Stakeholder Engagement Plan Belize Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (P172592) Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE DRAFT VERSION 2 – OCTOBER 22, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Objectives of Stakeholder Engagement Plan ................................................................... 1 1.2. Project Description ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Regulatory Context........................................................................................................... 5 2. Brief Summary of Previous Stakeholder Engagement Activities ............................................. 7 3. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis ................................................................................ 10 3.1. Project Stakeholders ...................................................................................................... 10 3.2. Stakeholder Categorization ............................................................................................ 10 3.3. Identification of Stakeholder Needs .............................................................................. 13 3.4. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis ......................................................................... 17 4. Stakeholder Engagement Program........................................................................................ 19 4.1. Feedback Mechanism..................................................................................................... 19 4.2. Stakeholder Engagement Plan ....................................................................................... 20 4.3. Strategy for Information Disclosure ............................................................................... 22 4.4. Proposed Strategy for Consultations ............................................................................. 28 4.5. Proposed Strategy to Incorporate Views of Vulnerable Groups.................................... 28 4.6. Timelines & Scheduling of Consultations ....................................................................... 29 4.7. Review of Comments ..................................................................................................... 35 4.8. Future Phases of Project ................................................................................................ 35 5. Grievance Mechanism ........................................................................................................... 35 6. Resources............................................................................................................................... 45 7. Annex ..................................................................................................................................... 46 7.1. Annex 1: Pre-Appraisal Consultation Plan ..................................................................... 46 7.2. Annex 2: Sample Grievance Registration Form ............................................................. 49 7.3. Annex 3: Detailed Stakeholder Engagement Budget ..................................................... 50 7.4. Annex 4: Detailed Summary of Consultations ............................................................... 51 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Summary of previous stakeholder engagement .......................................................... 7 II Table 2 Identified stakeholders’ Needs for Consultations in the context of COVID -19 mobility constraints and distancing measures ........................................................................................... 13 Table 3 Stakeholder identification according to project components ................................... 17 Table 4 Stakeholder Engagement Plan.................................................................................... 20 Table 5 Reflecting information to be disclosed alongside methods and timing..................... 23 Table 6 Summary of design of the GM:................................................................................... 40 Table 7 Budget for Stakeholder Engagement ......................................................................... 45 Table 8 Pre-Appraisal Consultation Plan ................................................................................. 46 III Abbreviations CARDI - Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute CDB - Caribbean Development Bank CERC - Contingent Emergency Response Component CRESAP - Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture Project CRESAP - Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture Project CSA - Climate Smart Agriculture DFC - Development Finance Corporation EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment ESF - Environmental and Social Framework ESMF - Environmental and Social Management Framework ESS - Environmental and Social Standards FAO - Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations GBV - Gender Based Violence GM - Grievance Mechanism IDB - Inter-American Development Bank IICA - Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture IPPF - Indigenous People Policy Framework LMP - Labour Management Procedures MAFSE - Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise MSM - Men who have sex with Men NMS - National Meteorological Service OIPs - Other interested parties OIRSA - Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria PAPs - Project-affected parties PIU - Project Implementation Unit RPF - Resettlement Policy Framework SA - Social Assessment SEP - Stakeholder Engagement Plan VIGs - Vulnerable individuals or groups UNDP - United National Development Program IV 1. Introduction 1.1. Objectives of Stakeholder Engagement Plan The World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) sets out the World Bank’s commitment to sustainable development and a set of Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) that are designed to support Borrowers’ projects, with the aim of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. The ESSs set out the mandatory requirements that apply to the Borrower and projects. They present set of guidelines and instructions with the main objective being to foster efficient and effective identification and mitigation of potentially adverse environmental and social impacts that may occur in the development projects, though proper stakeholder engagement. More information on the ESF can be found at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/environmental-and-social-framework. This Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is an instrument under the ESF that seeks to strengthen the participation of the sectors involved or stakeholders from the beginning of the project, through specific inter-institutional workshops to align policies, objectives and incentives related to land use planning, multisectoral workshops for integrated landscape management, establish sustainability indices, improve capacities for the reconversion of land use based on water balances, and the creation of multi-stakeholder roundtables. Specifically, therefore, this stakeholder engagement plan aims to: a) Identify and outline effective strategies of collaboration among stakeholders of the project b) Promote widespread acceptability and participation of the project interventions among the target beneficiaries c) Identify potential barriers that will negatively affect the accelerated implementation of the project and address them collectively 1 1.2. Project Description The Government of Belize is preparing a new Investment Project Financing project- the Climate Resilient Agriculture Project (CRESAP), with financing from the World Bank (WB). The Project Development Objective is to increase agricultural productivity of and build resilience to climate change risks among the targeted producers, and to respond effectively to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency event. Figure 1 Project Site (Highlighted in The project will target as priority the four districts of the Yellow) Northern region (Cayo, Orange Walk, Corozal, and Belize) out of the six that the country has and where the impacts of climate change and climate variability are expected to be stronger on the main agricultural value chains implemented by the targeted beneficiaries (sugar cane, rice, maize, soybean, vegetables, livestock, fruits). Some activities may also benefit value chains, such as the banana value chain, the citrus value chain, and farmers on the two other districts of the country (Stann Creek and Toledo). The environmental and social risk classification is Moderate under the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework. The beneficiaries of this project would be individual small-, medium- and large-scale farmers, members of farmers’ organizations and others associated with the agriculture food systems in the project districts, agricultural families, staff of the several departments of the MOA, and students from the Agriculture Department of the University of Belize among others. It is estimated that approximately 2,500 producers will benefit directly from this funding, with more benefiting indirectly. The details of the stakeholders are elaborated under the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Component 1: Institutional Strengthening This component consists of two subcomponents focused on strengthening the capacity of key institutions that are part of the project: Subcomponent 1.1: Strengthening the Capacity of Relevant Government and Academic Institutions. This subcomponent will focus on strengthening the capacity of the different departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise (MAFSE), and key Government bodies engaged in the project, including the National Meteorological Service (NMS), the Agriculture Department of the University of Belize, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), and the Pesticides Control Board (PCB), which play a critical role in improving agricultural sector´s efficiency and enhancing producers capacity to adapt to climate change and weather variability in Belize. In particular, this subcomponent will finance, inter alia: (i) The provision of trainings on better integrating and addressing women needs in agriculture (ii) the validation of BAIMS´ existing records and system enhancement; (iii) the design and/or establishment of information systems, agrometeorological products and services; (iv) the 2 improvement of agrometeorological data quality; (v) the design and establishment of a system to improve interconnectivity and/or interoperability among Ministry of Agriculture and the NMS of Belize to enhance sharing of information, decision-making, and monitoring of agromet conditions; (vi) the maintenance and/or upgrade of the National Meteorological Network and rehabilitation of weather stations in agricultural production areas; and (vii) the carrying out of capacity building activities, studies and diagnosis and the provision of technical assistance. Subcomponent 1.2: Strengthening Participating Financial Institutions, Individual Farmers and Farmers’ Organizations Capacity. This subcomponent will focus on strengthening the capacity of the main stakeholders, including Participating Financial Institutions (PFI) such as the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Credit Unions, the Credit Union League, and select participating Commercial Banks to enhance their knowledge in the new technologies and approaches promoted by the project. In addition, this subcomponent will provide technical assistance and extension services to individual farmers, and strengthen the organizational, operational, and business capacities of farmers organizations. This subcomponent would also: (i) strengthen the organizational, operational and business capacities inter alia of organized groups, producer´s organizations and other types of groups of producers, supported via the project; and (ii) provide international and national technical assistance and extension services to individual farmers benefitting from the matching grants. Thirty percent of farmers are women, and many small farmers are poor (below the poverty line). Rural women are significantly affected by poverty as almost one-third of them are small farmers and they lack access to services and resources. The project will have specific activities to ensure women have access to services and resources under the project. The project will tailor technical assistance to women needs by ensuring that trainings take place at convenient places, with flexible hours, where they can leave earlier if they need to. If necessary, it includes financing the use of temporary day care centers as an incentive for women’s participation (if needed). It will also support the identification and dissemination of gender-sensitive technologies that are labor-reducing for women and that are affordable, accessible, and based on their needs. The project will ensure that 40 percent of beneficiaries of matching grants and collective goods are women and that they benefit from tailored financial and business trainings. To measure progress in terms of women access to agricultural services and resources, the results framework will capture the number of women benefiting from matching grants, the number of women farmers adopting improved agricultural technologies, and the number of women trained on CSA technologies. Component 2: Promotion of Private and Public CSA Approaches and Investments This component consists of two subcomponents. The first subcomponent is focused on promotion of CSA technologies and practices at the individual level (farmer level). The second subcomponent is focused on collective investments which would be targeted toward farmer groups or are in the form of public goods such as rural infrastructure. Subcomponent 2.1: Promotion of On-farm CSA Technologies and Practices. This subcomponent would promote the uptake of best fit CSA technologies and practices, with the overarching aim of increasing resilience to climate shocks and weather events, and 3 stabilizing/improving productivity while simultaneously lowering production costs, thereby contributing to an increase in profitability. More specifically, subcomponent 2.1 activities aim to: (i) increase climate resilience of Belizean agriculture; (ii) enhance access to water in agriculture with a vision of optimizing water productivity and contribute to enhanced water resource management for agriculture; (iii) create conditions for diversification of crops and introduction of higher value added produce and/or increased land use intensity (e.g. double cropping, intercropping, high yield varieties, etc.); and (iv) reduce inefficient use of purchased agricultural inputs. This subcomponent would include activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, e.g., through energy and water efficiency measures, contributing to the productivity and mitigation pillars of the CSA approach, where possible. This subcomponent will promote the uptake of best fit CSA technologies and practices with the overarching aim of increasing resilience to climate shocks (such as drought and floods) and stabilizing/improving productivity while simultaneously lowering production costs, contributing to increases in profitability. The subcomponent will provide matching grants, supplemented with credits from participating financial institutions to farmers. The matching grants will be implemented based on a demand-driven approach. It will first start by raising awareness among the targeted beneficiaries regarding the available support for climate-smart agriculture technologies and practices (such as irrigation) and market-oriented technologies (such as innovative storage technologies) by providing information on the key terms and conditions of the available support. Technical assistance support would be provided to farmers in the preparation of their request for the funding of sub-projects and downstream support for sub- projects’ implementation. This subcomponent will pay attention to women farmers by promoting gender-sensitive CSA technologies, in particular labor-reducing technologies for women that are affordable, accessible, and based on their needs. Subcomponent 2.2: Provision of Complementary Collective Goods to Strengthen Resilience . This subcomponent would finance studies, technical assistance, goods and works for complementary infrastructure of collective use that will increase the impacts of the subcomponent relating to on-farm CSA investments and/or eliminate constraints: (i) investments related to post-production and value addition to ensure cost-effective linkages between production areas and markets, especially the high-value horticultural markets linked to tourism activities on the islands; (ii) drainage investments necessary due to the low-lying nature of much of Northern Belize; and (iii) identification, development and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training for small-scale, collective water-harvesting pilot initiatives (e.g. for communities interested in sharing a collective pond or common pasture, etc.). This subcomponent will ensure that women are involved in the discussion for the design of infrastructure and trained in the management of infrastructures and that they are provided leadership skills to participate in O&M committee of infrastructures. Component 3: Project Management, and Monitoring and Evaluation This component would finance the activities of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). Given the delays in the implementation of other active development projects in Belize, the MAFSE 4 has opted for a two-pronged approach based on: (i) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Investment Fund (SIF) in order to have the SIF Fiduciary Team (Procurement, Financial Management, Accountant, and Monitoring and Evaluation) be in charge of those aspects during the first year of implementation of the Project; and (ii) reinforce its existing Department of Projects through the hiring of staff in the areas of Procurement, Financial Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Accounting, etc., to set up a full-fledged and entirely dedicated PIU. These newly hired staff will be trained by the SIF Team as part of the MOU agreement. At the completion of the duration of the MOU, the PIU staff will be evaluated to assess their capacity before transferring the responsibility for implementation of the project to them. Activities under Component 3 would include the establishment of the project’s monitoring and evaluation system, financial management and procurement systems, the financing the costs of external audits of the project, the capacity for monitoring requirements, and the organization of all project-related work and project reporting. Further, this component will finance incremental and operating costs as well as equipment and goods for the purpose of the project. Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) The objective of Component 4 would be to help the project-supported producers get back into operation and ensure business continuity, repair infrastructure damage, and help recover from losses, after a disaster. A Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) will be established and managed in accordance with the provisions of World Bank Policy and World Bank Directive on Investment Project Financing. The CERC will be triggered only when the GOB has officially declared an emergency and a statement of the facts is provided, justifying the request to activate the use of the emergency funding. The CERC would finance emergency purchases and activities, including goods, works, and technical assistance in the event of a disaster. 1.3. Regulatory Context 1.3.1. National Requirements for Stakeholder Engagement There are no national laws which require or stipulate stakeholder engagement. The EIA regulations under the Environmental Protection does stipulate stakeholder engagement but only for projects undergoing full scale EIAs under the charge of the Department of Environment. 1.3.2. World Bank Requirements for Stakeholder Engagement Under the World Bank’s ESF, ESS 10, “Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure”, recognizes “the importance of open and transparent engagement between the Borrower and project stakeholders as an essential element of good international practice”. Specifically, the requirements set out by ESS10 are the following: • Borrowers will engage with stakeholders throughout the project life cycle, commencing such engagement as early as possible in the project development process and in a timeframe that enables meaningful consultations with stakeholders on project design. The nature, scope and 5 frequency of stakeholder engagement will be proportionate to the nature and scale of the project and its potential risks and impacts. • Borrowers will engage in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders. Borrowers will provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable, and accessible information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner, which is free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination, and intimidation. • The process of stakeholder engagement will involve the following, as set out in further detail in this ESS: (i) stakeholder identification and analysis; (ii) planning how the engagement with stakeholders will take place; (iii) disclosure of information; (iv) consultation with stakeholders; (v) addressing and responding to grievances; and (vi) reporting to stakeholders. • The Borrower will maintain and disclose as part of the environmental and social assessment, a documented record of stakeholder engagement, including a description of the stakeholders consulted, a summary of the feedback received and a brief explanation of how the feedback was taken into account, or the reasons why it was not. An SEP is to be proportionate to the nature and scale of the project and its potential risks and impacts. It has to be disclosed as early as possible, and the borrower must seek the views of stakeholders on the SEP including on the identification of stakeholders and the proposals for future engagement. If significant changes are made to the SEP during implementation, the Borrower has to disclose the updated SEP. 6 2. Brief Summary of Previous Stakeholder Engagement Activities Table 1 Summary of previous stakeholder engagement Date of Location Project Stakeholders & Major comments/feedback Consultation Number of persons consulted December 9th Ministry of Inception meeting , 2019 Agriculture Conference Room December 9th Beltrade Beltrade (4 persons) Need for strengthening partnerships with BAHA and Belize Bureau of Standards. Need for training in , 2019 sanitation and standards procedures. GoB should look at crops such as Cacao and seaweed and may target niche market. December 9th Development Development Finance Discussion centred on most convenient way for farmers to obtain the money without too much , 2019 Finance Cooperation (9 persons) bureaucracy while still adhering to compliance and regulations put in place. Modality of funds to Cooperation farmers may be matching grant or credit line. The government should also look at disaster recovery and try to channel support into this area particularly since farmers are vulnerable to shocks. Timing for project implementation is critical and all lessons learned should be documented. DFC also working in getting GCF accredited, and they are also working on Gender, Social and Environmental management plans. December Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture Explanation of the various agriculture programs was presented to the WB team. Challenges 10th, 2019 Agriculture Staff (8 persons) encountered in the various programs ranges from staff, transportation, and equipment, in addition to capacity building. December University of University of Belize (11 Discussion at the University of Belize Agriculture Campus centred around improvement of the 10th 2019 Belize persons) dormitories for students and the said dormitories can be used to facilitate farmer trainings as well. The UB also express interest in exchange programs with other regional universities. They express keen interest in fixing their cover structures, improve their breeding animals and note that more collaboration can be done in central farm since it hosts the Ministry of Agriculture, CARDI, BAHA and PCB. 7 December Mennonite Community Leaders They require assistance from the GOB in terms of better and improved seeds and animal breeds, 11th , 2019 communities from Shipyard, Indian reduced interest rate and also if the GOB can remove tax on certain agricultural equipment’s and Creek and Neuland (7 inputs. They also ask if the GOB can assist them with well drilling which can assist in irrigation. Most persons) of the women from the communities’ work in food processing area in either the dairy or poultry establishments. December St. Margret’s St. Margret’s Farmers Farmers in the St. Margret’s Cooperative indicated that they will be appreciative if the technical 11th , 2019 (20 persons) assistance is provided to them, likewise they would appreciate if the ministry introduced them to the various technology they are promoting. The group is also very much interested in irrigation technology since they have suffered severely during the 2019 drought. December Belize Credit Belize Credit Union They indicated that the Ministry should provide more capacity building to farmers as well a credit 12th, 2019 Union League League union staff. December Nagubank Los Pequuenos They have access to irrigation water but during the peak of the dry season the water becomes salty 12th Ganaderos de Nagu Bank and affects crop production. They are very aware of the preservation of the environment and try to (15 persons) minimize the use of inorganic chemicals as much as possible. December National National Meteorological Discussion focused on closer collaboration with them and products that can be developed to assist 12th Meteorological Service (NMS) (8 farmer with real time weather data which will assist them with better decision making out in the field. Service (NMS) persons) 28th February, Central Bank Deputy Governor – They expect the approach to leverage significant excess liquidity in the commercial banks for the 2020 Kareem Michael (6 agricultural sector. Felt that more discussions with commercial banks would be needed to discuss persons) implementation modality so that Central Bank could provide the framework that will be needed. 24th February La Immaculada Chairlady of the Board – Felt their institution needed additional training although they are already getting some level of 2020 Credit Union Ena Martinez training on climate change 24th February Blue Creek Credit Chairman of the Board – They need training as they currently have no previous training on climate change and climate smart 2020 Union Albert Remple agricultural practices 8 Further details on consultations regarding additional comments and how such comments were incorporated in the project are outlined in Annex 4. 9 3. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis 3.1. Project Stakeholders Project stakeholders are people who have a role in the Project, or could be affected by the Project, or who are interested in the Project. The WB ESS 10 recognizes two broad categories of stakeholders: • Project Affected Parties and • Other Interested parties o With particular focus on disadvantaged/vulnerable individuals or groups The design and delivery of each of the CRESAP project's components will involve several supporting partners led and coordinated by the Government of Belize through relevant ministries, departments, and agencies. At this stage, the total number of producers who will directly benefit from Component 2 (Promotion of Private and Public CSA Approaches and Investments) activities is estimated to be approximately 2,500. Component 1 (Institutional Strengthening) will directly or indirectly benefit a higher number of other stakeholders, including but not limited to the staff of the several departments of the MAFSE, students from the Agriculture Department of the University of Belize, members of farmers’ organizations and others associated with the agri-food systems in the project districts. 3.2. Stakeholder Categorization For the purposes of effective and tailored engagement, stakeholders of the project can be divided into the following three core categories and defined as follows: a) Affected Parties – persons, groups and other entities within the Project Area of Influence (PAI) that are directly influenced (actually or potentially) by the project and/or have been identified as most susceptible to change associated with the project, and who need to be closely engaged in identifying impacts and their significance, as well as in decision-making on mitigation and management measures; b) Other Interested Parties – individuals/groups/entities that may not experience direct impacts from the project but who consider or perceive their interests as being affected by the project and/or who could affect the project and the process of its implementation in some way; and c) Vulnerable Groups – persons who may be disproportionately impacted or further disadvantaged by the project(s) as compared with any other groups due to their vulnerable status1, and that may require special engagement efforts to ensure their equal representation in the consultation and decision-making process associated with the project(s). Engagement with all identified stakeholders will help ensure the greatest possible contribution from the stakeholder parties toward the successful implementation of the project(s) and will 1 Vulnerable status may stem from an individual’s or group’s national, ethnic or social origin, color, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, property, age, culture, literacy, sickness, physical or mental disability, poverty or economic disadvantage, and dependence on unique natural resources. 10 enable the project(s) to draw on their pre-existing expertise, networks, and agendas. It will also facilitate both the community’s and institutional endorsement of the project(s) by various parties. Access to the local knowledge and experience also becomes possible through the active involvement of stakeholders. 3.2.1. Project Affected Parties (PAPs) Project Affected Parties include local communities, community members, organizations and other parties that may be subject to direct impacts from the Project during implementation activities. Specifically, the following individuals and groups fall within this category: • Communities in the vicinity of the project’s planned activities in the Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo and Belize districts, including Indigenous Peoples (Maya community in Cayo and Garifuna populations in Libertad, Corozal); • Farmers and local population in rural villages, including Mennonite farmers from various communities (Shipyard, Indian Creek, Neuland, Blue Creek); • Community-based groups and farmer organizations that represent local residents and other local interest groups, and act on their behalf, including St. Margret’s Cooperative and San Carlos Cooperative; • Residents, business entities, and individual entrepreneurs in the area of the project that can benefit from the employment, training, and business opportunities; • Government officials, including government Ministries and departments who will be required to participate in the project either as beneficiaries or collaborators, including the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Works, National Meteorological Service, and Village councils; • Financial institutions that will participate directly in the project, including Central Bank, Development Finance Corporation, Belize Credit Union League, Blue Creek Credit Union, Atlantic Bank; • Contractors and their employees Non-government Organizations with interest and operations in the project areas, including Cooperatives of Livestock Producers, Cane Farmers Association, including the University of Belize and Protected Areas Conservation Trust 3.2.2. Other Interested Parties The project’s stakeholders also include parties other than the directly affected communities, who may not necessarily be in the project’s direct area of influence, including: a) Residents of the other rural settlements within the project area, who can benefit from infrastructure investments, employment and training opportunities stemming from the project; b) Civil society groups and NGOs at national and local levels, that pursue environmental and socio- economic interests who may also work with local farmers c) Business owners and providers of services, goods and materials within the project area that will be involved in the project’s wider supply chain; d) Government of Belize – government officials, permitting and regulatory agencies at the national and district levels, including environmental, technical, social protection and labour authorities. e) Mass media including local, and national print and broadcasting media f) Development partners and IFIs – CARDI, FAO, UNDP, IICA, OIRSA, CDB, IDB 11 3.2.3. Vulnerable Groups A significant factor in achieving inclusiveness of the engagement process is safeguarding the participation of vulnerable individuals in public consultations and other engagement forums established by the project. The vulnerability may stem from person’s origin, gender, age, health condition, economic deficiency and financial insecurity, disadvantaged status in the community, dependence on other individuals or natural resources, etc. Engagement with the vulnerable groups and individuals often requires the application of specific measures and assistance aimed at the facilitation of their participation in the project-related decision making so that their awareness of and input to the overall process are commensurate to those of the other stakeholders. Specific measures to incorporate views of vulnerable groups in consultations can be found in Section 4.5. Within the Project Area of Influence, the vulnerable groups may include and are not limited to the following: a) Elderly persons; b) Persons living with disabilities; c) Persons living with HIV/AIDs; d) Low-income families dependent or working poor; e) Women-headed households or single mothers with underage children; f) Indigenous peoples; g) Unemployed persons with limited skills or training; h) LGBQT+ community; i) Mennonites; and j) Immigrant farmers Once the Social Assessment (SA) is finalized within 90 days of the effective date of the Project, the categorization of stakeholders and SEP will be revised to reflect the findings of the assessment. 12 3.3. Identification of Stakeholder Needs Table 2 Identified stakeholders’ Needs for Consultations in the context of COVID-19 mobility constraints and distancing measures Stakeholder group Key characteristics of the group Preferred Notification Language needs Specific Needs for Means Consultation Affected Parties Communities in the Phone call, text Spanish, English, Language translation, Communities in the four project districts, speaking vicinity of the project messages/whatsapp, and potentially childcare especially for primarily Spanish and then English. activities flyer Yucatec Maya women Farmers and local Farming population include Mennonite communities Phone call, text English, Spanish, Language translation, populations in rural of Ship Yard, Neuland, and Blue Creek as well as over messages/whatsapp, Yucatec Maya, childcare especially for villages 5000 cane farmers flyer Plautdietsch women Primarily Ministry of Agriculture technical and field Government officials Email, Letter of notice English Adequate notice period staff Financial institutions Member-owned credit unions, DFC Email, Letter of notice English Adequate notice period Community-based Phone call, text English, Spanish, organizations and Local, small membership organizations messages/whatsapp, Time off work Yucatec Maya farmers cooperatives flyer, email Both resident and immigrant contractors and Contractors and their employees that may recruit temporary workers, Email, Letter of notice, English and Time off work employees primarily from Central America to supplement phone call Spanish labourers from local communities Non-government Organizations that represent specific groups, Organizations with including Cooperatives of Livestock Producers, Cane Adequate notice period English, Spanish, interest and Farmers Association as well as academic institutions Email, letter of notice Yucatec Maya operations in the working within the broader agricultural sector, Language translation project areas including the University of Belize Other interested parties 13 Residents of the Phone call, text other rural Rural population of four districts of the project is English, Spanish, messages/whatsapp, Language translation settlements within 98,2072 Yucatec Maya flyer the project area Organizations including the Belize Audubon Society, Civil society groups The National Garifuna Council, Maya Institute of Social media, email, English, Spanish and NGOs Belize that pursue environmental and social issue at written information a national and local level Business owners and providers of services, Business in the project area tend to be family-run Social media, email, Time off work goods and materials enterprises with employees ranging from <10 to 50, English, Spanish letter of notice within the project which would still classify them as small enterprises area Government officials, permitting and regulatory Government of agencies at the national and district levels, including Adequate notice period Email, Letter of notice English Belize environmental, technical, social protection and labour authorities Information on project Mass media local, and national print and broadcasting media Email, letter of notice English activities Development partners and IFIs Various partners conducting work in the agricultural Email, letter of notice English sector: CARDI, FAO, UNDP, IICA, OIRSA, CDB, IDB Disadvantaged / vulnerable individuals or groups 2 Belize Population and Housing Census Country Report (2010). Statistical Institution of Belize. 14 Growing number of elderly persons across the Phone call, letter of English, Spanish, Large print materials, Elderly persons country, with an increasing number suffering from notice Yucatec Maya accessibility diabetes, hypertension and heart disease2 In 2018, there was an estimated 4,915 persons living with HIV. In 2017 a total of 57%, 125/220 of all new cases were reported in Belize District which Small-group sessions Persons living with continues to be the most affected region, with HIV Phone call, email, text English, Spanish may be required for HIV/AIDS prevalence being high amongst MSM (men who message/whatsapp confidentiality have sex with men). Represented by groups such as the National Aids Commission and Belize Family Life Association. Authorities estimate some 70,000 Belizeans, 15 Phone call, text Persons living with percent of the population, are living with some kind messages/whatsapp, English, Spanish, Accessibility disabilities of disability with blindness and deafness being most subtitles during virtual Yucatec Maya common forms of disability consultations Between 15 – 20% of families in project areas are in Phone call, text Time off work, English, Spanish, Low income families the poorest wealth index quantiles3 according the messages/whatsapp, compensation for lost Yucatec Maya UNICEF MICS Survey 2015-2016 flyer working hours Women-headed High number of single mothers particularly in the Phone call, text households or single English, Spanish, Belize district, represented and supported mainly by messages/whatsapp, Childcare mothers with Yucatec Maya the Women and Family Support Department flyer underage children Day time meetings, 10,221 persons identifying as Maya in project area Phone call, text Indigenous people Yucatec Maya language translation, and 8,336 Garifuna persons2 messages/whatsapp, childcare 3 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2015-2016. (2017). Statistical Institute of Belize. 15 email to representative Belize district registered in 2019 the highest levels of unemployment (12.5 percent) in the country. Orange Walk district closely followed with the Phone call, text English, Spanish, Unemployed persons second highest levels of joblessness (11.6 percent) messages/whatsapp, Yucatec Maya with most persons in the labour force that could not flyer get a job, with young people showing highest rates of unemployment4 Small-group sessions Community represented by organizations including Phone call, email, text English, Spanish, LGBTQ+ community may be required if any Our Circle and United Belize Advocacy Movement. messages/whatsapp Yucatec Maya confidentiality concerns 11,193 members of the Mennonite community in English, Spanish, project areas2. Most communities prefer any outside Phone call, text Plautdietsch Mennonites interaction and consultation to be between messages/whatsapp Government and their community leaders. To serve as a basis for estimation of current numbers, a total of 3,534 temporary workers were actively insured with the Social Security of Belize in 2012. The majority (63.4%) were between the ages of 20- 39 years of age. The top three countries of Phone call, text Time off work origin of temporary workers were Guatemala Immigrant farmers messages/whatsapp, Spanish (57.6%), Honduras (21.6%) and to a lesser extent El flyer Language translation Salvador (8.8%). Men far outnumbered women temporary workers with 2,923 and 611, respectively. migrant workers may be at risk of exploitation because employers apply for permits on their behalf and are not allowed to change jobs.5 4 Labour Force Survey Report (2019). Statistical Institute of Belize 5 Diagnostic on Belizean Migration Trends and Migration Management Regulation. (2013). International Organization for Migration 16 3.4. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis Table 3 Stakeholder identification according to project components Project Components Project Stakeholders Components Description National District Community Affected parties: Component 1: a) Strengthen key institutions such as the Affected parties: Affected parties: • Agriculture Strengthen the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & • Ministry of • Farmer capacity of key Enterprise (MAFSE), and key Government Department Agriculture Organizations • Credit Unions institutions that are bodies engaged in the project, including the • National part of the project. National Meteorological Service (NMS) and the Meteorological University of Belize; Service b) Strengthen the capacity of the financial • University of Belize institutions such as Development Finance • Development Corporation (DFC) and the credit unions Finance potentially involved in project activities; and Corporation c) Build the capacity of Farmers’ Organizations. Affected parties: Component 2: a) Implement Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Affected parties: Affected parties: • Farmer Promotion of technologies and practices at the individual • Ministry of • Agriculture Private and Public level (farmer level). Organizations Agriculture Department • Targeted CSA Approaches and b) Finance studies, technical assistance, goods • Ministry of Works • Private Investments individual and works for complementary infrastructure of Contractors farmers collective use that will increase the impacts of • Village the subcomponent relating to on-farm CSA Councils investments and/or eliminate constraints. Affected parties: Component 3: a) Finance the activities of the PIU. The team Affected parties: Affected parties: • Farmer Project has opted to utilize the existing Department of • Ministry of • Suppliers of goods Management, and Projects of the MAFSE to set up a dedicated PIU Organizations Agriculture and services and augment its capacity for the 17 Monitoring and implementation of the project. Activities would • Project • Targeted Evaluation include monitoring and evaluation system, Implementation individual financial management and procurement Unit farmers systems, the capacity for implementation and • Ministry of • Village monitoring of the Environmental and Social Economic Councils Framework requirements, and the organization Development of all project-related work and project • Ministry of Finance reporting. It will also finance incremental and operating costs as well as equipment and goods for the purpose of the project. Affected parties: Component 4: a) Project supported producers are able to get Affected parties: Affected parties: • Farmer Contingent back into operation and ensure business • Ministry of • Suppliers of goods Emergency continuity, repair infrastructure damage, and Organizations Agriculture and services • Targeted Response help recover from losses, after a disaster. A • Project Component Contingent Emergency Response Component individual Implementation (CERC) will be established and managed in farmers Unit • Village accordance with the provisions of World Bank • Ministry of Policy and World Bank Directive on Investment Councils Economic Project Financing. Development • Ministry of Finance 18 4. Stakeholder Engagement Program The CRESAP Project, due to its design will include stakeholder engagement during all phases of the project cycle to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the project’s planned activities, scope and expected results. The table at 4.2 below outlines the stakeholder engagement plan outlining the timing and methods of engagement. The purpose of the engagement plan for this project is to: • Consult stakeholders on the proposed project design, anticipated environmental and social risks and impacts, mitigation measures, and environmental and social risk management instruments • Provide regular information on the implementation progress and feedback to stakeholders and any other emerging issues throughout the project cycle. 4.1. Feedback Mechanism The feedback from consultations made at different levels during the project cycle will inform project design process, improve implementation efficiency, and ensure that the project has an effective exit strategy. The project will ensure that the consultation platforms provided for are well facilitated through technical support from experienced professionals and provide enough time (minimum of five days) and resources for stakeholders to give feedback. During consultations, feedback will be collated through designated rapporteurs and the GM structures, including email provided in Section 5, will be designed to receive complaints as well as feedback. The Project Implementation Unit will be the main entity responsible for receiving feedback and ensure that issues raised are addressed. 19 4.2. Stakeholder Engagement Plan Table 4 Stakeholder Engagement Plan No. Project Phase Engagement Objective Targeted Stakeholders Time Frame Activity 1 Project National Collect views on the design of the Representatives of Pre-appraisal stage Preparation stakeholder project, environmental and social risks, government Ministries, Phase consultation mitigation measures, Grievance beneficiary institutions, local meetings Mechanisms, SEP, RPF, ESMF, IPPF and farmers, and vulnerable LMP. groups. Community Collect views on the design of the Farmers, farmer Pre-appraisal stage level project, environmental and social risks, organizations and vulnerable stakeholder mitigation measures, Grievance groups consultation Mechanisms, SEP, RPF, ESMF, IPPF and meetings LMP. 2 Project Social Identify and characterize targeted Representatives of Within 90 days after Implementation Assessment communities, organizations, and persons government Ministries, Effectiveness Phase Activities and assess social issues and potential beneficiary institutions, local social impacts. farmers, and vulnerable groups. Project Provide feedback on approved project National, District and Q1-Y1 inception design and orient all level of stakeholders Community stakeholders meetings with on their roles in promoting CSA, climate National and adaptation measures and the District and preparation Community of ESF instruments such as the ESMP, RPs, IPP, and promoting the GM 20 level Stakeholders Mobilize and prepare target communities Members of target Community for project implementation and beneficiary communities, Q2-Y1 mobilization formation of subproject implementation Project affected meetings structures, determination of PAPs, persons/households, Village identification of vulnerable groups, and Councils, vulnerable groups preparation of ESF instruments such as the ESMPs, RPs, IPP, and promoting the project GM. Provide and obtain updated National, district, and Ongoing Project information that can support project community level throughout implementation performance stakeholders including project monitoring and Beneficiary communities, implementation supervision Project affected meetings persons/households, vulnerable groups Provide and get periodic feedback on Selected National, Continuous Project review Project implementation progress and District and Community level throughout meetings with any emerging issues stakeholders including project selected Beneficiary communities, implementation stakeholders Project affected (twice yearly but from National, persons/households, also as District and vulnerable groups and when needed) Community level Increase the stakeholders’ understanding Beneficiary Q3-Y5 3 Project Close Project close on the project exit strategy communities and out meetings Out Phase groups, national and district stakeholders, vulnerable groups 21 4.3. Strategy for Information Disclosure While all the project environmental and safeguard instruments will be made public, appropriate information to various targeted groups will be provided including the availability of the grievance mechanism. Such information will also be dependent on the project cycle including nature of the project design, the anticipated environmental and social risks and impacts, the proposed mitigation measures, the stakeholder engagement plan, and how stakeholder views were incorporated in the project design and implementation and management of environmental and social risks. The SEP takes into account the Bank technical guidance on “Public Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement in WB-supported operations when there are constraints on conducting public meetings, March 20, 2020.” The project will therefore use a combination of methods to disclose information pertaining to the project in manner that is commensurate with the nature of the identified stakeholders and environmental and social sensitivity of the project. World Bank and national guidance on COVID 19 will be followed for all activities. These measures will be shared with the World Bank prior to commencing activities. For community level stakeholders, notification of information disclosure will be primarily through various mediums that avoid face-to-face contact as much as possible. These include phone calls and email. WhatsApp groups should be utilised to reach more remote communities alongside traditional methods including TV, newspaper, radio, posters, illustrations, and dedicated phone lines when applicable. Deliberate efforts will be made to ensure that vulnerable groups of people such as women and children, the elderly and disabled are adequately represented and heard in such meetings, including holding separate online meetings and forums, such as WhatsApp groups, if deemed appropriate. Other strategies to incorporate views of vulnerable groups are outlined in Section 4.5. Electronic copies of relevant documents will be made available on the MAFSE website at https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/climate-resilient-agriculture-project-cresap/ at least two weeks prior to consultations. At National and District level, similar methods of notification of information disclosure will be utilised. It is envisaged that consultations will continue to be conducted during implementation primarily through virtual means until legal protocols allow for small-group sessions in the target districts and locations to enable participation of project stakeholders including vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of people, where deemed necessary. All final environmental and social safeguards instruments will be publicly disclosed on the MAFSE website at https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/climate-resilient-agriculture-project-cresap/. In addition, the site will provide details about the Grievance Mechanism and contact details for the project’s environmental and social officer. The PIU will ensure that the project information on the site is regularly updated. The GM will also be socialized during the consultation sessions, and further disseminated in the communications campaign of the project. 22 Table 5 Reflecting information to be disclosed alongside methods and timing Project Phase Engagement Objective and material to Targeted Stakeholders Method and Timing Responsible Activity disclose Proposed of Information Disclosure Project National and Disseminate information on Representatives of At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – Preparation Phase community (a) the purpose, nature, government Ministries, prior to consultation Social and level outreach and scale of the project; beneficiary meetings Environmental institutions, local Officer (b) The duration of farmers, and proposed project activities; vulnerable groups. Documents will be (c) Potential risks and made available on impacts of the project on the MAFSE website local communities, and the Members of target for download. The proposals for mitigating beneficiary GRM will also be these, highlighting communities, made available in potential risks and impacts easy to understand Project affected that might language persons/households, disproportionately affect Village Councils, vulnerable and vulnerable groups disadvantaged groups, and Phone calls, emails describing the and texts will be sent differentiated measures directly to relevant taken to avoid and stakeholders minimize these; (d) The proposed stakeholder engagement process highlighting the ways in which stakeholders can participate; (e) The time and venue of any proposed public 23 consultation meetings, and the process by which meetings will be notified, summarized, and reported; and (f) The process and means by which grievances can be raised and will be addressed These are summarised in the project design document and ESF instruments including the Grievance Mechanisms, SEP, RPF, ESMF, IPPF and LMP. Project Social Disclose the Social Representatives of At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – Implementation Assessment Assessment, project government Ministries, prior to consultation Social and Phase Activities information and activities beneficiary meetings Environmental with the purpose of having institutions, local Officer stakeholders identify farmers, and potential risks and impacts vulnerable groups. Documents will be made available on the MAFSE website for download. The GRM will also be made available in easy to understand language Phone calls, emails and texts will be sent 24 directly to relevant stakeholders National Prior to consultation, Representatives of At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – stakeholder provide documents to government Ministries, prior to consultation Social and outreach stakeholders on approved beneficiary meetings Environmental project design, ESF institutions, local Officer instruments such as the farmers, and ESMPs, RPs , IPP, and vulnerable groups. Documents will be promoting the project GM., made available on and the roles of all level of the MAFSE website stakeholders in promoting for download. The CSA, climate adaptation GRM will also be measures and the of ESF made available in instruments easy to understand language Phone calls, emails and texts will be sent directly to relevant stakeholders Community- Provide documentation Members of target At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – level outreach ahead of consultation to beneficiary prior to consultation Social and target communities for communities, Project meetings Environmental project implementation affected Officer and subproject persons/households, implementation structures, Village Councils, Documents will be proposed PAPs, vulnerable vulnerable groups made available on 25 groups, and ESF the MAFSE website instruments such as the for download. The ESMPs, RPs, IPP, and GRM will also be promoting the project GM. made available in easy to understand language Phone calls, emails and texts will be sent directly to relevant stakeholders National and Provide progress reports Selected National, At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – community throughout Project District and prior to consultation Social and level outreach implementation progress Community level meetings Environmental including any emerging stakeholders including Officer issues Beneficiary Documents will be communities, Project made available on affected the MAFSE website persons/households, for download. The vulnerable groups GRM will also be made available in easy to understand language Phone calls, emails and texts will be sent directly to relevant stakeholders 26 Project Close Out National and Provide documentation to Selected National, At least two weeks MAFSE PIU – Phase community stakeholders on the project prior to consultation Social and District and level outreach exit strategy and share meetings Environmental Community level reports on Monitoring and Officer stakeholders including Documents will be Evaluation of the project made available on Beneficiary the MAFSE website communities, for download. The Project affected GRM will also be persons/households, made available in vulnerable groups easy to understand language Phone calls, emails and texts will be sent directly to relevant stakeholders 27 4.4. Proposed Strategy for Consultations Consultation will use virtual consultation formats until the Government of Belize announces otherwise regarding social distancing protocols. Consultations must use a format whereby participants can register and ensure their voices are adequately represented and noted as opposed to an open social media format whereby persons outside of the stakeholder groups may overshadow identified groups. This can be done on platforms including Zoom and/or Teams meetings with the direct stakeholders or representatives of such groups in the event stakeholders are unable to access online forums. The format of virtual consultations could follow the steps outlined below to ensure maximum participation as opposed to simply sharing information: • Virtual registration of participants: Participants can register online through a dedicated platform. • Distribution of workshop materials to participants, including agenda, project documents, presentations, questionnaires and discussion topics: These can be distributed online to participants. • Review of distributed information materials: Participants are given a scheduled duration for this, prior to scheduling a discussion on the information provided. • Discussion, feedback collection and sharing: o Participants can be organized and assigned to different topic groups, teams or virtual “tables” provided they agree to this. o Group, team and table discussions can be organized through social media means, such as Teams or Zoom, or through written feedback in the form of an electronic questionnaire (such as SurveyMonkey) or feedback forms that can be emailed back. • Conclusion and summary: The chair of the workshop will summarize the virtual workshop discussion, formulate conclusions, and share electronically with all participants. 4.5. Proposed Strategy to Incorporate Views of Vulnerable Groups Vulnerable groups’ specific needs are considered when organizing consultations to ensure active participation. This may involve providing special invites to known groups in the project vicinity, such as Mennonite communities, that may have less access to social media. Vulnerable groups may also benefit from small-group virtual sessions to ensure they are provided sufficient opportunity to share thoughts and concerns. Where virtual sessions are entirely unsuitable for the specific group, representatives of these groups may attend on their behalf. Where representatives equally would be unable to access such consultations, small group in person meetings may be considered in accordance with local law around the number of persons and households that can meet and only if deemed absolutely necessary 28 4.6. Timelines & Scheduling of Consultations Project Engagement Objective and material to Targeted Method and Timing Proposed of Information Responsible Phase Activity disclose Stakeholders Disclosure Project National and Gather further feedback on Representatives of At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – Preparation community level government documents Social and (a) the purpose, nature, Phase consultation prior Ministries, beneficiary Environment and scale of the project; Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by to Appraisal institutions, local al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers (b) The duration of farmers, and proposed project activities; vulnerable groups, Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at Members of target least representatives of stakeholders groups can (c) Potential risks and beneficiary be present if stakeholders themselves are unable impacts of the project on communities, to attend local communities, and the proposals for mitigating Project affected Stakeholders will then have an additional five these, highlighting persons/households, days to provide further feedback and comments potential risks and impacts Village Councils *small-group virtual sessions may be facilitated that might for vulnerable groups if indicated my such groups disproportionately affect that this option would be preferred vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, and describing the differentiated measures taken to avoid and minimize these; (d) The proposed stakeholder engagement process highlighting the 29 ways in which stakeholders can participate; (e) The time and venue of any proposed public consultation meetings, and the process by which meetings will be notified, summarized, and reported; and (f) The process and means by which grievances can be raised and will be addressed. These are summarised in the project design document and draft ESF instruments including the Grievance Mechanisms, SEP, RPF, ESMF, and LMP. Consultation with Gather feedback on the IPs and/or IP At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – IPs prior to design and applicability of representatives documents Social and Appraisal the IPPF Environment Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can be present if stakeholders themselves are unable to attend 30 Stakeholders will then have an additional five days to provide further feedback and comments National and Outline how previous Representatives of At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – community level comments have been government documents Social and consultation prior incorporated and gather Ministries, beneficiary Environment Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by to Effectiveness further feedback and institutions, local al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers confirmation of the final farmers, and Grievance Mechanisms, vulnerable groups, Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at SEP, RPF, ESMF, and LMP. Members of target least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can beneficiary be present if stakeholders themselves are unable communities, to attend Project affected Stakeholders will then have an additional five persons/households, days to provide further feedback and comments Village Councils *small-group virtual sessions may be facilitated for vulnerable groups if indicated my such groups that this option would be preferred Consultation with Outline how previous IPs and/or IP At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – IPs prior to comments have been representatives documents Social and Effectiveness incorporated and gather Environment Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by further feedback and al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers confirmation of the final IPPF Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can be present if stakeholders themselves are unable to attend Stakeholders will then have an additional five days to provide further feedback and comments 31 Project Social Assessment Identify and characterize Representatives of At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – Implementa Activities targeted communities, government documents Social and tion Phase organizations, and persons Ministries, beneficiary Environment Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by and assess social issues and institutions, local al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers potential social impacts. farmers, and vulnerable groups Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can be present if stakeholders themselves are unable Project affected to attend persons/households, Stakeholders will then have an additional five Village Councils days to provide further feedback and comments Inception Meeting Obtain feedback on Representatives of At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – approved project design government documents Social and and orient all level of Ministries, beneficiary Environment Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by stakeholders on their roles institutions, local al Officer phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers in promoting CSA, climate farmers, and adaptation measures and vulnerable groups, Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at the preparation Members of target least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can beneficiary be present if stakeholders themselves are unable of ESF instruments such as communities, to attend the ESMP, RPs, IPP, and promoting the GM Project affected Stakeholders will then have an additional five persons/households, days to provide further feedback and comments Village Councils Community-level Mobilize and prepare Members of target Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by MAFSE PIU – mobilisation target communities for beneficiary phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers Social and meetings project implementation communities, Environment Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at and formation of al Officer least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can 32 subproject implementation Project affected be present if stakeholders themselves are unable structures persons/households, to attend Village Councils, vulnerable groups Community-level Provide and obtain Members of target Stakeholders will be notified by phone MAFSE PIU – monitoring and updated information that beneficiary call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers Monitoring supervision can support project communities, and meetings (monthly performance Evaluation Project affected during construction Officer persons/households, phase, every two Village Councils, months post vulnerable groups construction) National and Obtain feedback on Selected National, At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – community level – progress reports and make documents Social and District and Project Review note of any emerging Environment Community level Stakeholder will be notified of consultation by Meetings (twice a issues al Officer stakeholders including phone call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers year) Beneficiary Consultations will be done virtually, whereby at communities, least representatives of stakeholder’s groups can be present if stakeholders themselves are unable Project affected to attend persons/households, vulnerable groups Stakeholders will then have an additional five days to provide further feedback and comments *small-group virtual sessions may be facilitated for vulnerable groups if indicated my such groups that this option would be preferred 33 Project National and Obtain feedback on the Representatives of At least two weeks after disseminating MAFSE PIU – Close Out community level – project exit strategy and government documents Social and Phase Project Close Out reports on Monitoring and Ministries, beneficiary Environment Stakeholders will be notified by phone Meeting Evaluation of the project. institutions, local al Officer call/text/WhatsApp, email, and flyers Ensure stakeholders farmers, and understand the exit vulnerable groups, Stakeholders will then have an additional five strategy clearly. Members of target days to provide further feedback and comments beneficiary communities, Project affected persons/households, Village Councils 34 4.7. Review of Comments Dedicated rapporteurs during consultations will record both oral and written comments left during engagements. Stakeholder will have up to five days post the consultation to provide additional comments. The PIU Environmental and Social Specialist will hold the ultimate responsibility to review such comments and report back to relevant stakeholders on final decisions and how such comments were taken into account. The procedure for comments will follow the steps outlined in the Grievance Mechanism as it is also designed to consider feedback in addition to complaints. Although the action on comments will manifest in the next reiteration of documents, the GM timelines of a response within one week will be followed by ensuring stakeholders are notified of the receipt of their comment within that timeframe. 4.8. Future Phases of Project Generally, stakeholders will receive at least twice a year an update report on the progress of the project during the implementation phase at project review meetings. During the construction phase, though, quarterly reports should be shared with stakeholders electronically to supplement project review meetings including environmental and social performance, implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and the Grievance Mechanism. This ensures that stakeholders are reminded of the process to make complaints and to flag additional environmental and social issues that might not have been considered. 5. Grievance Mechanism 5.1.1. Background and Aims of GM The Grievance Mechanism (GM) is designed and established for the overall project and as part of the RPF, IPPF, and resettlement plan. Both this project-level GM and the separate LMP GM include a special channel for Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues to ensure these types of issues are dealt with appropriately. GMs are intended to be accessible, collaborative, expedient and effective in resolving concerns through dialogue, joint fact finding, negotiation, and problem solving. This is required by the Bank policy and standards. The GM is developed as part of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) to receive and facilitate the resolution of concerns and grievances. Such grievances may include the potential of exclusion of vulnerable people and any systemic discrimination that may exist which could cause inequitable distribution (if it occurs) of project benefits. The vulnerable groups include the poorest, female-headed households with underage children, female unemployed, youth unemployed, persons with disabilities, youth at risk, young girls, and minority groups based on religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, persons living with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, Mennonites, immigrant farmers, and indigenous people. The GM includes specific and confidential channels that can be used by vulnerable groups. 35 To avoid or minimize the risk of leaving certain vulnerable groups behind, the SEP describes the measures that are used to remove obstacles to participation and how the opinions of the different affected groups are captured. The SEP includes differentiated measures to allow the effective participation of those identified as vulnerable, focusing on small farmers without connections to formal organizations. In accordance with ESS7, the project requires a dedicated approach for communication and participation of indigenous groups that may be affected, ensuring that there are effective channels of communication, access to participation tables and agency in making decisions about problems that will potentially affect them (positively or negatively). 5.1.2. Principles of GM Effective GMs usually embody seven core principles: a) Fairness: Grievances are treated confidentially, assessed impartially, and handled transparently. b) Objectiveness: The GM is to operate in a fair, objective manner and give impartial treatment to each case. GM officers have adequate means and powers to investigate grievances (e.g., interview witnesses, access records, etc.). c) Simplicity and accessibility: Procedures to file grievances and seek action are simple enough that community members can easily understand them. Community members will also have a range of contact options including, at a minimum, a telephone number, an email address, and a postal address. The GM will be accessible to all stakeholders, irrespective of the remoteness of the area they live in, the language they speak, and other characteristics. The GM will not use complex processes that create confusion or anxiety (such as only accepting grievances on official-looking standard forms or through grievance boxes in government offices). d) Responsiveness and efficiency: The GM will be responsive to the needs of all complainants. Accordingly, officials handling grievances will be trained to take effective action upon and respond quickly to grievances and suggestions. e) Speed and proportionality: All grievances, simple or complex, will be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible. The action taken on the grievance or suggestion is swift, decisive, and constructive. f) Participatory and socially inclusive: A wide range of project-affected people, community members, members of vulnerable groups, civil society, and the media – will be encouraged to bring grievances and comments to the attention of project authorities. Special attention is given to ensure that the poor and marginalized groups, including those with special needs, are able to access the GM. g) Confidentiality: GM officers will be trained on confidentiality procedures, including anonymising personal information when discussing actions to be taken with the Project Steering Committee. Training will emphasize that there must be absolutely no reprisals and the participation of community members in the GM does not diminish their rights or entitlement to benefit from the project in any way. The same information can be shared with local communities. Emails, letters, and transcripts of telephone conversations containing personal information will be accessed only by the assigned project staff. 36 5.1.3. Definition of Grievance Grievance is defined for the purpose of this mechanism as an issue, concern, problem, claim (perceived or actual) or complaint that an individual or group wants the project to address and resolve. When community members present a grievance, they generally expect to receive one or more of the following: • Acknowledgment of their problem • An honest response to questions about project activities • An apology • Compensation • Modification of the conduct that caused the grievance • Some other fair remedy 5.1.4. GM Administration Process 1.1.1.1 Registration Receiving and registering complaints will be a simple process where members of the public can inform the MAFSE PIU Staff or personnel at any of the MAFSE offices in the districts, considering that not all members of the community will have access to a phone and/or email. Respective Chairpersons of the various Village Councils may also make a report on behalf of a villager. These respective persons will be trained on the GM and be fully equipped to pass on the information in a secure method and within 24 hours to the Focal Point person identified below: Complaints should be passed on to the focal point by phone, email, in-person, or directly via the log system at the following: Focal point: Jose Tillett (MAFSE Monitoring and Evaluation Officer) Telephone: 8222131 Email: jose.tillett@agriculture.gov.bz Persons may also opt to lodge their grievance directly to the focal point via the phone number and/or email provided as well as in person. The Focal Point must acknowledge receipt of the grievance directly to the complainant, whether the grievance was provided either directly or via respective persons outlined above within 48 hours. All relevant staff will be trained on confidentiality procedures to protect the identity of those wanting to lodge a complaint. Members of the public should be made aware of this. Although grievances can be received from respective persons, the responsibility for consolidation and formal logging of grievances will be that of the Focal Point. Once a complaint has been received, it will be recorded in the complaints log or data system which will be established by the MAFSE and will be kept confidential. The Focal Point will ensure that the respective persons responsible for address the grievance receives the information and allows those persons to respond to the grievances within 7 working days. In the case of grievances around Environmental and Social issues, the Environmental and Social Specialist will be responsible for responding to such grievances within the outlined timeframe. 37 A log can be developed based on the example provided in Annex 2. The log can be kept in hardcopy or electronic form. Various types of grievances typically require different follow-up actions—for example, some grievances can be resolved by means of a simple explanation or apology, while others may require more extensive investigations. Therefore, grievances will be categorized, assigned priority, and routed as appropriate. Figure 1: GRM Procedures Sort and Process Complaints This step determines whether a complaint is eligible for the grievance mechanism, its seriousness and complexity. The complaint will be screened however this will not involve judging the substantive merit of the complaint. The following is a guide to determine whether a complaint is eligible or not: Eligible complaints may include those where: a) The complaint pertains to the project. b) The issues raised in the complaint fall within the scope of issues the grievance mechanism is authorized to address. c) The complainant has standing (direct stake or interest) to file. Ineligible complaints may include those where: a) The complaint is clearly not project related. b) The nature of the issue or complaint is outside the mandate of the grievance mechanism. c) Other project procedures, organization or agencies are more appropriate to address the issue. If the complaint is rejected at this stage, the complainant will be informed of the decision and the reasons for the rejection. It is advisable to give complainants the benefit of the doubt and engage in a conversation before deciding to reject a complaint. Complainants often provide incomplete information. Project staff will make an effort to truly understand the nature of the grievance before responding. All complaints whether eligible or not, will be logged for reference. 38 When evaluating and investigating complaints the parties, issues, views, and options will be clarified: a) Clearly identify the parties involved. b) Clarify issues and concerns raised by the complaint. c) Gather views of other stakeholders, including those of project staff. d) Classify the complaint in terms of its seriousness (high, medium, or low). Seriousness includes the potential to impact both the project and the community. Issues to consider include the gravity of the allegation, the potential impact on an individual’s or a group’s welfare and safety, or the public profile of the issue. A complaint’s seriousness is linked to who in the project’s management needs to know about it and whether the PSC is advised of the matter. The GRM will also accept anonymous complaints. 1.1.1.2 Acknowledge and Follow Up When a complaint is registered, the Project Manager or appropriate MAFSE personnel will acknowledge its receipt in a correspondence that outlines the grievance process and provides contact details for the responding officer. The MAFSE PIU Social and Environmental Officer will formally respond and acknowledge the issue within 7 working days; by email if appropriate. Complainants will then receive periodic updates on the status of their grievances. 1.1.1.3 Evaluate, Investigate and Take Action This step involves gathering information about the grievance to determine its validity and resolving the grievance. The merit of grievances will be judged objectively against clearly defined standards such as relevant environmental and social safeguards, legal requirements and the Project Operations Manual, if available. Grievances that are straightforward (such as queries and suggestions) can often be resolved quickly by contacting the complainant and providing an appropriate response. Every effort will be made to resolve a grievance within 30 days of receipt. If this is not possible, clear steps being taken to address the grievance will be communicated to the complainant. Grievances that cannot be resolved by the GM at the Project Management level will be referred to the Project Steering Committee. Complainants are free at any time to seek redress through the national judicial system or the Office of the Ombudsman. However, the MAFSE will encourage complainants to first seek to exhaust the project GM before undertaking costly legal proceedings. The PIU will ensure there is readily available resources to translate complaints submitted in indigenous languages and responses to complainants. For urgent issues including non-compliance, GBV, and others, the PIU will inform the World Bank within 48 hours. 39 5.1.5. Implementing the GM 1.1.1.4 Build Awareness of GM The GM will be presented by project staff to community members during community meetings or when undertaking community consultations for social assessments and developing resettlement plans. Other ways to publicize the GM to the local communities include the following: • Simple, visually engaging marketing materials can be developed. These can describe the process for handling people’s concerns and the benefits that can result. The materials will also inform the local communities about where to go and who to contact if they have a complaint. Material will be developed in relevant languages for Indigenous Peoples. • Virtual formal, and informal meetings for local communities via Zoom/Teams can be used as the main method for building awareness about the GM. Whatsapp groups can also be utilised to reach more remote communities alongside traditional methods including TV, newspaper, radio, posters, and illustrations. • Communities will be consulted about any risks or fears they have associated with using the system. Information about what else they might need to voice a complaint and participate effectively in the mechanism will be elicited and used to update the GM. • All community awareness activities regarding the GM must adhere to the COVID 19 protocols established for stakeholder engagement above. Table 6 Summary of design of the GM: Step 1: Clear system to report Members of the public can inform the MAFSE PIU Staff or personnel grievances at any of the MAFSE offices in the districts. Respective Chairpersons of the various Village Councils may also make a report on behalf of a villager. Complaints can also be lodged directly here: Focal point: Jose Tillett Telephone: 8222131 Email: jose.tillett@agriculture.gov.bz Step 2: Acknowledge Focal point will acknowledge its receipt in a correspondence that outlines the grievance process and provides contact details for the responding officer Step 3: Follow up The MAFSE PIU Social and Environmental Officer will formally respond and acknowledge any environmental and social issues within 7 working days; by email if appropriate Step 4: Evaluate, Investigate The PIU Social and Environmental Officer will resolve a grievance and Take Action within 30 days of receipt. If this is not possible, clear steps being taken to address the grievance will be communicated to the complainant. 40 Step 5: Grievances that Grievances that cannot be resolved by the GM at the Project cannot be solved within 30 Management level will be referred to the Project Steering days of receipt Committee Step 6: Next steps if The complainant has the option of seeking redress through the unsatisfied with project GM national judicial system or the Office of the Ombudsman at their own cost 1.1.1.5 Train Staff for GM Project staff will be educated about the GM and procedures. This is to ensure that other staff members are able to accept complaints, or to participate in on-the-spot resolution of minor problems. The following will be considered when developing training sessions for project staff: a) Sessions will focus on why the grievance mechanism is in place, its goals, benefits, and how it operates. b) Roles and expectations of project staff including what to do if a member of the community approaches them with a grievance, how best to respond to aggrieved stakeholders and the importance of listening, remaining objective, and taking stakeholder concerns seriously. c) The constructive role of community dissent in project operations, by encouraging the view that complaints and opposition are a source of valuable information that can lead to improved operations, reduce risk, and develop a supportive relationship with the community. d) Emphasize that there must be absolutely no reprisals and the participation of community members in the GM does not diminish their rights or entitlement to benefit from the project in any way. The same information can be shared with local communities. e) The program will also cover topics related to sexual harassment, particularly towards women and children, violence, including sexual and/or gender-based violence and respectful attitude while interacting with the local community. As there is no existing GM policy in place at the MAFSE, this GM process will be written into the Project Operations Manual 1.1.1.6 World Bank Grievance Redressal Service (GRS) The complainant has the option of approaching the World Bank, if they find the established GM cannot resolve the issue. It must be noted that this GRS should ideally only be accessed once the project’s grievance mechanism has first been utilized without an acceptable resolution. World Bank Procedures requires the complainant to express their grievances in writing to World Bank office in Washington DC by completing the bank’s GRS complaint form which can be found at the following URL link: http://www.worldbank.org/en/projects- operations/products-and-services/grievance. Completed forms will be accepted by email, fax, letter, and by hand delivery to the GRS at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington or World Bank Country Offices. 41 Email: grievances@worldbank.org Fax: +1-202-614-7313 By letter: The World Bank Grievance Redress Service (GRS) MSN MC 10-1018 NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA 1.1.1.7 Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) The United Nations defined Gender-based violence as harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. The various forms of GBV include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private; threats of violence, coercion and manipulation, including trafficking in persons and commercial sexual exploitation. Belize’s National Gender-based violence Action Plan 2017- 2020 also highlights that Gender-based violence' and 'violence against women' are terms that are often used interchangeably as most gender-based violence is inflicted by men on women and girls. Common forms of GBV in Belize that may therefore be social risks associated with the project include: • Domestic violence • Physical and emotional abuse • Rape • Sexual Abuse • Carnal Knowledge • Trafficking in Persons • Commercial Sexual Exploitation Steps to address reports of such gender-based violence must uphold the principles outlined in the GM, particularly confidentiality. The E&S Specialist that reviews the reports of GBV must include such cases in the monthly report whereby all identifiable information be made anonymised. Such reports must be flagged as high priority and acknowledged immediately (within 24hours). If the victim is a child, according the to the Child Abuse Reporting Regulations, it is mandatory for all family members, teachers, social workers, school administrators and all other persons to report all suspected cases of child abuse to the police. Regarding adults, the E&S Specialist and the Women’s Department must respect the privacy of the complainant and are not obligated to report the case. If the complainant would like to pursue a criminal case against the offender, the E&S Specialist will support the complainant by providing information on the process to make such a report with the Belize Police Department and what can be expected regarding steps forward. There are two main units within the Belize Police Department that respond to issues that relate to sexual or domestic violence: 42 • The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) responds to allegations of domestic violence within the family which may include sexual violence. • Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) responds to allegations of sexual violence outside of the home setting and related crimes classified as indictable offences in the Supreme Court. As part of the reporting process, a gynaecologist or General Practitioner with experience will conduct the medical examination. Complaints against police officers, medical personnel or other public officers in relation to sexual violence where a survivor is dissatisfied with the response can be made by: • Utilizing the Complaints Form that may be obtained at the Office of the Ombudsman or any of the Women’s Department offices countrywide • The Ombudsman, upon receiving the complaint of the survivor, should take statements from the survivor In both cases whether a criminal case is to be pursued or not, the E&S Specialist will also ensure that victims and survivors of sexual violence are made aware during their initial response to the complainant that they can seek support at the Women’s Department in each district. The Women’s Department is a key referring agency for services to survivors of sexual violence. It will follow the following procedures6: • Screening – Intake process will be conducted to determine whether the services requested by the survivor are provided by the Women’s Department. If the services are not available at the Department the Women Development Officer (WDO) will make the necessary referrals. • Assessment and Attention - If the services needed are offered by the Department the Women’s Development Officer will discuss different options available with the client and make recommendations on what may be helpful. • Interviewing – Interviews will be conducted in a confidential setting and the WDO will be sensitive to the emotional state of the survivor and maintain a non-judgmental attitude. • Counselling – Counselling services should focus on providing emotional support to the victim; providing them with important information and guiding them in the process of making their own decisions. While the Department offers basic counselling in terms of information sharing, counselling beyond this would be referred. • Documentation - A National Gender-based Violence Surveillance Form will be completed and the service being provided documented. Trafficking in Persons In regard to trafficking in persons, additional considerations are made due to immigration status of victims. According to the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2013, the court must ensure the privacy of victims is a priority, with various provisions being made to ensure so. The Director of Public Prosecution is also mandated to provide information to victims regarding safely returning to their country of citizenship or applying for permanent residency or citizenship of Belize. Once the Social Assessment is finalized and the risk is determined for GBV in the CRESAP project, the World Bank will work with the MAFSE to ensure that the GBV system is survivor 6 Women’s Department. (2012). Handbook on Sexual Violence, Beliz e. 43 centric and focuses on not retraumatizing the victim and ensuring the proper support (legal, psychological, etc). 5.1.6. Monitoring and Reporting The monitoring process will be done by the MAFSE PIU which will be in-charge of monitoring implementation of the plan. District level monitoring and evaluation will be linked to the main Project Monitoring and Evaluation carried out by the PIU. The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the PIU will be the overall office responsible for monitoring of the plan. The E&S Specialist should submit monthly internal reports to the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the PIU and included in the progress reports submitted to the World Bank quarterly. These reports should outline the following: • Number of grievances • Issues raised • Common trends • Causes of grievances • Remedial Actions • Redress provided • Recommendations to prevent future recurrences 1.1.1.8 Management Functions The Ministry of Agriculture is the main responsible institution for implementation of the Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP). A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established for the purpose of CRESAP’s implementation and will be located within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise staffed with experts/specialist as the following: technical personnel, safeguard experts to provide assistance on environmental and social safeguards issues, fiduciary staff (procurement and financial experts) etc. The PIU is responsible for the overall CRESAP implementation, project planning and coordination, procurement, monitoring of the project activities and reporting. An Environmental and Social Focal Point/Specialist has been assigned to the project for the entire period of the project implementation. The management, coordination and implementation of the SEP and its integral tasks will be the responsibility of the PIU’s Environmental and Social Specialist. Main tasks for PIU Environmental and Social Specialist - responsible person for SEP implementation: a) Implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). ESS presents information regarding the project and receive any community concerns or complaints (grievance forms); b) Facilitate all stakeholder engagement events and disclosure of material to support stakeholder engagement events; c) Participate during all face-to-face stakeholder meetings; d) Preparation of Minutes of meeting from all engagement events; and e) Maintain the project stakeholder database and update contact information regularly. 44 f) Maintain the track results of regular meetings and specific concerns/complaints received. The grievance database needs to be maintained on a regular basis with all received concerns/how the concern/complaint was addressed and/or resolved, etc. g) Resolve grievances and feedback submitted via the GM on Environmental and Social topics according to the GM process outlined above h) Report on social and environment safeguard issues identified during site visits and via the GM included in progress report submitted to the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the PIU that will also conduct regular site visits to verify reported information and ensure overall project outcomes are being met. The E&S Focal Point will be supported by part-time Environmental and part-time Social specialists, with ability to become full-time personnel depending on the need. 6. Resources Table 7 Budget for Stakeholder Engagement Category Units Unit Cost Time/Year Total Cost (BZD) MEETINGS Project Inception 1 4900 Q1 4900 Meeting Community 10 515 Pre-appraisal and 5150 Mobilisation effectiveness Meetings Monitoring and 210 100 Y1-Y2 = 1 month 21000 Supervision Meetings Y3-Y5 = every two months Project Review 10 4090 Y1-Y2 twice a year 40900 Meetings Project Close Out 1 4900 Y5 4900 Meeting TRAININGS Social and 1 1500 Q1 1500 Environmental Issues Gender-based 1 1500 Q1 1500 Violence GM 1 1500 Q1 1500 TOTAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT BUDGET (BZD) 82,250.00 The funds for the stakeholder engagement budget will be sources from project funds. 45 The draft version of this document was disclosed on Oct. 6th, 2021 on the MAFSE website at https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/climate-resilient-agriculture-project-cresap/. This disclosure was to support the first round of consultations on the ESF documents. 7. Annex 7.1. Annex 1: Pre-Appraisal Consultation Plan Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, the WB advice its country members to follow the guidelines provided on WB's Technical Note “Public Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement in WB- supported operations when there are constraints on conducting public meetings, March 20, 2020.” https://biwta.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/biwta.portal.gov.bd/page/f3ca1ff6_95b0_4606_849 f_2c0844e455bc/2020-10-01-11-04-717aa8e02835a7e778b2fff46f531a8c.pdf It is suggested to conduct and prioritize virtual consultations over face-to-face meetings to protect the health of the stakeholders and PIU staff and avoid the spread of COVID-19. Table 8 Pre-Appraisal Consultation Plan Activity Method Used Date Target Responsible stakeholders Staff Pre- Identify the Desk research, May 21, Affected parties, PIU Appraisal stakeholders that discussions with the 2021 other interested Environment will be consulted MAFSE field officers parties and and Social for the draft disadvantage/vu Focal Point lnerable SEP, ESMF, LMP, individuals RPF. Identify the Desk research, May 21, Only IPs & IP PIU stakeholders that discussions with the 2021 organizations Environment will be invited to MAFSE field officers participate . (IPs and Social attend will also Focal Point consultations on participate the IPPF . ESMF, LMP, SEP, RPF consultations.) Identify the date Desk research of any Aug 3, PIU for consultations existing consultations 2021 Environment on the IPPF, scheduled that may and Social ESMF, LMP, SEP, create a conflict Focal Point RPF 46 Send invitations Affected parties: Sept 1, Affected parties, PIU to stakeholders 2021 other interested Environment Phone call/text, email, and confirm their parties and and Social flyer participation. disadvantage/vu Focal Point Share with Interested Parties: lnerable stakeholders & Phone call/text, email individuals, disclose the draft including IPs E&S instruments Vulnerable groups: (on WB and PIU Phone call/text, email, website) prior to flyer the consultations. Request that they take note of feedback on the instruments. Prepare the Sept 2- PIU Power Point 6, 2021 Environment presentation and and Social define internally Focal Point who will be presenting each slide/topic. Conduct the Affected parties: Oct 9- Affected parties, PIU consultations and 14, 2021 other interested Environment Virtual meeting via gather additional parties and and Social Zoom/Teams comments and disadvantage/vu Focal Point feedback Interested Parties: lnerable Virtual meeting via individuals Zoom/Teams Vulnerable groups: Virtual meeting via Zoom/Teams. Consider in-person small-group session if legally allowed and absolutely necessary Prepare Oct. 18- PIU consultation 19, 2021 Environment reports (ESMF, 47 LMP,SEP, RPF, (allowin and Social IPPF) g for 5 Focal Point days for any addition al comme nts) Share Oct PIU consultation 19th, Environment reports with WB 2021 and Social and add them as Focal Point annexes to the ESMF, LMP, SEP, RPF and IPPF Revise using WB Oct PIU feedback if 21st, Environment needed & 2021 and Social Disclose final Focal Point revised ESMF, LMP, SEP, RPF and IPPR with consultations results prior to Appraisal Report to Affected parties: Oct Affected parties, PIU Participants how 22nd, other interested Environment Phone call/text, email, feedback was 2021 parties and and Social flyer incorporated and disadvantage/vu Focal Point share location to lnerable find final revised Interested Parties: individuals ESMF, LMP, SEP, RPF and IPPR Phone call/text, email Vulnerable groups: Phone call/text, email, flyer *See full list of Stakeholder Needs for information on language and additional concerns. 48 7.2. Annex 2: Sample Grievance Registration Form Grievance #: Date: Recorded by: Means of recording □ Phone Line
(MOW) (check one): □ Village Chairperson □ Community Information Meetings □ Mail
 □ Informal □ Other (explain) Name of complainant Address: Telephone: Signature: Nature of grievance: Eligibility of □ Eligible (Proceed to Prioritize) Complaint: □ Ineligible (Terminate Reporting and inform complainant of reason for rejection). Priority □ Low □ Medium □ High Proposed solution: Steps taken: Status of response (to □ Open be updated monthly): □ Action in Progress □ Closed 49 7.3. Annex 3: Detailed Stakeholder Engagement Budget 50 7.4. Annex 4: Detailed Summary of Consultations Date of Location Project Ministry/WB Major comments/feedback How comments were Evidence Consultation Stakeholders attendees incorporated (Photos) December Ministry of Soulemane Inception meeting: Discussion centered Notes held 9th Agriculture Fofana, Remi around the stakeholders that will be at the Conference Trier, Pablo met during the mission, approximate MAFSE Room National Valdivia, Hira budget, proposed reasons for securing Agriculture Channa, Kamau the project, proposed objectives and and Trade Ndirangu, Jose impact of the project and the Show Grounds Alpuche, geographic areas of project (MOA CR Victoriano implementation, commodities for NATS) Pascual, agriculture diversification December BelTrade Shahera Pablo Valdivia, Need for strengthening partnerships BAHA and the Notes held 9th Mckoy Soulemane with BAHA and Belize Bureau of Pesticides Control at the Fofana, Standards. Board are identified as MAFSE Victoriano key project Need for training in sanitation and Pascual stakeholders that will standards procedures. be involved in capacity GoB should look at crops such as Cacao building activities and seaweed and may target niche outlined in market. Example embassy on Brussels Subcomponent 1.1 promoted cocoa, chocolate coconut products and honey. Agriculture and agribusiness incubation is necessary in Subcomponent 2.2 also Belize to support small entrepreneurs invests in supporting 51 post-production and value addition December Development Assad Victoriano Discussion centred on most convenient Farmers will be Notes held 9th Finance Magana, Pascual Pablo way for farmers to obtain the money provided with at the Cooperation Alex Valdivia, without too much bureaucracy while additional support to MAFSE Nolberto, Soulemane still adhering to compliance and complete Nathalie Goff Fofana, Hira regulations put in place. Environmental and Channa, Kamau Social Screening to Modality of funds to farmers may be Ndirangu, reduce challenges, as matching grant or credit line. Farmers indicated in the are already in debt as they have CRESAP ESMF recently been hit with massive drought and some are still recovering from previous disasters. Grants will be available If the money is channelled through to farmers already as Credit unions, there is a need to know outlined in their absorptive capacity and appetite Subcomponent 2.1 for the funds. According to the DFC the project should also seek to strengthen value addition. Farmers should look at Regarding disaster farming as a business and should also recovery, Component 4 invest in CC adaptation and mitigation explicitly supports measures. The government should also farmers to recover and look at disaster recovery and try to repair after a disaster channel support in to this area particularly since farmers are vulnerable to shocks. Timing for project implementation is critical and all lessons learned should be documented. DFC also working in getting GCF accredited, and they are also working on Gender, Social and Environmental management plans. 52 December Ministry of Ms. Ina Mr. Soulemane Explanation of the various agriculture The Ministry is Notes held 10 Agriculture Sanches. Mr. Fofana, programs was presented to the WB identified as a key at the Belarmino team. Various programs include project stakeholder MAFSE Mr. Pablo Esquivel, Mr. livestock, horticulture, research, water that will be involved in Valdivia, Hira Jose Novelo. management and climate change, agro capacity building Channa, Kamau Dr. processing, aquaculture. Challenges activities outlined in Ndirangu, Victoriano encountered in the various programs Subcomponent 1.1, Pascual ranges from staff, transportation, and including financing equipment, in addition to capacity training building. The group also highlighted achievements and current improvements made in their unit. December University of Professor Mr. Pablo Discussion at the University of Belize The University of Belize Notes held 10th 2019 Belize Clement Valdivia, Hira Agriculture Campus centred around is identified as a key at the Sankatt, Mrs. Channa, Kamau improvement of the dormitories for project stakeholder MAFSE Zoe Zetina, Ndirangu , Jose students and the said dormitories can that will be involved in Mr. Novelo, be used to facilitate farmer trainings as capacity building Francisco well. The UB also express interest in activities outlined in Victoriano Tzul, Mr. exchange programs with other regional Subcomponent 1.1 Pascual, Mr. Daniel Juan, universities. They express keen interest Soulemane Mr. Vasques, in fixing their cover structures, improve Fofana their breeding animals and note that more collaboration can be done in central farm since it hosts the Ministry of Agriculture, CARDI, BAHA and PCB. December Mennonite Community Hira Channa, The farmers are mostly livestock, grains As water harvesting Sign in sheet 11th, 2019 Farmers Leaders from Kamau and vegetables farmers. They reported systems are costly Shipyard, Ndirangu, Jose that many farmers are highly indebted, investments, Indian Creek Novelo, and some are moving from bank to subcomponent 2.2 and Neuland Victoriano bank and also out of Belize and starting covers Ministry-led Pascual, Mr. their life in Peru as there is thriving collective goods Soulemane Mennonite community there. Some projects including 53 Fofana, Mr. farmers have invested in irrigation irrigation, drainage and Barry Palacio, system pivot systems and also rented water harvesting to Mr. Elsner land, but the returns are minimal and remove financial Campos. most are in debts. They require burden from assistance from the GOB in terms of communities better and improved seeds and animal breeds, reduced interest rate and also if the GOB can remove tax on certain agricultural equipment’s and inputs. They also ask if the GOB can assist them with well drilling which can assist in irrigation. Most of the women from the communities’ work in food processing area in either the dairy or poultry establishments. December St. Margret’s Mr. Pablo Farmers in the St. Margret’s St. Margaret’s is an Photo 1, 11th , 2019 Farmers Valdivia, Hira Cooperative indicated that they will be explicit project Photo 2 Channa, Kamau appreciative if the technical assistance stakeholder that will be Ndirangu, Jose is provided to them, likewise they allowed to benefit Novelo, Dr. would appreciate if the ministry from project activities, Victoriano introduced them to the various including capacity Pascual, Mr. technology they are promoting. The building under Soulemane group is also very much interested in subcomponent 1.2, Fofana. Mr. irrigation technology since they have and subcomponent 2.1 Gareth Murillo suffered severely during the 2019 regarding access to drought. They have a variety of fruit financing trees and have witnessed drastic decrease in production and fruit size. December Belize Credit Mrs. Corrine Dr. Victoriano The Credit Union League indicated that Financial Institutions, Notes held 12 Union League Fuller Pascual, several credit unions have been working and explicitly the at the Executive Soulemane with other IFI and it is nothing new that Credit Union Leagure MAFSE Director, Mr. Fofana most of them will encounter should are key stakeholders 54 Linsbert they choose to participate in this that will benefit from Godoy program. Most credit unions especially capacity building as those in the northern districts supports part of subcomponent the farming community. They indicated 1.2, including training that the farmers have been struggling in new technologies due to various reasons however the and approaches credit unions choose to work closely promoted by the with their clients. They indicated that project the Ministry should provide more capacity building to farmers as well a credit union staff. Capacity building should be in climate change and other technical areas pertaining to farming. Such trainings should also be done with the credit union staff so that they truly understand the situation in the field. December Nagubank Los Mr. Clifford Farmers in the Area are appreciative of Irrigation and water Notes held 12th Pequuenos Martinez, Hira the ministry assistance but indicated harvesting systems will at the Ganaderos Channa, Kamau that there is much more that can be be improved/installed MAFSE de Nagu Ndirangu, done. They suffered in the 2019 as part of Bank drought and indicated that they hope subcomponent 2.2 and the GoB can still assist them. They have will observe the salinity access to irrigation water but during the of the water as part of peak of the dry season the water the ESMF becomes salty and affects crop production. They are very aware of the preservation of the environment and try to minimize the use of inorganic chemicals as much as possible. December National Shanea Mr. Pablo Discussion focused on closer The National Notes held 12th Meteorological Young, Valdivia, Hira collaboration with them and products Meteorological at the Service (NMS) Ronald Channa, Jose that can be developed to assist farmer Services identified as MAFSE 55 Godon, Novelo, Dr. with real time weather data which will key project stakeholder Dwane Scott Victoriano assist them with better decision making that will be involved in Pascual, Mr. out in the field. The idea of including capacity building Soulemane more weather stations to provide more activities outlined in Fofana accrue data particularly in agriculture Subcomponent 1.1 , producing areas. The data precision can including the also further lead to information improvement of required if crop insurance is considered. agrometeorological data quality 28th Central Bank Deputy Jose Novelo, They are in support of the project and Subcomponent 2.1 Notes held February, Governor – Sandra Broka the involvement of the financial incorporates at the 2020 Kareem institutions, and the proposed mechanism by which MAFSE Michael mechanism for implementation. They matching grants and expect the approach to leverage credits from financial significant excess liquidity in the institutions will commercial banks for the agricultural operate sector Felt that more discussions with commercial banks would be needed to discuss implementation modality so that Central Bank could provide the framework that will be needed. 24th La Immaculada Chairlady of Jose Novelo, Confirmed support for the project Subcomponent 1.2 February Credit Union the Board – Sandra Broka design on matching grants and technical ensures training is 2020 Ena Martinez assistance to support for farmers provided to financial institutions on relevant Felt their institution needed additional topics training although they are already 56 getting some level of training on climate change Availability of grant financing and technical assistance would allow them to engage excess liquidity which has resulted from a lack of bankable business proposals 24th Blue Creek Chairman of Jose Novelo , Confirmed support for the project Subcomponent 1.2 February Credit Union the Board – Sandra Broka design on matching grants and technical ensures training is 2020 Albert assistance to support for farmers provided to financial Remple institutions on relevant They need training as they currently topics have no previous training on climate change and climate smart agricultural practices Availability of grant financing and technical assistance would allow to engage excess liquidity which has resulted from a lack of bankable business proposals 57 58