brief: SIDS2020
June 2020
Small island developing States (SIDS) face numerous climate threats, such as rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, drought and coral reef decline. Due to rising sea levels many SIDS expect to face food and freshwater insecurity. This 2020 2-page introductory brief provides a pre-implementation summary of the IEU’s planned evaluation of the relevance and effectiveness of the GCF’s investments in small island states, including its context, purpose, objectives, scope, methods...