As the IRM releases its 2025 Annual Report, the message from the Head of the IRM reflects on key developments from the year and sets out priorities for strengthening access to redress, accountability, and impact. 

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Message from the Head of the IRM

In 2025, the IRM continued to uphold its mandate of ensuring that project-affected people have access to fair, transparent, and effective redress.

This past year, we received a record seven new cases. As GCF’s portfolio grows, we expect more grievances, a sign of increasing trust in the IRM’s role. Institutionally, a grievance should be seen as a sign of a healthy accountability ecosystem where people feel empowered to speak up and engage. In the IRM, we remain strongly committed to offering accessible, predictable, and meaningful support to all who seek redress.

In parallel, the IRM continued to strengthen the capacity of GRMs within GCF’s DAEs. A key milestone was the joint outreach and capacity building workshop held in Vietnam, co-organised with the Independent Integrity Unit (IIU). These initiatives are instrumental in equipping DAEs with the tools and knowledge needed to manage grievances effectively and transparently.

We also advanced our outreach efforts, notably awarding five advocacy grants to civil society organisations (CSOs). Partnering with CSOs is enabling us to extend our reach into local communities and raise awareness of the IRM’s role in promoting accountability and access to redress.

These achievements were made possible through the continued support of the GCF Board, the Ethics and Audit Committee, the Budget Committee, the Secretariat, the Independent Integrity Unit (IIU), numerous CSOs across the world, and our peers in the accountability community. Their collaboration remains essential to our progress. 

Looking ahead to 2026, the IRM will continue to deliver and focus on impact. First and foremost, we will focus on the various cases we have received, as well as those we will continue to receive. Furthermore, we aim to enhance our outreach, refine our capacity building approach, and deepen our engagement with stakeholders. Our focus remains clear. We aim to uphold the highest standards and deliver meaningful outcomes and redress for those we serve.

Sonja Derkum

Head of the IRM, GCF

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Read the full 2025 Annual Report here.