Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | Tunisia | Environment & Natural Resources Global Practice | Global Environment Project | Investment Project Financing | FY 2013 | Seq No: 10 | ARCHIVED on 14-May-2018 | ISR32165 | Implementing Agencies: Minitry of Local Affairs and Environment, Ministry of Local affairs and Environment Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:22-Jan-2013 Effectiveness Date:22-May-2013 Planned Mid Term Review Date:02-Dec-2015 Actual Mid-Term Review Date:01-Dec-2015 Original Closing Date:31-Jul-2018 Revised Closing Date:31-Jul-2018 Global Development Objectives Global Environmental Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective is to contribute to the conservation of desert biodiversity in the three targeted National Parks. Has the Global Environmental Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Name Promoting enabling conditions for PA management, SLM scale up and ecotourism development:(Cost $1.56 M) Supporting the implementation of INRM in targeted NPs and their adjacent areas:(Cost $2.51 M) Project Management:(Cost $0.20 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Satisfactory  Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating  Moderate  Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions The Project has made remarkable progress. The disbursement and payment rates continue to increase, and project activities continue to be 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 1 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) implemented efficiently. Activities of Component 1 (Promoting Enabling Conditions for Protected Areas Management, Sustainable Land Management Scale-up and Ecotourism Development). • With the objective to reinforce the institutional legal and strategic framework for the management of the national parks, a study was completed in April 2017 concerning the revision of the national legal and institutional framework regarding management of national parks and ecotourism development, as well as the national classification of ecotourism management. The study was approved during the meeting of the monitoring committee of the study (in April 27, 2017) and the workshop of the Biodiversity Day (held on May 24, 2017). • Following the conclusions of a study to develop an international, national and local ecotourism marketing strategy (completed in March 2017), the Project supported the production of a series of promotional films, documentaries and photo reports to promote ecotourism in Tunisia. • A graphic charter and communication media were produced end of March 2018. • A tour study to South Tunisia was conducted in May 2017 (with the participation of ten people representing the administration and the media) to raise awareness and make known the desert areas in Tunisia. • A charter and a set of guides on different issues related to ecotourism in Tunisia were prepared and published at the end of 2017. • A series of training sessions for technical managers just started in April 2018 (the total number of beneficiaries are estimated at 75 people) • A television program spot and a documentary film were submitted to the PIU validation on 30 April 2018 • The development of a training module and its implementation for the benefit of the leaders of the environmental clubs was completed in December 2017 and 65 people benefitted from a training on environmental education. Activities of Component 2 (Supporting the Implementation of Integrated Natural Resource Management in the National Parks and their Adjacent Areas). The Project supported the implementation of (i) priority investments identified in the Management Plans of the National Parks, through the provision of goods and civil works and management of the National Parks and adjacent areas; and (ii) a program of micro-enterprises-based sub-projects aiming at improving the ecotourism, all through the provision of civil works, goods and consultants' services in relation In this regard, the Project has so far supported 201 individual micro-projects and 29 community micro-projects, making a total of 230 micro-projects. These micro-projects had an undeniable socio-economic impact in terms of: (i) income for the beneficiary families: 42 families with an additional income of less than 300 Tunisian dinars (TND) a month, 49 families with an additional income between 300 and 450 TND per month, 19 families with an additional income of between 450 and 550 TND per month, and 61 families with monthly additional income greater than 550 TND; and (ii) Job creation: 472 permanent jobs, of which 194 are for the direct beneficiaries of micro-projects and 278 additional jobs for their families who became employees of these projects. The gender and youth aspect has been one of the criteria for the selection of project beneficiaries, almost all of whom are young people, of whom the percentage of women is 20%. Furthermore, the number of women directly involved in managing for-profit micro-projects amounts to 109 who have become true co-managers of these family projects. This significantly increases the participation of women in the management of funded micro- projects. Activities of Component 3: (Project management) The PIU recruited a consultant beginning of March 2018 to organize a series of training sessions for the Project staff on environmental and social safeguards Action Plan Following the first restructuring of the project in June 2017 and agreed added activities, procurement delays affected the timely achievement of some of these activities. An extension of the project closing date for six months is proposed to help finalize and achieve proposed activities. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance  --  Substantial  Substantial 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 2 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) Macroeconomic  --  Moderate  Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies  --  Moderate  Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program  --  Low  Low Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability  --  Moderate  Moderate Fiduciary  --  Substantial  Substantial Environment and Social  --  Substantial  Substantial Stakeholders  --  Moderate  Moderate Other  --  Moderate  Moderate Overall  --  Moderate  Moderate Results Global Environmental Objective Indicators PHINDGEOTBL  Direct project beneficiaries(Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 750.00 1,660.00 2,000.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 25-Apr-2018 31-Jan-2019 Comments The project direct beneficiaries are currently 83% of the target. This good achievement is the result of the project excellent coordination, the involvement of all stakeholders and the organization of several sensitization seminars and workshops. The remaining 17% will be met and even exceeded at the end of the year 2018. For the gender aspect, the project improved its strategy to target women and youths and current results are very encouraging. At local level, beneficiaries are communities, including community-based organizations, associations and cooperatives, women’s organizations, youth organizations, and environment-related NGOs. At national, and regional levels, the General Directorate for Environment and Quality of Life (DGEQV), the Rural Commissions for Agricultural Development (CRDA), the General Directorate of Forestry (DGF) and the National Authority for Tunisian Tourism (ONTT) benefitted from various project’s initiatives. More specifically, 625 people benefitted from income generating activities, 113 people from different capacity building activities, and over 2 000 people from sensitization initiatives; Furthermore, 40 different institutions have been involved in the organization of a range of activities and 378 people participated as volunteers in activities organized by civil society associations 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 3 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDGEOTBL  Female beneficiaries(Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 40.00 65.00 65.00 PHINDGEOTBL  Created jobs(Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 87.00 214.00 160.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Figures include seasonal, permanent and non-permanent jobs. The number of actual jobs are greater than those expected, because of increased activities in the three parks. A total of 194 people have been permanently employed in the three parks (including 78 in Bouhedma, 84 in Dghoumes, and 32 in Jbil).- these “permanent” jobs are considered as full-time jobs and are for these persons their principal source of income. Furthermore, a total of 278 members of the households, whose head has a permanent jobs, have also been involved in activities (such as feeding and watering animals, animal husbandry activities, agricultural activities, etc.) (including 151 in Bouhedma, 95 in Dghoumes, and 32 in Jbil). On the other hand, a total of 153 people have had non-permanent jobs, i.e., seasonal agricultural jobs (including 92 persons in Bouhedma, 35 in Dghoumes and 26 in Jbil). PHINDGEOTBL  Created Jobs in Dghoumes(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 60.00 84.00 50.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 4 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDGEOTBL  Created jobs in Bouhedma(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 12.00 78.00 80.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Created jobs in Jbil(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 15.00 49.00 30.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Park management efficiency score(Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 190.00 200.00 224.00 224.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments The project achieved all expected activities which largely improved parks management Different parameters have been used to track efficiency, such as the following: (i) Existence of a Management Plan and related priority investments (in compliance with new national legislation); (ii) Acquisition of equipment (such as uniforms for eco-guards, kit for eco-guides, camping equipment and communication, veterinary equipment, ecomuseum equipment, rolling stock, etc.) – this also included road signs, construction and rehabilitation of reception kiosks, guard posts, accommodation for staff and observation towers, rehabilitation of the trail, clearing of trails, as well as CES works (eg gabions );and (iii) Activities aimed at preserving biodiversity and ecological and cultural goods. Forthcoming activities will be related to the development of ecotourism-related initiatives, the scaling up of sustainable land management, and various activities aimed at protecting local biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 5 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDGEOTBL  Park management efficiency score for Dghoumes NP(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 54.00 70.00 72.00 65.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jan-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Park management efficiency score for Bouhedma NP(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 76.00 84.00 85.00 84.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Park management efficiency score for Jbil NP(Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 60.00 67.00 67.00 75.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Decline in communities park conflicts(Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 30.00 -- 7.00 2.00 Date 28-Jan-2013 -- 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 6 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) Comments A number of initiatives significantly reduced conflicts in the three parks –particularly in Jbil - including poaching related conflicts. This is the result of new forms of public consultations and the collaborative work that has been developed between civil society, the surrounding population and the national Parks administration (in this regard, more than 60 days of associative activities were animated by members of civil society and public administration). PHINDGEOTBL  Decline in communities conflicts in Bouhedma Park(Amount(USD), Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 15.00 -- 4.00 2.00 Date 28-Jan-2013 -- 25-Apr-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Decline in communities conflicts in Dghoumes Park(Amount(USD), Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 12.00 -- 3.00 1.00 Date 28-Jan-2013 -- 25-Apr-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDGEOTBL  Decline in communities conflicts in Jbil Park(Amount(USD), Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 3.00 -- 0.00 0.00 Date 28-Jan-2013 -- 25-Apr-2018 31-Jul-2018 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 7 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDGEOTBL  Number of local species reintroduced in targeted national parks(Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 0.00 3.00 Date 28-Jan-2013 -- 05-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments (i) In Jbil, the project financed the development of (a) the enclosures to acclimatize fauna especially ungulates (such as, gazelle, addax and ostriche; (b) drinking troughs for wild fauna; and (c) permanent water points aimed at promoting the development of an ecological niche within the park (desert areas). (ii) in Dghoumes, the project financed the development of (a) the enclosures to acclimatize fauna especially ungulates (such as, gazelle, and addax, and ostriche; (b) drinking troughs for wild fauna; and (c) a small earth dam (which resulted in the creation of a micro-climate which attracted different species of birds and favored, inter alia, the nesting of a pair of migratory birds of the "Tadone Casarca" type). (iiià Near the Bouhedma Lake: an ostrich acclimation pen has been developed The PCU is currently coordinating with the Directorate General of Forests and the managers of the three parks to carry out a translocation action (transport and introduction) from the Orbata Nature Reserve (Gafsa Governorate) of mammals - particularly Gazelle Dorcas, and Red neck ostriches - to introduce them into the parks of Bouhedma, and / or Dghoumes and / or Jbil. Overall Comments Intermediate Results Indicators PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress toward the revision of the legislative framework for PAs (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Achieved. The first step was achieved through the realization of a deep analysis of the legislative framework related to national parks and the proposal of draft texts supplementing the Tunisian legislative, regulatory and institutional framework relating to protected areas including explicit provisions for sustainable tourism (ecotourism). The second step was achieved through the organization of several consultation workshops with all concerned parties to select best options. A final approval workshop was held during the International Day on Biodiversity on 22 May 2017. The third step was also achieved through the elaboration of a draf Decree. 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 8 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress towards the revision of the regulatory framework for ecotourism (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Achieved. The first step was achieved through the organization of several consultation workshops on ecotourism habitation, and the second step was also realized through the elaboration of drat decree for the revision of the decree on on classification of ecotourism accommodation. . The achievements exceeded the expected results to the extent that the revised decree was published and promulgated on February 23, 2018.The PMU organized several regional and national workshops to disseminate the decree content to key stakeholders. PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress towards the adoption of the integrated and participatory Management Plans by key stakeholders (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Achieved. Integrated Participatory Management plans have been elaborated in a participative approach including all stakeholders with support of qualified firm. They have been validated and adopted by the local commission based on the appreciation of their quality and content. Actions agreed on these plans were all implemented 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 9 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress towards the adoption of the integrated and participatory Management Plans by key stakeholders in Dghoumes (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 25-Apr-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress towards the adoption of the integrated and participatory Management Plans by key stakeholders in Bouhedma (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 25-Apr-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDIRITBL  Level of progress towards the adoption of the integrated and participatory Management Plans by key stakeholders in Jbil (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 PHINDIRITBL  Additional key staff in targeted parks (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 3.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Achieved. Since the second year the project, 4 animators per park have been hired. 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 10 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDIRITBL  Number of person trained (disaggregated by type of stakeholder) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 120.00 395.00 600.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Planned targets have not been achieved because the dates of some training sessions have been postponed PHINDIRITBL  Number of agreements between the NP and community associations (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 5.00 15.00 12.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 14-Jun-2016 31-Jan-2018 Comments Achieved. Results have largely exceeded expectations which shows a strong support of NGOs for the co-management of parks . PHINDIRITBL  Subprojects supported by the project (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 98.00 201.00 184.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jan-2018 Comments Undertaken efforts have allowed a completion rate of 115% for this indicator, exceeding expected targets. Involvement of women increased also and they are now 65 managing directly supported micro-projects. 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 11 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) PHINDIRITBL  Number of projects managed by women (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 17.00 65.00 120.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 14-Jun-2016 31-Jan-2018 PHINDIRITBL  Innovative SLM techniques piloted and promoted in targeted NPs and their surrounding areas (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 5.00 13.00 12.00 Date 31-Jan-2013 14-Jun-2016 06-May-2018 31-Jul-2018 Comments Several SLM techniques have been piloted and promoted in the 3 parks, including: plowing in the opposite direction the slope, protection tracks, scarification to improve the retention of rainwater and improved vegetation cover, construction and / or raising of tabias (a simple technique to fight against silting in desert environments: aligning palm branches (from pruning) on moving sand dunes to form a windbreak to stop the movements of sand dunes thus promoting protection against wind erosion and infrastructure protection). Major techniques of sustainable land management promoted by the project are the following: (i) In Dghoumes: (a) Blackcurrants to avoid erosion on nature trails, protect the natural environment and favor the development of vegetation that can be grazed by wildlife, in addition to the creation of specific micro-climate; (b) Small earth dam to collect water, feed the groundwater, water livestock and create biodiversity in the park; and (c) dry prayer benches (a technique of soil works to limit the water runoff and consequently the water erosion). (ii) In Bouhedma: Rehabilitation of a 2 km seguia (open irrigation canal) or hydraulic network towards the ecomuseum (for an optimal use of water resources for the irrigation of the nursery and the watering of the existing fauna); (b) Gabion dry stone to retain water and infiltration which allows the development of spontaneous vegetation, which has the impact of reducing erosion and increase of forage units for wildlife; and (c) Acacia raddiana to avoid water erosion, increase of forage units for wildlife and soil fixation. (iii) Jbil: (a) Fixing and raising dunes by dry palms to avoid erosion by silting (12 km), and the protection of infrastructures; and (b) Closure with delimitation of the area to be protected, reduction of wildlife and large mammal exits, better management by this facilitation of sanitary control of wildlife and finally increase of the number of mammals). Overall Comments Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 12 of 13 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Tunisia: Ecotourism and Conservation of Desert Biodiversity (P120561) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P120561 TF-13636 Effective USD 4.27 4.27 0.00 3.24 1.03 76% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P120561 TF-13636 Effective 05-Mar-2013 05-Mar-2013 22-May-2013 31-Jul-2018 31-Jul-2018 Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 29-May-2017 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 5/14/2018 Public Disclosure Copy Page 13 of 13