C0015 Colombia

On 07 May 2025, the IRM acknowledged receipt of a complaint pertaining to GCF Project FP203 “Heritage Colombia (HECO): Maximizing the Contributions of Sustainably Managed Landscapes in Colombia for Achievement of Climate Goals.” The complainant was formerly employed under the GCF Project, working within one of the Executing Entities. The complainant has requested confidentiality, which has been granted in accordance with the IRM's Terms of Reference and Procedures and Guidelines.

GCF Project FP203 aims to introduce a paradigm shift in Colombia’s approach to sustainable management of ecosystems. The project is intended to accomplish this via a public-private partnership model that seeks to secure financing in perpetuity for the management of key ecosystems and large-scale landscapes across the country. FP203 was approved during the 35th meeting of the GCF Board on 16 March 2023. The Accredited Entity (AE) of this Project is the World Wildlife Fund, Inc. The Project is ‘Under Implementation’ with an expected completion date of 14 July 2033.

The complainant has brought to the attention of the IRM several concerns related to the labor and working conditions associated with their term of employment with the relevant Executing Entity. As confidentiality has been requested and granted, the IRM is providing a summary of the concerns raised. The complainant alleges the following: 1) Disparity in pay on the basis of personal characteristics; 2) Inadequacies in ensuring proper functioning of grievance redress mechanisms; 3) Improper or unauthorized access of confidential materials maintained by complainant; 4) Impacts to health and well-being as a result of workplace-related tension; and 5) Non-renewal of contract as a retaliatory measure following complainant’s notification to the Executing Entity of several reports of alleged sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

In June 2025, the IRM determined that the complaint is eligible. Following an initial steps phase that engaged the complainant and relevant stakeholders on issues raised in the complaint, the IRM referred the matter to compliance review. Following an appraisal process, in October 2025, the IRM moved the complaint to the investigation phase of compliance review.

The Compliance Review report was considered at the forty-sixth meeting of the GCF Board, which took place between 26 to 29 October 2026 in Songdo, South Korea and a decision was taken. In accordance with the IRM's Procedures and Guidelines, the Compliance Review report is now published on the IRM website. Per the decision of the Board, the GCF Secretariat, in consultation with the IRM and the Accredited Entity, is requested to develop a draft Remedial Action Plan outlining actions, responsibilities, and timelines for the implementation of the Board-approved recommendations and suggestion.