W+ Program Guide – Version 2. 0 has updates on the W+ Program Guide document to ensure the W+ Standard is up to date, assuring its integrity and readiness for more uptake.
The W+ Standard is seeking comments on the W+ Program Guide 2.0 until 15 August 2023.
To respond to the questions and submit your feedback, please click here
The updated W+ Program Guide 2.0 includes the following changes:
1. Guidance on W+ Certified VCUs and projects registered under other GHG standards
- Percent of VCUs that can be “labeled” with W+ to be determined based on % of women stakeholders impacted by activities
- The total number of women stakeholders in the project will be reported during the PIN and PDD stages and will need to be monitored during each verification.
- % of VCUs labelled with W+= Number of women beneficiaries impacted divided by the Number of total women beneficiaries in the project
2. Additional evidence: Inclusion of Women’s Empowerment Plan (WEP) to show evidence of Intentionality. This should a minimum of at least any two of the following:
- gender policy
- targeted budget for gender/WE
- M&E indicators for gender/WE
- level of internal capacity for gender/women’s empowerment
3. Clarity on validation and verification
- The validation of the Project Design Document (PDD) aims to ensure that the on-ground implementation of the project adheres to the W+ Standard. It is undertaken by an independent gender expert (TEG), approved by the W+ Standard.
- After the application of W+ Standard, project results are independently verified by an accredited Verifier
- New templates for Verification, etc. that are being referenced in the new guidance document
- After the Public Consultation period, there may be additional changes to the Guidance Document and to the W+ Standard.