As global environmental challenges intensify, innovative approaches that align conservation efforts with human well-being are more crucial than ever. NbS offer a promising pathway, leveraging natural processes to address critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation.
The GEF has long recognised the transformative potential of NbS, embedding them within its strategic framework to promote sustainable development and resilience across diverse ecosystems. Over the years, GEF has supported numerous NbS projects around the world with a focus on harnessing the power of nature for environmental restoration, climate adaptation, and strengthening community resilience.
We are supporting the GEF to understand the impact of its NbS initiatives and provide lessons to guide future strategic decisions.
By understanding what works, where, and why, this evaluation will inform future GEF strategies and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for all, ensuring that NbS continue to deliver meaningful environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Our role
This evaluation represents the first comprehensive assessment of GEF’s NbS initiatives. It will provide crucial insights into the effectiveness of these solutions. We will highlight best practices and identify areas for improvement by examining how well these interventions are integrated into GEF’s portfolio and evaluating their impact.
Itad is collaborating with the Global Environment Facility’s Independent Evaluation Office (GEF IEO) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the GEF’s NbS initiatives. Our role includes
- analysing the scope and scale of NbS projects funded by the GEF,
- evaluating their alignment with GEF’s strategic objectives, and
- assessing their impact on both ecosystems and communities.
Through a robust evaluation framework, we will provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of these solutions, focusing on outcomes such as enhanced biodiversity, improved climate resilience, and socio-economic benefits for local communities.
Our findings will help GEF refine its approach, ensuring that future NbS projects are more targeted, impactful, and scalable.
Methods and approaches
Our evaluation will employ a mixed-methods approach, designed to capture the complexity and diversity of NbS interventions. Key components of our methodology include:
- Utilisation-Focused Evaluation: we will align our evaluation with the needs of GEF stakeholders, ensuring that our findings are practical and relevant. Regular engagement and co-creation of recommendations will help us tailor our insights to maximise strategic impact.
- Participatory and Inclusive Engagement: our evaluation will involve diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), and other marginalised groups. By capturing a wide range of perspectives, we ensure that our evaluation reflects the experiences and insights of all those involved.
- Theory-Based Approach: using a Theory of Change framework, we will map out the intended benefits and co-benefits of NbS initiatives, identifying pathways to change and examining underlying assumptions. This approach helps us understand the broader impacts of NbS on both environmental and social outcomes.
- Mixed Methods and Evidence Synthesis: we will combine qualitative and quantitative data, drawing from project documents, key informant interviews, and geospatial data. Triangulating this evidence will allow us to provide a comprehensive assessment of NbS effectiveness, reducing bias and enhancing the reliability of our findings.
By employing these methods, we aim to provide robust and actionable insights into GEF’s NbS initiatives, supporting the development of strategies that enhance environmental sustainability and community resilience.
Outcomes and impact
The evaluation aims to highlight the transformative potential of Nature-based Solutions in addressing global environmental challenges. By identifying what works well and what could be improved, our work will help the GEF and its partners enhance the design, implementation, and scaling of NbS initiatives.
The insights gained will contribute directly to the ongoing GEF-8 strategies, providing valuable lessons that will shape future programming. Additionally, these findings will inform the GEF-9 replenishment process, helping to align future NbS investments with GEF’s strategic priorities.
Ultimately, this evaluation will help guide strategies to ensure both ecosystems and communities benefit from sustainable practices.
