Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Albania | Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 15 | ARCHIVED on 28-May-2021 | ISR46837 | Implementing Agencies: Republic of Albania, Ministry of Tourism and Environment Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 08-Jul-2014 Effectiveness Date: 29-Jan-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 04-Dec-2017 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 04-Dec-2017 Original Closing Date: 30-Sep-2019 Revised Closing Date: 31-May-2021 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to support sustainable land management practices and increase communities’ monetary and non- monetary benefits in targeted Project areas which are mainly in erosion prone rural upland areas. This PDO is to be achieved through the support of alternative livelihoods and provision of environmental services and through sustainable utilization of wood andpasture products in the long term. The Project will particularly focus on enhancing the financial, economic, and institutional sustainability of land use and natural resources management, and will help build capacities of Albania farmers, community organizations and government institutions to efficiently use EU funding. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1. Strengthening Institutional Capacity to improve environmental services from integrated landscape management:(Cost $10.35 M) Component 2. Planning and Provision of IPARD like Grants to improve land management:(Cost $10.24 M) Component 3. Introducing Payment for Environmental Services:(Cost $0.98 M) Component 4. Supporting Project Implementation:(Cost $1.17 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions 5/28/2021 Page 1 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) The last virtual implementation support mission of ESP highlighted the satisfactory achievement of project development objective (PDO). PDO indicators have been met and exceeded: (i) Land area where sustainable land management practices were adopted is 11,153 ha, against the end target of 9,000 ha; and (ii) number of people with monetary and non-monetary benefits reached 3,386, against end target of 3,000 (from which female beneficiaries 1,010 against the end target of 1,000). Key results and sustainability. The successful implementation of IPARD (Instrument for pre-accession for Rural Development Program of European Union) like forestry grants activities that supported forest and pasture improvement investments, but through learning by doing approach, also developed the capacity of the government institutions i.e. Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) and Agency for Rural Development and Agriculture (ARDA) to implement IPARD forestry grants, and that of the forest users to prepare sound grant applications. The Government of Albania has included forestry measure in the new IPARD III program to be funded by the EU. The successful piloting of ESP forestry grants allowed for Albania to secure at least EUR 6 million grant from EU as part of this program. Specific support was provided to increase role and voice of women in boards of forest and pasture users’ associations (FPUAs) and their active participation in grant implementation. The registration of forest and pastures for municipalities is another major achievement. This is the first registration of formal property rights of forests and pastures in Albania and over 1 million ha of forests and pastures representing more than 35% of the country. The project was successful in strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of MTE, municipalities, National Forest Agency (NFA) and in providing support to the new policy, legal and governance framework for the sustainable management of forest and pasture resources. The Project established a contemporary forest management information system (AlFIS) that has simplified the creation and maintenance of forest and pasture cadaster through a digital system, the creation of forest management plans electronically. This system allows for better monitoring, more accurate reporting of forest and pasture resources, helps create policies to maximize the benefits that forest services and ensures more transparency about the forest by publishing data of the system for public access. 53 participants (29 present and 24 connected online) from several agencies, municipalities, forest and pasture users’ associations, academia and other project beneficiaries attended the Final Project Review Workshop organized by the MTE. The presentations demonstrated project results and lessons learned during project implementation. Special focus was given to the discussions on the sustainability of project investments in terms of application of systems and know-how and the need to further strengthen the capacities of municipalities and National Forest Agency. The workshop highlighted the benefits of the project supported activities to the strengthening of the natural resources management governance and sustained financing through the IPARD III program. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance -- Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic -- Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies -- Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program -- Low Low Institutional Capacity for Implementation and -- Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary -- Low Low Environment and Social -- Low Low 5/28/2021 Page 2 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) Stakeholders -- Moderate Moderate Other -- Moderate Moderate Overall -- Moderate Moderate Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes To support sustainable land management practices in targeted project areas IN00996852 ►Land area where sustainable land mgt. practices were adopted as a result of proj (Hectare(Ha), Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 9,453.00 11,153.00 9,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator has been exceeded and captures the area restored under the IPARD forestry grants funded Comments: under the original and additional financing projects. To increase communities' monetary and non-monetary benefits in targeted project areas IN00996853 ►People in forest&adjacent community with monetary/non-monetary benefit from forest (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 3,386.00 3,386.00 3,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This end target for this indicator has been exceeded and refers to number of people benefiting IPARD Comments: forestry grants. IN00996854 People in forest and adjacent community with benefits from forest-female (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,010.00 1,010.00 1,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996855 People in forest&adj. commy with benefit from forest-Ethnic minority/indigenous (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 35.00 25.00 10.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 Overall Comments PDO 5/28/2021 Page 3 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) All PDO indicators have been achieved and exceeded. The final social and beneficiary survey rated the outcome indicators as high. The final project review workshop highlighted the benefits of the project supported activities to the strengthening of the natural resources management governance and sustained financing through the IPARD III program. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1. Strengthening Institutional Capacity to improve environmental services from integrated landscape management IN00996856 ►Forest and Pasture Areas Registered (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 298,350.00 1,156,044.00 1,100,000.00 Date 04-Dec-2017 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator was added at mid term to capture number of hectares of municipal forest and pasture lands that will be registered in the cadastral office. Total area registered by the contractors is 1,156,044. This Comments: figure may change once final acceptance is provided by local registration offices before being uploaded in the ALBSREP registration system. IN00996859 ►Land management specialists and users trained (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,952.00 2,138.00 2,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator measures the number of people trained and includes: (i) staff of Ministry of Tourism and Environment, State Cadaster Agency, ARDA and municipalities; (ii) members of forest and pasture users' associations. Comments: The number of FPUAs member trained represents the persons trained, counted only once even though same individuals have participated in different sessions of trainings treating different topics. IN00996861 Members of Forest Pasture Users' Associations trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,364.00 1,405.00 2,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996863 Female members of Forest and Pasture Users's Associations trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 679.00 685.00 800.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996865 5/28/2021 Page 4 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) Individual famers trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 307.00 307.00 300.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996868 Female farmers trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 173.00 173.00 165.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996870 Ministry staff trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 237.00 240.00 700.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996872 Female land management specialists and users trained (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 772.00 810.00 800.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996873 ►Beneficiaries participating in project consultation activities during implementation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 314.00 624.00 350.00 Date 13-May-2019 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator refers to number of people that were consulted during consultations on registration, inventory, management plans and LEADER. Beneficiaries include employees from central government institutions as well as LGUs consulted on the abovementioned project activities, such as MTE, former Comments: IPRO/SCA, NEA, ARDA, former SIEF, municipalities, members of communities where management planning took place. IN00996874 Female benficiaries participating in project consultation activities during implementation (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 82.00 126.00 100.00 Date 13-May-2019 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 Component 2. Planning and Provision of IPARD like Grants to improve land management IN00996857 5/28/2021 Page 5 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) ►% of grant applications fulfill the requirements (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 56.00 56.00 60.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 The figure refers to the percentage of applications which were found eligible to be awarded with grants in both calls of IPARD like forestry grants (including those which are in awaiting list to be contracted with the Comments: AF), out of the total number of applications received. If LEADER investments will be included then is almost 57%. IN00996860 ►% of the grant budget disbursed (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 85.00 85.00 100.00 Date 29-Jan-2015 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator refers to the percentage of grant funding disbursed under first and second call of IPARD like forestry grants. The current figure reflects the ratio of disbursement toward the total allocated amount on Comments: the IPARD forest grant scheme. IN00996862 % of grants budget disbursed to female applicants (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 14.30 14.30 15.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996864 % of grants budget disbursed to farmers (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.80 0.80 10.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996866 % of grants disbursed to Forest and Pasture Users' Associations (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 84.00 84.00 82.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 IN00996867 ►Pasture area brought under management plans (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 23,500.00 90,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 5/28/2021 Page 6 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) Forest and pasture management plans (FPMP) include both forest and pasture areas. There are no separate plans for pasture lands. The project supported preparation of FPMPs for 4 municipalities (Korca, Has, Gramsh and Malesi e Madhe) and they cover 23,500 ha of pastures. These ha were supported by the original and additional financing (AF) projects. The end target set for 60,000 ha is not met; this target was estimated to include pasture areas for two additional municipalities, but the MTE Comments: decided to use the AF funds to cover with FPMPs the remaining forest economies in the 4 original municipalities. Main reason for lower target is that one of the companies that was selected did not agree to sign a contract (that would cover additional areas and help reach the target) due to the delayed approval of additional financing agreement and limited time for them to mobilize their team. The other reason is that these forest economies had considerably less pasture areas. IN00996869 ►Forest area brought under management plans (Hectare(Ha), Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 162,380.00 180,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2014 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 Forest and pasture management plans (FPMPs) for 4 municipalities (Korca, Has, Gramsh and Malesi e Madhe) covered 162,380 ha of forests. They were funded by the original and additional financing (AF) projects. The end target set for 180,000 ha is not met; this target was estimated to include forest areas for two additional municipalities, but the MTE decided to use the AF funds to cover with FPMPs the remaining Comments: forest economies in the 4 original municipalities. Main reason for lower target is that one of the companies that was selected did not agree to sign a contract (that would cover additional areas and help reach the target) due to the delayed approval of additional financing agreement and limited time for them to mobilize their team. IN00996871 ►% of forest and pasture users’ associations reporting that forest and pastures management plans represented the views of the community (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 82.00 80.00 Date 30-Sep-2019 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator was achieved. The final social and beneficiary survey reported that 82% of forest and Comments: pasture users reported that the forest and pasture management plans represented their views. Component 3. Introducing Payment for Environmental Services IN00996858 ►Percentage of estimated sediment delivery to reservoirs in pilot areas covered by PES (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 Date 04-Dec-2017 16-Nov-2020 20-May-2021 30-Sep-2020 This indicator was not met as the payment for watershed payments were not piloted. However, the activities supported under the payment for environmental services (PES) helped strengthen the research Comments: bases needed to argument the importance for the establishment of a PES scheme as an important financing stream to support conservation of ecosystems. Performance-Based Conditions 5/28/2021 Page 7 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P130492 IBRD-84010 Effective USD 10.00 10.00 0.00 7.58 0.94 89% P128412 TF-17364 Effective USD 2.88 2.88 0.00 2.51 0.37 87% P130492 TF-18238 Effective USD 7.96 7.87 0.09 7.03 0.84 89% P130492 TF-B2002 Effective USD 2.00 2.00 0.00 0.58 1.42 29% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P130492 IBRD-84010 Effective 08-Jul-2014 25-Jul-2014 29-Jan-2015 30-Sep-2019 31-May-2021 P128412 TF-17364 Effective 25-Jul-2014 25-Jul-2014 29-Jan-2015 30-Sep-2019 31-May-2021 P130492 TF-18238 Effective 10-Oct-2014 27-Jan-2015 29-Jan-2015 30-Jun-2019 31-May-2021 P130492 TF-B2002 Effective 28-May-2020 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2020 31-May-2021 31-May-2021 Cumulative Disbursements 5/28/2021 Page 8 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (P130492) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 25-Feb-2016 ,Level 2 Approved on 30-Sep-2019 ,Level 2 Approved on 15-Aug-2020 ,Level Approved on 23-Sep-2020 Related Project(s) P128412-ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ,P130492-ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ,P172543-Albania Environmental Services Project 5/28/2021 Page 9 of 9