82744 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET APPRAISAL STAGE Report No.: ISDSA Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: I. BASIC INFORMATION 1. Basic Project Data Country: Mauritania Project ID: P132998 Project Name: Sustainable Livelihoods for Returnees and Host Communities in the Senegal River Valley Project Task Team Leader: Abderrahim Fraiji Estimated Appraisal Date: 18 November 2013 Managing Unit: AFTCS Lending Instrument: Japanese Social Development Fund Sector: Agriculture: General agriculture, fishing and forestry (35%), Education: Vocational training (20%), Public Administration, Law: other Social Services (15%), Law and Justice (15%), Industry and Trade: Agro-industry, marketing and Trade (15%) Theme: Conflict prevention and post conflict recovery Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery) or OP 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies) Yes [ ] No [X] Project Financing Data (in USD million) Total Project Cost : 3.00 Total Bank Financing: 0.00 Total Co-financing: 0.00 Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing sources Amount Borrower/Recipient (US$m.): 0.0 IDA (US$m.): 0.0 Other financing amounts by source (US$m.): Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) TOTAL 3.00 Environmental Category: B- Partial assessment Is this a transferred project? Yes [ ] No [X] Is this a repeater project? Simple [X] Repeater [ ] 2. Project Development Objectives The overall PDO is to improve access to livelihood support for returnees and host communities as well as to enhance conflict prevention and risk management mechanisms in Brakna and Trarza in the Senegal River Valley area. 3. Project Description Component 1: Improved livelihood opportunities (US$2,370,000). This component with three sub-components aims to generate a more comprehensive and diversified set of rural income generating opportunities through selective interventions in key aspects of the value chain with an emphasis on women and youth. 1.1 Reducing food insecurity through the provision of production inputs for 3,830 households (US$1,170,000): This sub-component entails: (a) Provision of small grants for livestock re-stocking, pest control, seeds (wheat, maize, millet, niébé, and market vegetable gardening seeds) and fertilizers. In addition to these inputs, light agricultural equipment such as hoes, watering cans, and rakes will be introduced in the agricultural input stores and 1 will be sold at reasonable prices to producers. The pilot will collaborate with national research centers to support improved seeds’ production and cultivation of vegetables and fruit trees. In terms of the livestock re-stocking, the pilot will apply a traditional social mechanism locally known as habbanaye. (b) Facilitation of access to veterinary services and the establishment of livestock feeding centers. (c) Financing of small-scale community-based works to facilitate the utilization of solar energy for decentralized small-scale electrification, water/irrigation and cooking. This activity will be based on the Global Rural Electrification Program (PERG) principles and lessons learned from the work of NGO partners in the region. (d) A feasibility study on the sustainable use of bio-gas and commercial/mineral gas for cooking under market conditions. (e) Support of micro-irrigation initiatives that employ alternative sources of energy such as solar or wind to enhance the production of cash and traditional crops. 1.2 Support to complementary vocational training and income-generating activities for women and youth for 1,500 households (US$530,000): This sub-component entails the provision of: (a) market gardening activities, enterprise and marketing, farm and non-farm activities focused on food processing methodologies and techniques as a means to promote agribusiness and small-scale markets; (b) small-scale start-up inputs; and (c) support for the establishment of facilities for access to funding including micro-credit mechanisms and community level ‘Savings for Change’ groups as well as the complementary capacity building to communities based on an assessment of options for communities’ access to funding. The pilot aims to create a minimum of one savings group per village with one year of weekly training support provided by existing local partner organizations. The pilot will, therefore, re-enforce and work with existing micro-finance and village savings mechanisms as well as provide training to village savings groups to increase their access to existing credit. 1.3 Strengthening community structures in 22 communities including conflict and risk management (US$670,000): This sub- component will enhance capacities through the provision of sub-grants to 22 community based organizations/associations. Community Based Organizations (CBOs), in conjunction with communities, will develop projects to be financed with the grants. To this effect, the pilot will also provide CBOs with training on the setting up and management of associations, access to credit and commercialization, and complementary functional literacy and numeracy education when necessary. The organization of associations will take into account successful experiences in the country such as the establishment of community development associations (ADC) under the Rural Community Development Program (PDRC) (Government/World Bank). The pilot will also strengthen local communities’ ability to prevent and manage conflict by improving communication channels between stakeholders and intergroup relations through conflict resolution and training sessions to help stakeholders better understand rule of law and their participation in the development process of their communities. Under this sub-component, therefore, the pilot will develop local systems for the prevention and management of conflict as well as reduce social tension between the various ethnic groups. Component 2: Project Management and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation1 (US$480,000). This component supports project management and administration, participatory project monitoring and evaluation, and the dissemination of results and lessons learned. 1 The cost of this component would be shared with the SPF funds for the complementary project 2 2.1 Project Management and Administration (US$240,000). This sub-component supports the establishment of a Project Support Unit (PSU) including a small management and technical team that will provide overall project coordination and oversight in collaboration with the Agence Nationale Tadamoun de Lutte contre les Séquelles de l'Esclavage, de l'Insertion et de Lutte contre la Pauvreté (AGENCE TADAMOUN) and existing institutional structures in order to enhance and mainstream project activities. Local and international NGO partners will be involved in the implementation of project activities to enhance ownership, sense of belonging and control of the target area’s development. A Steering Committee comprised of AGENCE TADAMOUN, UNHCR, local authorities, and a civil society representative will be established. The Steering Committee’s role is to ensure coordination of interventions, involvement of all key stakeholders (AGENCE TADAMOUN, relevant government institutions, etc.), and the pilot project’s ownership. 2.2 Participatory Project Monitoring and Evaluation (US$240,000). This sub-component supports the establishment of a participatory community-based project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system involving civil society and vulnerable groups in the performance assessment of grants in meeting their objectives and adhering to targeting and funding criteria. The M&E system will be based on objectively verifiable indicators and utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS). M&E will be supported by the establishment of a baseline and AGENCE TADAMOUN’s data base. The proposed participatory M&E system will take into account the literacy and language levels of the beneficiary groups and is designed to track beneficiary and population-based data at various stages of implementation. The project will finance an impact evaluation which will include a comparison of villages that benefitted from pilot project interventions with villages that did not. The sub-component includes the dissemination of results and lessons learned from this pilot for a possible scale-up of interventions in other target areas. 4. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known). The project will be implemented in 17 communities in Brakna including nine returnee communities (Donaye, Féthie M’Boyo, Tessem 1, Dar Salam Wodabé, Houdallaye, Woura Amadou Hawa Dia, Sénokouna, Bour and Goural) and eight host/neighboring communities (Donaye Village, Diattar, Tessem Village, Dar Salam Oulad Seydi, Carrefour, Goural village, Taiba and Leleiwa). Five returnee communities close to Ross town will be targeted in Trarza (Rosso Lycée, Medina Salam, Keur Madické, Tekess Coumba and PK6). The total target population including returnee and host/neighboring communities is approximately 15,700 people or 3,830 households with the returnee population representing 63% of the total target population. As there are no salient physical characteristics relevant to the application of safeguard policies in the project intervention area, the project is classified as category B. 5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Maman-Sani Issa, Sr. Environmental Specialist Salamata Bal, Sr. Social Development Specialist 3 6. Safeguard Policies Triggered Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) YES Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) NO Forests (OP/BP 4.36) NO Pest Management (OP 4.09) YES Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) NO Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) NO Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) YES Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) NO Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) NO Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) NO II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and their Management A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts. The project is classified as environmental and social category B type due specifically to activities supported under Component 1, more precisely under Sub-component 1.1, which are site specific, relatively small in size, likely to induce minor negative effects and easily manageable. Most potential risks and impact arise from pest control activities in agriculture (small irrigation) and use of fertilizer, and specific income-generating activities which either require acquisition of land and/or use of natural resources (e.g. forestry products) or produce nuisances (e.g. waste). It is possible that inadequate selection and/or design of livelihood support activities could affect socio-economic and environmental sustainability. Likewise, insufficient support to community organizations and conflict mediation could jeopardize the implementation process/agenda. The impacts which could occur and that need to be prevented are: (i) acute/accidental intoxication due to inappropriate handling of chemical products (pesticide, fertilizer); (ii) degradation of natural vegetation; (iii) social conflicts in case of miscommunication and lack of participation of primary beneficiaries; and (iv) land and property right/security conflicts (i.e. acquisition of conflicting or unsuitable lands). Although land expropriation and restriction of access to natural resources are not expected during implementation, the fragility of the context requires good social and environmental safeguards mechanisms to be put in place throughout the lifecycle of the project. In light of the foreseen activities described in Component 1, the following three safeguard policies are triggered: OP/BP 4.01 (Environmental Assessment), OP 4.09 (Pest Management), and OP/BP 4.12 (Involuntary Resettlement). No significant and irreversible impact is foreseen neither at this stage of project preparation nor during its implementation. 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area. Not applicable. 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Not applicable. 4 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. In compliance with the safeguards requirements, three existing safeguards documents of a project comprising similar activities (Additional Financing of PDIAIM-II) are being updated by the borrower: (i) the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); (ii) the Pest and Pesticide Management Plan (PMP); and (iii) the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). Once approved by both the Government and the World Bank, these three updated instruments will be re-disclosed simultaneously in-country (in a language understandable and at locations easily accessible by stakeholders) and at the InfoShop prior to appraisal. All parties involved will be made aware of the mitigating requirements which will be monitored and evaluated regularly. The preliminary assessment has enabled the identification of appropriate mechanisms for sustainable livelihood improvement interventions. During project preparation, the Government has undertaken extensive public participatory consultations on the project areas. Potential beneficiary communities including women, youth, the poor and most vulnerable groups have been fully engaged in all aspects of design. Beneficiary communities will continue to be involved and consulted throughout the development and implementation process of this project. Consultations with beneficiary communities as well as other stakeholders during project preparation provided the basis for the design of a participatory grievance redress mechanism that builds upon existing traditions. The Mauritanian regulatory framework on environmental and social assessment is still weak and the project implementing agency (AGENCE TADAMOUN) has no internal capacity for the implementation of the safeguards instruments under preparation. Provision has been made by the project to enhance the technical capacity of AGENCE TADAMOUN and ancillary agencies to ensure appropriate implementation and follow up of the social and environmental mitigation measures outlined in the ESMF, PMP and RPF. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. The key stakeholders in the implementation of this project are: (i) the Project Support Unit (PSU) including a small management and technical team that will provide overall project coordination and oversight in collaboration with AGENCE TADAMOUN and existing institutional structures to enhance and mainstream project activities; (ii) the beneficiary communities including host and returnees communities; and (iii) civil society organizations to be involved in the activities’ implementation. These stakeholders will be consulted and their views fully taken into consideration in project design and implementation. B. Disclosure Requirements Date Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other: Date of receipt by the Bank NA Date of submission to InfoShop NA For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive Summary of the EA to the NA Executive Directors Date of "in-country" disclosure NA Comments: Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process Date of receipt by the Bank 10/08/2013 Date of submission to InfoShop 11/18/2013 Date of "in-country" disclosure 10/30/2013 Comments: 5 6 Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework Date of receipt by the Bank NA Date of submission to InfoShop NA Date of "in-country" disclosure NA Comments: Pest Management Plan Date of receipt by the Bank 10/08/2013 Date of submission to InfoShop 11/18/2013 Date of "in-country" disclosure 10/30/2013 Comments: * If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting) OP/BP 4.01 - Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Sector Manager Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] (SM) review and approve the EA report? Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] credit/loan? OP/BP 4.04 - Natural Habitats Would the project result in any significant conversion or degradation Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] of critical natural habitats? If the project would result in significant conversion or degradation of other (non-critical) natural habitats, does the project include mitigation Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] measures acceptable to the Bank? OP 4.09 - Pest Management Does the EA adequately address the pest management issues? Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] Is a separate PMP required? Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] If yes, has the PMP been reviewed and approved by a safeguards specialist or Sector Manager? Are PMP requirements included in Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] project design? If yes, does the project team include a Pest Management Specialist? OP/BP 4.11 – Physical Cultural Resources Does the EA include adequate measures related to cultural property? Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] Does the credit/loan incorporate mechanisms to mitigate the potential Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] adverse impacts on physical cultural resources? OP/BP 4.10 - Indigenous Peoples Has a separate Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework (as appropriate) been prepared in consultation with affected Indigenous Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] Peoples? OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] framework (as appropriate) been prepared? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector Manager review the plan? Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] 7 OP/BP 4.36 – Forests Has the sector-wide analysis of policy and institutional issues and Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] constraints been carried out? Does the project design include satisfactory measures to overcome Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] these constraints? Does the project finance commercial harvesting, and if so, does it Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] include provisions for certification system? OP/BP 4.37 - Safety of Dams Have dam safety plans been prepared? Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] Have the TORs as well as composition for the independent Panel of Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [x ] Experts (POE) been reviewed and approved by the Bank? Has an Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) been prepared and Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] arrangements been made for public awareness and training? OP/BP 7.50 - Projects on International Waterways Have the other riparians been notified of the project? Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x] If the project falls under one of the exceptions to the notification requirement, has this been cleared with the Legal Department, and the Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] memo to the RVP prepared and sent? Has the RVP approved such an exception? Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] OP/BP 7.60 - Projects in Disputed Areas Has the memo conveying all pertinent information on the international aspects of the project, including the procedures to be followed, and the recommendations for dealing with the issue, been prepared Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] Does the PAD/MOP include the standard disclaimer referred to in the Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x ] OP? The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Yes [x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] Bank's Infoshop? Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project- Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x] affected groups and local NGOs? All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional Yes [ x] No [ ] N/A [ ] responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the Yes [ x ] No [ ] N/A [ ] project cost? Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x] policies? Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A [ x] documents? D. Approvals Task Team Leader: Abderrahim Fraiji 10/22/2013 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Advisor: Alexandra Bezeredi 11/15/2013 Sector Manager: Ian Bannon 10/22/2013 8