Gender and Social Inclusion

Gender and Social Inclusion

Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) in GCF Concept Note development refers to the deliberate and systematic integration of gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized or vulnerable groups into the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of climate projects submitted to the GCF.

Target Vulnerable Groups

Marginalized or vulnerable groups usually consist of, but not limited to:

• Women
• Indigenous Peoples
• Youth
• Persons with disabilities
• The poor

Why GSI is Essential

Unequal Climate Impacts

Climate change impacts are not experienced equally. Women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups often face greater vulnerability and fewer opportunities to adapt or respond.

Enhanced Project Effectiveness

Integrating GSI into concept note development helps guarantee that these groups are not only protected but also actively benefit from climate finance through improved access to resources, technology, decision-making, and capacity-building opportunities. Projects that are inclusive of diverse voices and experiences tend to result in more innovative, contextually relevant, and sustainable solutions.

GCF Policy Requirements

The GCF requires adherence to its Gender Policy and Indigenous Peoples Policy, which call for robust gender and social analysis, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and the integration of gender-responsive indicators and actions.Ignoring these requirements can lead to significant delays or rejection of the concept note.

Benefits of GSI Integration

Beyond compliance, addressing GSI supports transformational change by:

• Challenging existing power imbalances
• Embedding equity into climate actions
• Ensuring benefits don't reinforce or exacerbate social inequalities
• Contributing to more just and resilient communities
• Enabling better monitoring and accountability through disaggregated data and inclusive indicators

In essence, GSI is not just a procedural obligation but a strategic and moral imperative that strengthens the overall quality and impact of GCF-financed projects.

Gender and Social Inclusion and Participatory and Inclusive Approaches

Gender and Social Inclusion defines who should be prioritized and why, while participatory and inclusive design provides the how. Together, they promote climate justice, empower underrepresented voices, and improve the effectiveness and sustainability of climate actions.
They are not separate frameworks but mutually reinforcing lenses for inclusive, transformative project development.
Below is a step-by-step detailed guide to integrating Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) into a GCF Concept Note, aligned with GCF requirements and best practices

A strong foundation for an inclusive and equitable climate project begins with a thorough understanding of the social and gender context in which it will operate. This step focuses on conducting a preliminary gender and social inclusion analysis to identify differentiated vulnerabilities, barriers, and capacities across diverse groups.
Objective: Understand the context-specific gender and social dynamics in the project area.

Actions:

• Collect sex, age, disability, and ethnicity disaggregated data.
• Identify vulnerable groups (e.g., women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, youth, elderly).
• Examine existing power relations, access to resources, decision-making roles, and climate vulnerabilities.
• Review national gender and inclusion policies, climate strategies, and legal frameworks.

Output:

A concise gender and social inclusion analysis summary for inclusion in the “B.: Proposal Executive Summary” in concept note template.

This step focuses on linking gender and social dimensions directly to the climate problem. This helps ensure the concept note clearly reflects who is most affected, what barriers exist, and how inclusive solutions can enhance resilience.
Objective: Link gender and social dimensions directly to the climate challenge your project addresses.

Actions:

• Identify how climate change disproportionately affects specific social groups.
• Analyze barriers that hinder participation in climate solutions (e.g., limited land rights for women, cultural constraints, lack of access to finance).
• Highlight traditional knowledge or roles that can enhance resilience.

Output:

Justification in the “C.1: Climate Change Context” and “Baseline” sections of the concept note.

This step helps to ensure that project interventions actively address identified gender and social inequalities. By designing targeted and inclusive activities, the project can deliver equitable benefits and enable meaningful participation across all stakeholder groups.
Objective: Ensure the proposed activities address identified inequalities and promote inclusive benefits.

Actions:

• Design targeted interventions (e.g., women-led climate-smart agriculture, training for youth and persons with disabilities).
• Include measures to reduce social and gender-specific barriers (e.g., inclusive finance, childcare support, FPIC for Indigenous Peoples).
• Ensure access to climate technologies, jobs, and decision-making.

Output:

Clearly describe inclusive project activities in the “C.2: Proposed Project/Programme” section.

This step emphasizes inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure all social groups have a voice in the project. Mapping and consultations must be designed to be accessible, culturally appropriate, and representative of diverse perspectives throughout the project lifecycle.
Objective: Ensure meaningful participation of all social groups throughout the project lifecycle.

Actions:

• Map stakeholders using a gender and social lens.
• Ensure engagement processes are inclusive, accessible, and culturally appropriate.
• Conduct consultations with women’s groups, Indigenous organizations, and local leaders.

Output:

Describe this process in the “C.3: Country Ownership and engagement with stakeholder” section of the concept note.

This step focuses on incorporating gender-responsive indicators to track progress on inclusion and equity. Disaggregated data and tailored indicators help measure how effectively the project benefits diverse groups and informs adaptive management.
Objective: Measure and track gender and social inclusion outcomes.

Actions:

• Develop outcome and output indicators disaggregated by sex, age, and other relevant social categories.

  Examples:

  • % of women with improved access to climate-resilient livelihoods
  • Number of persons with disabilities participating in project activities
  • Number of policies influenced to be gender-responsive

Output:

Include in the “Expected Results” in the greater Logical Framework and Theory of Change alongside “Monitoring and Evaluation” sections.

This step ensures that environmental and social safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable groups from potential project risks. This includes early risk screening, alignment with GCF policies, and establishing inclusive grievance mechanisms.
Objective: Minimize potential negative impacts on vulnerable groups.

Actions:

• Conduct a preliminary social risk screening.
• Ensure alignment with GCF’s Environmental and Social Policy and Indigenous Peoples Policy.
• Describe grievance mechanisms that are gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate.

Output:

Address in the “C.4: Indicative safeguards profile” section of the concept note.

This step involves developing a Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) Action Plan to guide the implementation of inclusion measures. While optional at the concept note stage, it is recommended as a roadmap outlining key activities, responsibilities, timelines, and indicators to support inclusive project delivery.
Objective: Lay out a roadmap for implementing GSI measures.

Actions:

• List key activities, responsibilities, timelines, and indicators for gender and inclusion actions.
• Align with the full proposal development process later on.

Output:

Attach as a supplementary annex or refer to it under implementation planning.

In the table below, we illustrate the outline of a basic GSI action plan containing list of key activities, responsibilities, timelines, and indicators for gender and inclusion actions.

This step ensures the concept note is fully aligned with GCF’s mandatory policies and strategic guidance.
Objective: Ensure compliance with mandatory GCF policies.

Actions:

Demonstrate how the concept note aligns with:

• GCF Gender Policy¹
• GCF Indigenous Peoples Policy²
• GCF Environment and Social Policy³
• GCF Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027⁴, where GSI principles valued as both a strategic value and operational principle and are featured throughout such as commitment on inclusive climate action; equity and gender responsiveness in programming; stakeholder engagement and inclusive innovation; institutional priorities in gender and safeguards;
  operationally embedded access measures;
• GCF Sectoral Guides⁵, where GSI is integrated in key ways such as sector-wide commitment to equity and gender; inclusive innovation and knowledge; adaptation sector locally led and inclusive approaches; private sector engagement with inclusive lens;

Output:

Reference these in the “Policy Alignment” section or where applicable.

Template

The following table provides a comprehensive and simple template for Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) in the context of GCF Concept Note.