The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Note to Task Teams: The following sections are system generated and can only be edited online in the Portal. Project Information Document/ Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (PID/ISDS) Concept Stage | Date Prepared/Updated: 13-Jul-2017 | Report No: PIDISDSC20826 Jun 09, 2017 Page 1 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data OPS TABLE Country Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Project Name Cote d'Ivoire P162789 Forest Investment Program (P162789) Region Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Practice Area (Lead) AFRICA Oct 23, 2017 Jan 11, 2018 Environment & Natural Resources Financing Instrument Borrower(s) Implementing Agency Investment Project Financing Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Ministry of Environnement and Sustainable Development Proposed Development Objective(s) The Development Objective is to increase and conserve the forest cover in the project target zones. Financing (in USD Million) Finance OLD Financing Source Amount Climate Investment Funds 18.75 Total Project Cost 18.75 Environmental Assessment Category Concept Review Decision B-Partial Assessment Track II-The review did authorize the preparation to continue Note to Task Teams: End of system generated content, document is editable from here. Other Decision (as needed) Jun 09, 2017 Page 2 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) B. Introduction and Context Country Context 1. Côte d’Ivoire is located in West Africa and has a total surface area of 322,463 km². It is bordered by Liberia and Guinea to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, and Ghana to the east. To the south, the country’s long coastline of 550 km runs along the Gulf of Guinea. Côte d’Ivoire is divided into two main geographic regions: a forest zone in the south (48.2% of the surface area), and a savanna zone in the north (51.8% of the surface area). 2. The country’s population, which was estimated at 6.7 million in 1975, increased to 22.7 million in 2014 (RGPH,1 2014), with an average annual population growth rate of 2.6% in 2014 (compared to 3.8% in 1975). This rapid growth results from a combination of high natural population growth and significant immigration from neighboring countries (with non-native born Ivorians making up 24% of the population). The country’s population is young, with 77% of the population under the age of 35. About half of the population lives in urban areas (50.3%), and urbanization is increasing, going from 32% of the population living in urban areas in 1975 to 42.5% in 1998. This demographic dynamic has put increasing pressure on the country’s natural resources, especially in the forest zone, where the vast majority of the population lives (75.5%) compared to 24.5% in the savanna zone. 3. The long political-military crisis (2002-2011) had a significant economic and social impact on the country. The poverty rate was estimated at 46% in 2015 (INS, 2015), and the country ranked 172nd (out of 188) on the 2015 Human Development Index (HDI) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Since 2012, Côte d’Ivoire has shown new economic momentum, with a GDP growth rate estimated at 8.3% in 2014. 4. The agricultural sector is the main driver for economic growth employing more than two thirds of the active population, and producing approximately 28% of its GDP and over 50% of its export earnings. Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cocoa and the sector accounts for about a third of total exports. Sectoral and Institutional Context 5. Côte d’Ivoire, located in the inter-tropical zone of West Africa, is divided into three main ecological zones: (i) in the north, the Sudanese sector, characterized by alternating wooded and grassy savannas, clear forests and lateritic plateaus; (ii) in the center, the mesophilic sector, a transition zone consisting of a mosaic of savannas, clear forests and semi-deciduous dense forests; and (iii) in the south, the ombrophile area, characterized by dense rainforest. Added to these three main zones, are the swamp forests, the montane forests to the west and the mangroves along the coast. 6. The country’s forest areas are administered by three different entities based on the following statuses: (a) the Permanent Forest Estate of the State/Domaine Forestier Permanent de l’Etat which covers 6,267,730 ha (19% of the total country area) and includes: (i) 233 "Forêts Classées" (Gazetted Forests, 4.196 million ha), managed by the National Forest Development Agency (SODEFOR 2); and (ii) eight National Parks (including 1 General Census of the Population 2 Société de Développement des Forêts Jun 09, 2017 Page 3 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Taï, the largest reservoir of biodiversity in West Africa) and six natural reserves totaling 2,071,730 ha, managed by OIPR3; and; (b) the Rural Forest Domain of the State/Domaine Forestier Rural de l’Etat managed by the Ministry of Water and Forests (MINEF) which constitutes a reserve of lands where priority is given to agriculture and which may be granted for forest exploitation. 7. The forest cover, estimated at 37% of the country’s territory in 1960, decreased to less than 14% in 2010 (AFD4, 2013). The average deforestation rate increased from 1.5%/year between 1900 and 1980 to around 4.3%/year between 1990 and 2015 (BNETD 2016), becoming the highest in the World at the time. Between 2000 and 2008, during the political crisis, the deforestation rate reached 25% in the Gazetted Forest reserves (SOFRECO 2009). According to SODEFOR (2014), the encroachment rate in Gazetted Forests (GF) increased from 18% of the total area in 1996 to around 50% in 2014. 8. The main direct causes of deforestation and forest degradation for both GFs and the Rural Domain forests are: (i) the massive expansion of extensive slash-and-burn agriculture; (ii) the uncontrolled harvesting of forests, including for firewood (currently estimated at 20 million m3 per year, a figure that continues to grow fueled by lack of protection and significant shortcomings in the management of GFs and to a lesser extent national parks), (iii) bushfires (which are also agriculture-related); and (iv) mining, notably small-scale gold mining. 9. The main indirect causes, which have a broader yet highly significant impact on forestry resources, are: (i) the growing demographic pressure and the acute poverty of agricultural and rural households, which forces them to exploit available natural resources extensively; (ii) the lack of intensification of smallholder farming and related low incomes; (iii) the lack of opportunities to generate non-agricultural rural incomes; and (iv) the increasing urbanization in forested zones. Currently, 76% of the population lives in forested zones. 10. To reverse the trend of deforestation and forest degradation, since 2011 Côte d'Ivoire has engaged in the REDD+ process, with support from the World Bank and other partners such as UN-REDD, AFD and FAO. This led to an initial grant for the country in 2014 of USD 3.8 million from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)-Readiness Fund managed by the World Bank and USD3.2 million from the UN-REDD. The Readiness Fund and the UN-REDD fund are designed to assist forest countries to prepare a national REDD+ strategy and policy framework, establish a reference scenario for emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and establish a national monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system for emissions reductions. The Readiness Fund recognizes that emission reductions require basic reforms and investments in the forest sector and other influencing sectors, and helps countries prepare to access longer-term financing sources, including results-based financing. In this context, the country was accepted in October 2015 in the pipeline of the FCPF-Carbon Fund and is preparing an Emission Reduction Program in the Agriculture sector in the South West around the Taï National Park for performance-based payments by the FCPF-Carbon Fund 11. In parallel to the FCPF, Côte d'Ivoire successfully applied for the Forest Investment Program (FIP), a targeted program under the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) to catalyze policies and measures and mobilize significantly increased funds to facilitate the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation and improved sustainable management of forests, leading to emissions reduction and the protection of carbon stocks. The 3 Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves/Ivorian Agency for National Parks and Reserves 4 Agence Française de Développement Jun 09, 2017 Page 4 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) main purpose of the FIP is to support developing countries’ REDD-efforts, providing up-front bridge financing for readiness reforms and public and private investments while helping to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to contribute to biodiversity conservation and achieving other development goals. The FIP also includes a Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (DGM), which supports community engagement in forest and REDD+-related consultations, decision-making and implementation. 12. The FIP Sub-Committee endorsed the Côte d'Ivoire Investment Plan (IP) in a total amount of USD80 million at its meeting in June 2016. This comprises a 5-year first phase financing by the FIP trust fund in the amount of USD24 million and a second 5-year phase of USD56 million to be raised by the Government to consolidate and sustain the first phase interventions. The IP is designed to be the combination of different interventions in short and medium terms. Its programmatic nature is based on two key features: (i) a medium and long-term national vision aimed to balance the economic interests of a range of stakeholders with the goal of emissions reduction and sustainable conservation and management of the country’s forests; and (ii) a focus on the sectors which have become the main drivers (direct and indirect) of deforestation in the country, namely the agriculture sector and the fuelwood and timber industries. The IP also comprises an additional USD4.5 million for the DGM. 13. This concept note covers the first phase project: the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are the two executing agencies with the WB in the lead role to support the country prepare and implement a USD18.75 interventions, while in parallel the AfDB interventions amount to USD5.56 million. The WB is also the implementing agency responsible for the DGM project, which will be prepared as a separate project. 14. The project activities would be designed : (i) to reduce and arrest destructive behaviors such as illegal logging in natural forests, as well as to restore and conserve forest cover through agroforestry, land tenure security and access rights, improved forest management and monitoring, and alternative income generation to enhance rural livelihoods ; (ii) to reflect the particular political and geographic environments of Côte d’Ivoire, i.e., the Rural Domain, Gazetted Forests and Protected Areas, as well as the socio-economic concerns of forest dependent communities; and (iii) to fit within the context of a set of thematic priorities for the country, including support to zero deforestation agriculture by focusing on intensive agriculture versus the current extensive and slash & burn agriculture approach. Relationship to CPF 15. The Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Côte d’Ivoire FY16-FY19 focuses on two cross-cutting areas, governance and spatial inequalities, with three major focus areas: (i) sustaining strong private sector-led growth; (ii) building human capital for inclusive growth, social cohesion and youth employment; and (iii) strengthening public financial management and accountability. While its primary focus is on forest restoration and conservation, the nature of the Project’s activities and beneficiaries lends significant direct or indirect support to the objectives relating to the CPF first two focus areas: (i) Objective 1: Improve productivity in agriculture/agribusiness value chains through support to agriculture intensification and enhanced collaboration with the cocoa industry to implement their engagement in a zero-deforestation agriculture; (ii) Objective 4: Formalize and enhance access to land for business and agriculture; through land tenure security and private- public partnership for sustainable management of Gazetted Forest. Jun 09, 2017 Page 5 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) C. Proposed Development Objective(s) Note to Task Teams: The PDO has been pre-populated from the datasheet for the first time for your convenience. Please keep it up to date whenever it is changed in the datasheet. The Development Objective is to increase and conserve the forest cover in the project target zones. Key Results (From PCN) i. Reforested areas (disaggregated by rural domain and GF by ha) ii. Forest areas conceded to the private sector for plantations (ha) iii. Forest areas conceded to community organizations (in ha disaggregated by women and youth associations) iv. Forest areas under agro-forestry contracts with the private sector (ha) v. Rate of degradation of natural forest cover in the gazetted forests (percentage) vi. Areas degraded by gold panning (disaggregated by GF and National Park Tai) vii. Communities adjacent to targeted GF with increased monetary or non-monetary benefits (in percentage). viii. Satisfaction of beneficiaries (level of engagement, by gender and age) D. Concept Description 16. The project is structured around the following four components: (i) Forest cover restoration in the Gazetted Forests; (ii) Forest cover restoration and zero-deforestation agriculture in the Rural Domain; (iii) support to management of the Taï National Park; and (iv) project management and monitoring and evaluation. 17. Project sites: (a) Center region: (i) Gazetted Forest (GF) of Ahua in the Nzi sub-region, department of Dimbokro, (ii) GF of Proungbo-Sérebi, sub-region of Moronou, department of Mbatto, (iii) network of GFs of Laka-Fetekro-Mafa-Besse-Boka, sub region of Gbèkè in the departments of Bouaké, and; (iv) the network of GFs of Kouabo Boka-Soungourou-Boka Go, Iffou sub-region in the department of Bouaké and M’bahiakro; (b) South-West region: (i) GFs of Cavally and Goin Debe in the sub-region of Cavally, department of Taï, (ii) GF of Duekoué, sub-region of Guémon, in the department of Duekoué, (iii) GF of Rapides Grah in the sub regions of San-Pedro and Nawa, departments of Soubré, Méagui and San-Pédro, and (iv) GF of Haut-Dodo in the sub- region of San-Pédro, departments of Tabou and San-Pédro. 18. The Gazetted Forests were selected based on: (i) their high degree of deforestation and degradation (50 percent or more); (ii) the current and increasing level of human pressure on GFs; and (iii) the potential of developing public-private partnerships to manage the GF. In addition to these criteria, GFs in the South West (SW) were selected due to their proximity to the Taï National Park, the only remaining primary forest and carbon sink in the country Jun 09, 2017 Page 6 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) 19. The World Bank and the African Development Bank, the key institutions working with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire on the development and implementation of the FIP components have agreed upon the following arrangements: (i) the FIP project interventions in the Rural Domain in the Center region will be implemented by AfDB due to their complementarity with its Agro-Industrial Development Project in the Bélier sub-region within the Center. This project aims to promote a sustainable increase in agricultural productivity for crops with high economic potential through value chains with special emphasis on youth, women and SMEs; and (ii) the World Bank interventions will focus on Gazetted Forests in both the Center and South-West regions as well as the Rural Domain in the South-West. The strategic focus of each institution are complementary and support the achievement of the FIP objective. Project components Component 1 (WB): Forest cover restoration in the Gazetted Forests (USD7.80m, FIP loan) 20. This component will support restoring of degraded areas in the selected Gazetted Forests through five subcomponents: 21. Sub-component 1.1: Participatory development and implementation of GFs management plans (USD5.00m): Almost all of the selected GFs have no management plans and are subject to increasing pressure from individuals who continue to expand their cocoa farms within the GFs. The objective of this sub- component is to support SODEFOR with the participatory development of GF management plans through the mobilization of village associations for GF co-management (commissions paysans-forêts). The commissions have been dormant primarily due to lack of financing for operating costs to participate in co-management of the GFs. During project preparation, an assessment of these commissions in the project target zones will be conducted to identify the best conditions for participatory management of the GFs. The project will support the participatory approach through reorganizing and strengthening the commissions in order for them to become fully operational and participate substantively in project implementation. 22. The sub-component will finance workshops and operating costs of SODEFOR technical staff for the joint development of the GF management plans with the commissions forêts-paysans. The management plans will encompass agricultural areas, natural regeneration and enrichment areas and productive plantation areas. The sub-component will also finance surveillance equipment (such as vehicles, motorbikes, drones, cameras and mobile device) as well as training and operating costs of the commissions forêts-paysans to ensure their effective participation in forest management and forest surveillance. 23. Sub-component 1.2: Support to zero deforestation agriculture through agro-forestry contracts with existing cocoa farmers in GFs (USD.300 m). To address the issue of deforestation and forests degradation in the GFs, SODEFOR has initiated a process of contractual agreements with cocoa producers who have been illegally farming in GFs for decades. The objective of the contract is for cocoa farmers to introduce selected tree species into farmlands, with the technical assistance and monitoring and evaluation of SODEFOR in partnership with the cocoa industry. The private sector (cocoa industry) will be responsible for organizing farmers, providing seedlings, and for providing training in the adoption of smart agriculture practices and agroforestry techniques. In return for these services, the farmers guarantee the selling of their harvests to the industry. The contractual obligation will entail no new clearing to extend their cacao plantations in the GF. A contract’s duration will be determined in a participatory manner between SODEFOR and the farmers, and SODEFOR may renew the Jun 09, 2017 Page 7 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) contract depending on compliance with its terms by the farmers. The sub-component will finance legal assistance to both SODEFOR and to cocoa farmers for the development of contracts as well as technical assistance to support the farmers to enhance agricultural productivity in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Research Institutes. The project will finance two pilot projects in the GFs of Rapides Grah and Goin Debe in partnership with the private sector. Partners may include CEMOI, Mondelez, and/or Barry Callebaut which have all expressed interest in working with the Project. 24. Sub-component 1.3: Restoration of degraded GF through forestry concessions to women and youth associations (USD1m). In order to rehabilitate degraded parts of GFs, SODEFOR is also promoting long-term concessions to women and youth associations. Associations will work together with SODEFOR to rehabilitate and manage selected areas in the GFs through agro-forestry (for example combining selected forest species with vegetable gardening). Over the long term, additional concessions in other areas of degraded forest will be granted to the associations as the initial plantings of forest trees mature. The objective of such concessions, (renewable after a minimum 10-year period), is to ensure full restoration of the GFs with forest plantations. The sub-component will finance equipment, training and small works (e.g., boreholes) to enable women and youth to produce vegetable seeds and tree seedlings in the vicinity of their concessions. The project will also finance the technical assistance needed to (i) guide women and youth associations in applying the best technical guidelines and guidelines on good agricultural practices; (ii) increase productivity; and (iii) ensure outlets for the sale of their harvests thereby guaranteeing revenues for them. During project preparation, an assessment of these associations will be conducted and a needs assessment for training will be developed for organizational capacity building, including training in simple accounting methods, which will be financed at the start of the project to enhance capacity early on in the implementation process. 25. Sub-component 1.4: Restoration of natural forests (USD 1m). The objective of this component is to support the restoration of the economic value of natural forests through reforestation with indigenous tree species in tandem with natural regeneration and enrichment while ensuring enhanced surveillance of these natural forests. The youth and women in adjacent villages will contribute to reforestation and surveillance activities, thereby providing employment and income as well as improved monitoring of forest resources . The project will finance technical assistance for the development of the various economic models, which include technical planting guidelines and equitable benefits sharing with local communities participating in natural forests co-management. SODEFOR currently employs youth seasonally for sylviculture operations, as well as women for collection of seeds in teak plantations for making seedlings in SODEFOR-led nursery laboratories. The project will continue promoting these practices for income generation for villages adjacent to the GFs. 26. Sub-component 1.5: Renewal and expansion of existing SODEFOR old plantations through public- private partnerships (USD.500m). Many of the plantations established by SODEFOR in the past did not include a wide range of tree species and in addition are currently overexploited and/or highly degraded. The objective of the subcomponent is to conduct an inventory of old plantations, evaluate these plantations and to develop, in partnership with the private sector, an investment plan to harvest, renew or create productive plantations. 27. SODEFOR is currently working in partnership with one private investor who has been granted a 41,000 ha concession of GFs (Laka-Fetekro-Mafa-Besse-Boka) of which 8,000 ha has been classified by the investor as a Fauna Reserve for biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism. The private investor is responsible for ensuring sustainable management of this network of GFs, including sylviculture operations and productive plantations Jun 09, 2017 Page 8 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) renewal and surveillance. He has recruited 30 eco-guards in the villages adjacent to the forests, including youth as game viewing guides. He also supports adjacent communities by developing income generating activities (IGAs) such as vegetable gardening to enhance livelihoods. 28. The sub-component will finance the demarcation of the Laka-Fetekro-Mafa-Besse-Boka GFs in order to clarify boundaries with the Rural Domain, thereby allowing for better management and conservation of the GF network. Promoting PPP is key to ensuring sustainable co-management of the country’s 233 Gazetted Forests. Co-management is a more effective approach both logistically, as SODEFOR simply does not have enough personnel to effectively monitor the large number of GFs in the country, and substantively, as co-management incentivizes long-term involvement and commitment by concerned partners. The sub-component will therefore support SODEFOR in promoting the development of such PPPs through technical assistance for the publication of requests for expression of interest at the national and international levels, preparation of bidding documents and legal assistance for the elaboration of the concession contracts, which will include provisions and financial incentives (fiscal, subsidized inputs, etc.) to ensure that beneficiaries comply with OP 4.36 requirements for forest certification. Component 2 (WB and AfDB): Forest cover restoration and zero-deforestation agriculture in the Rural Domain (USD11.02 million of which FIP grant USD5.46 and FIP loan USD5.56 million) 29. The main objective of this component is to create incentives for the population to: (i) adopt agro- forestry; (ii) improve agricultural productivity; (iii) restore forest cover; and (iv) conserve natural forests, all in the Rural Domain, mainly in the center of the country. 30. Component 2 will be implemented in the areas adjacent to the selected GFs in both regions of the project. It will comprise the following five sub-components, three of which will be co-implemented by ADB (in the Center) and World Bank (in the SW): 31. Sub-Component 2.1.: Land tenure security (USD1.20m, WB). This sub-component aims to improve tenure security in the Rural Domain, especially in the central region, to remove barriers to tree planting on agricultural plots. The strategy is to obtain formal long-term concessions for migrants who have lost their land due to their long absence. Some examples of such concessions already exist in the central region in which the beneficiaries share with the land owner (holder of a traditional or legal title to land) a percentage of the revenues generated from the land. In close collaboration with local governments (Prefects), traditional leaders and landowners, and in the context of the newly created National Agency for Land Tenure, the project will look into other options for land tenure. These would include, in particular, helping landowners who still do not hold formal land titles and also providing guidance to communities on the procedures to follow to obtain land titles. The sub-component will cover administrative costs related to establishing land tenure and technical assistance to the farmers for preparing documentation to apply for land title. 32. Sub-component 2.2: Support to zero deforestation agriculture through small-scale agro-forestry development on farm lands (USD5.05m of which 1.44m WB and 3.61m AfDB). This sub-component aims to support commitment to zero-deforestation methods in the agricultural supply chain by the private sector. Implementation of a zero deforestation agriculture supply chain also requires investment in the traceability of different value chains and land use planning through the identification and mapping of high-carbon forests (HCF) and high conservation value (HCV) forests to ensure the integrity of these forest reserves. The sub- Jun 09, 2017 Page 9 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) component will finance: (i) mapping HSC and HCV forests and promote agroforestry. Promotion activities will include: technical assistance for the development of a technical and economic database on advisory services in agroforestry, intensive agriculture and green agriculture in collaboration with research institutes; and supporting the introduction of trees into pilot farms through the provision of forestry seedlings to selected demonstration sites for farmers and technical supervision to ensure successful planting and growth. 33. The private sector (cocoa industry) will work with the cocoa farmers to promote agricultural productivity while reducing impacts on forests. The industry will finance activities related to intensification (inputs, improved seeds, advisory services for good agricultural practices) and the establishment of a traceability system for cocoa production. 34. Sub-component 2.3: Development of small-scale plantations of high-value tree species and promotion of partnerships between local communities and the private sector (USD.2.27m of which WB.32 m and ADB 1.95 m). This sub-component will encourage small-scale private investments in high-value species to provide small- scale planters and local communities in the central and South-West regions with additional income through new opportunities and better access to markets. It will help planters with technical know-how and will provide subsidized seed stocks to planters for long-growth, high value species for improving carbon stocks. 35. The sub-component will finance technical assistance to MINEF to develop technical and economic itineraries for the development of these small-scale plantations. Various species, including teak, will be proposed according to local climate conditions and market outlets. The technical documents produced will help determine the appropriateness of the plantation sites for each suggested species so as to ensure the best chances of success. In addition, market outlets will be documented for each species so as to guide farmers in their choices. The sub-component will finance: (i) workshops and awareness raising activities conducted by MINEF at the local level to promote plantations development including long-term economic, social and environmental benefits; (ii) the setting up of a mechanism facilitating the registration and monitoring of reforestation in order to ensure the traceability of the entire wood value chain; and, (iii) potential commercial and operational partnerships between the private sector and smallholder foresters for the economic valuation of reforestation 36. Sub-component 2.4: Payments for Environmental Services (USD2.5m WB). This sub-component will provide the necessary incentives (both monetary and in kind) to support a range of initiatives focused on reforestation in the Rural Domain, including development of community-based reforestation programs, community-led forest seedling production, small-scale agroforestry and other co-planting approaches, small- scale farmer plantations, protection of primary forests, and re-planting indigenous species. Preliminary studies on the best approach for PES have already been completed and further investigation for application within the project target zones will be undertaken during the preparation phase. Findings of the studies will help finalize the best approach to PES contracting as well as to the preferred method for flow of funds for PES to individuals and communities. Training in simple accounting methods, accessing financial institutions, mobile transfer, etc. will be provided for women, cooperatives and other community groups. Component 3 (WB): Support to sustainable management of the Tai national Park (USD2 million, FIP grant) 37. The Tai National Park (TNP), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is currently under threat from a variety of sources. Home to several endangered species, including pygmy hippos and certain species of chimpanzees, Jun 09, 2017 Page 10 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Park Tai is the last primary rain forests left in West Africa. Pressure on the park comes from several sources, including poaching, continuous pressure from agriculture, and illegal small-scale gold panners. While the TNP’s borders are still intact with agricultural zones in the rural domain stopping at the park’s edges, there are recurrent attempts at encroachment, most significantly at the park’s northern and eastern borders. Conservation efforts by OIPR and its partners have been mostly successful, but surveillance operations need continued strengthening. 38. The objective of this component is to support OIPR through the Park’s Conservation Trust Fund (Fondation des Parcs et Réserves de Côte d’Ivoire-FPRCI) by allowing for increased TNP surveillance in order to reduce pressure on the park. In addition, the project would work to build into the mandate of the Trust innovative and participatory approaches to conservation specifically involving local communities. The component will be implemented through a contribution to the endowment capital of the FPRCI and revenues generated will contribute to ensuring sustainable and long term financing of the Park recurrent costs. During project preparation, business plans of the park will be revisited and financing gap identified will be fulfilled by the project contribution. The component may also finance small works to rehabilitate Park access roads to facilitate surveillance. Component 4: Project management and Monitoring and Evaluation (USD3.18m) 39. An Integrated Project Management Unit (IPMU) responsible for the implementation of all environmental, forestry and NRM projects under the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development was established a year ago and currently manages two World Bank financed projects: (i) the FCPF-Readiness grant managed by a dedicated project manager who is also the Permanent Secretary of the REDD+ (SEP-REDD+); and (ii) the Obsolete Pesticides Management Project also under a dedicated project manager. The projects are supported by the following shared units: Financial Management, Procurement, Monitoring & Evaluation, Communication, Safeguards and technical. The IPMU is currently being strengthened with a General Coordinator (GC) responsible for overall coordination of all projects under the IPMU. The GC will be supported in his daily tasks by a seasoned International Technical Assistant to enhance technical soundness of all project outputs as well as financial oversight of projects spending. 40. The FIP will have a dedicated project manager within the IPMU supported by the same shared units. Furthermore, National entities with mandates for managing Gazetted Forests (SODEFOR), National Parks (OIPR) and the Rural Domain (MINEF) will also be involved with implementation of FIP activities through Memoranda of Understanding with the project. A monitoring group made of civil society members, such as NGOs will also provide independent oversight of project activities. 41. Subcomponent 4.1 Project management (USD3 m). The component will finance the overall daily administration of the project to: (i) ensure coordination among the different entities involved with project implementation in compliance with the WB and AfDB fiduciary requirements and; (ii) ensure that regular M&E is carried out and that results are fed back into decision making on project implementation. The component will finance a prorated percentage of shared units staff and supervision costs associated with project implementation, and meetings such as stakeholder engagement workshops, FIP pilot country meetings, technical trainings and project launching workshop. Jun 09, 2017 Page 11 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) 42. Subcomponent 4.2 Independent monitoring (USD.18 m) In order to ensure an independent evaluation of the project's results, a civil society team will be mandated by the project to carry out independent monitoring on the implementation of several aspects of the project including traceability, monitoring and contracting between SODEFOR and farmers. The civil society report will make it possible to verify that the activities implemented have respected the commitments made and that the results presented are consistent with the reality on the ground. The civil society team will: (i) develop a clear methodology for independent oversight focused on a set of issues to be selected; (ii) receive all information necessary for oversight; (iii) carry out field missions to collect data; and (iv) produce an observation report. Monitoring will be conducted annually to ensure lessons learned can be incorporated during project implementation. Local NGOs are being trained in the independent observation of forest management and the traceability of cocoa by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation in the South-West project area. Note to Task Teams: The following sections are system generated and can only be edited online in the Portal. SAFEGUARDS A. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) Project sites: (a) Center region: (i) Gazetted Forest (GF) of Ahua in the Nzi sub-region, department of Dimbokro, (ii) GF of Proungbo-Sérebi, sub-region of Moronou, department of Mbatto, (iii) network of GFs of Laka-Fetekro-Mafa-Besse-Boka, sub region of Gbèkè in the departments of Bouaké, and; (iv) the network of GFs of Kouabo Boka-Soungourou-Boka Go, Iffou sub-region in the department of Bouaké and M’bahiakro; (b) South-West region: (i) GFs of Cavally and Goin Debe in the sub-region of Cavally, department of Taï, (ii) GF of Duekoué, sub-region of Guémon, in the department of Duekoué, (iii) GF of Rapides Grah in the sub regions of San-Pedro and Nawa, departments of Soubré, Méagui and San-Pédro, and (iv) GF of Haut-Dodo in the sub-region of San-Pédro, departments of Tabou and San-Pédro. B. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Sanitation, Environment and Sustainable Development(MINSEDD). The Recipient has several years of experience in applying and implementing World Bank projects. There are considerable legal and institutional frameworks in Cote d’Ivoire to ensure compliance with World Bank safeguards policies triggered by the FIP. In addition to that the host ministry (MINSEDD) is at the same time responsible for setting policy guidelines on environmental issues and ensuring compliance with national environmental legal and regulatory framework. It has different departments among which the National Agency of Environment (ANDE, Agence Nationale de l’Environnement) in charge of safeguards compliance of all projects in the country. The unit staffing and capacities are acceptable. As for the PIU, capacity building efforts to support project implementation will be done by implementing recommendations contained in the safeguards instruments prepared for the project. The project will also receive guidance from the Bank’s environmental and social specialists in the Project team. Social Safeguard expert will be recruited for monitoring the social aspects. C. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Jun 09, 2017 Page 12 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Abdoul Wahabi Seini, Abdoulaye Gadiere D. Policies that might apply Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) The restoration of degraded areas in gazetted forests by women and youth associations through agro- forestry (for example combining selected forest species with vegetable gardening) may impact environmental components if precautionary measures are not anticipated. Additionally, the demarcation of the Laka-Fetekro-Mafa-Besse-Boka GFs in order to clarify boundaries with the Rural Domain could also impact environment. Besides, the project intends to finance also finance small works to rehabilitate Park Tai access roads to facilitate surveillance (component 3). Basically, potential adverse impacts associated Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 Yes which such activities may be moderate, site-specific and manageable at an acceptable level. Consequently, the project is rated as a category “B� project. While the exact locations of these investments are not yet known, the proper safeguard instrument to be prepared in compliance with this policy is an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). This ESMF will be reviewed, consulted upon and disclosed both in Cote d’Ivoire and at the World bank website prior to the Decision Meeting. The project aims to enhance the quality of the management of forest and woodlands. But, some activities will take place in gazette forests and, those activities may affect natural habitats. Consequently, Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 Yes the policy is triggered with the aim of taking particular attention to these particular ecosystems. Then, the conception of the subprojects should take into account this issue. None activity of the project is expected to promote woods’ exploitation or to finance activities which will contribute to destroy the forest. As the above policy, OP4.36 is triggered to pay attention on the forest Forests OP/BP 4.36 Yes resources during the project preparation and its implementation. Forest policy and management are a primary focus of this project. While the project will explore integrated forest management as part of a strategy of increasing carbon sequestration potential Jun 09, 2017 Page 13 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) the expected results are of improved forest management. The ESMF will include guidance on managing forestry issues. Agricultural intensification such as the agriculture zero deforestation of cocoa production and reforestation activities, for instance, could require pest management in the course of project implementation. Pest Management OP 4.09 Yes The ESMF to be prepared in compliance with OP4.01 will address critical issues related to pest management through the development of a specific chapter focused on how to handle a good pest management. This policy is triggered because some of the project activities could take place in areas containing sites deemed physical or cultural resources by local communities (holy/secret sites such as sacred groves, Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 Yes sacred forests etc.). It is not anticipated that the project will have negative impacts on any such sites. During implementation particular attention will be paid to ensure that project activities do not affect such sites. There are no indigenous people as defined by the Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No World Bank in Cote d’Ivoire The development and implementation of local land use plans promoted may potentially reduce the access to natural resources or created potentially some restriction of access for some households. Therefore, a Process Framework and a resettlement policy framework (RPF) will be prepared as due diligence to Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 Yes ensure the appropriate measures will be taken in elaborating and implementing those plans to ensure appropriate guidance on how to address and potential loss of income or livelihood impact. These reports (PF and RPF) will be reviewed, consulted upon and disclosed both in Cote d’Ivoire and at the World bank website prior to the Decision Meeting. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No The project will not finance dams nor rely on dams. Projects on International Waterways The project is not expected to affect international No OP/BP 7.50 waterways. Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 No The project will not be located in a Disputed Area. E. Safeguard Preparation Plan Tentative target date for preparing the Appraisal Stage PID/ISDS Sep 15, 2017 Jun 09, 2017 Page 14 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing should be specified in the Appraisal Stage PID/ISDS The following safeguard instruments are expected to be prepared during the preparation phase: i) an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), ii) a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and (iii) a Process Framework(PF). All these safeguard documents will be reviewed consulted upon and disclosed by the Government of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, and at the World Bank’s Website prior to the Decision Meeting. CONTACT POINT World Bank Salimata D. Follea Sr Natural Resources Mgmt. Spec. Borrower/Client/Recipient Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Adama Kone Minister of Economy and Finance finances@Gouv.ci Implementing Agencies Ministry of Environnement and Sustainable Development Anne Desiree Ouloto Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development b.kanate@salubrite.gouv.CI FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Salimata D. Follea Jun 09, 2017 Page 15 of 16 The World Bank Forest Investment Program (P162789) Approved By APPROVALTBL Safeguards Advisor: Maman-Sani Issa 13-Jul-2017 Practice Manager/Manager: Peter Kristensen 14-Jul-2017 Country Director: Pierre Frank Laporte 17-Jul-2017 Note to Task Teams: End of system generated content, document is editable from here. Jun 09, 2017 Page 16 of 16