On World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5, our colleague from Kyrgyzstan, ecologist Evgeniya Postnova, had the opportunity to participate in the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The GEF Assembly is one of the world’s leading environmental forums, bringing together governments, international organizations, civil society, and development partners to review global environmental achievements, establish future priorities, and make decisions on funding for environmental initiatives worldwide.
As part of the Assembly, the GEF Civil Society Organization (CSO) Forum, held on June 3, brought together representatives of civil society from around the world to exchange experiences and discuss innovative approaches to biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable development.
Moments of the Forum (Photos are shared by Evgeniya Postnova)
On June 4, at the invitation of the Zoï Environment Network, Evgeniya participated in a special side event organized by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). The event highlighted the important work of local communities and the NGO AKMENA in conserving biodiversity within the Kasan-Sai and Aflatun-Padyshata Key Biodiversity Areas. It also presented innovative communication tools developed by the Union of Photojournalists, including the map KG portal and Central Asia’s first free online photo library dedicated to Kyrgyzstan’s unique biodiversity and natural heritage.
Forum participants during sessions and a special side-event devoted to work of our partners on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Kyrgyzstan
Participation in the GEF Assembly provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experience, establish new professional partnerships, and showcase Kyrgyzstan’s successful biodiversity conservation initiatives to the international environmental community. We congratulate our colleague on this valuable opportunity and thank the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and the Zoï Environment Network for supporting the participation of civil society representatives and promoting international cooperation in biodiversity conservation.
The 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) brought together more than 2,000 representatives of governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Participants celebrated the successful USD 3.9 billion replenishment of the GEF-9 Trust Fund and discussed practical actions needed to accelerate progress toward the global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development goals by 2030. Throughout the Assembly, participants emphasized that investing in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience is not only an environmental priority but also an investment in healthy ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, and resilient economies. As highlighted during the closing session, “the final sprint to 2030 has begun,” underscoring the need for urgent and coordinated action.
Building on the momentum of the Assembly, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), launched the CSO Challenge Program in late June 2026. This new global initiative is designed to identify and support innovative, high-impact environmental projects led by civil society organizations. Successful applicants may receive grants of up to USD 300,000 to expand and replicate effective conservation solutions. The first call for proposals is currently open for civil society organizations from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, with applications due by July 31. A second application window for eligible organizations from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will run from July 31 to September 15.
To help prospective applicants, GEF and IUCN are organizing an information webinar covering the program objectives, eligibility requirements, the two-stage application process, proposal evaluation criteria, and practical recommendations for preparing a competitive application. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions directly to the program team. Organizations planning to apply are encouraged to review the program guidelines and participate in the webinar to gain a better understanding of the funding opportunity and the application process.