Where Environmental Partnerships Begin

That question was at the centre of GRID-Arendal’s participation in the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where representatives from 186 member countries gathered to shape the future of global environmental financing.

As the world’s largest multilateral environmental fund, the GEF plays a critical role in supporting projects that address biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation. The Assembly also marked the beginning of discussions around GEF-9, the next four-year funding cycle that will guide investments from 2026 to 2030.

For GRID-Arendal, the event provided an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships, explore future collaboration under GEF-9, and demonstrate how communication and storytelling can help translate environmental investments into public understanding and action.

Much of the Assembly focused on the growing importance of integrated approaches that connect nature, climate and pollution challenges. Integrated Programmes are expected to account for a significant share of GEF-9 funding, creating new opportunities for organisations that can bridge science, policy, knowledge management and implementation.

Throughout the week, GRID-Arendal met with partners from UNEP, FAO, IUCN, donor governments and development agencies to discuss emerging programme concepts and future collaboration. Discussions covered topics including sustainable ocean planning, blue finance, coastal management, plastics, climate resilience and nature-based solutions.

These conversations reinforced GRID-Arendal’s position as a trusted partner capable of supporting both the technical and communication dimensions of environmental programmes.

One of the strongest messages emerging from the Assembly was the growing recognition that communication is no longer viewed as an optional project component, but as an essential part of achieving environmental outcomes.

GRID-Arendal’s strategical communication lead, Maria Dalby, participated in the GEF learning session Strategic Outreach: Engaging Donors, the Private Sector, and the Media in GEF-9, alongside leading international journalists and media professionals.

The session explored how environmental projects can secure meaningful media coverage, engage journalists more effectively, and communicate complex environmental issues in ways that resonate with broader audiences.

Drawing on GRID-Arendal’s experience working with journalists covering international environmental processes, Dalby highlighted a common challenge: many projects wait until the end of implementation to communicate their results.

“Journalists are rarely interested in a final project report. They are interested in people, challenges, decisions and change. If we want environmental stories to reach wider audiences, we need to involve media much earlier and focus on the human stories behind environmental action.”

The session attracted approximately 250 participants and generated strong interest among GEF agencies and project managers. Feedback highlighted GRID-Arendal’s practical experience with journalist engagement and environmental storytelling as a valuable model for future programmes.

GRID-Arendal’s work was visible throughout the Assembly. A GRID-Arendal-produced film opened discussions during the Plastic Reboot side event, helping frame conversations around systems change and the need to address the root causes of plastic pollution. The event featured high-level participation, including UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and the newly appointed Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution.

The Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation (CAMCA) project also hosted two side events that highlighted regional cooperation and sustainable development efforts across Central Asia, providing valuable visibility for GRID-Arendal’s long-standing engagement in the region.

While the Assembly serves as a formal decision-making forum, many of the most valuable discussions take place between sessions. Participation provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, explore future project opportunities, and contribute to shaping emerging environmental priorities and programmes.

As GEF-9 takes shape, demand is growing for organisations that can bridge science, policy, communication, and implementation. The Assembly highlighted the importance of integrated approaches that connect knowledge with action.

The strong interest in storytelling, journalist engagement, and knowledge-to-action approaches also reflected a growing recognition that environmental progress depends not only on sound science and effective policy, but on the ability to communicate why these issues matter and how change can happen. This is an area where GRID-Arendal continues to make a distinctive contribution.