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GEF NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISMS: STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITY SETTING AND IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND RESULTS IN THE FIELD CAMEROON’S EXPERIENCE By: Justin NANTCHOU NGOKO GEF/Cameroon Operational Focal Point. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
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GEF NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISMS: STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITY SETTING AND IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND RESULTS IN THE FIELD CAMEROON’S EXPERIENCE By: Justin NANTCHOU NGOKO GEF/Cameroon Operational Focal Point
PRESENTATION OUTLINE • BACKGROUND: Why and how Cameroon decided to undertake the coordination and priority-setting process 2.Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms, elaborate strategies, determine national priorities and improve the communications system and results in the field terrain • Main actors and agencies involved in the GEF coordination process • Impact of the process on Cameroon’s contribution within GEF • Challenges/difficulties encountered and solutions found • Main lessons learnt and outlook
1. BACKGROUND: • Scattered activities/conflicts between actors and limited impacts on the ground • Current GEF reforms (RAF): need for results on the ground; need for better organization to avoid waste of time and available resources • GEF Awareness-raising to enhance support to GEF Focal Points in their coordination roles
2.Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms … • National information and training workshop on GEF mechanisms • Identification of key stakeholders based on principles and selection criteria in relation with roles to be played
2.Process undertaken to establish coordination mechanisms … (cont’d) • Creation of National GEF Committee by ministerial order: composition, missions and relations with GEF Focal Points • Compilation of telephone and e-mail address directory • Elaboration of activity monitoring plan
3. Main actors and agencies involved: composition and roles • Public sector: Government ministries, Universities and Research Institutions, Convention Focal Points (biodiversity, climate change, desertification, POPs, NEPAD, etc.). Coordinate process, initiate projects, technical support, mobilization of projects’ counterpart contributions • Private sector and civil society :initiate projects in relation with local communities, support cofinancing mobilization and project implementation
3.Main actors and agencies involved: composition and roles (cont’d) • GEF Implementing Agents :Technical expertise and support for cofinancing mobilization • Occasionally, Subregional Organizations: e.g. COMIFAC
4.Impact of the process on Cameroon’s contribution within GEF • Visibility of activities on the ground and enhanced synergy between actors • Strengthened motivation and dynamism of actors on the ground and improved contribution to GEF work programme • Participatory approach to priority-identification processus within the RAF
5. Challenges/Difficulties encountered, and solutions found 5.1. Challenges/Difficulties encountered • Limited confidence on the ground: GEF procedures • Difficulties in understanding the RAF and meeting the deadlines for submitting the list of project concepts • Disproportion between CSP funds and the scope of GEF-OFPs’ tasks to be carried out on the ground
5.1. Challenges/Difficulties encountered (cont’d) • Stakeholders’ allowances and media motivation • Conflicts between Implementing Agents’ procedures and GEF procedures on the ground • GEF/OFP under threat of being removed at any time without valid reasons
5.2. Solutions found and envisioned • Awareness-raising of stakeholders on their personal interest in the process • Suggestion to GEF regarding production of simple guide to project elaboration in RAF thematic areas • Suggestion to GEF regarding enhanced support to GEF/OFPs commensurate with their missions: ongoing training to RAF, operating funds, etc.
5.2. Solutions found and envisioned (cont’d) • Consideration being given to possible budget allocation for GEF activities • Suggestions to GEF regarding actions to increase stability of the GEF FP institution: requiring set duration of FP mandate, ensuring permanence and sustainability of actions on the ground
6. Main lessons learnt and outlook 6.1. Main lessons learnt • An enduring process requiring consistency and perseverance • A place to share experiences and identify real problems as well as sometimes unhoped-for solutions • Facilitation of ownership of initiatives and priorities
6.2. Outlook • Building stakeholders’ capacities: RAF/Small Grant Projects • Participation of the GEF/OFP in a Radio/TV broadcast programme • Creation of collaborative platform with some media outlets such as Radio Environnement (Radio) et Canal 2 International (TV)
6.2. Outlook (cont’d) • Continuation of consultations in connection with identification of Cameroon’s environmental priorities within the GEF Resource Allocation Framework (RAF) • Holding regular meetings of the National GEF Committee • Awareness-raising for local groups • Elaboration of a database of projects and on the ground monitoring activities (as allowed by our resources)
THE END THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDATTENTION !!!