The GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for the Eastern Europe Constituency in Ukraine, March 6-9, 2017

From Political and Operational focal points, to the representatives of civil society organizations from the Eastern Europe region – the GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for the Eastern Europe Constituency – gathered them all and delivered a unique opportunity to learn about the new features, policies and procedures of the GEF.

Green finance, enhancing synergies towards climate action and sustainable development on the ground, stakeholder engagement and gender mainstreaming are some of the topics that were covered during March 6 to March 9, 2017, in Lviv, Ukraine.

The workshop started with an overview presentation delivered by Ms. Inessa Galitschi, National Coordinator of SGP-Moldova and Ms. Svitlana Nigorodova, National Coordinator of SGP-Ukraine, also the event’s hostess. The Q&A session, as well as the SGP consultations, that followed, targeted the SGP’s strategic directions for GEF-7.

Thus, the representatives of the civil society organizations, Political and Operational focal points, through the organized working groups, shared their perspectives on the key priorities that SGP could address within its strategic initiatives in GEF-7 in the region. Policy consistency, the strengthening of CSOs roles and their participation in the development and implementation of full-sized projects, capacity building and networking were the general directions that proceeded.

Moreover, along with the specific recommendations addressed to the existing GEF SGP’s thematic areas, a special emphasize was directed on Catalyzing Sustainable Urban Solutions – as a proposed programming OP7 direction.

Apart from consultations, Q&A session and recommendations, a GEF SGP marketplace has been exhibited as a way of promoting the evidenced-based practices, sharing information and knowledge to encourage learning, improve organizational practices and achieve successful outcomes.

The GEF SGP marketplace gathered Ukrainian rustic traditions and customs, local practices and products, folk songs performances, and many other sharable knowledge products and exhibits of at least 10 SGP projects. The experience regarding best practices and sustainable results on the ground could be observed on the random documentary videos and slide shows with SGP project photos running on screens, CSOs banners and stands, as well as displays with SGP visibility materials.

The event culminated with a knowledge day organized by the host around Lviv city. Having strengthen their abilities in addressing environmental issues, managing natural resources issues and mainstreaming environmental sustainability into development policies, plans and decisions, the participants headed into exploring the center of the historical region of Galicia.

More information can be found here.