Stakeholder engagement is a key component of the Revised Environmental and Social Policy that applies to all activities financed by the GCF, and to both private and public sector accredited entities. The GCF is committed to enhancing the social and environmental outcomes of its activities while avoiding and mitigating any adverse risks and/or impacts its activities might cause.  Integrating the voices of communities and individuals into project and subproject design and implementation is an essential component of internationally recognized safeguard policies, norms and practices. By engaging early and often with stakeholders, AEs, intermediaries and their partners can develop interactive and constructive processes to ensure that people are well informed, their ideas are advanced, and their concerns are heard and addressed.  

Requiring AEs to establish meaningful consultation and engagement processes is a strategic priority embedded in the environmental and social management system for GCF and the environmental and social safeguards, Revised Environmental and Social Policy, Updated Gender Policy and Indigenous Peoples Policy of the GCF. GCF underscores its commitment to improving the well-being of vulnerable people that are affected or potentially affected by GCF-financed activities: hose in vulnerable positions and situations; marginalized populations, groups, and individuals, with a particular focus on women and girls; indigenous peoples; local communities; and those that are especially vulnerable to exploitation or other potentially harmful unintended project impacts.  

This guidance note offers practical steps for getting started, and for developing tools and approaches over the life of a project and beyond. It provides guidance on how to meet the requirements for stakeholder engagement and consultation outlined in GCF policies. The guidance note is not a Fund policy, nor mandatory and it does not substitute for the need to exercise sound judgment in making decisions related to stakeholder engagement in projects and programmes. An appendix includes discussion and review of stakeholder engagement processes and approaches in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.