Draft the PIF/PFD

What is the PIF/PFD?

The GEF Project Identification Form (PIF) is the first formal document submitted to the GEF Secretariat for review and approval. The PIF is for a standalone project. For a program, a Project Framework Document (PFD) and Child Project Annex is needed. The PIF/PFD should be a narrative proposal of the project that incorporates the previous processes described (Stakeholder Analysis; PIF Technical Design; Gender Assessment). Detailed instructions for drafting the PIF/PFD are provided under resources below (Filling out the PIF: A Guidance Document).

Who is responsible for drafting the PIF/PFD?

The PIF/PFD is generally drafted by the Project Development Team, and articulates a project design that has been developed by all participating partners—including, for example, the Lead Executing Agency, relevant government ministries, the OFP Technical department, identified executing partners, and others.

While drafting the PIF, keep in mind:

• While the PIF/PFD template shouldn’t be modified, it is helpful to “unlock” the restricted template access in Microsoft Word. Annexes may be included. The average PIF length should be less than 25 pages.
• Once the PIF is approved, changes to the project framework should be minimal (especially around objective, focal areas, GEF funding amount, co-financing, and changes to project components).  Changes from PIF to ProDoc will need to be noted and justified in the CEO Endorsement Template

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) is requested in Section E of the PIF document.  A PPG is provided to contribute to the cost of developing the project and project documentation over 12 to 18 months. The maximum PPG that can be requested is determined by the size of the GEF Project as follows:

• $50k for projects up to and including $2 million
• $100k for projects up to and including $3 million
• $150k for projects up to and including $6 million
• $200k for projects up to and including $10 million
• $300k for projects above $10 million.

The GEF agency is responsible for delivering the PPG allocation. It is unlikely that the PPG will cover all costs associated with project Development. The Project Cycle Budget Tool should be used to determine the total cost and to evaluate the total project development co-financing required to fund all project development expenses from PIF to CEO endorsement.  

Most of the PPG will likely go towards a consultant (or team of consultants), who will work with the proposed Executing Agency, WWF Office, and other partners to design the project and develop the ProDoc and associated documents. PPG may also cover other costs, such as a consultant for Safeguards (the consultant will be proposed and contracted by the EA), staff time and travel costs for stakeholder consultations, etc.

The following categories are eligible for funding under the overall project development budget, to which the PPG will contribute: consultants/staff time, project design workshops, stakeholder consultation, safeguards processes, baseline assessments, and travel and meetings costs.