Zimbabwe is a member and beneficiary of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) GEF since 1994 through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife. The Ministry has received several grants from the GEF which have allowed Zimbabwe, over and above meeting global targets, to address many environmental challenges including community livelihoods. GEF resources are mainly provided through the STAR (Systematic and Transparent Allocation of Resources) allocation framework for projects in one or more of the three focal areas i.e biodiversity, climate change and land degradation. The other focal areas benefit from set asides through enabling activities and regional projects as well as through impact programs.

Zimbabwe has used 100% of its GEF8 resources and has surpassed the 92% average of GEF Countries. Some of the major programs which have benefited from the GEF are as follows;

• • • 2010 – 2014: GEF 5– USD6,5million allocated to Hwange Sanyati Biological Corridor Project (project closed but seeking funds for phase II)
    • 2014 – 2018: GEF6– USD9million allocated to a Global Wildlife Project in Mbire, Muzarabani and Hurungwe (completed)
    • 2018 – 2022: GEF7– 2 million allocated to a Drylands Sustainable Landscapes project in Runde and Save river basins (project underway)
    • 2022 – 2026: GEF8– 22million was allocated to Zimbabwe broken done as follows; USD3million dollars to Ministry of Transport for an Electric vehicle project (design stage); USD7Million for a Biodiversity economy project (design stage), USD2million for a sustainable cities programme for Harare and Bulawayo (design stage); and 1million for small grants direct to community-based projects (being implemented).

Over and above this, the Ministry of Environment Climate and Wildlife has also mobilised resources through the GEF for other sectors such as; Pungwe Buzi and Save Integrated water project for the Ministry of Lands (USD6million from GEF, 2020 – 2025); The Limpopo basin integrated water project for the Ministry of Lands (USD6million from GEF, 2023-2027); The Electric vehicle project, E-mobility for the Ministry of Transport (USD3million from GEF). The GEF has therefore been a significant source of funding for programmes and projects related to environment and natural resources in Zimbabwe.