Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN | Argentina | Environment & Natural Resources Global Practice | Global Environment Project | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 8 | ARCHIVED on 21-Dec-2018 | ISR34496 | Implementing Agencies: ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, APN - Administracion de Parques Nacionales Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 07-Apr-2015 Effectiveness Date: 09-Nov-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 30-Nov-2018 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 07-Dec-2018 Original Closing Date: 30-Nov-2020 Revised Closing Date: 30-Nov-2020 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The objective of the project is to increase the protection of vulnerable natural areas and conserve biological diversity within the Gran Chaco Ecosystem and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine Ecosystems and, implement measures to enhance biodiversity resilience to climate change and protect forest carbon assets. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1: Core Protected Areas:(Cost $3.32 M) Component 2: Conservation Corridors in the Gran Chaco and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine Ecosystems:(Cost $1.87 M) Component 3: Collaboration for Corridors’ Conservation:(Cost $0.46 M) Component 4: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:(Cost $0.63 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions The mid-term review, conducted in December 2018, noted that the project is achieving considerable progress on the ground. It is advancing in the procurement of professional services and equipment acquisition to support the management of key protected areas and the surrounding landscapes. It is successfully fostering local participation in the implementation of conservation corridors and it is engaging with target beneficiaries. An outstanding contribution of the Project has been the reactivation of the Federal System of Protected Areas, a space to coordinate efforts 12/21/2018 Page 1 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) between provinces and national Government regarding public policy, planning and management of protected areas. Another noteworthy achievement of the Project is the strengthening of local capacities in provincial protected areas through national support (equipment acquisition, and joint management planning between protected areas under different jurisdictions). These achievements are, however, not always visible in the results framework; and many times are achieved behind schedule, partially as a consequence of the accumulated delays in the beginning of implementation (due in turn to delays in effectiveness) and to the dispersion of efforts carried out by a small team in a large number of activities. The PIU has worked strenuously to update project design to current conditions in the Project areas and to improve efficiency in project implementation. During the Mid-Term Review mission, an update of the monitoring tool was made to prioritize activities aimed at achieving results, even under eventual budget restrictions. It was agreed that next full-fledged mission would take place in May/June 2019. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Moderate Moderate Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability Substantial Substantial Substantial Fiduciary Moderate Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Substantial Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Substantial Substantial Substantial Other -- -- -- Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes To increase the protection of vulnerable natural areas and conserve biological diversity within the IN00642198 ►Areas brought under enhanced biodiversity protection (ha) (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 285,623.00 285,623.00 882,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This is a proxy indicator that measures biodiversity protection as a result of the World Bank operation through formally converting an area into a protected area and establishing a functioning management system; or, improving the management system of an existing protected area. Comments: The progress reported corresponds to the creation of and management improvements in two National Parks (El Impenetrable and Patagonia); in addition to the managements improvement in the Patagonia- Austral Coastal-Marine Park.these improvements can be through the creation/update of management 12/21/2018 Page 2 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) plans, the acquisition of equipment, and construction of infrastructure, depending on local needs. Expected progress for the coming months (by March 2019) are: management plan for the Copo National Park approved, and acquisition of some of the planned equipment for the Provincial Parks in Chaco. IN00642226 ►People in forest&adjacent community with monetary/non-monetary benefit from forest (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This indicator measures the extent to which local people have seen improved livelihood as a result of the intervention. This may cover both monetary income and non-monetary benefits like improved and easier access to fuelwood as well as cultural and spiritual services. The baseline value is expected to be zero. Comments: The progress of this indicator is null. The PIU is already working on developing a methodology to evaluate this indicator. IN00642227 People in forest and adjacent community with benefits from forest-female (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 600.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 IN00642228 People in forest&adj. commy with benefit from forest-Ethnic minority/indigenous (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 600.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 To implement measures to enhance biodiversity resilience to climate change IN00642199 ►Common Action Plan for corridors conservation between Federal and Provincial Authorities Adopted (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This indicator tracks the elaboration and formal approval of an Action Plan for the SiFAP (Protected Areas Comments: Federal System). According to the POA, It is expected to be accomplished by the Q3 of CY2019. To protect forest carbon assets IN00642200 ►Tons C eq. (aboveground) protected in Chaco forests (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 6,187,956.00 10,400,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported corresponds to the protected forest carbon thanks to the creation of the National Comments: Park El Impenetrable. The implementation of the subprojects and improvements in the management of protected areas will also contribute to this indicator. The methodology of how to estimate these 12/21/2018 Page 3 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) contributions in terms of carbon eq is being developed by the PIU and expected to be finished by January 2019. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1: Core Protected Areas IN00642229 ►1.1 Increase of forests under improved forms of protection and conservation (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 128,000.00 128,000.00 376,624.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This intermediate indicator contributes directly to the PDO Indicator 1; and the progress made so far corresponds to the creation and management improvements in the National Park El Impenetrable. As communicated by the PIU, expected progress for the coming months (by March 2019) are: management Comments: plan for the Copo National Park approved, and acquisition of some of the planned equipment for the Provincial Parks in Chaco. IN00642233 ►1.2 Increase of coastal, marine and steppe environments under improved forms of protection and conservation (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 157,623.00 157,623.00 279,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This intermediate indicator directly contributes to the PDO Indicator 1; and the progress made so far corresponds to the creation of the Patagonia National Park and the update of the management plan of the Comments: Patagonia-Austral Coastal-Marine Park. Further progress will be made over the first semester of next FY. IN00642238 ►1.4 Updated or Prepared Protected Areas- Management Plans that include climate change mitigation and adaptation measures (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 9.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 The management plan finalized is the one corresponding to the Patagonia-Austral Coastal-Marine Park. The El Copo National Park management plan is being updated, and expected to be finalized by January Comments: 2019. Component 2: Conservation Corridors in the Gran Chaco and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine E IN00642231 ►2.1 Framework for the implementation of Conservation Corridors endorsed by the Chaco and/or Santiago del Estero Provinces (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 12/21/2018 Page 4 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) This indicator target has been achieved last year through the Conservation Strategic Plan for the Chaco province; and the Land Zoning of Native Forests in the Santiago del Estero province. No Comments: further progress is expected. IN00642234 ►2.2 Rural Corridors Strategic Plans prepared/updated (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 Even though this indicators indicates 0, progress has been made on the elaboration of the Corridors Strategic Plans for the Chaco region. Specifically, the Humid Chaco one is in the last stages of the Comments: process and expected to be finalized by end of this calendar year (2018). The Dry Chaco one is under elaboration, and together with the Arid Patagonia Strategy are expected to be finalized by end of CY2019. IN00642235 ►2.3 Proposal to expand conservation corridors to at least one new province of the Chaco region developed (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 Collaborative work between the PIU and the Cordoba province is being developed. This indicator is Comments: expected to be accomplished in CY2020. IN00642237 ►2.4 New areas outside protected areas managed as biodiversity-friendly (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 226,376.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This indicator measures the implementation of subprojects in corridors. Even though no progress has been accounted in this report, one subproject has been already approved and about to be implemented in the coming months, and 6 others are to be approved by the APN. According to the POA, all these Comments: subprojects are expected to start implementation in the first quarter of CY2019 (the indicator will register the total sum of the areas affected by the subprojects). IN00642240 ►2.5 Demonstration subprojects completed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 One demonstration subproject is in the process to be approved (expected by end CY2018). However, this Comments: indicator tracks subprojects finalization, which are expected throughout CY2020. IN00642241 ►2.6 Sustainable Development Subprojects Completed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 17.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 20-Nov-2020 12/21/2018 Page 5 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) One of the planned subprojects has been approved by authorities. Other 6 are in the process to be approved. However, the indicator tracks finalized subprojects. All of them are expected to be Comments: finalized during CY2020. Component 3: Collaboration for Corridors’ Conservation IN00642232 ►3.1 Provinces from the Project area that adhere to a unified and functional Information system related to conservation corridors (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 The procurement process to hire a firm to develop the informational system is in process. This indicator will indicate progress gradually as the provinces submit/entry information to the system throughout the first Comments: half of CY 2019. According to POA, the target will be accomplished by June 2019. IN00642242 ►3.8 Analytical and knowledge products that contribute to strategic planning and the promotion of conservation corridors within the framework of SIFAP (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 24-Aug-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This indicator would measure the number of predefined products generated: 1) Analysis of the Provincial Systems of Protected Areas; 2) Financing mechanisms for conservation; 3) Analysis of conservation gaps nationwide. Comments: Progress has been made in the elaboration of the document (1) Analysis of the Provincial Systems of Protected Areas (in the last stages). A draft version was already submitted, and a final version is expected during the first quarter of CY2019. IN00642243 ►3.9 Protected areas staff trained by the Project on protected areas management planning and effectiveness evaluation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 110.00 200.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 24-Aug-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 Progress made so far corresponds to training of protected areas staff on strategic planning. Further Comments: progress is expected during the second half of CY2019. Component 4: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation IN00642230 ►4.1. Direct project beneficiaries (number), of which female (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 185.00 239.00 930.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported captures beneficiaries from training and regional workshops held on: fire management, camera trapping survey methodology and technics, strategic planning and native bee- Comments: keeping. According to POA, further progress is expected to be reported by June 2019. IN00642236 12/21/2018 Page 6 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) ►4.4 Participants in consultation activities during project implementation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 150.00 456.00 300.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported exceeds the target, corresponding to consultation activities held during the elaboration process of the Participatory Indigenous Plan for the El Impenetrable National Park, in addition to the ones held by the evaluation and supervision committees for the subprojects, and the ones held for Comments: the elaboration/update of the management plans of the protected areas. More consultation activities are expected over the remaining project timeframe, and will be tracked gradually. IN00642239 ►4.5 Beneficiaries that feel project investments reflected their needs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 70.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 26-Apr-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 No progress has been reported so far. Comments: Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P114294 TF-A0233 Effective USD 6.29 6.29 0.00 1.77 4.51 28% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P114294 TF-A0233 Effective 26-May-2015 12-Jun-2015 09-Nov-2015 30-Nov-2020 30-Nov-2020 Cumulative Disbursements 12/21/2018 Page 7 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 14-Sep-2018 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 12/21/2018 Page 8 of 8