Author: sHq_LoGiNz
Four-year financing commitment supports accelerated action by developing countries towards 2030 environmental goals
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Donor countries have pledged an initial $3.9 billion to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its ninth replenishment cycle, in a powerful demonstration of commitment to meeting international environmental goals through multilateral cooperation.
The significant funding will enable the GEF to bolster investment in nature-positive development, helping developing countries address their most urgent priorities and generate global environmental benefits that help people as well as ecosystems.
Further pledges in support of a robust and ambitious four-year financing round are expected by the GEF Council meeting at the end of May, when the final replenishment package will be approved.
Read the full press release in English, French, or Spanish
“This replenishment sends a clear message: the world is not giving up on nature even in a time of competing priorities. Our donor countries have risen to the challenge and made bold commitments towards a more positive future for the planet. The coming four years of the GEF-9 cycle will reflect this high-ambition push to achieve the 2030 environmental goals,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.
The GEF-9 investment cycle will cover the period from July 2026 to June 2030. Four overarching priorities will define the ambition and approach for the GEF over the next four years:
- Integration and Integrated Programs
- Blended Finance
- Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approaches
- Robust Funding for LDCs and SIDS, and a Significant Increase in Support to IPLCs
The 71st GEF Council meeting will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from May 31 to June 3, 2026. The meeting will take place in advance of the Eighth GEF Assembly, when individual country pledges will be publicly announced.
About the GEF
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the world’s largest multilateral fund for the environment. Its family of funds works together to address the planet’s most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $155 billion for country-driven priority projects. For more information, visit: www.thegef.org
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/countries-pledge-3-9-billion-to-global-environment-facility-towards-ambitious-ninth-replenishment-302738818.html
SOURCE Global Environment Facility
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Cville Great Mother Fest arrives on Tuesday, April 14, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST, inviting the community into a powerful afternoon of creativity, connection, and celebration. This gathering coincides with the global Great Mother March, as participants pause for one day during their Walk for Love from Asheville to Washington, D.C., bringing their message of unity and compassion to Charlottesville.
Hosted in collaboration with EcoDome at IX Art Park, this immersive festival offers a vibrant space to reconnect with the sacred feminine through intuitive art, music, play, and shared intention. The event is part of a growing movement calling individuals to embody feminine wisdom, creativity, care for Mother Earth, and resilience in a rapidly evolving world.
Throughout the day, attendees will experience a curated blend of live music, wellness offerings, local food and beverage vendors, spoken word performances, and ceremonial experiences designed to awaken creativity and deepen self-awareness. Musical performances will feature Downbeat Project, Tomato Moon, Ysa, and more. Guests can explore hands-on creative activities at the Creation Station, including crafting magic wands with The Scrappy Elephant, bracelet making, and learning to knit.
A variety of food trucks will be available on-site, along with nearby dining options such as Bad Luck Ramen and Brazos Tacos. A full bar featuring local wine, beer, and spirits will also be available.
“The Great Mother Fest is a space to remember who we are at our core,” say event organizers. “Through creativity and ceremony, we reconnect with our intuition, reclaim our voice, and rise into greater purpose together.”
More than an art event, the Cville Great Mother Fest is a community-centered experience that brings together artists, entrepreneurs, healers, and individuals seeking inspiration, connection, and alignment. Attendees are encouraged to engage authentically, explore freely, and connect meaningfully with others on a shared path of creativity and conscious living.
In a time when many are seeking grounding and inspiration, this gathering offers a meaningful space to pause, create, and reconnect from within, contributing to a larger global intention of healing, empowerment, and unity through creative expression and feminine leadership.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Learn More & Register: https://www.greatmothermarch.com/home-1
Hosted by: https://www.cocolatastudio.com
Media Contact: Dawn Sinkule at dawn@digitaldawnagency.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cville-great-mother-fest-brings-sacred-creativity-feminine-power-and-community-connection-to-charlottesville-on-april-14-302738702.html
SOURCE Great Mother March
