In this publication, the GEF Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP, features women as environmental stewards in case studies about biodiversity conservation, climate change, land degradation, international waters and chemicals and waste management. These examples show action from the ground up and demonstrate the importance of investing in women’s leadership and technical skills for improved environmental benefits and sustainable development, while challenging traditional gender norms that often prevent women from taking leadership roles or from having access and control over the natural resources they help preserve. The thirteen examples of women led projects included in this publication provide evidence that investing in women pays off not just in producing global environmental benefits and sustainable development, but also by improving the wellbeing and sustainable practices of the communities they live in.