From Coordination to Collaboration: 5 years of the ICR Facility

The ICR Facility started in September 2019, as a multi-partner project to support the improvement of policies that drive conducive business and investment climate in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. After five years of successful implementation, the ICR Facility will conclude in November 2025 and continue under a new name, the Global Gateway ICR Facility, that will focus on Global Gateway corridors and flagships for another 4 years, starting in September 2025.

To celebrate this transition, the ICR Facility team invited donors, partners and peers for a closing event. It was the occasion to reflect on successes and share the lessons learned from our one-team approach of co-implementation that has supported the advancement of gender-sensitive business environment reforms across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

During this event, we discussed: How did the ICR Facility grow from a coordinated multi-partner project to a fully integrated team based on inter-agency collaboration ? How did that translate into day-to-day processes and activities ? And how can these good practices be replicated in the upcoming Global Gateway ICR Facility and other Team Europe Initiatives?

We enjoyed:

• Reflections and insights: Highlights from five years of implementation, including lessons learned from our “one-team” co-implementation approach.
• Collaboration in practice: How we moved from coordination to full inter-agency collaboration – and what others can learn from it.
• Looking ahead: With an early look at the next phase of the ICR Facility under the Global Gateway initiative.
• Interactive and engaging sessions: Panel discussions, interactive formats, and exchanges with donors, implementing agencies, technical assistance beneficiaries, and diplomatic representatives.
• Networking opportunities: Connecting with peers and partners during informal sessions and the closing cocktail.