Hanoi, Vietnam, 14 April 2025 – For the third consecutive year, the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) and Independent Integrity Unit (IIU) held its joint capacity building and outreach workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam.

From 8-11 April 2025, this workshop brought together over 40 participants from GCF Direct Access Entities (DAEs) and civil society organisations (CSOs). The workshop aimed to build the capacity of DAEs in managing their Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) and implement GCF’s integrity policies. For CSOs, the workshop was an opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of GCF’s grievance redress and integrity obligations.

The first portion of the workshop, organised by the IRM, was facilitated by Mia Corpus, IRM consultant, Peter Carlson, IRM Communications Specialist and Sue Kyung Hwang, Dispute Resolution Case Associate.

On 8 April, the workshop began with a video introduction by Sonja Derkum, IRM Head and Karen Ernst, IIU Head. Participants were introduced to the core elements of establishing a GRM, including the key elements of designing a GRM, distinguishing factors between the different models of GRMs and conflict handling styles. Ramanie Kunanayagam, Head of the Office of the Compliance Review Panel of the Asian Development Bank, also provided virtual remarks on the history and principles of GRMs.

On the morning of the second day of the workshop, the participants from the GRM and CSO groups divided into separate sessions. The GRM group concentrated on the complaint handling process, focusing on how to address grievances and manage complex cases. Meanwhile, the CSO group was introduced to the IRM’s outreach strategy and brainstormed ideas for further engagement with communities. In the afternoon, participants came together to learn about negotiation and mediation skills and play the IRM’s “Road to Redress” board game, further cementing their understanding of the complaint handling process.

On 10 April, the final day of the IRM portion of the workshop, participants learned about the compliance review function through an intervention by Preksha Kumar, the IRM Registrar and Case Officer. This session was followed by a discussion led by Peter Carlson, focusing on the importance of an outreach function and the IRM’s approach to engaging with civil society and communities.

This joint endeavour by the IRM and IIU is helping create synergies, bring together important stakeholders and strengthen accountability at GCF.