The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary Appraisal Stage (ESRS Appraisal Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 02/24/2021 | Report No: ESRSA01315 Feb 24, 2021 Page 1 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Bangladesh SOUTH ASIA P175820 Project Name Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Agriculture and Food Investment Project 2/15/2021 5/28/2021 Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Government of Social Development Bangladesh Foundation Proposed Development Objective Improve livelihoods of the poor and extreme poor, enhance their resilience and support rural entrepreneurship in Public Disclosure project areas Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 340.00 B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project [including overview of Country, Sectoral & Institutional Contexts and Relationship to CPF] The proposed Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (RELI) aims to improve livelihoods of the poor and extreme poor, enhance their resilience and support rural entrepreneurship in project areas in Bangladesh. The recent disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent climate-induced events such as cyclone Amphan have compounded the vulnerability of poor and extreme poor rural communities in Bangladesh. The proposed project provides immediate livelihood support for rural communities, while contributing to building back better in a greener, sustainable, and resilient way. The project will build on the Nuton Jibon Livelihood Improvement Project (NJLIP, P149605), which showed great success in reaching the poor and poorest and will tailor livelihood Feb 24, 2021 Page 2 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) opportunities in order to respond to the following urgent needs: (i) Respond to the impact of the crises on the livelihood of vulnerable rural households and support recovery and resilience building; (ii) Help rural households graduate out of poverty through income-generating activities (IGA); (iii) Support NJLIP’s current beneficiaries who had graduated from poverty pre-crisis but have fallen back into poverty because of the crisis; and (iv) Support rural entrepreneurship for sustained post-COVID-19-crisis economic recovery. Under Component A – Community Institutions and Livelihood Development activities include support to developing and strengthening community organizations and financing community plans; providing technical and financial support for livelihood improvement and income-generating activities, small-scale infrastructure development, and health and nutrition support. Under Component B – Business Development and Institutional Strengthening activities include increasing livelihood opportunities of the poor and extreme poor by organizing them in producer groups (PGs), cooperatives or federations, improving their market and business orientation, and developing linkages and partnerships with market actors and service providers; supporting rural entrepreneurship to enhance livelihoods and resilience; establishing Nuton Jibon Community Societies (NJCS) to ensure the sustainability of village institutions; and providing meaningful skill development training and sustainable employment for the un/underemployed youths. In addition, awareness raising and support to address climate change and climate-induced risks will become an integral part of the proposed activities, thus strengthening beneficiaries’ climate resilience. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Detailed project location(s) and salient physical characteristics relevant to the E&S assessment [geographic, Public Disclosure environmental, social] The project will be implemented in 3,200 villages in 20 districts covering 64 upazillas (sub-districts): 12 comprise of existing NJLIP coverage areas while the remaining 8 will be new districts. The proposed project will aim to have over 765,850 beneficiary households who join RELI Groups, including youths and returning migrants, producers, rural entrepreneurs, as well as recipients of one-time cash transfer to former NJLIP project beneficiaries. Out of which, direct 544,000 target project beneficiaries, of which 90% will be women. 20,000 youths will receive skills development training. The selection will be based on specific criteria focusing on the poverty level of the households, communities and districts. Project beneficiaries are considered vulnerable to climate change and adverse climate events, as evidenced by the aftermaths of the recent cyclone Amphan and floods in 2020, which impacted livelihoods of about 67 percent of NJLIP beneficiaries, and future project beneficiaries of villages in 8 new districts targeted by the proposed project. The selection of Zillas (District) and Upazilas (sub-district) have been made based on poverty levels from Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) of 2016/17 and/or by estimates of COVID-19’s likely impact on poverty prevalence, level of existing support from other support programs to avoid overlap and coordinate efforts. Using these metrices, 5 out of the 21 districts covered by the project are located in the western part of the country, which is a region that had seen increases in poverty prior to the pandemic. The project coverage districts will be scattered geographically throughout the country but the all communities will be in rural and agrarian settings, and not close to any forest, natural or protected areas. However, the details of implementation sites and specific investments are not identified at current stage. Hence, hence site-specific Environmental and Social Assessments cannot be conducted and instead, a framework approach has been adopted for Environment and Social Assessment. The project aims to support and enhance economic self-reliance of extreme poor and marginalized communities through interventions such as community mobilization, institution building at community level, awareness raising and Feb 24, 2021 Page 3 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) creating market access and entrepreneurship. This will enable beneficiaries to contribute to economic activities more effectively. As such, in overall terms, the project's impacts will far exceed any anticipated negative impacts, The main activities consist of cash transfer to the targeted households comprising of a one-time additional cash transfer support to NJLIP beneficiaries who may have fallen back into poverty because of the pandemic, group savings and health and nutritional support services to the beneficiaries. Activities contributing to improving livelihoods will be prioritized, such as the support to developing and strengthening community organizations, and finance community plans. The project will also support climate resilience community infrastructure works during community mobilization; and through technical and financial support to beneficiaries by raising beneficiaries’ awareness to climate change and climate-induced risks. The main anticipated E&S risks and impacts of the project are likely to relate to: (1) occupational and community health and safety, (2) water, air & noise pollution, soil contamination, solid waste generation and management, (3) ensuring appropriate benefits to the marginalized and disadvantaged groups including the indigenous peoples from the project activities; (4) managing and mitigating the SEA/SH risks and (5) risk of child labor, all of which are addressed through appropriate mitigation measures. The project does not anticipate labor influx. The different small-scale civil constructions will be primarily carried out by the communities themselves through the community level organization such as Gram Samity (Village Organization). No land acquisition is anticipated under RELI. The land for small-scale community level infrastructure construction such as, office building for the community organizations (Gram Samities) will be carried out by Public Disclosure purchasing land based on “willing buyer willing seller” modality and in the case of the repairing and/or refurbishment of rural trails and roads through voluntary land donation. The land required for all these cases is likely to be very small (2-5 decimals). Detailed procedures are included in the project ESMF for both voluntary land donation and land purchase under willing buyer willing seller modality. All land thus obtained will be transferred to the ownership of the concerned communities. The project does not anticipate any little labor influx from these construction related activities. The project is expected to have indigenous population, besides other marginalized and vulnerable communities as beneficiaries. In any case, majority of the beneficiaries will be women, a generally disadvantaged section of population in the traditional Bangladeshi society. The project’s Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework (SEVCDF) includes robust provisions for inclusion of all the disadvantaged and marginalized communities including the indigenous peoples in all project activities so that everyone gets equal benefits from these. The cash transfer and mobilization activities under the project may lead to greater exposure of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassments (SH) related risks given the societal characteristics of contemporary Bangladesh. A Gender and GBV action plan is currently being drafted, to be finalized before effectiveness, will detail mitigation measures for SEA/SH risks. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity The project is implemented by Social Development Foundation (SDF), an autonomous trust under the Ministry of Finance. SDF has long experience of implementation Bank-supported project from the days of SIPP I to NJLIP till now, although RELI project will be first under the Bank’s ESF. It currently has a dedicated E&S Unit in the organogram and staffs assigned on E&S risk management both in the Head Office with nominated focal points in field level offices as well. However, to comply with Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), SDF will need additional personnel and staffs. Feb 24, 2021 Page 4 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) The ESMF includes a section on E&S Capacity Assessment of SDF’s. The assessment provides a number of recommendations including setting up of a full-time E&S Risk Management Unit/Team comprising of 1) Social Development Specialist; 2) Environmental Specialist; 3) Gender & GBV Specialist and 4) Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Specialist. The Unit will function under a Director and will have dedicated focal persons at regional and district level. As part of implementation of RELI project, SDF will run distinct E&S reporting line down to the Gram Samity level. The E&S capacity assessment also includes budget for orientation/training of the SDF staff and well as Gram Samity members. SDF has a functional grievance redress mechanism (GRM) with focal persons at the head office and in regional and district/field offices. All grievance cases are duly followed up, resolved and reports on GRM are shared with the Bank along with E&S reports. As part RELI project implementation, the current GRM will, however, need to be strengthen to comply with the labor and GBV compliance requirements. The Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) incorporate these requirements as part of the borrower’s commitment and capacity building for the implementation of the project. II. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate Public Disclosure Environmental Risk Rating Moderate The environmental risk of the project is rated as “Moderate” considering the project does not envisage any significant or irreversible environmental impact. Sources of environmental impacts are linked to two project components vis-à- vis activities. First, from the civil works which includes, construction of office buildings for community institutions at district, cluster and village levels, and Community Infrastructure Works (CIW) would lead to the construction of climate-resilient tube-wells, culverts, earthen road constructions/repairs, community latrines/urinals, drains, water tanks, and water distillation / desalination plants at village level. Second, from project supported rural livelihood activities such as household based small to medium scale manufacturing, including dairy, poultry and fish farms, cottage industries producing organic fertilizer and bio-pesticide and bio-fungicide based on Trichoderma and other plant materials, handicrafts like ornaments, baskets, mats etc. The project activities are likely to have localized and reversible negative but limited environmental impacts on air, soil, water and natural setting. Potential impacts on environmental components are – small scale land cover and land use changes, water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, solid waste generation, and community and occupational health/safety. But the scale of impacts is small and limited, localized and reversible. The project anticipates no significant impacts on local aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. Given that the nature of all the referenced activities are small to medium scale and that they will be implemented within existing rural and peri-urban habitat, impacts are expected to be localized, manageable and reversible. Furthermore, all village institutions will be required to offer as part of their training on occupational health and safety, pollution and resource efficiency and climate change to the beneficiaries. Moreover, due to special emphasis on digital communications, much of the community’s record keepings and financial records will be digital resulting resource efficiency. Feb 24, 2021 Page 5 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) In operation phase, solid and liquid waste will be generated from regular operation and maintenance activities of the constructed CIWs and project supported rural livelihood activities. The project is unlikely to produce any hazardous waste, as sub-projects with potentials to produce any hazardous waste will not be permitted. As the specific locations for proposed activities and building sites have not yet been finalized, an ESMF has been developed with necessary guidelines, screening forms and template ESMP. The ESMF also includes procedures for environmental screening of all sub-projects both civil constructions as well as livelihood activities to be funded under this project and provides guidelines for environmental sustainability and efficiency. Environmental assessment study (i.e. IEE/ESIA, where applicable) will further detail out this analysis as applicable based on screening of the sub-project and public consultations, during the project operation. The ESMF detailed out the procedure of any further Environmental Assessment following the applicable ESS and other Banks guidelines and directives. The major recommendations of the ESMF has been incorporated in the ESCP. Social Risk Rating Moderate No land acquisition is anticipated under the project. The construction of office buildings for the Community Organizations will be purchased through “willing buyer willing seller” modality. The repairing and refurbishments of the rural roads and trails and as well as installation of water supply systems are likely to require very small amount of land and will rely on voluntary donation from the communities. The project’s ESMF includes detailed procedures for both voluntary land donation and willing buyer willing seller approaches. The project anticipates no labor influx. The civil and infrastructure-related works will be carried out primarily by the Public Disclosure communities through the Gram Samity (Village Organization). However, for some specialized works, such as water supply system or office buildings of the community organizations, this may entail hiring of contracted and primary supply workers. The project’s Labor Management Procedures (LMP) detail labor management practices and other appropriate measures such as against the use of child labor in all project activities. This will mainly be ensured age verification documents such as National Identity Card (NID) or school certificate, etc. which are widely use and accepted in Bangladesh. The LMP also includes a specific Grievance Management for resolving labor related disputes. Many of the project activities, such as cash transfer, carry inherent risks of SEA/SH given the traditional patriarchal values and societal characteristics of the contemporary Bangladesh. A SEA/SH screening has been carried out based on the Bank’s recently developed Matrix on Cash Transfer programs which put a ‘substantial’ risk rating. The SEA/SH Management Plan details the necessary mitigation measures that is proportionate to the related risks under the project. A considerable percentage of beneficiaries are expected to come from indigenous communities and and as well as from other marginalized and disadvantaged groups. A Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework (SECVDF) is prepared for this purpose that sets down the guidelines for inclusion of the indigenous communities in receiving culturally appropriate benefits from the project. The SECVDF also includes related social screening process and provisions for sub-project/community specific Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Plans (SECVDP) where indigenous peoples comprise five or more percent of the total beneficiaries. RELI project’s are anticipated to have only localized and reversible negative social impacts which justifies ‘moderate’ rating on social. Feb 24, 2021 Page 6 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1. General Assessment ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Overview of the relevance of the Standard for the Project: The main anticipated E&S risks of the project are expected to be low to moderate and of manageable scale. The project is likely to have localized and reversible negative but limited environmental and social impacts on air, soil, water and natural setting. However, the potential negative impacts could be minimized or eliminated by adopting standard mitigation measures; there is also scope to enhance some of the beneficial impacts to be generated from the project. Thus, the project’s positive impacts are expected to vastly outweigh the potential negative impacts. Community infrastructure works would lead to the construction of tube-wells, culverts, earthen road constructions/repairs, community latrines/urinals, drains, water tanks, office buildings for community institutions at district, cluster and village levels, small-scale water purification/desalination plants may generate pollutants that would have minor and localized negative impacts on surrounding soil, water, air and natural setting. Another possible source of environmental impact would be from the project supported rural livelihood activities such as household based small and medium scale manufacturing, including dairy, poultry and fish farms, cottage industries, these activities may generate local level pollutions, especially in and around homestead. However, again these impacts will be relatively localized, reversible and with a proper management plan easily manageable. The main anticipated Environmental & Social (E&S) risks and impacts of the project are: (i) Occupational and community health and safety; (ii) Water, air & noise pollution, solid waste generation and management; (iii) Ensuring Public Disclosure appropriate benefits to the marginalized and disadvantaged groups including the indigenous peoples from the project activities; (iv) Managing and mitigating the SEA/SH risks; and (v) Risk of child labor – all of which are addressed through appropriate measures. The project coverage will extend to 20 districts across the country, which are all identified. However, the Upazilla (sub-districts) and villages will be identified only at the implementation stage. Consequently, an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared that outlines the related guidelines for E&S screening including preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for sub-project/community level. ESMF refers to the WBG Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines relevant to the project, (e.g. Aquaculture; Dairy Processing; Poultry Production; Pesticides Formulation, Manufacturing and Packaging; Water and Sanitation, etc.). The ESMF also details the procedures for land purchase under “willing-buyer willing-seller” modality along with voluntary land donation for the small-scale repairing/refurbishment of the rural roads and trails and installation of water supply systems. The ESMF takes into account the borrower’s E&S systems, carry out an institutional capacity assessment, and identify disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the context of the project. Following the guidelines of the ESMF, the borrower will prepare a Project Operational Manual (POM) that will lay down the detailed operational and implementation procedures of the project activities at the field/community level. When the communities at the sub-project will be identified, they will be screened, and an ESIA and/or ESMP may be carried out and prepared, as needed. The project will ensure that environmental and social impact assessment addresses all potential environmental and social direct and indirect impacts of the project throughout its life: pre- project, during project and operation stages; and also suggest appropriate mitigation measures. If any additional impacts are identified, ESIAs and ESMP will be reviewed and updated. Feb 24, 2021 Page 7 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) The project’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) provides the process and approaches for SDF to follow in ensuring participation, consultation and engagement of all relevant stakeholders in the project. The SEP includes the relevant communication methods for stakeholder engagement along with a Grievance Management (GM) system both to resolve any potential cases of grievances and as well as to receive feedback from the stakeholders. Project areas also include districts where there might be a considerable number of indigenous people. A Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework (SECVDF) is prepared for this purpose that sets down the guidelines for inclusion of the indigenous communities in receiving culturally appropriate benefits from the project. The SECVDF also includes related social screening methodology and provisions for sub-project/community specific Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Plans (SECVDP) where indigenous peoples comprise five or more percent of the total beneficiaries. Project activities such as cash transfers and mobilization of women carry inherent risks of sexual exploitation & abuse and sexual harassments (SEA/SH) and the SEA/SH risk is rated as substantial. The project’s SEA/SH Action Plan provides the relevant action points and mitigation measures including a SEA/SH focused GM following a survivor centric approach. Prevention interventions include awareness raising campaigns, enhancing safety, and capacity building, among others. Mitigation measures include: (i) Ensuring Codes of Conduct are in place for all stakeholders including the Gram Samity and other project-related associations; (ii) Mapping service providers and capacity building of SDF to respond to potential SEA/SH cases; (iii) Setting up separate SEA/SH GRM; (iv) Ensuring that policies against SEA/SH are instituted in project funded institutions; and (v) Including training on SEA/SH in the transfer of benefits. SDF will have a dedicated GBV/Gender Specialist in the Head Office with SEA/SH focal points at regional and district/field level offices, which, along with regular monitoring of SEA/SH risks and implementation of the action plan, are stipulated as additional key measures. Finally, procurement documents will be compliant with Public Disclosure SEA/SH risk management requirements. During implementation of the Project, site-specific environmental and social assessments will be conducted as necessary. These assessments will help with adoption of mitigation measures against the environmental and social risks and impacts (through preparation of site-specific ESMPs if required) and address the issues of inclusion, social vulnerability of certain groups, gender and SEA/SH, consultation and communication methodology and any other issues identified via the assessment and the stakeholder consultations. As part of the assessment, consultations with key stakeholders, including vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, will be carried out to identify their concerns and requirements, which will be included in the design of the facilities to strengthen greater support to the related beneficiary groups. This will also help address potential issues related to Universal Access to project facilities. A negative list of ineligible activities under the CERC component has been included as an annex to the ESMF. Further, the ESMF will be updated upon activation of the CERC if emergency activities are not covered by the existing ESMF. Finally, all involved with the implementation of the project activities will strictly respect and follow the COVID 19 infection prevention guidelines. All ESF documents of the project (ESMF, SEP, LMPs and SECVDF) will be disclosed prior to appraisal. The salient points of these documents are incorporated in the ESCP. ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Feb 24, 2021 Page 8 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) SDF has prepared a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) proportional to the nature and scale of the project and associated risks and impacts. The SEPs include relevant measures for communications with the citizens and stakeholders and pay attention to the identification of vulnerable groups, particularly women and persons with disabilities, and as well as the indigenous communities and will facilitate and monitor their participation in the project implementation. The SEP includes a detailed schedule of activities and information on the process for engaging the stakeholders. The client will actively seek feedback from stakeholders on the project’s operation and takes measures to incorporate these inputs in the implementation of the activities. The borrower will also maintain records of the consultations and disclose these to the public through proper channels. Extensive stakeholders’ engagement will continue all through the project cycle of RELI to discuss components, sub- components, activities, potential positive and negative impacts and measures taken to mitigate those impacts. Further future stakeholder consultations will be cognizant of the virus spread and will avoid public gatherings (taking into account national restrictions), including public hearings, workshops and community meetings. If smaller meetings are not permitted, SDF will make all reasonable efforts to conduct meetings through online channels, including WebEx, Zoom and Skype, etc. Communications means will be diversified and social media and online channels, chat groups will be used based on the type and category of stakeholders. Traditional channels of communications (TV, newspaper, radio, dedicated phone-lines, and mail) will also be adopted when stakeholders to do not have access to online channels or do not use them frequently. Where direct engagement with project affected people or beneficiaries is necessary, SDF will identify channels for direct communication with each affected Public Disclosure household via a context specific combination of email messages, mail, online platforms, dedicated phone lines with knowledgeable operators. Each of the proposed channels of engagement will clearly specify how feedback and suggestions can be provided by stakeholders. The SEP also outlines a comprehensive project level grievance redress mechanism (GRM) to address cases of grievance in a timely manner and following due process. The GRM is built upon the existing one of SDF and will be cognizant of and follow required levels of discretion, and cultural appropriateness. The GRMs will include channels to lodge grievances where physical presence is not required, given the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country. There will be a channel to lodge grievances specific to SEA/SH. A grievance mechanism for Project workers, as described in the LMP and consistent with ESS2 and labor laws of Bangladesh will be established, maintained, and operated. B.2. Specific Risks and Impacts A brief description of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts relevant to the Project. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions The proposed constructions will include community infrastructure works such as tube-wells, culverts, earthen road constructions/repairs, community latrines/urinals, drains, water tanks, office buildings for community institutions at district, cluster and village levels, water distillation/desalination plants, etc. All construction activities will be carried out by the community organizations involving community workers although in some cases, they may employ specialized labor such as mason, who may not be available among the communities. The project will also employ Feb 24, 2021 Page 9 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) direct workers, essentially the SDF staff and in some cases, possibly primary supply workers as well. The project will essentially support rural livelihood activities, especially the agri-activities and are unlikely to hire outside labour. Even the small home-based manufacturing units will employ labour from the community, thus is expected to have no labor influx from outside of the community. The borrower has prepared the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) for the project as a stand-alone document, to cover the requirements of ESS2 that identifies the different types of labors engaged by the project including the procedures of their employment. The LMP applies to all project workers whether full-time, part-time, temporary, and community worker. The LMP includes specific provisions against child labor such as certification of laborers’ age through legally recognized documents such as the National Identification Card, and Birth Certificate. Further, awareness-raising sessions will be conducted regularly to the communities to sensitize on prohibition and negative impacts of child and forced Labor. The proposed project activities include community-led construction activities and no major civil works thus, civil work-related risks of SEA/SH are anticipated to be low. However, SEA/SH and GBV mitigation measures will be incorporated into Codes of Conducts and the project’s Community Operation Manual (COM), and into bidding documents for procurement. The LMP includes a specific Grievance Management (GM) to deal with labor-related cases of grievance that will be set up with the detailed procedures elaborated in it. In addition, Occupational Health & Safety Plan (OHSP) following the World Bank Group Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines will be prepared by SDF, which will be specified Public Disclosure in the COM for application by the Gram Samity and other community associations under the project. OHS measures as per LMP and ESMP will be applied by RELI-SDF to local workers carrying out labor-intensive maintenance works. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management The project will support civil works which includes, construction of office buildings for community institutions at district, cluster and village levels, and Community Infrastructure Works (CIW) would lead to the construction of climate-resilient tube-wells, culverts, earthen road constructions/repairs, community latrines/urinals, drains, water tanks, and water purification/ desalination plants at village level. These civil works may generate emissions from excavation equipment, other machinery and construction traffic. Insignificant emissions may also include greenhouse gases (GHGs) from engine fuel combustion (exhaust emissions) and evaporation and accidental spill or leaks from vehicles (fugitive emissions). The project will also produce solid and/or liquid wastes and construction wastes. The construction materials for renovation/upgradation will be mostly collected locally. The contractors will be encouraged to re-use the construction wastes. The ESMF identifies and proposes measures to mitigate the relevant risks & impacts (especially waste management). Poor O&M could pose environmental and public health risks. Therefore, sub-projects will be screened to identify potential risks of creating pollution or disease hazards. Based on the screening results, subsequent mitigation measures will be suggested in the ESMP and implemented. A Waste Management Plan can be prepared, adopted and implemented as part of the C-ESMP, in accordance with ESMF The project will also supported rural livelihood activities such as household based small and medium scale manufacturing, including dairy, poultry and fish farms, cottage industries producing various goods and services including, organic fertilizer and bio-pesticides, handicrafts. These manufacturing facilities are likely to produce small Feb 24, 2021 Page 10 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) quantities of solid and liquid waste. The project will screen all livelihood funding request for their environmental sustainability and pollution potential before funding is approved as suggested in the ESMF. The project targets to sustainable increase in agricultural productions with the apprehension to increase the usage of fertilizer and pesticides. However, taking example from the preceding project (NJLIP) one of the most popular livelihood activities was to produce organic fertilizer and bio-fungicide & bio-pesticides from Trichoderma and other plant sources and this trend is likely to increase further as it is gaining popularity over its more toxic peers. Moreover, the project had adopted more environment friendly Integrated Past Management (IPM) program in all of its agricultural endeavors including fisheries and livestock farming, with the use of biological pest control, pheromone traps and it is expected that the use of inorganic chemical fertilizer and pesticide will be minimum. Moreover, If there is a necessity, only the approved pesticides, vaccines, vet-medicines and fertilizers may be in used and regularly be monitored through standard traceability protocols. Specifically, processing facilities as well as feed storage areas may need to control pests as well utilizing pesticides or rodenticides. To combat any community health and safety hazard, ESMF has incorporate pest and pesticide management guidelines and provides a negative list of pesticides. In manufacturing enterprises, it is possible that some small quantities of solid and liquid waste would be generated, to minimize the impact each of these activities have to go through an environmental and social impact screening. During the construction activities nearby ponds/canals/water streams-rivers can potentially suffer from some localized increase in water pollution due to poor waste management. However, this increase in turbidity is not likely to have any significant impact on overall water quality and the aquatic fauna primarily because of its temporary and localized in nature. The construction site facilities will also generate some effluents. Other possible causes of land or Public Disclosure water contamination include accidental leakage or spillage of fuels, oils, and other chemicals, and waste effluents released from construction sites. However, this should be very localized, readily mitigable and limited in nature because of the scale of overall construction work. Similarly, soils in the construction area and nearby lands that are used for agriculture will be prone to pollution from the construction activities, construction yards, workers camps and other construction areas. Solid and liquid waste will be generated from regular operation and maintenance activities of the constructed offices and from project supported rural livelihood activities such as household based small and medium scale manufacturing, including dairy, poultry and fish farms, cottage industries. However, the project is not expected to produce any hazardous waste including e-waste. This waste if not appropriately disposed has a potential to contaminate soil and water resources, thus negatively affecting community’s health as well as surrounding habitat. The ESMF provides guidelines for handling the generated wastes in future. The project will adopt resource efficient design of the constructions and use of environment-friendly building materials. Project will also make the supported buildings and activities more resource efficient, use of renewable energy will be encouraged during the operation phase. Construction activities during operation phase will mostly generate noise, vibration and solid and liquid waste. Given that all the constructions will be minor scale, the related activities are unlikely to generate any hazardous waste (such as hydrocarbon oils from construction machinery). But in all cases, site-specific Waste Management Plan will be prepared by the contractor. Resource efficient construction material like alternate non-fire brick will be encouraged to use for building construction which may eventually reduce local air pollution indirectly. Feb 24, 2021 Page 11 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) ESS4 Community Health and Safety The proposed project activities include community-led construction activities and no major civil works. Thus, civil work-related risks of SEA/SH are anticipated to be low. However, given the large scale of cash transfers, a SEA/SH risk assessment has been carried out based on the Social Protection and Jobs Good Practice Note draft (currently under discussion). The assessment indicates a substantial risk for SEA/SH incidents induced by project activities. Involvement of diverse project actors, scale of the project activity, large geographical coverage, traditional patriarchal values of Bangladeshi society, have contributed to the risk level. Mechanisms for the transfer of benefits (cash, grant, and stipends) and regular/periodic interactions with project actors may also create opportunities for project actors to sexually exploit or abuse project beneficiaries which may be further exacerbated with the lockdowns in the aftermath of COVID-19. In response to the anticipated risks, the project’s SEA/SH Action Plan includes prevention interventions as well as risk mitigation measures. Prevention interventions include awareness raising campaigns, enhancing safety, and capacity building, among others. The Project’s Community Operational Manual (COM) will also include a Code of Conduct for the project staffs on SEA/SH related issues. The cash transfer to the beneficiaries will be carried out through transfer of bank account or savings groups and the project management will facilitate the beneficiaries in opening and maintaining bank accounts so that no eligible beneficiary is left out because of having no bank account. The construction activities may also expose communities to health and safety risks, including issues related to noise, vibration, dust pollution and waste disposal/management, albeit these are likely to be minimal. The transportation of construction materials may also lead to some temporary adverse impact on the communities. Adequate engineering, health and safety measures will be adopted to avoid any issue on community health. Public Disclosure ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement The project does not anticipate any involuntary land acquisition. Nevertheless, this ESS is relevant. Land required for construction of Community Organizations’ (Gram Samity) office will be purchased directly from land owners through “willing-buyer willing-seller” method although overall amount of land per office building is expected to be no more than 5 decimals. The repairing/refurbishment of small infrastructures (e.g. rural trails, roads, installation of water supply systems, etc.), in some cases, may require also some land and this will be ensured through voluntary land donation from the communities. The amount of land for such purposes is also expected to be very small, no more than 1-5 decimals. The project's ESMF includes detailed guidelines in this regard so that the process is transparent, no coercion is exercised in any case and the seller receives market-based price for his land. The land thus purchased for the office buildings will be registered in the name of the Community Organizations. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources The project villages are located in agrarian rural areas and not expected to be neither in or near to a forested areas nor protected areas or natural habitat. Project is likely to have no direct or indirect impact on forests/vegetation (natural/planted). However, this should be reviewed/confirmed/screened during preparation of sub-projects; once more location-specific information are available. The procedures to carry out screening process will be laid down in the ESMF. Client will also include this in the POM so that the screening activities can be carried out by the project Feb 24, 2021 Page 12 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) beneficiaries. Civil constructions under Community Infrastructure Works (CIW) will be in modified rural habitat and urban or peri urban areas. Though the project is not expected to impact forest or protected areas, but community infrastructure works may bring small-scale land cover and land use changes in the homesteads which in turn can have some impact of rural biodiversity. However, these changes would be compensated due to its minor nature in a vast rural landscape. The ESMF will provide screening procedure to avoid disturbance as much as possible of the rural biodiversity. If any significant habitat is identified during screening, the community will take appropriate measure to avoid them following the procedures described in the ESMF. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities The project locations will fall within areas that have indigenous/tribal population. SDF has thus, prepared a Small Ethnic and other Vulnerable Community Peoples Development Framework (SECVDF) that details the procedures for the active inclusion of the IP/tribal communities in the project activities and also specify project benefits which are appropriate to the needs and cultural traditions of the social groups involved. The SECVDF includes guidelines for social screening, meaningful consultation, and provisions for preparation of sub-project specific a Small Ethnic and other Vulnerable Community Peoples Development Plan (SECVDP) that has 5 percent or more indigenous population. Finally, the SECVDF includes provision of including a representative from the indigenous communities in the local project GRM. Public Disclosure ESS8 Cultural Heritage The project does not anticipate impacts on cultural heritage. However, as a standard practice, Chance Finds Procedures has been included in the ESMF, and a chance finds clause will be included in works contracts of the community organizations requiring contractors to stop construction if examples of cultural heritage are encountered during construction. The Borrower will also have to notify and closely coordinate with the relevant country authority for the salvaging and restoration of such cultural heritage. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries Not Relevant, as no financial intermediaries will be engaged in this project B.3 Other Relevant Project Risks Not applicable C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways Yes OP 7.50 applies to this Project as some of its activities related to small-scale climate-resilient infrastructure development will use the water of international waterways. The activities are limited to rehabilitation and upgrading of existing schemes and will not adversely affect other riparian countries. The exception to the notification Feb 24, 2021 Page 13 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) requirement according to paragraph 7 (a) of the Policy was approved by the Regional Vice President on February 12, 2021 OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No B.3. Reliance on Borrower’s policy, legal and institutional framework, relevant to the Project risks and impacts Is this project being prepared for use of Borrower Framework? No Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: The use of Borrower's Framework is not considered for this project although the project will meet both the requirements of the GoB and the relevant World Bank ESSs. IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Contact: Jean Edouard Albert Saint-Geours Title: Senior Economist Telephone No: +1-202-473-8816 Email: jsaintgeours@ifc.org Public Disclosure Contact: Samina Yasmin Title: Agriculture Economist Telephone No: 5764+4118 Email: syasmin@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: Government of Bangladesh Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Social Development Foundation V. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Feb 24, 2021 Page 14 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects Public Disclosure Feb 24, 2021 Page 15 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) VI. APPROVAL Public Disclosure Feb 24, 2021 Page 16 of 17 The World Bank Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820) Task Team Leader(s): Samina Yasmin, Jean Edouard Albert Saint-Geours Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Christophe Crepin Cleared on 24-Feb-2021 at 09:04:48 GMT-05:00 Public Disclosure Feb 24, 2021 Page 17 of 17