The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 04/20/2021 | Report No: ESRSC02006 Apr 26, 2021 Page 1 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Central African Republic AFRICA WEST P174620 Project Name CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Governance Investment Project 7/12/2021 9/30/2021 Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) The Central African Ministry of Finances Republic Proposed Development Objective To improve (i) efficiency and transparency in public financial management, and (ii) regionally equitable access to Public Disclosure selected services, using GovTech solutions. Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 20.00 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 project is an investment project of an indicative amount of USD 20 million. The project will support reforms and investments necessary for improving the capacity, efficiency and transparency of the government to deliver key services across the country. Supported reforms will include strengthening core government functions necessary for an efficient and transparent management of resources, as well as key services to citizens. The CAR Public Sector Digital Governance Project aims to improve (i) efficiency and transparency in public financial management, and (ii) regionally equitable access to selected services, using GovTech solutions. Apr 26, 2021 Page 2 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) The proposed interventions are: i. Institutional strengthening supporting transparency and efficiency in the management of public resources including (i) support to revenue mobilization and management through facilitation of tax and customs processes and payment, improved quality of service, strengthened capacity of revenue administrations (tax and customs) for enforcement and expansion of tax basis, (ii) support to strenghten budget process and core expenditure management functions, and (iii) support to strengthening procurement functions and transparency of procurement processes. ii. Institutional strenghtening supporting State presence, data-based decision making and regionally equitable service delivery including technical assistance and small works. iii. Implementation of Public digital platforms and GovTech solutions to improve efficiency of government operations, reduce transaction-cost, deliver services across the country andaddress the grievance of citizens. iv. Technical assistance supporting the adoption of legal, regulatory an institutional framework supporting the adoption of GovTech solutions in the public sector. Improving access to services and government transparency in the management of its resources requires that processes are simplified, information are easily made available, and that channel for accessible, cost-effective and secure service delivery are proposed. The adoption of GovTech reforms can be transformational in that sense by improving governance and government performance. It has the potential to boost government efficiency, transparency, responsiveness, citizen trust, and service delivery. The proposed project will take advantage of technology applied to public services wherever possible in order to foster transparency and efficiency, improve access to services and provide grievance channel between the State and its citizens across the country. While piloting the use of GovTech solutions, the project will also support the implementation of necessary foundational governance Public Disclosure arrangements supporting the adoption of GovTech solutions in a coordinated way in the public sector. Technical assistance provided under the project will include strong focus on skills and knowledge transfer and institutional capacity building. The proposed project will combine technical assistance, structured training as well as equipment and materials to build capacity in the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of State Modernization, Ministry of Telecommunications and selected institutions to improve capacity to manage public resources, deliver services and provide public goods in a more transparent, equitable and accountable manner. The project aims at supporting the government to restore citizens’ trust through more equitable service delivery and addressing citizen’s grievance, mobilization of resources to maintain sustainable development efforts and service delivery, and more transparent use of public resources. The project will have three components: Component 1: Improve the management of Public Finances (USD 9 million) aims to strengthen transparency and efficiency in the management of public resources through three subcomponents. Subcomponent 1.1: Strengthening transparency of revenue mobilization will support among others actions : (i) the streamlining of tax and customs processes and payment, (ii) facilitation through enhanced online services for tax filling and payment, and (iii) piloting the implementation of property tax in urban areas with the use of GovTech solutions. Subcomponent 1.2: Strengthening budget process and core expenditure management will support many axes among which, strengthening transparency of the expenditure chain through digitalization and improvement of internal control with the scale-up of the implementation of SIMBA. Apr 26, 2021 Page 3 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) Subcomponent 1.3: Improving transparency of public procurement will support many activities related to procurement such as strengthening transparency in procurement through the implementation of open procurement principles and piloting of digitalization and E-Procurement. Component 2: Improve regionally equitable access to service delivery using GovTech solutions (USD 9 million) aims at addressing specific sectoral service delivery challenges by improving access to, and quality of, services in specific sectors and across the country. Subcomponent 2.1: Supporting citizen centric and accessible government services aims at improving equitable geographical access to specific public services used by citizens and businesses using GovTech solutions and will support many citizen services among which (i) the expansion of mobile payments of civil servants’ salaries; And (ii) the implementation and design of multichannel government portal of service delivery, and grievance and service delivery accountability mechanisms (CivicTech). Subcomponent 2.2: Strengthening digital governance and shared government services supporting the use of GovTech solutions aims at putting in place services and infrastructures necessary for a whole-of-government and secure approach to digitalization in the public sector. Subcomponent 2.3: Improving data availability for policy decision and planning for regionally equitable service delivery will support improved accessibility to specific statistical data and coordination of development planning. Public Disclosure Component 3 Project management and CERC (USD 2 million): aims at supporting project management and coordination and will also provide an instrument to address contingencies. The project is closely aligned with the objectives of the FY21-FY25 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for CAR, and the National Recovery and Peace Consolidation plan[1] (RCPCA, 2017-2023) as well as the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), and the World Bank Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) Strategy. The project will build on ongoing public sector reforms currently supported by the WBG, while promoting collaboration with relevant WBG programs, and partners. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Detailed project location(s) and salient physical characteristics relevant to the E&S assessment [geographic, environmental, social] The CAR is a landlocked nation within the interior of the African continent. The Country has suffered from decades of repeated conflicts and political instability. Since 2015, CAR's economic growth has been robust, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp recession in 2020. Central African Republic (CAR) is experiencing recurrent conflicts, political volatility and extreme poverty. CAR is considered the most fragile and violent country in Africa after Somalia and South Sudan according to the Global Peace Apr 26, 2021 Page 4 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) Index (2020), which considers the country’s current economic, political, and governmental situation and crime statistics. Since the end of the crisis, a progressive return to political stability has brought a significant opportunity to consolidate peace and lay the groundwork for economic recovery and development. Efforts have ben initiated by the Government with support from development partners to restore public administration and public service delivery. CAR’s economic performance has been sustainable, with an average growth rate of 4.1 percent since 2015. However, this has been tributary to the security environment. However, CAR remains among the poorest countries in the World, with important regional disparities in accessing services. Resources are scarce, service delivery and government efficiency remain weak but foundations of public sector capacity for policy making and service delivery have been implemented. Public services are weak especially in remote areas that have low government presence. At this stage, the specific locations of implementation have yet to be identified and will be determined during project appraisal and refined after project effectiveness. There is presence of Indigenous Peoples (Aka Pygmies) in 4 prefectures in the country. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity The Government of CAR has overall considerable experience in managing E&S risks and impacts with WB Projects implemented under the Safeguards Policies. The country can also rely on an appropriate legal framework and established institutions for E&S management. However, there is limited experience implementing projects under the ESF and experience from other Bank financed projects highlight that the capacity to manage E&S risks and impacts still requires considerable improvement in areas of supervision, monitoring and reporting. The implementation of the Public Disclosure project will be handled through the Public Expenditure and Investment Management Reform Project (AGIR) implementing unit (P161730) which was identified to be the most suitable, reliable and quick-responding PIU in CAR in the areas to be supported by the Digital Governance Project. In addition, as a cross-sectoral project, leadership will be anchored in the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Cooperation (MEPC) which is the the main project counterpart where an existing PCU is already established. This PCU (AGIR) will be in charge of the project implementation, fiduciary management and E&S risks management of the project. Project will ensure that PCU will be equipped with enough resources to handle management (prepare, monitor, supervise, etc.) E&S risk and impacts of several projects especially in challenging contextual environment. Therefore, the MEPC is well placed to coordinate the project as this project will incorporate multiple-sectors. However, they have limited technical capacity to coordinate and manage this multi-sectoral project. Owing to the multisectoral nature of the project, a Project Steering Committee will be created by inter-ministerial decree to oversee, develop, and monitor the strategic orientations of the project according to sectors. The Steering Committee will be chaired by the MEPC and will likely comprise the following ministries in charge of : (i) Budget and Finance; (ii) Post and Telecommunications; (iii) State Modernization (iv) others as relevant institutions. Implementation capacity will need to be strengthened at all levels, especially given limited knowledge and experience in implementing WB ESF requirements. Furthermore, although the PCU (AGIR) that is already established at the MEPC has experience in implementing WB safeguards policies, it will need capacity building as mentioned above due to the size of the current project as well as need capacity increase regarding WB ESF. In addition Ministry of Budget and Finance who will lead component 1 has experience in the implementation of safeguard policies, in particular with the Emergency project for the restoration of public services PURSEP - P154304 and the Project AGIR - P161730 , however does not have ESF experience. Others without experience in the implementation of safeguards policies concern the Apr 26, 2021 Page 5 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Ministry of State Modernization which will are implementing component 2 will need to have capacity increase regarding WB ESF. At the national level, the Director General for Environment (DGE) is the main institution in the Ministry of Environment (MEDD) that is responsible for conducting and coordinating the E&S assessment process in CAR (ex., validation of ESIAs, ESMPs, analysis of field reports, inspection and E&S audit). At the departmental level, the DGE works in collaboration with local structures of the MEDD. However, implementing capacity is low, especially as the DGE lacks financial and technical resources. In addition, staff often leave to join other national and international structures. Given these challenges, the WB team will therefore prepare and implement a capacity building and training program to help the Borrower manage E&S risk and Public Disclosure throughout the project timeline. In addition, different methods to build capacity at the local level (especially on E&S) will be further explored during project preparation. II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate Environmental Risk Rating Moderate The environmental risk rating is moderate at this stage. Risks and impacts are anticipated to result from general minor rehabilitation activities and equipment purchases and such risks will be particularly related to occupational Public Disclosure health and safety, nuisance (noise and dust), primary suppliers, e-waste, energy efficiency. Under Component 1 on improving transparency in the management of public finances, the project will purchase IT materials, furniture, and carry out small works and rehabilitation to be clearly defined during the project preparation phase. Under Component 2 on improving equitable access to service delivery using Public digital platforms/Govtech solutions, the project will carry out IT equipment purchases and some rehabilitation work to install this equipment. Subcomponent 2.2 on strengthening digital governance and share government services supporting the use of GovTech solutions will be provided through mainly technical assistance activities that have diffuse and induced impacts, often playing out over a longer term such as legislative and policy reforms, strengthening of institutional, design of mechanisms, and capacity building and training. These potential risks and impacts related to the work are expected to be site-specific, limited in number, and can be mitigated with measures that are readily identifiable. This rating also reflects the challenges associated with the limited environmental and social management capacity of MEPC. Social Risk Rating Moderate The social risk rating is moderate at this stage of project preparation. While the overall social benefits are expected to be positive, the anticipated social risks and impacts include: Under component 1, Improve transparency in the management of Public Finances: Technical assistance provided on the digitalization of interfaces through some development of systems on payment of tax that focus on citizens and businesses (especially women) will need to ensure that any risks of online harassment both through training and as a result of creating e-commerce networks are addressed. Same attention should be paid to female managers on procurement and SIMBA where interfaces are respectively private firms and government entities. Under Component 2, Improve equitable access to service delivery using Public digital platforms: initiatives to facilitate and secure access to civil registration services and legal identity for all citizens could face the risk of data insecurity on citizen/private information unless appropriate data Apr 26, 2021 Page 6 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) protection systems are in place. Under this component, service delivery to citizens through digital platforms will be promoted. This intervention needs to build in public consultations and a beneficiary feedback mechanism to ensure that digital networks or platforms are designed and fine-tuned based on citizen preferences and user experience. In addition, an attention should be paid on action related to expand mobile payment of public servants. Any inconvenient or bad network functioning could create social tension and population unrest. The support to design of both business models must build on awareness raising including SEA/SH in such businesses. There is a low risk of SEA/GBV in capacity building and training initiatives. This risk can potentially include digital means as well as face-to- face training where available. Additionally, any face-to-face training and capacity building may also increase the risk of communicable diseases including COVID-19. To mitigate this risk, procedures such as a Code of Conduct and awareness raising on sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly within a digital context, will be required. Furthermore, training initiatives and skill building under Subcomponent 2.1 may lead to exclusion of potential beneficiaries if public awareness and communication on the availability of these initiatives is widely available. A list of criteria of selection should be set to avoid this inconvenience. The social risk classification also considered the following aspects: Risks of exclusion of vulnerable groups: As this action on civil registration will have a focus on inclusion of women and vulnerable groups, strategic approaches should be develop through SEP to ensure that there is no exclusion or marginalization of any vulnerable group especially among (Pygmies, IDP, etc.). Potential risk of leakages and lack of accountability: Leakages, misallocation and absence of demand side accountability arrangements could affect the level of service delivered to service users. This could lead citizens to frustration and could also erode trust between the service providers and users. This could be mitigating by creating and operationalizing demand side accountability mechanism such as “Social Accountability’ initiative through which citizens voices will be solicited, they are empowered, and the accountability feedback loop is completed. Insecurity Public Disclosure risks: The project is intending to be implemented all over the country. Unfortunately, there are presence of non- state army groups who are not under control. This means that the risks of project workers attack as well as ITC materials and beneficiaries should be considered. A project security assessment and management plan should be developed to define the mitigation measures. New wave of COVID-19 risks: Current COVID-19 related risks of dissemination, and uncertainties on new waves, in relation with community mobilization activities Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) Risk Rating Low The SEA/SH risks identified at concept stage are mostly related to training activities. 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 activities to be funded by the project can be aggregated into three sets of interventions: (i) technical assistance, (ii) provision of equipment and material, and (iii) private sector development. At this stage of project preparation location of activities are not known yet. The TA will encompass hiring of specialized consultants and/or firms to review and develop reforms on foundational regulatory frameworks, promote digital inclusion, and conduct large-scale skills development program. These types of TA activities in components 1 & 2 related to (Legislative and Policy reforms and Capacity Building) are likely to Apr 26, 2021 Page 7 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) generate minimal to no direct environmental negative impact. However, component 2.2 also has as objective the putting in place services and infrastructures necessary for a whole-of-government and secure approach to digitalization in the public sector. This component may lead to the minor civil works (construction or rehabilitation of physical infrastructure for Government offices) whose conditions or location is not yet known. And given the anticipated impacts a generic ESMP is thus required for all the subprojects’ s activities. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) (including COVID-19) and Labor Management Procedures (LMP) will be relevant for the consultants and these requirements especially (OHS) will be prepared as part of generic (ESMP) The key anticipated social risks and impacts include: (i) risks of SEA/SH specific to the project, related to training activities as well as online digital platforms and e-commerce unless awareness raising and means of addressing it are in place; (ii) The risk of communicable diseases including COVID-19 spreading as a result of face-to-face training that will be mitigated by ensuring that appropriate COVID-19 protocol is available and implemented for any such trainings. (iii) Risks of exclusion of vulnerable groups in: a) actions of civil registration, b) participatory planning and, c) project benefit sharing. Here, strategic approaches should be developed through SEP to ensure that there is no exclusion or marginalization of any vulnerable group especially among (Pygmies, IDP, etc.). (iv) security risks for project's workers, contractors and beneficiaries given the presence of non-State armed groups across the territory and specifically in some locations targeted by the project. These security risks will be mitigated through a development of project security assessment and management plan including the mitigation measures. (v)- Potential risk of leakages and lack of accountability that could lead citizens to frustration and could also erode trust between the service providers and users. This could be mitigating by creating and operationalizing demand side accountability mechanism such as “Social Accountability’ initiative through which citizens voices will be solicited, they are empowered, and the accountability feedback loop is completed. Public Disclosure However, the generic ESMP will describe the typology of subprojects and define screening mechanisms and monitoring procedures for the identification and management of potential adverse E&S risks and impacts and provide a grievance redress mechanism with guidance on the reception, recording, handling, and reporting of complaints that may be encountered during project preparation and implementation. Concerning the risks of exclusion of marginalized and vulnerable social groups, in addition to awareness actions into the SEP, the GRM shall be adapted to them with a safe, confidential channel for all potential complainants and adequate referral for response. The provision of ICT equipment under Component 2 will typically involve limited quantity of process power (servers, switches, routers, storage, communications), ancillary power (lighting, protective services, uninterruptible power supply), cooling power (air-conditioning units, chillers, fans, motors), networking systems (switches, routers), servers and processing equipment, and storage systems (tape and disk) that poses minor environmental, health and safety risks and impacts. Such EHS risks includes GHG emissions, resource efficiency (e.g., energy efficiency), e-waste, as well as primary suppliers. The risk of SEA/SH needs to be addressed as part of support to the design. With respect to data privacy, an ongoing Identity Management Systems Assessment will cover the issue of data protection under the Project. This Assessment will provide pathways in terms of reforms and investments to strengthen the country data protection mechanism. The identification of OHS risks and impacts and measures to manage these risks will be addressed in one section of generic ESMP and documented in labor management procedures (LMP) to protect workers from unacceptable labor Apr 26, 2021 Page 8 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) and working conditions such as injury, illness, or impacts associated with exposure to hazards encountered in the workplace or while working as well as from discriminatory hiring and compensation practices. The mitigation measures will incorporate the World Bank Group's General Environment, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs). The generic ESMP will also include sections on Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) including specific instruments, such as EHS checklists, Codes of Conduct and any other relevant measures to prevent SEA/H risks that will be included in a specific SEA/SH Action Plan, safety training materials, that will need to be prepared by the Borrower and/or the contractor prior to commencement of activities (civil works). During project implementation, in line with the disclosed generic ESMP and once the screening is carrying out, the Borrower will prepare the relevant E&S instruments for the selected subproject sites. Additionally, the Project will carry out a specific legal review on data privacy issues, which will ultimately inform the project design as the project seeks to support the Government in implementing recommendations on data privacy. Additional investment required or possibility of existence of associated facilities will be assessed during project preparation, in case there are identified associated facilities related to facilities financed by other donors or the operation of private/para public institutions that are necessary to the implementation of the project. And the Bank will also coordinate with these companies so that it can disclose, together with the Borrower, a single set of project documents for dialogue with stakeholders. Furthermore, a SEP including Communication Strategy will need to be prepared by Project appraisal which will outline measures for information sharing especially with potentially marginalized groups, consultations and grievance redress. A SEA/SH risk assessment (as annexe of generic ESMP) will be undertaken by appraisal and will recommend Public Disclosure risk mitigation measures for implementation. ESF requirements will be incorporated within the scope of the TOR for the technical assistant. Given that the project has a CERC component, the borrower will need a CERC manual (or a CERC section in the operations manual) with a positive list of eligible activities, and a description of institutional arrangements, and a section in the generic ESMP to manage E&S risks, The positive list of eligible activities should be finalized during project preparation. The generic ESMP which includes in its annexes SEA/SH plan as well as security plan will identify and prescribe appropriate tools for each activity in order to address the related E&S risks and impacts. Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: None ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure In fulfillment of ESS10 requirement, the project will prepare and disclose a SEP by project appraisal. The SEP will be proportional to the project’s E&S risks and will be culturally appropriate. Stakeholders will be identified and categorized by their interest to and influence on the project. The Project will need to undertake consultations with a range of stakeholders including private businesses, government departments, small businesses and people working in digital industry. This will include developing mechanisms for information sharing, citizen engagement and beneficiary feedback. The SEP will include a communication Strategy which will be used to enhance communication between Apr 26, 2021 Page 9 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) project beneficiaries and the project. Measures will be put in place to prevent or minimize the spread of the infectious disease/COVID-19 while conducting consultation with stakeholders. These measures will include, among others, respecting social distancing measures as stated by the government in its press release of March 13, 2019 as well as WHO and WBG health and safety guidance. A Stakeholder Engagement Plan will be prepared by appraisal and updated throughout the project cycle. The SEP will identify any marginalized and vulnerable groups who need to be consulted and included in Project activities. Stakeholders/community consultations with (women sellers, females managers) that are related to SEA/SH risk mitigation will be conducted in safe and enabling environments, such as in sex-segregated groups and with female facilitators. The project will need to identify and consult with relevant stakeholders who could promote increased enrolment and encourage retention of women sellers, female managers within the interface of Tax paiement (in subcomponent 1.1), and CivicTech promotion (in subcomponent 2.1), etc.. Such consultations will be focused on understanding women’s risks and vulnerabilities, understand women’s enrolment experience in digital plateform, their wellbeing, safety and security concerns in relation to the project. Furthermore, the consultations will need to include the disabled groups, disadvantaged groups and minorities within project’s targeted communities, and be carried out in an accessible and appropriate manner, with information provided in accessible formats. The SEP activities will also be linked to sub-componnet 2.1: supporting citizen centric and accessible government services. In support of subcomponent 2.1, the SEP will deploy “Citizen Focused Participatory Planning Approach” when engaging stakeholder and identifying priority public service and, when guiding the government in allocating budget to advance those priorities indented and agreed upon with end users (citizens and business). The overall Public Disclosure citizen focused participatory planning approach will use the proposed technology solution and the citizenry participatory outcome will support component 2.1 while identifying and improving equitable geographical access to priority public services used by citizens and businesses using GovTech solutions. Further, the SEP will include the design and operationalization of a Grievance Redress mechanism, sensitive to SEA/SH issues, and the ethical treatment and resolution of such complaints that is proportionate of the potential risks and impacts of the project. The GRM will also serve as a platform for continuous feedback from project-affected communities, other interested stakeholders and implementing partners. The project specific GRM will be outlined in the SEP for people to report concerns or complaints. 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 project interventions will involve direct workers (civil servants, and PIU consultants), contracted workers, and primary supply workers. CAR’s Labor Law, n°09.004 in its various articles determines that all workers have the right to healthy conditions and protection equipment, among other measures. The Project will also ensure that staff hired for technical assistance (TA) or Technical Support (TS) will be provided with good working conditions in line with local laws and consistent with ESS2. Apr 26, 2021 Page 10 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) All ITC and other training sessions and awareness raising activities (i.e. related to civil registration, e-commerce) at the partners and community level will be carried out by project workers and/or contractors workers. Communication materials/kits needed by workers/trainers will be provided to the project by providers. All of these categories of workers will be exposed to health and safety risks, i.e., the risk of COVID-19 transmission during face to face training and sensitization activities due to non-compliance with barrier measures. For suppliers and project staff, these will be the risks of road accidents, aggression and even contamination with COVID-19. The Project will prepare a Labor Management Procedures (LMP), as part of ESMF, to provide measures to address the terms and conditions of labor-intensive activities. The LMP will be focused in ensuring good labor and working conditions. This include good practice to avoid injury, illness, or impacts associated with exposure to hazards encountered in the workplace or while working as well as from discriminatory hiring and compensation practices. The LMP will incorporate the World Bank Group's General Environment, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs). The ESMF will also include sections on Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) including specific instruments, such as EHS checklists, Codes of Conduct and any other relevant measures to prevent SEA/H risks that will be included in a specific SEA/SH Action Plan, safety training materials. In addition, LMP will incorporate all ESS2 objectives and requirements. The Borrower will identify and determine the resources necessary to address project labor issues, and the way project workers will be managed in accordance with national law and ESS2 requirements. Overall, labor risk related to the project are anticipated to be minor and the use of community workers is also not expected. However, The PCU will ensure the application of OHS measures and LMP, both of which will be annexed to the ESMF. These include: procedures for protection of workers in relation to infection control precautions and ensuring adequate Public Disclosure supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) (particularly face masks, gowns, gloves, handwashing soap and sanitizer); and generally ensuring adequate OHS protections in accordance with the general and industry specific Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs) and consistent with the evolving international best practice in relation to COVID-19 protection. The project will commit (through the ESCP) to develop Labor Management Procedures (LMP), which will outline the Borrower’s responsibilities for enforcing ESS2 requirements, applicable to the entire project before appraisal. The labor management procedures will also include GRM for workers so that they have an official way to communicate grievances or other concerns to the management. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management ESS3 is currently relevant for the Project. Risks and impacts associated with project activities are anticipated to result from general minor rehabilitation activities and equipment purchases and such risks will be particularly related to occupational health and safety, nuisance (noise and dust), primary suppliers, e-waste, energy efficiency. During rehabilitation work in case asbestos are found it should be treated according to national and international good practices. WB Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSG) will be followed. Waste management during project activities, including e-waste management, will be screened and managed according to ESMF. Resource efficiency (such as energy efficiency) principles will be followed during any equipment purchases and GHG emissions will be estimated as needed, depending on the size of the purchase. Apr 26, 2021 Page 11 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) ESS4 Community Health and Safety The ESS4 is relevant to the Project. Although the likelihood of face-to-face trainings taking place is low, a COVID 19 protocol will be prepared and implemented by the Project in case such trainings take place, to minimize the risk of infection. Further, a SEA/SH Assessment will take place by appraisal to analyze the risk on online harassment (especially of women beneficiaries) and recommend measures to address this risk. In addition, the ESMF will also provide an analysis of the current security situation, and the risks of EAS / SH for project staff and beneficiaries.The project will screen for, and where necessary, include specific measures to address SEA/SH risks. This will be captured in the SEA/SH assessment and associated action plan, to be prepared during project preparation. The project will be implemented in certain areas with security issues where armed groups continue to operate. A security risk assessment (SRA) will be carried out during project preparation and ToR for security management plan with adequate security risks mitigation measures to project’s workers and beneficiaries will be developed accordingly. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement ESS5 is not currently relevant to the Project. Land acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement due to project activities are not expected. However, the project could support small work and rehabilitation, but they will be carried within the existing facilities. If small work and rehabilitation works requires private and public land acquisition, this standard will be relevant and the associated instruments (RPF/RAP) will be prepared. Public Disclosure ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources ESS6 is not currently relevant to the Project. The nature of the project does not involve physical intervention (e.g. land clearing, resource use) that could negatively affect the biodiversity or living natural resources. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities ESS7 is currently considered not relevant to the Project as there will be no direct impact to the Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities or their natural resource base within the suggested project interventions. However, there is a presence of Indigenous Communities in particular pygmies (Aka/ Bayaka) in a number of the areas (4 prefectures) targeted by this project, namely in Ombella-Mpoko, Sangha- Mbaéré, Lobaye and Mambere-Kadei prefectures. The client will ensure that such communities are appropriately informed and can share in the benefits of the project in an inclusive and culturally appropriate manner (for example, mobile payment services) with provisions included in the SEP. However, if during the implementation, potential adverse effects on IPs are identified, those adverse effects are avoided, minimized, mitigated or compensated. If impactes on IPs are unavoidable, an Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) will be prepared in accordance with the requirement of ESS-7 prior project negotiation. IPs' Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), will be required if the project will have a significant impact on the social norms/practices of the indigenous peoples concerned and specially once project specific sites and activities are determined. Apr 26, 2021 Page 12 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) ESS8 Cultural Heritage The ESS8 is considered not relevant to the Project at this time. The project intervention does not involve any civil works that could affect cultural heritages. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries ESS9 is currently considered not relevant to the Project. The Project does not involve financial intermediaries. C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways No OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No III. WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE A. Is a common approach being considered? No Public Disclosure Financing Partners The Common Approach is not relevant at this time. B. Proposed Measures, Actions and Timing (Borrower’s commitments) Actions to be completed prior to Bank Board Approval: Preparation, consultations, and disclosure of the following ESF instruments are expected prior to project’s appraisal: - The generic ESMP and its annexes (SEA/SH risk assessment & action plan - Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and Management Plan) - The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) including communication strategy and its GRM; - The Labor Management Procedures (LMP) including GRM for workers; Possible issues to be addressed in the Borrower Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP): - Finalizing and implementing the generic ESMP and its annexes (SEA/SH Risks assessement & Action Plan – SRA/Security Management Plan); - Implementing the SEP, including communication strategy and the GRM; - Implementing the labor management procedures (including OHS); - Monitoring of the ESCP in accordance with the legal agreement; - ESF capacity-building. Apr 26, 2021 Page 13 of 14 The World Bank CAR- Public Sector Digital Governance Project (P174620) C. Timing Tentative target date for preparing the Appraisal Stage ESRS 10-May-2021 IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Contact: Heriniaina Mikaela Andrianasy Title: Public Sector Specialist Telephone No: +1-202-473-4738 Email: handrianasy@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: The Central African Republic Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Finances Public Disclosure V. 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 VI. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Heriniaina Mikaela Andrianasy Safeguards Advisor ESSA Nathalie S. Munzberg (SAESSA) Cleared on 26-Apr-2021 at 17:41:28 GMT-04:00 Apr 26, 2021 Page 14 of 14