To strengthen its grassroots presence and promote its mission and values, the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) recently launched an advocacy grant for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), inviting them to collaborate with the IRM on communication and outreach efforts aimed at engaging key audiences. From a pool of nearly thirty applications, three CSOs were selected. Each of these CSOs will receive a grant of $3,000 to execute activities that will enhance the visibility of the IRM within local communities.

Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE) - Cameroon

Leveraging its extensive network, Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE), a Cameroonian civil society organisation focused on climate finance issues, has devised a four-pronged approach to promote awareness and engagement around the Independent Redress Mechanism. The first step involves Community Dialogues, which will educate community leaders and key stakeholders in regions where GCF projects are taking place. Local leaders will be equipped with knowledge about the IRM to disseminate vital information in case of negative project impacts. Next, YVE Cameroon will carry out a Media Tour to engage with local media, such as community radio and local TV stations, to efficiently reach broad audiences. These local media outlets are crucial to reach remote areas with low literacy rates and convey messages in local languages. A digital campaign will involve the dissemination of information through various social media platforms. YVE Cameroon aims to maximise its online presence to reach a wide audience, including youth and individuals in remote areas who rely on the internet for information. Lastly, there will be a series of webinars targeted at CSO stakeholders to ensure that communities affected by GCF projects are aware of grievance redress opportunities and the IRM.

“An important aspect of YVE Cameroon’s mission is around grievance redress mechanisms, transparency and accountability. This grant is an opportunity for us to contribute more to the involvement of communities and other stakeholders in the process of independent monitoring of projects financed by the GCF and to our organisation, which also intends to assert itself as a pioneer in terms of transparency and accountability in climate finance at the African level."

- Blondel Silenou, Executive Director, YVE Cameroon

Chemichemi Foundation - Kenya

Chemichemi Foundation has presented a comprehensive communications and outreach proposal with the goal of increasing awareness of the IRM. Their strategy revolves around building effective communication methods to enhance awareness and engagement among key stakeholders, including government officials, journalists, CSOs and educational institutions. To achieve these goals, Chemichemi Foundation has outlined specific activities, such as developing a comprehensive communication plan, establishing an accessible website, conducting social media outreach, disseminating email newsletters, collaborating with media outlets, and organising events and outreach activities. Their evaluation metrics will gauge the success of these efforts, including engagement on social media, website performance, public perception, and awareness of the IRM.

“The Foundation is intentional and deliberate to ensure that our end-users are knowledgeable on the provisions of the IRM. We are cognisant that information sharing through a people-centric and participatory approach is key to inclusively serving and reaching more populations. Importantly, we appreciate the collaboration with the Green Climate Fund to be part of the Independent Redress Mechanism’s Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Advocacy Grant. This is instrumental for promoting transparency, accountability, equity and community engagement in climate finance. It strengthens the effectiveness of climate finance efforts and contributes to more sustainable and inclusive climate governance. We look forward to more strengthened and strategic partnerships to enable us to reach more populations, especially within rural households.”

- Nancy Marangu, Executive Director, Chemichemi Foundationin

Twerwaneho Listeners Club (TLC) - Uganda

In an effort to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the IRM and its role in addressing community concerns, TLC has devised a comprehensive communication strategy targeting the Rwenzori region of Uganda, where GCF is co-financing a project. The strategy encompasses various activities tailored to specific audiences. Firstly, radio jingles will be broadcast in both English and the local language. This initiative aims to increase awareness of the GCF project and the available grievance redress mechanisms while improving community understanding of the IRM's functionality and mandate. Additionally, radio talk shows will be conducted, with regular broadcasts to communities in the Rwenzori region. These talk shows will further contribute to increased awareness and understanding of the GCF project and the IRM. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, in the form of flyers, will be distributed to the same target audience to reinforce awareness and understanding of the GCF project and the IRM. Materials will be produced and circulated in English and Ruyakitaara. Moreover, TLC plans to engage with the general TLC audience through online social media platforms, disseminating key messages to enhance awareness. Lastly, a face-to-face meeting with key stakeholders in the communities benefiting from GCF-funded projects will be held. This meeting aims to foster increased awareness about the GCF project and enhance community understanding of the IRM.

The three CSOs will have until the end of 2023 to complete their activities. Once completed, they will submit a final report to the IRM that outlines their results.