Before the GEF Council approved the Resource Allocation Framework (RAF) in 2005, GEF resource allocation was not based on a pre-formulated, country-level formula like the RAF. Instead, it operated on a predominantly "demand-driven" model. This "pre-RAF" period covered the GEF's Pilot Phase and subsequent GEF-1, GEF-2, and GEF-3** replenishment cycles. Its core characteristics were as follows:

Demand-Driven Project Model: Funds were not pre-allocated to individual countries. Instead, countries submitted project proposals based on their own identified needs. The GEF Secretariat and Council would then review and approve proposals based on criteria such as proposal quality, alignment with GEF focal areas, and the potential for generating global environmental benefits. This was a bottom-up "project submission and approval" system.

Project-Based Approach: GEF funding was allocated to specific, individually approved projects rather than to a country's "account."

Incremental Cost Principle: Funding was primarily used to cover the "incremental costs"—the additional costs compared to a conventional development path—associated with generating global environmental benefits.

Main Implementing Agencies: Projects were primarily developed and executed by the GEF's three founding implementing agencies—the World Bank (WB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)—in partnership with national governments.

No Pre-Set Country Allocations: Under this system, there was no pre-determined formula to decide how much funding each country would receive. A country's ability to access resources depended heavily on its capacity to develop high-quality project proposals and its effectiveness in navigating the approval process.

Under the pre-RAF system, Zimbabwe's access to GEF resources followed the same mechanism described above. The Government of Zimbabwe (typically through the Ministry responsible for environment) would collaborate with implementing agencies like UNDP and UNEP to identify the country's most pressing environmental challenges. A notable example is the "Zimbabwe UNDP-GEF Rural Household and Community Solar Project," implemented between 1994 and 1997. This project aimed to promote solar photovoltaic lighting systems and perfectly illustrates the pre-RAF model: the Government of Zimbabwe, in partnership with UNDP, identified the need, developed the project, and applied for GEF funding. The GEF grant directly supported this specific, national-level project.

According to GEF statistics, from the Pilot Phase through GEF-3 (1990–2006), Zimbabwe accessed approximately US$7.56 million in total resources under this framework. These funds were distributed across several national projects, similar to the solar energy initiative mentioned above. In essence, before the RAF, GEF resource allocation resembled more of a "project competition" in which countries competed for funding by submitting high-quality project proposals. This was fundamentally different from the RAF and its successor, the STAR (System for Transparent Allocation of Resources), under which countries receive *pre-allocated, predictable "national funding envelopes" based on a formula.

The Resource Allocation Framework (RAF) was a landmark policy adopted by the GEF Council in September 2005 to fundamentally reshape how GEF resources were distributed to recipient countries. Prior to the RAF, country allocations were less predictable and were determined largely on a project-by-project basis. The RAF was designed to increase the transparency, predictability, and equity of GEF funding by basing allocations on objective, performance-based criteria. It was first implemented during the GEF-4 replenishment cycle (2006–2010) and allocated resources specifically to the biodiversity and climate change focal areas.

The RAF allocated resources to countries using a formula based on two core indices:

The GEF Benefits Index (GBI): This measured a country's potential to generate global environmental benefits in a particular focal area. For instance, countries with large, biodiverse ecosystems would score higher in the biodiversity focal area.

The GEF Performance Index (GPI): This assessed a country's capacity, policies, and practices relevant to the successful implementation of GEF programs and projects.

Country scores were calculated based on these two indices, and resources were then allocated proportionally. It is important to note that under the RAF, 75% of aggregated funds were provided as individual allocations to top-ranked countries, while the remaining countries shared a pool of funds. Furthermore, there was a rule that only 50% of a country's allocation could be utilized in the first two years of the replenishment cycle. The RAF was later replaced by the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) starting with the GEF-5 replenishment, which expanded the framework to include the land degradation focal area.

For Zimbabwe, the RAF provided a clear, up-front indication of the financial resources the country could access during the GEF-4 period. According to the GEF's country profile, Zimbabwe's total indicative allocation under the RAF was $7,100,000. This amount was broken down into $3,800,000 for the biodiversity focal area and $3,300,000 for the climate change focal area.

However, the data also shows that the framework's initial stages presented challenges. During the GEF-4 period, Zimbabwe had not yet utilized any of its $7.1 million RAF allocation at the time the data was recorded, with the full amount remaining to be programmed. This low level of initial utilization was not unique to Zimbabwe; a midterm review of the RAF noted that overall resource utilization stood at just 31% of total focal area funds after two years, partly due to the slow start of the GEF-4 replenishment period and the implementation of other GEF reforms. Despite these early hurdles, the RAF marked a significant step toward a more structured and transparent resource allocation system for Zimbabwe and all GEF-eligible countries.

The fifth replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-5) covered the period from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2014. It represented a historic moment for the GEF, with donors pledging a total of US$4.35 billion, a 55% increase over the GEF-4 level. This made GEF-5 the largest replenishment in the Facility's history at the time. The total funding envelope available during the cycle was approximately Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 2.83 billion (US$4.34 billion) , which included new pledges, carried-over resources from GEF-4, and projected investment income.

A major reform introduced in GEF-5 was the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR), which replaced the earlier Resource Allocation Framework (RAF). STAR expanded the allocation framework to include land degradation alongside biodiversity and climate change. Other key reforms included decreasing the project cycle to 18 months and increasing transparency by allowing national focal points to access project cycle data. The replenishment also placed a strong emphasis on promoting country ownership by better integrating GEF initiatives with national development planning processes, and on improving efficiency and effectiveness through operational reforms.

Zimbabwe's GEF-5 Portfolio

Under the GEF-5 STAR allocation system, Zimbabwe received a total indicative allocation of $6.58 million across the three focal areas:

2. Climate Change: $2.00 million
3. Biodiversity: $1.72 million
4. Land Degradation: $2.87 million

Beyond the STAR allocation, Zimbabwe also accessed additional GEF resources through other funding windows. Key projects from Zimbabwe's GEF-5 portfolio include:

Scaling up Adaptation in Zimbabwe, with a Focus on Rural Livelihoods, by Strengthening Integrated Planning Systems (GEF ID: 4960): A full-size project implemented by UNDP, focused on strengthening climate adaptation planning systems to support rural livelihoods. The project was financially closed with a GEF grant of $3,000,000.

Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor (HSBC) Project (GEF ID: 4645): A multi-focal area project implemented by the World Bank, covering approximately 5.7 million hectares in northwestern Zimbabwe within the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Trans-frontier Conservation Area. The project focused on biodiversity conservation, climate change, and land degradation.

GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) - Fifth Operational Phase: Zimbabwe participated in the GEF SGP's fifth operational phase under GEF-5, which implemented projects using STAR resources across multiple focal areas, including biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, and chemicals.

The sixth replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-6) covered the period from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2018. Negotiations were completed in April 2014, and the replenishment became effective on November 20, 2014, after 20 contributing participants deposited their Instruments of Commitment. The agreed total funding envelope for GEF-6 was SDR 2.94 billion (approximately US$4.43 billion). This comprised:

3. US$3.716 billion in new pledges from donors
4. US$583 million in resources carried over from previous replenishments
5. US$134 million in projected investment income

The System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) was carried forward from GEF-5 and continued to serve as the primary mechanism for allocating resources to countries across the biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation focal areas. For GEF-6, the STAR model was implemented based on a projected replenishment of $4.43 billion, with $2.34 billion budgeted for country allocations. Key reforms during GEF-6 included imposing a uniform 10% ceiling on the total resources of a focal area for determining the maximum country allocation, ensuring that no single country could dominate a focal area's resources. The GEF-6 STAR also provided least developed countries (LDCs) with a greater share of GEF resources, driven largely by an increase in allocation floors.

In addition to the STAR allocations, the GEF-6 replenishment continued to support other programming windows, including set-asides for regional and global initiatives, the Small Grants Programme (SGP), and enabling activities that help countries meet their obligations under international environmental conventions. By March 31, 2018, 29 out of 31 contributing participants had fully authorized their commitments, with approximately 88.3% paid in cash or promissory notes.

Zimbabwe's GEF-6 Portfolio

Under the GEF-6 STAR allocation system, Zimbabwe received a total indicative allocation of $10.1 million to address challenges in climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity. This represented a significant increase from the $5.1 million allocated under GEF-5. The allocation was channelled primarily into a single flagship initiative in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region, with the choice of location informed by the need to complete GEF's geographical coverage of the country, as projects were already being implemented in the southern and western parts.

Key projects from Zimbabwe's GEF-6 portfolio include:

Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management and Climate-Smart Landscapes in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Region of Zimbabwe (GEF ID: 9660): This was the centrepiece of Zimbabwe's GEF-6 portfolio—a full-size, multi-focal area project implemented by UNDP, approved for a GEF grant of $10,025,964 with substantial co-financing of $47,411,000. The project aimed to promote an integrated landscape approach to managing wildlife resources, carbon, and ecosystem services in the face of climate change across protected areas and community lands in the Mid to Lower Zambezi Regions. It focused on reducing key threats to wildlife, habitat, and local livelihoods including poaching, illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change in one of the country's key biodiversity hotspots. The six-year project (2018–2024) built on the success of the earlier GEF Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor Project, which was implemented from 2015. It targeted a total area of 1,616,900 hectares across Hurungwe, Muzarabani, and Mbire districts, with expected outcomes including increased capacity for illegal wildlife trade control, integrated wildlife and woodland management, and improved capacity of protected area networks and Campfire Wildlife Conservancies. Notable achievements included beekeeping training for 1,200 people, small grants projects benefiting 8,000 people, drilling of 20 boreholes, and resuscitation of 73 environmental committees. Total contributions to the project amounted to $16,044,710.

planetGOLD Zimbabwe (GEF ID: 11048): While this project is listed in the GEF database with a GEF grant of $5,000,000 and co-financing of $18,799,000 under the Chemicals and Waste focal area, it appears to have been approved in a later GEF cycle (GEF-7 or GEF-8), as GEF-6's chemicals focal area for Zimbabwe was not a primary focus.

Management of Competing Water Uses and Associated Ecosystems in Pungwe, Buzi, and Save Basins (BUPUSA) Project: This GEF-funded transboundary project contributed to GEF-6's strategic objective of conserving, sustainably using, and managing biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources globally. It strengthened transboundary cooperation and management of water resources for improved water security, climate change resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in the shared Pungwe-Buzi-Save basins between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The seventh replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) covered the period from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022. Negotiations were completed in April 2018, and the replenishment became effective on February 5, 2019, after 24 contributing participants deposited their Instruments of Commitment. The original agreed total envelope for GEF-7 was SDR 2.86 billion (approximately US$4.1 billion). However, following an additional pledge from the United States, the final GEF-7 resource envelope increased to **SDR 3.049 billion (US$4.341 billion). This comprised:

US$3.345 billion in new pledges from donors

US$573 million in resources carried over from previous replenishments

US$149.5 million in projected investment income

The System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) was carried forward from GEF-6 and continued to serve as the primary mechanism for allocating resources to countries across the biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation focal areas. A notable feature of GEF-7 was the introduction of Impact Programs (IPs) —large, integrated, multi-focal area initiatives designed to address the drivers of environmental degradation and support transformational change in key systems. These included the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (DSL-IP) , the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program, and the Sustainable Cities Impact Program. The land degradation focal area received enhanced flexibility for cross-focal area use, benefiting significantly from this approach.

In addition to STAR allocations and Impact Programs, GEF-7 continued to support other programming windows, including set-asides for regional and global initiatives, the Small Grants Programme (SGP), and enabling activities that help countries meet their obligations under international environmental conventions. By July 24, 2022, 30 contributing participants had fully authorized their commitments, with approximately 99.99% paid in cash or promissory notes.

Zimbabwe's GEF-7 Portfolio

Under the GEF-7 STAR allocation system, Zimbabwe received an initial indicative allocation of US$9.25 million. However, this amount was increased to US$10,433,945 due to GEF incentives for choosing an Impact Programme. The bulk of this allocation—US$7.8 million—was programmed under the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the GEF Implementing Agency.

Key projects from Zimbabwe's GEF-7 portfolio include:

Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) - Zimbabwe Child Project (GEF ID: 10268): This was the centrepiece of Zimbabwe's GEF-7 portfolio—a full-size, multi-focal area project implemented by FAO, approved for a total GEF grant of US$10,433,945. The project targeted the Save and Runde catchments covering three provinces—Manicaland, Masvingo, and Midlands—specifically eight districts (Chivi, Chipinge, Chimanimani, Masvingo, Zaka, Shurugwi, Bikita, and Buhera). The Zimbabwe child project formed part of a global FAO-led Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme being implemented in eleven countries across Southern Africa, West Africa, and Asia. Expected results and Global Environment Benefits (GEB) included: 2,150 hectares of land restored (in forests and mixed land-use areas); 172,540 hectares of landscapes brought under improved practices through integrated land-use plans promoting Sustainable Land Management and Sustainable Forest Management; 1.26 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions mitigated; and 15,000 direct beneficiaries (at least 52 percent of whom are women). The project was executed by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), working in partnership with World Vision, the Community Technology Development Trust, and the private sector.

Wildlife Economy Project in Tsholotsho (GEF ID: 10910): This was a medium-size project (MSP) funded under GEF-7 STAR resources and implemented by UNEP. The project aimed to promote a wildlife economy approach in Tsholotsho District, adjacent to Hwange National Park, within the Hwange-Kazuma landscape. Its objective was to benefit local communities while strengthening protected area management. The project fostered sustainable and equitable wildlife conservation and resource utilisation, aligning with Zimbabwe's biodiversity targets and contributing to global conservation goals.

GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) - Seventh Operational Phase: Zimbabwe continued to participate in the GEF SGP under GEF-7, which implemented community-led projects across multiple focal areas, including biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, land degradation, and chemicals management. The SGP provided direct funding to local communities, community-based organizations, and NGOs, empowering grassroots action on environmental challenges.

Enabling Activities: Zimbabwe also benefited from GEF-7 enabling activity funding to meet its obligations under international environmental conventions, including support for reporting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

In summary, Zimbabwe's GEF-7 portfolio was characterized by a strategic focus on land degradation and sustainable landscape management through the DSL-IP, complemented by biodiversity conservation initiatives such as the Wildlife Economy Project, and continued community-led action through the Small Grants Programme. The portfolio built on the momentum of previous GEF cycles while introducing the Impact Programme approach to achieve integrated, large-scale environmental and livelihood benefits.

The eighth replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) covers the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2026. Negotiations concluded in April 2022, and the replenishment was formally launched with a total funding envelope of US$5.33 billion. This comprised US$5.25 billion in new pledges and contributions, plus US$80 million in projected investment income. This represents the largest replenishment in GEF history and a significant increase from the GEF-7 total of US$4.1 billion.

The System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) was carried forward from previous cycles and continues to serve as the primary mechanism for allocating resources to countries across the biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation focal areas. A notable feature of GEF-8 is the emphasis on Integrated Programs (IPs) —large-scale, multi-focal area initiatives designed to drive transformational change across key systems. These include the Sustainable Cities Integrated Program, the Blue Green Islands Integrated Program, and the Global Program to Support Countries to Upscale Integrated Electric Mobility Systems. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) was also established during this cycle, providing additional dedicated resources for biodiversity conservation. According to the GEF Council, projects approved since July 2022 are set to generate wide benefits including protecting 222 million hectares of protected areas, restoring nearly 10 million hectares of degraded land, and mitigating 2,184 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Zimbabwe's GEF-8 Portfolio

Under the GEF-8 STAR allocation system, Zimbabwe received a total indicative allocation of US$13.2 million. This represents a significant increase from the US$10.1 million allocated under GEF-7. Zimbabwe's allocation accounts for a meaningful share of GEF-8 STAR resources in Africa, with the continent receiving a total of US$597 million in STAR allocations.

Key projects from Zimbabwe's GEF-8 portfolio include:

Urban and Peri-Urban Resilience through Investment for Sustainable Ecosystems (UPRISE Zimbabwe) (GEF ID: 11344): This is the centrepiece of Zimbabwe's GEF-8 portfolio—a child full-size project under the GEF-8 Sustainable Cities Integrated Program, implemented by FAO. Approved for a GEF grant of US$4 million with substantial co-financing of US$14 million (total project costs US$18 million), the project aims to enhance urban resilience in Harare and Bulawayo through nature-based solutions, improved urban planning, and sustainable ecosystem management. The initiative focuses on three key pillars: strengthening urban planning systems, supporting climate resilience and local economic development, and restoring ecosystems. It will roll out urban farming, tree planting, and land rehabilitation projects across nine sites in both cities.

Supporting the Shift to Electric Mobility in Zimbabwe (GEF ID: 11083): A medium-size project under the climate change focal area, implemented by UNEP with a GEF grant of US$2 million and co-financing of US$7.1 million. The project aims to accelerate the introduction of electric mobility in Zimbabwe, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and ensuring the environmentally sound management of electric vehicle waste. It includes the deployment of two electric buses, with the remaining budget allocated to technical assistance for policy support, development of the local EV value chain, grid impact assessments, and end-of-life battery management. The initiative builds upon Zimbabwe's National Electric Mobility Policy Framework and Roadmap.

Global Opportunities for Long-Term Development of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector in Zimbabwe (planetGOLD Zimbabwe) (GEF ID: 11048): A full-size project under the chemicals and waste focal area, implemented by UNEP, with a GEF grant of US$5 million. The project aims to improve the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector through increased formalization, access to finance and markets, introduction of mercury-free technologies, and management of knowledge. It seeks to conduct comprehensive profiling of ASGM sites to inform interventions that support sector formalization and sustainability.

Eighth Operational Phase of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) (GEF ID: 11285): Zimbabwe continues to participate in the GEF SGP's eighth operational phase under GEF-8, which implements community-led projects across multiple focal areas including biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation. The global SGP program was approved for US$126 million with US$35 million in co-financing. The SGP provides direct funding to local communities, community-based organizations, and NGOs, empowering grassroots action on environmental challenges.

In summary, Zimbabwe's GEF-8 portfolio is characterized by a strategic diversification across urban resilience (UPRISE), low-carbon mobility (Electric Mobility project), chemicals management (planetGOLD), and community-led action (SGP). The portfolio builds on the momentum of previous GEF cycles while introducing the Integrated Program approach—particularly through the Sustainable Cities Integrated Program—to achieve integrated, large-scale environmental and livelihood benefits in Zimbabwe's rapidly urbanizing landscape.

The ninth replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-9) covers the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030. After a series of negotiations beginning in December 2024, donor countries pledged an initial US$3.9 billion, which was formally endorsed by the GEF Council in June 2026. This cycle aligns with the critical final sprint toward the 2030 environmental goals under the six multilateral environmental agreements for which the GEF serves as a financial mechanism.

The System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) continues as the primary allocation mechanism for the biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation focal areas. A key innovation in GEF-9 is the proposed introduction of a Disbursement Index—a speed-related metric under the Country Performance Index—designed to incentivize faster project implementation and more timely use of resources. Full flexibility across focal areas, which proved beneficial for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in GEF-8, is being maintained. A competitive window for top recipient countries is also proposed to drive greater efficiency and strategic investments.

GEF-9 is structured around Integrated Programs (IPs) that support countries in addressing interconnected environmental challenges. These include global programs on food systems, drylands and drought management, sustainable forest management, urban systems, and island ecosystems. The replenishment also emphasizes increased collaboration with the private sector and capital markets to address financing gaps for nature protection, with four overarching priorities defining the GEF's approach over the next four years. At the 71st GEF Council meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, representatives of 186 participating countries endorsed the programming directions and policy recommendations for the GEF-9 period.

Zimbabwe's GEF-9 Portfolio

Zimbabwe is positioned to benefit significantly from GEF-9 resources, with the country included among those receiving high-impact support in the final GEF-8 work program and expected to feature prominently in the new cycle. While specific STAR allocation figures for Zimbabwe under GEF-9 have not yet been finalized, the country is actively engaging in the GEF-9 programming process. Early indications point to several strategic areas of focus:

Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area: Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, are strengthening their commitment to transfrontier conservation through the GEF-9 funding cycle. Efforts are underway to mobilize resources for capitalizing the proposed KAZA Conservation Trust Fund (CTF), building on an approved project preparation grant under the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). This aligns with the GEF's broader emphasis on large-scale landscape conservation and regional cooperation.

Biodiversity Economy: Zimbabwe is expected to come up with a national programme to further promote wildlife, forestry, biotrade, fisheries and payment for ecosystem services. This is inline with the National Development Strategy 2 (2025 – 2030).

 Integrated Programs: Zimbabwe is expected to participate in several GEF-9 Integrated Programs, including those focused on drylands and drought management, sustainable forest management, and urban systems. These build on the country's successful engagement in GEF-7's Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme and GEF-8's Sustainable Cities Integrated Program (UPRISE).

Continued Support for Existing Initiatives: Zimbabwe will likely continue to benefit from the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), which has operated in the country since 1993 and empowers community-led environmental action. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), established during GEF-8, is also expected to provide additional dedicated resources for biodiversity conservation in Zimbabwe.

In summary, while detailed project-level information for Zimbabwe's GEF-9 portfolio is still emerging as the cycle formally commences in July 2026, the country is well-positioned to access resources through STAR allocations, Integrated Programs, and the GBFF. Zimbabwe's engagement in the KAZA transfrontier conservation initiative and its continued participation in the SGP signal a portfolio that will build on the momentum of previous cycles while leveraging new opportunities under GEF-9's enhanced flexibility and performance-based incentives.