The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the Global Environment Facility has a central role in ensuring the independent evaluation function within the GEF. The Office pursues the goals of improved accountability and learning through the following functions:

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established by the GEF Council in July 2003. The Office is independent from GEF policy making and its delivery and management of assistance.

The Office undertakes independent evaluations at the strategic level. These evaluations focus typically on cross-cutting themes, such as focal area-wide topics or integrated approaches to delivering global environmental benefits. The IEO presents a GEF-wide annual performance report and also undertakes institutional evaluations, such as assessing GEF governance, policies and strategies. The Office work culminates in the quadrennial Comprehensive Evaluation of the GEF.

The Office cooperates with professional evaluation networks on developing evaluation approaches, setting standards and delivering training, in particular with regard to environmental evaluation and evaluation at the interphase of environment and socioeconomic development. We also collaborate with the broader global environmental community to ensure that we stay on the cutting edge of emerging and innovative methodologies.