Increasing awareness of the IRM with Civil Society in Africa

The Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and community engagement in climate finance. On 14 August 2024, the IRM hosted a virtual outreach event, specifically focused on Africa, aiming to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities by deepening their understanding of the IRM’s role in addressing grievances related to Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects.

The event opened with a presentation on the GCF’s mission, unique structure, and financing, delivered by Peter Carlson, the IRM Communications Officer. Peter highlighted the GCF’s significant presence in Africa, with over 100 projects and $6.94 billion in GCF funding. Following this, Paco Gimenez-Salinas, Compliance and Dispute Resolution Specialist at the IRM, delved into the IRM’s core mandate and the broader landscape of redress mechanisms. The final segment of the webinar was led by Preksha Krishna Kumar, Registrar and Case Officer, who provided a comprehensive and detailed overview of the IRM’s complaint submission and handling process.

The webinar was interpreted into French and Arabic, allowing for an increase in accessibility and interactivity amongst participants. The webinar also featured polls, “ask the audience” style questions, and a dedicated Q&A session. This interactive approach enriched the learning experience and kept the audience engaged.

The IRM is planning another virtual outreach webinar this year to continue fostering engagement with CSOs and communities. We remain dedicated to enhancing transparency, accountability, and support in climate finance, and we look forward to further opportunities to collaborate and address community needs effectively.