From early lessons to future directions: ERIP at the first Global Forum for the GEF Integrated Programs

Advancing integrated solutions through global collaboration

Bringing together agencies, country representatives, and partners, the Forum convened nearly 300 people leading efforts to tackle the root causes of ecological and climate challenges. Participants shared insights from their work on some of the world’s most persistent and complex issues, while reflecting on how Integrated Programs are progressing from design to implementation and impact.

Throughout the week, ERIP team members contributed as session organizers and speakers, collaborating with other Integrated Programs and the GEF Secretariat across a range of discussions. 

Sharing early implementation experience

ERIP’s engagement focused on early lessons from implementation, with contributions across several events. Contries representatives from Rwanda, Cambodia, Madagascar, Brazil, and Mexico shared updates from the first year of implementation, highlighting key priorities for advancing restoration efforts. These included establishing governance and coordination mechanisms, integrating safeguards early, and strengthening monitoring systems and learning processes—elements consistently identified as critical for long-term outcomes.

Strengthening coordination and learning across countries

Discussions highlighted the role of ERIP’s Global Coordination Project in supporting exchange between countries and facilitating early-stage implementation. Coordination, technical support, and shared learning were pointed out as important factors influencing how quickly projects move from planning to action.

ERIP also contributed to sessions on spatial tools for integrated planning and monitoring, showcasing approaches used by countries to align planning, implementation, and reporting processes, including tools such as Trends.Earth.

Collaboration across Integrated Programs

The Forum created space for exchange across Integrated Programs, including collaboration between ERIP, the Guinean Forests Integrated Program, the Global Wildlife Program, and the Food Systems Integrated Program.

Inputs to future programming

Insights from the Forum fed into broader reflections on the future of Integrated Programs, including considerations for the next GEF funding cycle (GEF-9).

Participants shared lessons and perspectives on governance, stakeholder engagement, blended finance, and results-based management, helping to inform the next phase of the GEF’s integrated approach.