12/10/2025
11:00 - 12:30
Central Stage 1
, Hybrid (onsite with livestreaming)
Session with interpretation
Why attend
Come join GEF CEO, IUCN Director General, and SGP partners for the launch of the GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program and learn about the innovative ways this program will incentivize, recognize and scale up environmental solutions from CSOs including those from youth, women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
Session Description
Civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities live and operate on the front lines of the climate, species extinction, land degradation, and other environmental crises. Their ideas, innovations, and work to address these challenges are essential but often under-recognized and under-supported. To help unlock the power and ingenuity of civil society, IUCN is launching a new GEF-supported global program, the CSO Challenge Program, to recognize and scale up environmental solutions from civil society organizations including those from youth, women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.Panelists will include the GEF CEO and IUCN Director General, CSO leaders, and Program partners including from the private sector. Session attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with panelists, learn about the innovative ways this program will recognize, support, and promote CSO-designed and led solutions from around the globe, and share their perspectives and experiences on inclusive, impactful CSO-led conservation action.