Badara N. Bajo Attends ECW Workshop at Coco Ocean Resort

Badara N. Bajo, Executive Director of GEPADG and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Global CSO National Focal Point, was among the delegates who attended the GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for West Africa, held from September 23 to 26, 2025, at the Coco Ocean Resort in The Gambia.

GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for West Africa Workshop at Cocoa Ocean

The workshop, which brought together participants from 17 countries, was organised by the GEF Secretariat in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA) under the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change of The Gambia. The NEA serves as the GEF National Focal Point for The Gambia.

This year’s ECW focused on the GEF’s approach to “Integration for Impact,” which emphasises unified strategies to deliver global environmental benefits across all GEF focal areas. Participants also visited a GEF-funded project site in The Gambia, providing practical insights into integrated approaches on the ground.

Since its inception, the GEF has recognised the vital role of civil society organisations (CSOs) and NGOs in safeguarding the global environment. The diversity of actors steadily participating in GEF activities includes non-profit and non-governmental organisations, farmers, women, the scientific and technological community, youth and children, indigenous peoples, business and industry, workers, and trade unions, in line with the GEF Policy on Stakeholder Engagement.

From the identification, execution, and monitoring of programs and projects, to influencing governance and decision-making, liaising with communities, and advocating with governments, civil society has become one of the GEF’s key partners.

The ECWs are held in different regions of the world to build capacity, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen coordination among GEF partners. The GEF Secretariat also organises the annual GEF Council Meetings in Washington, D.C.

GEF Global CSO National Focal Point Badara N. Bajo at the four day workshop at Cocoa Ocean

Mam Samba Joof is the GEF CSO West Africa focal point

This marks the second time The Gambia has hosted an ECW. Civil society was represented by Mr. Mamsamba Joof, the GEF CSO Regional Focal Point for West Africa, and Director Badara N. Bajo, the GEF CSO National Focal Point for The Gambia and other participants from the ministry of environment.