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Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Definitions

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is comprised of two key terms, the Biodiversity Challenge Funds (BCFs) define these as follows:

  • Gender Equality: is about addressing inequalities and transforming the distribution of opportunities, choices and resources available to girls, women and non-binary individuals so that they have equal power to shape their lives and participate in the process thereby increasing equality between people of all genders.
  • Social Inclusion: refers to the process of improving the terms of individuals and groups to take part in society, and the process of improving the ability, opportunity and dignity of people disadvantaged and historically excluded from decision making and spheres of influence on the basis of their identity to take part in society.

The BCFs understand Disability Inclusion and Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLC) to be included within Social Inclusion.

Key Resources:

BCFs GESI Ambition Guidance Video:

In May 2024, our team created a video to briefly explain the Biodiversity Challenge Funds Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Ambition:

 

GESI in the BCFs:

The BCFs commit to being a GESI Sensitive programme.

Our ambition is for all projects within the BCFs portfolio to meet the minimum expected standard of GESI Sensitive. While many projects are already meeting this standard, with some going further, this commitment seeks to support all projects to achieve the required minimum standard with an explicit aim of the programme to inclusively build capability and capacity and encourage those that can, to go further.

In order to meet a GESI Sensitive standard, as defined by the BCFs, all successful projects must demonstrate they:

  • Understand the GESI context in which the project is working within.
  • Ensure inclusive and meaningful participation of all those engaging with the project.
  • Will not contribute to or create any further inequalities i.e. “do no harm”.

These requirements are essential for a project to meet the GESI Sensitive standard. However, it is acknowledged that within the GESI Sensitive ambition projects will approach and deliver elements to differing degrees. Therefore while the above points are requirements, projects are encouraged to consistently meet the minimum requirements and push beyond these to deepen and improve their GESI contribution where they can.

For information on how to achieve a more ambitious GESI approach, please see the diagram below: 

Please note projects will be required to self-assess against this GESI scale within their Annual and Final Reports and to provide evidence on how they are meeting these standards. Please see the key resources for further guidance on what is meant by these terms.

Additional Resources: