Identifying Executing Agency and Partners

The Lead Executing Agency (EA) is accountable for the project during execution, and is the grant recipient of GEF funds. Ideally, the proposed Executing Agency has the following:

• Is a relevant national authority (usually an environmental ministry or technical ministry) or an organization nominated by the national authority.
• Established practices related to large project management, planning, monitoring and knowledge management.
• Capacity to recruit, oversee and house a Project Management Unit (the PMU is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of project activities during execution).
• Capacity to financially manage a GEF-funded project including appropriate systems, controls, policies and procedures (see F&A Capacity Assessment under Resources).
• Demonstrated standing with relevant stakeholders and potential executing partners. 

Executing Partners support delivery of the project during execution (e.g. NGO’s/CSO’s, partner ministries and departments, etc). Executing partners receive subgrants from the Executing Agency for the implementation of specific activities. Executing partners may change during CEO Endorsement Request Document phase, based on what activities are selected and who is best suited to execute those activities, but the Lead Executing Agency should be determined early and must be involved throughout the full project cycle (see roles and responsibilities).

Example

In the project entitled “Expanding and consolidating Madagascar’s marine protected areas network,” the lead Executing Agency is the Ministry of Environment. Partners who will be implementing specific activities under this project may include Ministry of the Sea, WWF Madagascar, and WCS-Madagascar. 

The Lead Executing Agency and partners should be identified early in the project cycle.

WWF Offices are responsible for managing relationships with country authorities, and may provide technical assistance during project design (with support from the WWF GEF Agency).

At the request of government or the Executing Agency, WWF may be asked to fill or assist in several key roles during the execution of a GEF project, including:

• Provide technical expertise
• Execute specific activities as a grant recipient in exceptional cases