Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Fund Review of Technical Assistance and Japan - World Bank Partnership Programs Grants Closed in Fiscal Year 2012 March 2013 The World Bank Global Partnership and Trust Fund Operations Concessional Finance and Global Partnerships Vice Presidency Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................................................................................................................... 1 Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Major Achievements ............................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 Project Preparation grants ................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Cofinancing ......................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Climate Change ................................................................................................................................... 8 3. Methodology and Scope........................................................................................................................ 8 4. Characteristics of Closed Grants ........................................................................................................... 9 4.1 Distribution of Grants by Region ...................................................................................................... 10 4.2 Distribution of Closed Grants by Type ............................................................................................. 11 4.3 Distribution of Closed Grants by Sector ........................................................................................... 11 5. Performance of the Closed TA Grants ................................................................................................ 13 5.1 Assessment of Development Objectives, Implementation Performance, and Disbursement Performance ............................................................................................................................................ 13 5.2 Disbursement Performance ............................................................................................................... 14 5.3 Project Preparation Grants ................................................................................................................ 15 5.4 Project Co-financing Grants.............................................................................................................. 15 5.5 Climate Change Grants ..................................................................................................................... 16 5.6 Project Implementation Grants ......................................................................................................... 16 6. Lessons Learned.................................................................................................................................. 17 7. The Japan-World Bank Partnership Program ..................................................................................... 18 Annex 1: List of PHRD Technical Assistance Grants Closed in FY12 ...................................................... 19 Annex 2: Summaries of Grant Completing Reports ................................................................................... 20 Africa Region .......................................................................................................................................... 20 1. Mali: Smallholder Treecrop Plantation Project....................................................................... 21 2. Ethiopia: Cluster Development Program Support................................................................... 22 3. Senegal: Quality Education for All, Phase 2 ........................................................................... 23 East Asia and Pacific Region .................................................................................................................. 24 4. Lao PDR: Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness ........................................ 25 5. Vietnam: Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness.......................................... 26 6. Vietnam: Second Higher Education ........................................................................................ 27 7. Vietnam: Natural Disaster Mitigation Project......................................................................... 28 8. Vietnam: Mekong Health Support Project .............................................................................. 29 9. Cambodia: Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project ................................. 30 10. Regional Energy Study ........................................................................................................... 31 Europe and Central Asia Region ............................................................................................................. 32 11. Albania: Health System Modernization Project ...................................................................... 33 12. Georgia: Improving Learning Environment Project (APLII) ................................................. 34 13. Azerbaijan: Second Agricultural Development and Credit Project ........................................ 35 14. Azerbaijan: Judicial Modernization Project ............................................................................ 36 15. Kyrgyz Republic: Reducing Technical Barriers for Entrepreneurship and Trade .................. 37 16. Kyrgyz Republic: CCIG Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project – Reforestation and Afforestation Component. ....................................................................................................... 38 Latin America and Caribbean Region ..................................................................................................... 39 17. Colombia: Jepirachi Wind Farm Carbon Off .......................................................................... 40 18. Mexico: Support to the Implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy ............... 41 Middle East and North Africa Region .................................................................................................... 42 19. Yemen: Adaptation to Climate Change Using Agro-biodiversity Resources in the Rainfed Highlands ................................................................................................................................ 43 20. Tunisia: Addressing Climate Change Impacts in the Oak Forest Ecosystem ......................... 44 21. Yemen: Population Project ..................................................................................................... 45 22. Iraq: Emergency Irrigation Rehabilitation Project .................................................................. 46 South Asia ............................................................................................................................................... 47 23. India: Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project ........................................................................ 48 List of Boxes Box 1: Purpose of PHRD TA Grants ............................................................................................................ 4 Box 2: Cambodia – Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project .......................................... 6 Box 3: Azerbaijan – Judicial Modernization Project .................................................................................... 7 Box 4: Mali – Smallholder Treecrop Plantation Project ............................................................................... 8 List of Figures Figure 1: Closed PHRD TA Grants by Region (in US$ million and % of total value $43.6 million) ........ 10 Figure 2: Top Ten Countries with Highest Approved Closed Grant Amount (in US$ million) ................. 10 Figure 3: Distribution of Grant Type by Number and Value ...................................................................... 11 Figure 4: Distribution of Closed PHRD TA Grants by Sector (US$ million, by total value) ..................... 12 Figure 5: Overall Ratings for Development Objectives and Implementation Performance by Region ...... 13 Figure 6: Disbursement Performance by Region ........................................................................................ 14 Figure 7: Disbursement Performance by Grant Type ................................................................................. 15 List of Tables Table 1: PHRD Grants Closed in FY12 by Type and Region (in US$ millions and number)...................... 9 Table 2: Overall Performance Ratings for DO and IP ................................................................................ 13 Table 3: Performance of Closed Partnership Grants ................................................................................... 18 Abbreviations and Acronyms ACAP Agro-Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Project AFR Africa Region APL Adaptable Program Loan BCC Behavior Change Communication CC Climate Change Grants CDM Clean Development Mechanism CFP Concessional Finance and Global Partnerships Vice-Presidency CFPTO Global Partnership and Trust Fund Operations Department CIME Cellule Informatique du Ministere de l’Education CoF Co-financing CPMU Central Project Management Unit CSM Center for Standards and Metrology DO Development Objectives DPL Development Policy Lending DRM Disaster Risk Management EAP East Asia and Pacific Region ECA Europe and Central Asia Region EoJ Embassy of Japan ETC Extended Term Consultant EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FY Fiscal Year GEF Global Environment Facility GHG Green House Gas GoJ Government of Japan GRM Grant Reporting and Monitoring HE Higher Education HI Health Insurance HII Health Insurance Institute HPAI Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza HPP Health and Population Project HS Highly Satisfactory HUS Highly Unsatisfactory IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ICR Implementation Completion Report IDA International Development Association IFAD International Fund for Agriculture Development IP Implementation Performance IPH Institute of Public Health ISR Implementation Status Report IT Information Technology IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management Page | 1 JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency JMT Judicial Management Team LCR Latin America and Caribbean Region MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MNA Middle East and North Africa Region MOE Ministry of Education MOEDT Ministry of Economic Development and Trade MOET Ministry of Education and Training MOF Ministry of Finance MOPHP Ministry of Public Health and Population MRD Ministry of Rural Development MS Moderately Satisfactory MUS Moderately Unsatisfactory NCAC National Curriculum and Assessment Center NEIDCO National Emergency Infectious Diseases Coordination Office NDRMP Natural Disaster Risk Management Project PAD Project Appraisal Document PDS Private Sector Development PHRD Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Fund PI Project Implementation PP Project Preparation S Satisfactory SAP Systems, Applications and Products SAR South Asia Region TA Technical Assistance TF Trust Fund TTL Task Team Leader TPDC Teacher Professional Development Center UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USAID United States Agency for International Development WB World Bank WFO World Food Organization WTO World Trade Organization Page | 2 Summary This report reviews the performance of closed grants of the two programs of the Policy and Human Resources Development Fund: Technical Assistance and Japan World Bank Partnership. These grants closed in Fiscal Year 2012. The main features and some key achievements of the closed PHRD Technical Assistance grants are provided below: Main Features  Project Co-financing grants accounted for 50 percent of the total value of the closed grants (US$36.5 million); share of other grant types are: Climate Change: 25 percent; Project Preparation: 15 percent; Project Implementation, and Partnership Program: 5 percent.  Three Project Preparation grants leveraged about US$154 million of World Bank financing for projects prepared with these grants.  About 56 percent (US$21.6 million) grants were implemented in East Asia and Pacific Region.  Vietnam implemented the highest grant amount (US$5.0 million) closely followed by Georgia (US$4.9 million) and Senegal (US$4.0 million).  Seventy percent of the grants was rated Satisfactory or better in achieving the development objectives, and 75 percent were rated Satisfactory or better on implementation performance.  Overall disbursements from the closed grants is 79 percent with Project Implementation grants accounting for 95 percent, followed by Co-financing grants 86 percent, Project Preparation 60 percent, Special Program 43 percent, and Climate Change 27 percent. Major achievements These grants have helped paved the way for IDA scale-up; contributed to climate change initiatives; and complementing IDA projects.  Project Preparation grants helped leverage finance for Bank projects (US$154 million) in Yemen, Cambodia, and India which were prepared with these grants; demonstrated best practices and knowledge transfer (Cambodia, India); and enabled donor harmonization and Civil Society participation (India).  A Climate Change grant in Mali helped protect the environment with: (i) 1716 hectares of commercial plantations of Acacia Senegal planted by the Private Operator DEGUESSI VERT and the Rural communities; (ii) train 22 village pepiniarists, 8 extension agents and many members of village committees; (iii) create 37 permanent jobs and 350 seasonal jobs; and (iv) coordinate other donor activities.  Co-financing grants helped Lao PDR and Vietnam prepare for a possible avian influenza pandemic; contributed to the improvement of quality of education (Senegal, Vietnam, Georgia) and healthcare systems (Albania, Vietnam); helped established a comprehensive natural disaster risk management framework (Vietnam); enhanced access of farmers to rural business and agricultural support services (Azerbaijan); and contributed to much needed judicial reform system in Azerbaijan. Page | 3 1. Introduction The Japan Policy and Human Resources Development (PHRD) Fund is essentially composed of three main programs managed by the Global Partnerships and Trust Fund Operations (CFPTO) Department: the PHRD Technical Assistance (TA) Program; the Japan-World Bank Partnership Program; and the Japan PHRD Staff and Extended-Term Consultant (ETC) Program. Prior to Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the PHRD TA program provided grants primarily to assist the World Bank’s borrowing member countries with the preparation and implementation of operations to be financed through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loans and the International Development Association (IDA) credits and grants. In addition, the TA Program supported a range of climate change related activities. In FY09, the components of the TA program mentioned above were discontinued and restructured to focus on agriculture in Africa, disaster preparedness and disability. Before FY09, the PHRD TA program included four types of grants: (a) Project Preparation (PP); Project Cofinancing (CoF); Climate Change Initiatives (CC); and Project Implementation (PI). The maximum size of the PP, CC and PI grants was US$1.0 million and COF grants was US$5.0 million. The geographical scope of these grants was regional and country-specific. PP grant program was introduced in 1999 while PI, CC and CoF grant programs in 2000, 2002, and 2004, respectively. Box 1: Purpose of PHRD TA Grants Project Preparation: to assist recipient countries in preparing operations for financing from the World Bank. Project Implementation: to assist the implementing agency of the World Bank-financed operations in addressing newly emerged implementation issues that could not be foreseen at the time of project preparation. Cofinancing: to support institutional capacity building components of the World Bank-financed operations. Climate Change: to assist the Recipient countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to promote energy efficiency or adaptation strategies. At the time of closing, all TA grants were recipient executed. The World Bank’s Task Team Leaders (TTLs) supervise the recipient executed PHRD TA grants and report on the performance of the grants in the Grant Reporting and Monitoring (GRM) system and in the Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs). The Japan-World Bank Partnership program (henceforth referred to as Partnership Program) supports activities, such as, research, workshops and seminars that promote partnership between Japan and the World Bank. With very few exceptions, all the Partnership grants are executed by the World Bank. The objective of this report is to review the performance of the PHRD TA and Partnership grants that closed in FY2012, for the purpose of program improvements and to allow for extended reporting to the donor on the results of the completed grants. The review found that the overall performance of the 21 TA and two Partnership grants was satisfactory. Page | 4 The report is organized as follows: key achievements of the grants are highlighted in Section 2; methodology and scope of the closed grants review discussed in Section 3: characteristics of the closed grants are described in Section 4; and grant performance and disbursements are reviewed in Section 5. Lessons learned from the closed grants are discussed in Section 6. Finally, closed grants under the Partnership Program are discussed in Section 7. Annex I lists the closed grants and Annex II provides one page summaries of the grant objectives and major achievements. Page | 5 2. Major Achievements The closed TA grants made significant contributions in terms of high quality project preparation, institutional strengthening and advancing the climate change agenda. Major achievements by grant type are listed below. 2.1 Project Preparation grants Project financing was leveraged:  A Project Preparation grant in Yemen was instrumental in the approval of an IDA Grant (US$35 million) to help improve the quality and utilization of an integrated package of maternal and child health/family planning/reproductive health services.  A project to improve autonomy, capacity, and accountability of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India for US$84 million was approved by the Bank.  A Regional Water Resources Management Project in Cambodia is in the pipeline for Bank approval for an amount of US$35 million to help contribute to the regional sustainable integrated water resources management for the Mekong River Basin. Box 2: Cambodia – Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project This PHRD grant, which closed in 2012 following a disbursement of more than 90 percent, provided the resources to support preparation of the Mekong Water Resources Management Project which contributes to the regional sustainable integrated water resources management. Key results are highlighted below:  With the support of the grant, the client has successfully prepared and negotiated the fisheries and aquatic resources management activity, and advanced the preparation of the water resources management in the East Mekong Delta.  The Grant has enabled the preparation of critical documents including: (a) project feasibility studies for fisheries activities; (b) project implementation manual for the fisheries activities; (c) safeguards documents; and (d) various technical documents for the water resources management activities.  A basic engineering study elaborating on the irrigation development in the Eastern part of the Mekong Delta and identify key social and environmental issues to be followed up further was financed by the proceeds of the grant.  Through implementation of the grant activities, the client has acquired knowledge and best practices in the neighboring countries on fisheries co-management and hatchery design and operations as well as on community based water resources management. Page | 6 2.2 Cofinancing  Two grants in Senegal and Georgia contributed to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of the education management system in primary, secondary, and higher education at the central, and decentralized levels.  Two grants in Albania and Vietnam help the respective governments implement and improve their health system services, thus allowing more people to have access to quality health services.  In Azerbaijan, a Second Agricultural Development and Credit grant helped farmers, small and medium enterprises have access to micro-finance. About 52,000 small loans have been issues; 119 sub-loans for a total of $17.23 million have been issued to medium enterprises; 74 grants for introducing and transferring improved technologies have been awarded; and the number of credit union members has increased to 15,000.  A grant in Vietnam helped the government establish a comprehensive natural disaster risk management framework to reduce vulnerability to flood and storm hazards.  A grant in Azerbaijan helped strengthen the judicial system by improving the efficiency, performance, and quality of the judicial decision-making process.  Two grants in Vietnam and Lao PDR supported training, infrastructure upgrades, and institutional capacity building in an effort to minimize the threat of avian influenza. Box 3: Azerbaijan – Judicial Modernization Project This grant was provided to help modernize the Azerbaijan Judicial System through capacity building activities that would improve the efficiency and citizen information access. Key results are:  The grant financed key innovative courthouse designs and analytical work.  A training need assessment and recommendations to improve the capacity and professionalism of the Justice Academy were completed and presented to the Minister of Justice.  Around 700 staff of the Ministry of Justice was trained in basic Information Technology courses.  Citizen access to information has been improved. The Legal Information Center in Baku and Guba cities are now active and have provided free legal aid to more than 600 users.  Capacity building of the Judicial Management Team (JMT) has been completed. JMT is fully staffed with relevant specialists.  Grant financed activities have contributed to the strengthening of the justice sector and resulted in additional resources provided by the government and a request for additional Bank financing. Page | 7 2.3 Climate Change Grant supported the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):  The grant enabled Kyrgyz Republic to prepare a draft project design documents and methodology for afforestation of abandoned agriculture land for registration with the CDM. New methodologies have been designed to support climate change agenda:  A grant in Yemen helped undertake climate modeling, improved predictions, improved information and information flow for enhanced uptake of coping mechanisms in the agriculture sector. Box 4: Mali – Smallholder Treecrop Plantation Project To help address climate change and reduce deforestation in Mali, this project is focused on implementing an extensive tree plantation program, while providing a steady revenue stream for farmers and farming communities. The PHRD grant has contributed to these efforts, with a particular emphasis on sharing knowledge of environmentally-friendly agro forestry practices, and transferring improved techniques and technologies for planting, seeding and intercropping. Key results are:  Planting of 1716 hectares (ha) of commercial plantations of Acacia Senegalensis.  Capacity of 22 village pepiniarists, 8 extension agents and many members of villages committees have been enhanced through training, which in turn, created 37 permanent jobs, 350 seasonal jobs and women represented 45 percent of beneficiaries.  The knowledge of the communities has been enhanced through pilot activities.  The project served as a platform for donor coordination and harmonization. 3. Methodology and Scope The analysis in this report is based on the financial data provided by the Accounting team in Chennai and SAP, as well as the assessments made by the TTLs in the completion reports submitted in the GRM system. Aide Memoires and ISRs for CoF grants have also been reviewed for ensure consistency of data and results. The TTLs assessed the performance of the grants in terms of achieving the grant’s stated development objectives (DOs) and the Implementation Performance (IP) based on a six-point ratings system.1 This feature is consistent with reporting on the loans and credits financed by the World Bank. The ratings for DOs are based on the following definitions:  Highly Satisfactory (HS): Grant objectives achieved; good practice;  Satisfactory (S): Grant objectives achieved with no shortcomings;  Moderately Satisfactory (MS): Grant objectives achieved with moderate shortcomings;  Moderately Unsatisfactory (MUS): Significant deficiencies in a few key areas which impeded achievement of objectives;  Unsatisfactory (US): Significant shortcomings in several key areas which impeded achievement of objectives; and 1. These ratings are not applied to World Bank-executed Partnership grants. Page | 8  Highly Unsatisfactory (HUS): Severe shortcomings in the achievement of the grant objectives. The ratings for the grant IP are based on the following definitions:  Highly Satisfactory (HS): Grant achieved or exceeded all of the major expected outputs;  Satisfactory (S): Grant achieved almost all major outputs with only minor shortcomings;  Moderately Satisfactory (MS): Some shortcomings which could have jeopardized achievement of one or more outputs, but problems were resolved;  Moderately Unsatisfactory (MUS): Significant deficiencies in few key areas which could have jeopardized grant objectives and/or undermine the World Bank’s fiduciary role;  Unsatisfactory (U): Significant shortcomings which could not be resolved, and one or more outputs could not be achieved; and  Highly Unsatisfactory (HUS): Significant deficiencies that limited or jeopardized the achievement of grant outputs. Assessments of TA grants have been aggregated by regions and grant types. Grants that were rated ‘Not Applicable’, dropped or not rated in the GRM system were not included in this analysis. For the purpose of this review, a cut-off line in between Moderately Unsatisfactory (MUS-) and Moderately Satisfactory (MS+) is used to classify grant performance. The scope of this review covers 21 PHRD TA grants and 2 Partnership grants whose closing dates were in FY12, as indicated in the Grant Agreement.2 This report does not cover the Staff-ETC grants. The total amount of the 23 grants that closed in FY12 is about US$44 million (Table 1). Further details of the closed grants are provided in Annex 1. Table 1: PHRD Grants Closed in FY12 by Type and Region (in US$ millions and number) Project Project Co- Climate Project Partnership Total Region Preparation financing Change Implementation Value No. Value No. Value No. Value No. Value No. Value No. AFR 0 0 4.00 1 0.47 1 0 0 0.24 1 4.71 3 EAP 0.34 1 21.30 5 0 0 0 0 0.30 1 21.94 7 ECA 0 0 11.17 4 0.63 1 0.30 1 0 0 12.10 6 LCR 0 0 0 0 1.67 2 0 0 0 0 1.67 2 MNA 1.09 2 0 0 1.78 2 0 0 0 0 2.87 4 SAR 0.57 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.57 1 Grand Total 2.00 4 36.47 10 4.55 6 0.30 1 0.54 2 43.86 23 4. Characteristics of Closed Grants In this section, the 21 TA closed grants are analyzed by regional and sectoral shares and countries with the largest share. 2. The PHRD TA guidelines allow four months after the closing date of the grant to complete all disbursement and accounting transactions. Page | 9 4.1 Distribution of Grants by Region In FY10 and FY11, EAP and ECA regions accounted for the largest share of total grant amount. This trend has continued in FY12 with the two regions collectively accounting for 78 percent of the total closed TA grant amount. Figure 1: Closed PHRD TA Grants by Region (in US$ million and % of total value $43.86 million) MNA, $2.9m SAR, $0.6m LCR, $1.7m (7%) (1%) (4%) AFR, $4.7m (11%) ECA, $12.1m (28%) EAP, $21.9m (50%) Ten countries received about 52 percent of the total grant amount. Of these, Vietnam (US$5 million) and Georgia (US$4.9) accounted for the highest amount of approved funds. In FY11, Vietnam accounted for the highest amount (US$6.6 million). Figure 2: Top Ten Countries with Highest Approved Closed Grant Amount (in US$ million) Colombia 0.7 Yemen 0.8 Mexico 1.0 Tunisia 1.0 Albania 1.6 Azerbaijan 1.6 Lao PDR 2.0 Senegal 4.0 Georgia 5.0 Vietnam 5.0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Page | 10 4.2 Distribution of Closed Grants by Type Unlike in previous years where the majority of closed grants were for PP, in FY12, Co-Financing grants represent the majority of closed grants which is 84 percent of the total grant amount. Figure 3: Distribution of Grant Type by Number and Value 90 84 80 70 60 48 50 % of total # of Closed Grants 40 % of total amount of 29 grants 30 19 20 11 10 5 5 1 0 Co-Financing Climate Change Preparation Implementation 4.3 Distribution of Closed Grants by Sector Health and Education represent 32 and 31 percent, respectively, of the total closed grants. In FY11, these two sectors represented a combined 15 percent. This was followed by Water, Sanitation and Flood Protection (13 percent), and Agriculture and Law & Justice (8 percent). Page | 11 Figure 4: Distribution of Closed PHRD TA Grants by Sector (US$ million, by total value) Irrigation & Agriculture, Law & Justice, Drainage, $3.4m (8%) $4m (8%) $0.7 (2%) Water Industry & Sanitation, Trade, $0.5m $5.8m (13%) (1%) Education, $13.8m (31%) Health, $14m (32%) Energy & Mining, Forestry, $1.0m, (2%) $1.1m (3%) Page | 12 5. Performance of the Closed TA Grants This section discusses the assessment of Development Objectives and Implementation Performance indicators, and overall disbursement performance by grant type. 5.1 Assessment of Development Objectives, Implementation Performance, and Disbursement Performance The assessment of grant performance in terms of achieving the DOs and IP is based mainly on the ratings provided in the completion reports in the GRM system. Assessment of performance is based on 21 TA grants including PP, CC, COF, and PI. Grants that were rated ‘Not Applicable’, dropped or not rated in the GRM system were not included in this analysis. For the purpose of this review, a cut-off line in between Moderately Unsatisfactory (MUS-) and Moderately Satisfactory (MS+) is used to classify grant performance. Figure 5: Overall Ratings for Development Objectives and Implementation Performance by Region 100% 90% 80% 70% Grants Rated Moderately 60% Satisfactory or Better on 50% Implementation Performance 40% Grants Rated Moderately Satisfactory or Better on 30% Development Objectives 20% 10% 0% AFR EAP ECA MNA SAR Table 2: Overall Performance Ratings for DO and IP Implementation Performance Development Objectives Region MS or better Total Grants MS or better Less than MS Region MS or better Total Grants MS or better Less than MS AFR 2 3 67% 33% AFR 1 3 33% 67% EAP 7 7 100% 0% EAP 7 7 100% 0% ECA 6 6 100% 0% ECA 6 6 100% 0% LCR 0 2 0% 100% LCR 0 2 0% 100% MNA 3 4 75% 25% MNA 3 4 75% 25% SAR 1 1 100% 0% SAR 1 1 100% 0% Total 19 23 83% 17% Total 18 23 78% 22% On aggregate, the overall performance of closed grants achieving the stated Dos and IP performance that were rated Satisfactory or better is 78 percent and 83 percent, respectively. 5.2 Disbursement Performance Three grants out of the 21 closed TA grants fully disbursed. Six of the TA grants disbursed more than 95 percent of the total grant amount. Three other grants disbursed more than 90 percent whereas 5 percent of the closed grants disbursed below 50 percent. Two of the TA grants had zero disbursements. Overall disbursement of the FY12 closed PHRD TA grants is approximately 79 percent of the total approved amount. This is an increase from FY11 performance (70 percent). Figure 6: Disbursement Performance by Region 100% 90% 96% 97% 80% 70% 78% 60% 50% 40% 41% 30% 27% 20% 10% 0% 0% AFR EAP ECA LCR MNA SAR PI grants had the highest disbursement level, at 95 percent. This can be explained by the fact that there was only one grant. CoF grants came in close second with 86 percent, followed by PP with 56 percent, and CC with 27 percent. Page | 14 Figure 7: Disbursement Performance by Grant Type US$0.3m US$31.5m (95%) (86%) 100% 90% 80% US$1.1m (56%) 70% 60% US$1.2m 50% (27%) 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Project Preparation Cofinancing Climate Change Project Implementation 5.3 Project Preparation Grants Activities normally financed by PP grants include: (a) social and environmental assessments, procurement plans, resettlement action plans, tribal or ethnic development plans to comply with the World Bank’s requirements on procurement, financial management, safeguard and social aspects and ensure eligibility for loans, credits and grants; (b) workshops for stakeholder consultations and information dissemination; (c) engineering feasibility studies; (d) detailed analytical studies on development policy issues; and (e) designing M&E systems. Out of the 21 grants closed in FY12, PP grants accounted for 4 grants and 56 percent of the total disbursement. The grants were provided to assist recipient countries prepare water sanitation, health, irrigation schemes, and law & justice projects. Major achievements of the closed PP grants helped leverage US$154 million for development projects in Yemen, Cambodia, and India; demonstrated best practices and knowledge transfer (Cambodia, India); and enabled donor harmonization and Civil Society participation (India). 5.4 Project Co-financing Grants Ten grants (US$36.5 million) closed in FY12 with 86 percent of the approved amounts disbursed. These grants were provided to support capacity building and institutional strengthening activities in the recipient countries. The closed grants co-financed Avian Influenza Preparedness Projects (Laos and Vietnam); Page | 15 Education (Georgia, Senegal, and Vietnam); Health (Albania and Vietnam); Agriculture (Azerbaijan); Natural Disaster Mitigation (Vietnam); and Judicial Modernization (Azerbaijan). Major achievements of the closed grants include: (i) two grants in Senegal and Georgia contributed to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of the education management system in primary, secondary, and higher education at the central and decentralized levels; (ii) two grants in Albania and Vietnam helped the respective governments implement and improve their health system services, thus allowing more people to have access to quality health services; (iii) in Azerbaijan, a Second Agricultural Development and Credit grant helped farmers as well as small and medium enterprises to have access to micro-finance for a total of $17.23 million; (iv) a grant in Vietnam helped the government establish a comprehensive natural disaster risk management framework to reduce vulnerability to flood and storm hazards; (v) a grant in Azerbaijan helped strengthen the judicial system by improving the efficiency, performance, and quality of the judicial decision-making process; and (vi) two grants in Vietnam and Lao PDR supported training, TA for infrastructure upgrades, and institutional capacity building in an effort to minimize the threat of avian influenza. 5.5 Climate Change Grants Six climate change grants (US$4.6 million) were closed in FY12 with a disbursement of 27 percent of the total approved amounts. These grants were approved to support the inclusion of climate change concerns into the development agenda of the recipient countries, mainly to: (i) help prepare, implement, and monitor a Green House Gasses (GHG) sequestration project; (ii) fight the negative effect of desertification through reforestation; (iii) influence climate change mitigation and adaptation policies; (iv) use alternative energy resources such as wind and solar; (v) mainstream climate change modeling approaches in the agricultural sector; and (vi) manage forest ecosystem for water management, biodiversity conservation and livelihood strategies. The implementation progress of Climate change grants has been challenging in these countries as shown by the disbursement level mainly due to the following underlying factors: (i) lack of ownership; (ii) unfamiliarity with the Bank Fiduciary requirements; and (iii) political and security situation in some of the recipient countries. However, climate change grants in Kyrgyz Republic, Yemen, and Mali have, respectively: (i) supported the CDM agenda; (ii) designed new methodologies to address climate change issues; and (iii) strengthen the capacity of local communities to understand and protect their natural environment. 5.6 Project Implementation Grants One PI grant was closed in the ECA region. The objectives of the grant was to strengthen the capacity in the key beneficiary implementation agencies, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and other sectoral Ministries responsible for implementation of technical regulations and development of quality standards based on the World Trade Organization standards. At completion, the grant was rated Satisfactory with over 95 percent disbursement. Page | 16 6. Lessons Learned  Maintaining close coordination with stakeholders helps in achieving buy-in, defining implementation requirements, enhancing the utility and relevance of activities, and optimizing project design and preparation.  Ensuring that there is a clear guideline on roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in project implementation is paramount.  Monitoring and controlling disease at source, risk-based approach has proven to be effective.  Ensuring that grants are designed with a solid framework, well-defined objectives, outputs and outcomes from inception.  Flexibility in the Bank’s fiduciary guidelines regarding selection of consultants has proven to be effective in supporting the recipient’s reform agenda.  Strong governance agenda is critical to modernization and Public sector reform.  Sustainability needs to be anticipated and addressed at project design stage.  Strong government buy-in and commitment is crucial for achieving the development objectives of a program or a project.  Regular monitoring and evaluation of a project will contribute to the achievements of the desired outcomes.  Greater implementation support and stronger focus on efficiency, accountability, and results are key to achieving project objectives.  Keeping project design and implementation arrangements simple could ensure feasibility and timely implementation while working in fragile state environment. Page | 17 7. The Japan-World Bank Partnership Program Two Partnership grants were closed in FY12 with mixed performance. Table 3: Performance of Closed Partnership Grants Disbursement Grant Name Amount (US$) (% of Total Amount) Regional Energy Study 300,000 99.8 Cluster Development Project Support 240,000 43 Below is a summary of the main objectives and achievements of the Partnership program grant financed activities. Japan/World Bank Partnership Program: Regional Energy Study The main objective of this grant was to assess potential changes in government strategies, policies, and institutional roles to address emerging energy security and sustainable concerns in East Asia and Pacific (EAP). Both Development Objectives (DOs) and Implementation Progress (IP) were rated satisfactory. During the reporting period, three studies were completed. The first study, entitled: “Winds of change: East Asia's sustainable energy future”, made important contributions to the regional climate change mitigation agenda, which concluded that the emissions in the EAP region could peak by 2025 and start to decline. The study provided policy options and financing mechanisms for sustainable energy in EAP. The second study was on how to use public funds to leverage private financing in clean energy financing. This study contributed to the knowledge of financing mechanisms for sustainable energy in EAP. The study draws on past international experience and lessons learned on clean energy financing and recommends options on how to best use public funds to most effectively leverage commercial financing for clean energy in East Asia. The third report financed through the grant focused on how to apply abatement cost curve and abatement scenarios to set low-carbon objectives and identify cost-effective investments for low-carbon cities. This study made significant contributions to the country’s climate change agenda by helping policy makers and business leaders to define low carbon objectives, identify and prioritize potential solutions. Ethiopia: Cluster Development Program Support The main objective of this Project was to increase export growth and innovation in selected economic sectors in Ethiopia through the development of a national strategy for cluster development, joint capacity building and innovation support activities. The Development Objective of project was not achieved because of the initial draft report submitted by the Consulting Firm was found unsatisfactory by the Ministry of Industry. The report was supposed to focus on providing: (a) a comprehensive cluster development strategy, (b) a monitoring and evaluation framework, and (c) a model for bringing greater synergy to the current implementation efforts. Detailed comments were provided to the consulting firm for incorporation and for submission of a revised report. Despite the agreement to revise the report, the consulting firm failed to submit a revised report despite repeated requests and notices by the Ministry of Industry. Subsequently, a notice of termination of the contract was issued. In the absence of response from the firm, the client took upon itself to complete the assignment, employing its own resources to achieve the intended objective of the contract. The report may serve as an important input in the design of the new Private Sector Development (PDS) project currently under preparation. Page | 18 Annex 1: List of PHRD Technical Assistance Grants Closed in FY12 Grant Country Grant Name Grant type Approved Grant Number Amount (in USD) AFRICA REGION TF090855 Mali PHRD CCIG – Mali: Smallholder Treecrop Plantation Project Climate Change 474,900 TF093486 Ethiopia PHRD –Ethiopia: Cluster Development Program Support Partnership Program 240,000 TF056897 Senegal Quality Education For All, Phase II Co-Financing 4,000,000 TOTAL 4,714,900 EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION TF056737 Lao PDR Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Co-Financing 2,000,000 TF057848 Vietnam Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Co-Financing 5,000,000 TF056736 Vietnam Second Higher Education Co-Financing 4,800,000 TF055176 Vietnam Natural Disaster Mitigation Project Co-Financing 4,500,000 TF056323 Vietnam Mekong Health Support Project Co-Financing 5,000,000 TF092899 Cambodia Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project Project Preparation 340,000 TF095619 Regional EAP Regional Energy Study Partnership 300,000 TOTAL 21,940,000 EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA REGION TF055804 Albania Health System Modernization Project Co-Financing 1,610,000 TF057515 Georgia Improving Learning Environment Project Co-Financing 4,950,000 TF056730 Azerbaijan Second Agricultural Development and Credit Project Co-Financing 1,611,000 TF056731 Azerbaijan Judicial Modernization Project Co-Financing 3,000,000 TF090641 Kyrgyz Reducing Technical Barriers For Entrepreneurship and Trade Project Implementation 299,600 Republic TF091334 Kyrgyz CCIG Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project- Climate Change 626,120 Republic Reforestation & Afforestation TOTAL 12,096,720 LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN REGION TF093087 Colombia Jepirachi Wind Farm Carbon Off Climate Change 675,000 TF093086 Mexico Support to the Implementation of National Climate Change Climate Change 995,000 Strategy TOTAL 1,670,000 MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGION TF090648 Yemen Adaptation to Climate Change Using Agro-Biodiversity Climate Change 780,000 Resources in the Rainfed Highlands of Yemen TF093089 Tunisia Addressing Climate Change Impacts in the Oak Forest Climate Change 999,710 Ecosystem TF093103 Yemen Population Project Project Preparation 350,000 TF092399 Iraq Emergency Irrigation Rehabilitation Project Project Preparation 740,000 TOTAL 2,869,710 SOUTH ASIA TF092825 India Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project Project Preparation 565,000 TOTAL 565,000 TOTAL ALL REGIONS 43,856,330 Page | 19 Annex 2: Summary of Completed Grants Reports Africa Region Page | 20 1. Mali: Smallholder Treecrop Plantation Project Grant Data: Name: Smallholder Treecrop Grant Number: TF090855 Grant Type: Climate Change Plantation Project Country: Mali Sector: Agro Ind Mktg Trade Region: AFR Approval Date: 8/28/2007 Grant Agreement Date: 12/13/2007 Original Closing Date: 8/30/2011 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 2/29/2012 Amount: US$474,900 Disbursement: US$428,722.35 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 90.27 Grant Objective: The overall grant objective is to fight global climate change and desertification by sequestrating carbon dioxide in Mali through the implementation of an important program (10,000 ha) of plantation of Acacia Senegalensis (Acacia Senegal), while increasing income earning potential for farmers and farmer communities in an environmentally sustainable manner, particularly through the issuance of Temporary CERTIFIED EMISSION REDUCTIONs (tCERs). Specifically the grant will contribute to: (i) the development and dissemination of environment-friendly agro-forestry practices at the local level,(ii) the reforestation of severely degraded lands with high carbon sequestration tree crops,(iii) the adoption and transfer of improved techniques and technologies for plantings, seedlings and intercropping,(iv) the development of pilot cost-effective community nurseries to increase the supply of high quality plants and seeds,(v) the dissemination of information about Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, and(vi) the building of the technical capacities for the issuance of tCERs certificates. Key Achievements: Specifically, this grant achieved the following results:  1716 hectares (ha) out of the 6000 ha planned have been planted with commercial plantations of Acacia Senegal distributed as follows: DEGUESSI VERT: 630 hectares; and Rural communities: 1086 hectares.  These achievements are below expectations because of inadequate funding of rural plantations.  The carbon program was stopped because of the delay. However, the program trained 22 village pepiniarists, 8 extension agents and many members of villages committees. It created 37 permanent jobs and 350 seasonal jobs. Women are 45 percent of beneficiaries. The program was limited by the lack of investment funds.  The project has increased, built the capacity, and increased the knowledge of the Communities.  This project provided a platform for donor coordination and harmonization. Deguessi Vert, Village communities, other donors like World Food Organization (WFO), and the Government represented by the Ministry of Environment were able to regularly meet and exchange. The Ministry has a sound strategy on environment and climate change but is restricted by funding.  This project can be used as best practice model for the rehabilitation of agro-forest parks. Page | 21 2. Ethiopia: Cluster Development Program Support Grant Data: Name: Ethiopia Cluster Grant Number: TF093486 Grant Type: Partnership Program Development Program Support. Country: Ethiopia Sector: Gen finance sector Region: AFR Approval Date: 9/8/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 02/13/2009 Original Closing Date: 11/03/2011 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 05/03/2012 Amount: US$240,000 Disbursement: US$104,110.25 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 43 Grant Objective: The Development Objective of the Project is to increase export growth and innovation in selected economic sectors in Ethiopia through development of economic clusters through development of a national strategy for cluster development, joint capacity building and innovation support activities. Key Achievements:  The first draft of the study on national strategy for industrial clusters development in Ethiopia was submitted in late 2010. The draft report was not found satisfactory by the client (i.e. the Ministry of Industry), and detailed comments were provided to the consulting firm for incorporation and submission of a revised report. Despite the agreement to revise the report, the consulting firm failed to submit a revised report despite repeated requests and notices by the Ministry of Industry. Payments were made under the contract amounting to 45 percent of the total amount. All the fund balance in the designated account has been reimbursed to the World Bank. Notice of termination of contract was issued subsequently. In the absence of response from the firm, the client took upon itself to complete the assignment, employing its own resources to achieve the intended objective of the contract.  Despite the consultant's non-delivery of the final report, the client took upon itself to complete the assignment, to achieve the grant objectives. The report may serve as an important input in the design of the new Private Sector Development (PSD) project under preparation.  The Government is moving ahead with its cluster development program in Ethiopia so it is expected that there would be some modest impact of this work in design of such programs. Page | 22 3. Senegal: Quality Education for All, Phase 2 Grant Data: Name: Quality Education For All, Grant Number: TF056897 Grant Type: Co-Financing Phase 2 Country: Senegal Sector: Education Region: AFR Approval Date: 6/8/2006 Grant Agreement Date: 11/20/2006 Original Closing Date: 10/31/2010 Revised Closing Date: 6/30/2012 End Disbursement Date: 12/31/2012 Amount: US$4,000,000 Disbursement: US$4,000,000 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 100 Grant Objective: The Development Objective of the Project is to assist the Recipient in: (a) meeting the Millennium Development Goals related to education, including gender equity; (b) improving education quality at all levels; and (c) strengthening management at both central and decentralized levels. The objective of the grant is to co-finance the institutional capacity building components of the IDA project. Key Achievements:  The grant helped the Government improve the effectiveness in managing the education sector.  Training sessions were offered to managers both at the central and deconcentrated levels.  Management tools (SYSGAR) were developed to keep track and monitor the performance-based contracts.  Deconcentrated structures were provided with training and equipment to better handle their responsibilities at the regional level.  An assessment of the capacity of the education institutions was conducted and a new decree was adopted to transfer more responsibilities to regional and district institutions.  The grant has helped improve the accountability and results-based management at all levels. Specifically, the grant supported the development of performance-based contracts between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Directors and Inspectors, thus changing the management culture from an input-based to a result-based management mentality.  The budget management system of the MoE has been modernized. All budget managers, at all levels both at the central and deconcentrated levels were provided with computed and received training to better align the government’s expenditure with its strategic objectives. A budget management application was developed to link the MoE, the Academic Inspections, and the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The budget management has now moved from a paper-based to a computer-based. This application has been implemented in all Ministries for better budget management. This has improved tremendously the collection and analysis of data for decision-making.  The grant also supported the IT Unit (CIME). Software was developed to improve internal communication, budget management, and data collection and analysis.  One of the major outcomes of the project is the development of education management system in at the local and departmental levels. These education institutions have developed their own regional or district education development plans, from which training or quality improvement plans are designed and financed by the project.  The management of more resources has been decentralized, thus empowering local education authorities to be more responsible in managing the education system. The outcome is better service delivery.  Numerous studies and surveys were conducted using the grant proceeds. Page | 23 East Asia and Pacific Region Page | 24 4. Lao PDR: Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Grant Data Name: Avian And Human Grant Number: TF056737 Grant Type: Project Co financing Influenza Control And Preparedness Country: Lao People's Sector: Gen pub admin sector and health Region: EAP Democratic Republic Grant Agreement Date: 09/12/2006 Approval Date: 05/11/2006 Original Closing Date: 09/30/2010 Revised Closing Date: 06/30/2012 End Disbursement Date: 12/30/2012 Amount: US$2,000,000 Disbursement: US$2,000,000 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 100 Grant Objective: The Grant objective is to minimize the threat posed to humans and the poultry sectors by HPAI infection and other zoonoses in Lao PDR and to prepare for, control, and respond to influenza pandemics and other infectious disease emergencies in humans. Key Achievements:  The grant provided technical assistance for Animal Health and Human Health. Technical assistance for renovation of National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology will be contracted once designs have been completed.  The grant provided technical assistance for Information, Education and Communication. It financed technical assistance for monitoring and evaluation.  The Grant supported, along with other financiers, implementation of Government's avian and human influenza plan. Government's implementation of their plan was satisfactory. This Grant supported aspects of the Plan which were not financed through other sources, including fiduciary technical assistance.  In addition to the traditional training/capacity building activities, this grant was used specifically to finance training of Government staff in financial management, with training being provided by consultants. This grant provided financing which was not available through other sources which were supporting the Government's National Plan. Annual joint implementation reviews allowed all partners supporting the National Plan to identify needs and gaps and determine which source of support would be the most appropriate for filling these.  This has been a positive experience in a country which has not taken this approach in single sectors, but has been able to do so in this multi-sectoral challenge. Having strong Government ownership and commitment has made the biggest difference.  Support has been provided for sharing of experiences both in-country and out of the country. The most useful being the in-country sharing of experiences in responding to outbreaks.  The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Coordination Office (NEIDCO) has prepared a follow-up to the existing National Plan which ran to 2010. Although the World Bank is not in a position to support this endeavor, it is expected that other development partners will continue their traditional support. Page | 25 5. Vietnam: Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness Grant Data Name: Avian And Human Influenza Grant Number: TF057848 Grant Type: Project Co financing Control And Preparedness Country: Vietnam Sector: Gen pub admin sector and health Region: EAP Approval Date: 01/05/2007 Grant Agreement Date: 04/12/2007 Original Closing Date: 12/31/2010 Revised Closing Date: 12/31/2011 End Disbursement Date: 06/30/2012 Amount: US$5,000,000 Disbursement: US$4,278,084.93 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 85.56 Grant Objective: The objective of the project is consistent with the shared Government-Donor Objective of the OPI (Green Book), namely to reduce the health risk to humans from Avian Influenza by controlling the disease at source, by early detection and response to human cases and by preparing for the medical consequences if a human pandemic were to occur. Key Achievements:  The project helped strengthen the Client’s capacity at all levels of the veterinary network and of the human health sector to prevent, detect, and respond to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.  HPAI control and eradication in the agricultural sector: Public veterinary services have been strengthened, as evidenced by: (a) improved diagnostic capacity of the national and regional laboratories, (b) improved capacity of local networks of animal health workers.  Disease control has been enhanced, as evidenced by: (a) application of improved bio-secure measures for selected live bird markets, slaughterhouses, and poultry farms; (b) successful vaccination trial for young ducks; (c) enhanced disease quarantine and protection at border areas; (d) improved disease surveillance and epidemiological investigations; (e) improved emergency outbreak containment through rapid responses.  Influenza prevention and pandemic preparedness in health sector: technical quality and function of surveillance and response system has been strengthened, as evidenced by: (a) successful implementation of improved surveillance and response system in all project provinces, (b) enhanced surveillance capacity and coordination among concerned sectors.  Technical quality and efficiency of the curative system has been strengthened, as evidenced by: (a) development of facility preparedness plans, (b) in-depth training and human resources development for AI pandemic control, (c) improved capacities in controlling infection in health care facilities.  Behavior change communication (BCC) has been strengthened, as evidenced by (a) successful implementation of a training plan for provincial, district, commune and village health workers; (b) successful community awareness, information, education, and communication campaigns.  Preventive health system at local level has been strengthened, as evidenced by (a) improved capacity, policies and structures of human resources in the preventive health field; (b) successful pilot of a new model for district preventive health centers.  Integration, Coordination, Results M&E, and Project Management: Coordination between the animal and human health sectors at both the central and local levels has improved, as evidenced by:(a) improved coordination mechanisms between the human health and animal health sectors, (b) improved project M&E activities, (c) effective contribution to the development of the new operational plan for the period of 2011-2015 and the vision to 2020. Page | 26 6. Vietnam: Second Higher Education Grant Data Name: Second Higher Education Grant Number: TF056736 Grant Type: Project Co financing Region: EAP Country: Vietnam Sector: Education-Tertiary education Approval Date: 05/11/2006 Grant Agreement Date: 11/22/2007 Original Closing Date: 06/30/2012 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 12/30/2012 Amount: US$4,800,000 Disbursement: US$2,681,901.9 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 56 Grant Objective: The objective of the Project is to increase the quality of teaching and research in universities in Vietnam so as to improve the employability of graduates and the relevance of research. Key Achievements:  The grant is one of the key sources of technical assistance for policy development and capacity building in higher education. Key results of this area include: (i) the development of a master plan for the higher education sector; (ii) the calculation of actual and appropriate unit costs of higher education; (iii) evaluation of public financing policies; (iv) the development of a higher education quality assurance framework.  Higher Education Governance- a review of the Higher Education structure has been conducted. A major technical assistance contract has been commission to help MOET in (i) developing the HE sector master plan; (ii) developing research culture; and (iii) private sector development. Final reports have been made available and discussed with MOET senior management.  Higher Education Financing- a review of the financial management of universities is conducted.  The project has commissioned two local firms to work on (i) unit costing; and (ii) public financing. The final reports have been discussed in several workshops with MOET and MOF.  Higher Education Quality Assurance-a review of accreditation policy has been done. The project has selected two international consultants (one on accreditation and one on institutional quality assurance) and several local firms to be the counterparts. The final reports have been submitted and discussed in several workshops with universities. Twenty universities have been externally evaluated and 300 external evaluators trained.  The reports commissioned on Higher Education (HE) governance, financial management and accreditation feed into the development of policies and regulations adopted under the Higher Education Development Policy Operations.  The knowledge generated by the grant activities can be further disseminated to other countries facing similar challenges. Page | 27 7. Vietnam: Natural Disaster Mitigation Project Grant Data Name: Natural Disaster Mitigation Grant Number: TF055176 Grant Type: Project Co financing Project Country: Vietnam Sector: Flood protection Region: EAP Approval Date: 5/13/2005 Grant Agreement Date: 03/02/2006 Original Closing Date: 06/30/2010 Revised Closing Date: 06/29/2012 End Disbursement Date: 12/29/2012 Amount: US$4,500,000 Disbursement: US$3,982,504.53 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 88.5 Grant Objective: The purposes of the Grant are to assist the Recipient through the co-financing of the Natural Disaster Risk Management Project (the Project) which has as its main objective to assist the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to establish a comprehensive natural disaster risk management framework to enable it to: (i) reduce the vulnerability of the Project Provinces to flood and storm hazards; (ii) increase the efficiency of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts; and (iii) strengthen the capacity of national and local disaster risk management institutions. Key Achievements:  The grant objective has been largely achieved. The grant provided technical assistance activities to co-finance the Natural Disaster Risk Management Project (NDRMP), which is to strengthen the institutional capacity for the disaster risk management at both central and provincial levels, and provided direct support to facilitate the reconstruction from damages caused by the disasters.  The grant financed thematic studies on flood control to build flood warning maps for Vu Gia-Thu Bon and Thach Han-Ben Hai rivers. The grant also helped tackle the critical issue of salinity intrusion, for example by financing salinity intrusion warning technologies for river system in Thanh Hoa province. The various studies financed promoted community involvement in Disaster Risk Management (DRM).  The grant has not only contributed to the implementation of the NDRMP but also contributed to the preparation of an additional financing to the NDRMP to help undertake post-disaster reconstruction for the infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Kestana in 2008. In the process, the grant has made significant contribution for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the MOF and the concerned provinces to assess damages caused by the typhoon and develop a plan for reconstruction. Further, following successful completion of the NDRMP in June 2012, a follow up project (Managing Natural Hazard Project) has been approved. The Grant has also contributed to the preparation of this follow up project, which would consolidate the outcome of the grant funded activities and upscale them.  Technical assistance activities supported by the Grant has produced various outputs such as (a) development of data base compiling the information on the disaster risks at the provincial/regional level, (b) specific training materials used for provincial level staff, (b) technical study reports, (c) monitoring and evaluation report, and (d) proceeds from the workshops and forums.  The grant activities have been developed in close consultation with other development partners active in the DRM sector. The Dutch Government has also provided about US$6.5 million co-financing for the project. In addition, during the last year of implementation, the Government has also started to contribute to various workshops and forums through counterpart funds in order to demonstrate their ownership and commitment. Page | 28 8. Vietnam: Mekong Health Support Project Grant Data Name: Mekong Health Support Grant Number: TF056323 Grant Type: Project Co financing Project Country: Vietnam Sector: Health Region: EAP Approval Date: 02/09/2006 Grant Agreement Date: 07/24/2006 Original Closing Date: 06/30/2012 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 12/30/2012 Amount: US$5,000,000 Disbursement: US$4,888,672.60 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 98 Grant Objective: The project aims to improve health services in the Mekong region and to enhance access to, and coverage of these services, especially for the poor through:(i) strengthening the health financing policy framework and increasing the financial accessibility of health services for the poor and near-poor;(ii) improving availability and quality of curative care, including responsiveness to changing disease patterns;(iii) increasing capacity of preventive health activities; and (iv) building capacity of the health work force. Key Achievements:  Protecting the Poor and Near-poor: Under the support from the grant, Mekong region has piloted the government policy which aims to cover all near poor people for the health insurance (HI) scheme. Most of the provinces have provided support (at different percentage) to the near poor population to purchase health insurance. Lesson learnt from the project was generated to widely disseminate and apply to other regional health support projects.  Curative care quality and capacity: has been implemented well at both provincial and central levels. All procurement activities at the central and provincial levels have been completed. An audit of the equipment installed in three provinces was carried out by the supervision mission. The Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) also carried out the audit in the rest of the provinces to check the utilization and maintenance of the equipment in all beneficiary facilities.  Human resources development: is the best performing of all components and has over achieved its targets.  During the implementation, the project mobilized local contribution to expand the HI coverage to the near poor population. Some provinces, like Can Tho and Long An used the local budget to cover the rest of 20 percent HI premium to get all near poor people covered by HI. Many provinces also successfully mobilized other donors or private contribution to establish a health care fund to support the near poor people to buy HI.  The Mekong Health project which provided coverage for near poor households up to 80 percent (50 percent through the province, 30 percent through the project and 20 percent through member participation) demonstrated that such a cost-sharing arrangement could attract the near poor to enroll into health insurance.  Survey data show that the use of health services both inpatient and out-patient has increased as a result of health insurance, among the poor and near poor. Page | 29 9. Cambodia: Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project Grant Data Name: Mekong Integrated Water Grant Number: TF092899 Grant Type: Project Preparation Resources Management Project - Country: Cambodia Sector: Gen wat/san/fld sect Cambodia Approval Date: 8/8/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 12/26/2008 Region: EAP Original Closing Date: 12/15/2009 Revised Closing Date: 2/15/2012 End Disbursement Date: 8/15/2012 Amount: US$340,000 Disbursement: US$308,816.63 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 90.82 Grant Objective: The objective of the grant is to prepare the Mekong Water Resources Management Project to contribute to regional sustainable integrated water resources management (IWRM) for the Mekong River Basin. Key Achievements:  The grant objective has been partially achieved. The Grant has supported the preparation of the project, which comprise two large activities: (a) fisheries and aquatic resources management in the northern Cambodia, and (b) water resources management in the east Mekong Delta. With the support of the grant, the client has successfully prepared and negotiated for the first activity, and advanced the preparation for the second activity; however, due to the slow progress in implementing the grant, the preparation for the activity has not been completed within the closing date of the grant.  The Grant has enabled the client to prepare documents critical to the preparation of the project, including: (a) project feasibility studies for fisheries activities, (b) project implementation manual for the fisheries activities, (c) safeguards documents, and (d) various technical documents (including the draft feasibility study) for the water resources management activities.  The grant enabled the client to prepare a basic engineering study elaborating on the irrigation development in the eastern part of the Mekong Delta and identify key social and environmental issues to be followed up further.  While the grant has been closed, the Bank continues to support the client to continue necessary preparatory works using the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) resources to keep the momentum.  The Grant has supported the client to prepare the project implementation plan and the safeguards manual, which are critical for the appraisal for the Phase I APL Project, which include Cambodia Fisheries.  After the successful negotiations for the fisheries component, the presentation of the component to the board has been postponed because of the prevailing relationship between the Bank and Cambodia. The fisheries component would be presented to the Board in May 2013 as part of the second phase APL. The client and the Bank would also continue to work on the water resources management activities, which would be presented to the Board in FY14 as part of the third phase APL.  Through implementation of the grant activities, the client has acquired knowledge on (a) best practices in the neighboring countries (e.g. fisheries co-management and hatchery design and operation), and (b) best practices in other projects in the country financed by other development partners (e.g. community based water resources management). This knowledge has been incorporated into the project design. Page | 30 10. Regional Energy Study Grant Data Name: Regional Energy Study Grant Number: TF095619 Grant Type: Partnership Region: EAP Country: East Asia Pacific Sector: Energy and Mining Approval Date: 06/11/2009 Grant Agreement Date: 07/29/2009 Original Closing Date: 06/15/2011 Revised Closing Date: 12/31/2011 End Disbursement Date: 04/30/2012 Amount: 300,000 Disbursement: 299,414.14 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 99.8% Grant Objective: The proposed PHRD Grant is intended to support several core consulting studies and activities planned as part of the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Regional Energy Study. The objective of the EAP Regional Energy Study is to assess potential changes in government strategies, policies and institutional roles to address emerging energy security and sustainability concerns. Energy security and sustainability issues in the EAP region will be assessed by: (a) Establishing criteria and an evaluation framework to assess energy security and environmental sustainability; (b) Developing a quantitative policy assessment model for energy demand and supply scenarios; (c) Examining policy responses to enhance energy security and to improve sustainability; (d) Evaluating institutional responses to manage energy security and sustainability risks. Achievement of Grant Objectives and Outputs:  The objectives of the grant were achieved.  The PHRD grant was used for the following activities: (1) Support the development and dissemination of the EAP regional energy flagship study: Winds of change: East Asia's sustainable energy future: the fund was used to support the major scenario development of the flagship study, publication of the report, and dissemination events in the region; (2) Support flagship follow-up activities: the flagship study identified low-carbon cities and scaling up financing are two top priorities, and the PHRD grant was used to support these two activities: support applying McKinsey abatement cost curve methodology in a selected city in EAP region to identify cost effective abatement cost and options, which, followed by an IBRD loan; and support developing the report: Unlocking commercial financing for clean energy in EAP.  The grant financed activities contribute to the sustainable energy, environmental sustainability, and climate change agenda of the World Bank and the countries. In specific, the activities directly help strengthen policy and regulatory environment to get onto a sustainable energy path, therefore strengthening government capacity, which are the highlights in World Bank's country strategy in EAP regions. Moreover, they are well in line with the EAP countries' sustainable development agenda.  The regional flagship study made important contributions to the regional climate change mitigation agenda, which concluded that the emissions in the EAP region could peak by 2025 and start to decline. The study laid out policy options and financing mechanisms for sustainable energy in EAP. Also, the report by helping policy makers and business leaders to define low carbon objectives, identify and prioritize potential solutions.  The grant financed activities were designed to support follow-up activities to the flagship study: 1) Low-carbon cities: applying McKinsey curves in the city context to define and measure low-carbon cities in Asia, and summarizing the experience and lessons learned for dissemination; 2) Clean energy financing: undertaking a green financing study to draw lessons learned and recommend ways forward on how to use public funds to most effectively leverage commercial financing to scale up clean energy investment in Asia.  The report strengthened local stakeholders' capacity through dissemination and follow-up activities. The clients are receptive and interested in the policy options, and financing mechanisms. Page | 31 Europe and Central Asia Region Page | 32 11. Albania: Health System Modernization Project Grant Data Name: Health System Grant Number: TF055804 Grant Type: Project Co financing Modernization Project (HSM) Country: Albania Sector: Health Region: ECA Approval Date: 09/07/2005 Grant Agreement Date: 04/14/2006 Original Closing Date: 09/30/2010 Revised Closing Date: 06/30/2012 End Disbursement Date: 12/31/2012 Amount: US$1,610,000 Disbursement: US$1,609,952.07 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 100 Grant Objective: The purpose of the Grant is to assist the Recipient in the implementation of the Health System Modernization Project (the Project). The objectives of the Project are to (a) improve the physical and financial access to, and use of, high quality primary health care services; (b) improve the Recipient's capacity to formulate and implement health policies and reforms in the health sector; and (c)improve hospital governance and management, in accordance with the Development Credit Agreement for the Health System Modernization Project between Albania and IDA. Key Achievements:  The Grant financed a number of consultancies which have been assessed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Health Insurance Institute (HII) and found very helpful for the implementation of activities under the Health System Modernization project as well as for supporting the ongoing reform in the sector.  Specifically: (i) Preparation of provider payment methods and capacity building for the MoH and HII staff was completed with the support of an international consultancy (since 2007). The inputs of this consultancy were considered crucial for further reforming the payment system by the HII; (ii) National Health Accounts were produced in 2009, with close support from an international consultancy. This was the first time that the Ministry of Health (MoH) completed national accounts, which results are being widely used by the Government; (iii) Consultancy services to support the HII in implementing organizational and financial changes resulting from hospital payment revision, including on the job training for the HII staff working in data analysis: (iv) Consultancy services to support hospital directors in implementing the legal status and provider payment changes.(v) Consultancy services to support the HII and MoH in revising the Health Insurance Law as well as producing the required secondary legislation.  The development and monitoring of health policies and strategies for the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Institute of Public Health (IPH):(i) Consultancy services for the development of the long term strategy for the Health sector: The strategy was successfully produced with technical assistance (TA) support (since 2007), and is now being implemented.  Establishment of a system to monitor health care services :(i) Consultancy services for building monitoring and evaluation capacity in MOH M&E department and train staff on data analysis. With the TA support, the MoH established a defined set of monitoring indicators, which are being used in their daily work. On job training was provided to 2 key staff of MoH, working in the department of monitoring and evaluation.  The grant helped build the capacity of the MoH in Project implementation and administration. Page | 33 12. Georgia: Improving Learning Environment Project (APLII) Grant Data Name: Improving Learning Grant Number: TF057515 Grant Type: Project Co financing Environment Project (APL II) Country: Georgia Sector: Central govt. admin Region: ECA Approval Date: 10/19/2006 Grant Agreement Date: 11/17/2006 Original Closing Date: 12/31/2009 Revised Closing Date: 08/31/2011 End Disbursement Date: 02/29/2012 Amount: US$4,950,000 Disbursement: US$4,949,996.8 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 100 Grant Objective: The objective of the Project is to increase the quality and efficiency of primary and secondary education in Georgia, through the implementation of the institutional and policy framework developed in APL l, as well as reconstruction of schools in dire physical condition. Key Achievements:  The grant objective has been partially achieved. The achievement of the PDO is considered as Moderately Satisfactory based on its important achievements, including meeting and/or exceeding five out of eight outcome indicators.  Quality improvements carried out under this Grant included (i) nation-wide implementation of the new national curriculum benefiting 90 percent of Georgian students; (ii) teacher development and new teaching and learning materials distributed to schools; (iii) development of standards for teacher competencies, teacher certification and new teacher professional development framework; (iv) design of teacher certification mechanisms, including supporting the technical and legal frameworks, and implementation of certification examinations nation-wide for the last two years; (v) creation of solid technical capacity in the National Curriculum and Assessment Center as well as the Teacher Professional Development Center.  Despite this progress, two important outcomes fell short of expectations: (i) the Project did not have a positive impact on increasing the student-teacher ratio; and (ii) a significant percentage of teachers were not certified by its completion. The third indicator, 100 percent of schools having autonomy in managing resources related to the teaching and learning process through the per capita financing as the sole source of public funding was partially achieved.  On the basis of accumulated knowledge and experience, the Teacher Professional Development Center (TPDC) hosted European Seminar Mentor Teachers Innovative Approaches in the framework of Pestalozzi Program. Foreign and Georgian mentors, inductees, education experts and teachers participated in the event to discuss ways to further develop an effective induction system for new teachers. Throughout implementation, National Curriculum and Assessment Center (NCAC) hosted national conferences for educational stakeholders and policy makers around implemented curricula innovations and results of national assessments of student learning achievement in order to better inform public and stimulate dialogue around education quality issues. The Project financed publication of two educational magazines, which provided up-to-date information and recent research findings in the area of curriculum and teacher development for all education stakeholders.  The Government is expected to benefit from a large grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), estimated around US$100 million, likely to be focused on education and training. Page | 34 13. Azerbaijan: Second Agricultural Development and Credit Project Grant Data Name: Azerbaijan: Second Grant Number: TF056730 Grant Type: Project Cofinancing Agricultural Development And Country: Azerbaijan Sector: Agro Ind Mktg Trade Credit Project Approval Date: 5/11/2006 Grant Agreement Date: 10/5/2006 Region: ECA Original Closing Date: 5/31/2011 Revised Closing Date: 2/29/2012 End Disbursement Date: 8/31/2012 Amount: US$1,611,000 Disbursement: US$1,586,725.74 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 98.5 Grant Objective: The main objective of the project is to enhance the access of farmers and small and medium rural enterprises to rural business and agricultural support services including financial, advisory and veterinary services and to stimulate market-oriented investments in rural areas. Key Achievements:  The grant objective has been achieved. The proportion of project beneficiaries who obtained credit and advisory services, and adopted improved crop and livestock technologies is consistently higher than farmers outside of the project area. All ten regional advisory centers have been established and farmers already demonstrate improved management and increased production. The number of people accessing the advisory services increased by 59 percent in Agriculture Development and Credit Project (ADCP) I zones. Some 79 percent of farmers in ADCP II zones have also received advisory services. The project achieved sizeable results in expanding investments in rural areas with some 52,000 small loans issued. The number of credit union members increased to 15,000 and financial recovery rate remains high. Some credit unions, however, demonstrate weaknesses in governance and portfolio performance and need intensive training. Good progress has been made with lending to medium agribusinesses. One hundred nineteen sub-loans in the total amount of US$17.23 million have been issued to medium enterprises. Seventy four grants for introducing and transferring improved technologies have been awarded under the competitive grant program.  Income of participating farmers from agricultural activities has increased by about 28 percent. The percentage of total production marketed for cash by participating farmers has increased from 60 to 76 percent. The project has yielded an overall economic rate of return of 20 percent.  Grant has provided technical assistance for the state vet services for advancing the pilot animal disease control program, further development of an animal disease information system and training on both of these aspects. Specialized studies on food safety situation analysis and food safety institutional set-up have been conducted. Analysis of selected supply chains has been completed.  Commercial banks are now stronger in assessment of investment appraisal and diversifying their financial products.  Significant knowledge was shared and communicated within Azerbaijan amongst key stakeholders, within the region and at international meetings through selected case studies to illustrate the project. Knowledge sharing included regular exchange of grants activities and implementation with a wide donor community in Azerbaijan, in particular FAO, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Page | 35 14. Azerbaijan: Judicial Modernization Project Grant Data Name: Judicial Modernization Grant Number: TF056731 Grant Type: Co-Financing Project Country: Azerbaijan Sector: Law & Justice and Public Region: ECA Approval Date: 5/11/2006 Administration Grant Agreement Date: 10/3/2006 Original Closing Date:12/31/2011 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 4/30/2012 Amount: US$3,000,000 Disbursement: US$2,742,891.34 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 91 Grant Objective: The Project Development Objective is to assist the Azeri Authorities in developing and implementing the initial phase of a long term judicial system modernization vision and program by building capacity to achieve incremental improvements in efficiency, citizen information, and its ability to handle future demand. The project seeks to move the judicial system onto an appropriate institutional development path, in line with Council of Europe and other international standards. Key Achievements: The overall project implementation was satisfactory. The project achieved most of its objectives:  Around 700 staff of the Ministry Of Justice was trained in basic IT courses.  A training need assessment and recommendations to improve the capacity and professionalism of the Justice Academy were completed and presented to the Minister of Justice.  The grant financed key innovative courthouse designs and analytical work.  The upgrade of court facilities has begun.  Citizen access to Information has been improved. The Baseline Survey and report are completed. The Legal Information Center in Baku and Guba cities are now active and have provided free legal aid to more than 600 users.  Capacity building of the Judicial Management Team (JMT) has been completed. JMT is fully staffed with relevant specialists. All staff is trained in IT systems.  Grant financed activities have contributed to the strengthening of the justice sector and resulted in additional resources provided by the Government and a request for additional Bank financing. Page | 36 15. Kyrgyz Republic: Reducing Technical Barriers for Entrepreneurship and Trade Grant Data Name: Reducing Technical Grant Number: TF090641 Grant Type: Project Implementation Barriers For Entrepreneurship And Country: Kyrgyz Republic Sector: Industry and Trade Trade Approval Date: 07/11/2007 Grant Agreement Date: 03/10/2008 Region: ECA Original Closing Date: 04/30/2011 Revised Closing Date: 03/10/2012 End Disbursement Date: 09/10/2012 Amount: US$299,600 Disbursement: US$285,425.83 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 95 Grant Objective: The Grant objective is to Streamline the compulsory standards requirements for business, develop systems to enhance product quality, safety, and increase enterprise competitiveness in pilot sectors. Key Achievements:  The Grant was used to strengthen capacity in the key beneficiary agencies (Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MOEDT) and sectoral Ministries and help them benefit more fully from the RTBET Project which is a complex project designed to support the complete overhaul of the country's standards system required to move towards World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.  The Grant was instrumental in advancing the implementation of project activities in two highly technical areas crucial for the achievement of Development Objectives: microbiology and testing services and IT architecture and design. Two international experts were retained under the Grant to assist the implementing agencies and beneficiaries in identifying the most appropriate technical solutions for the IT infrastructure to sustain the development of Technical Regulations to be installed within the Ministry of Economic Regulation and the testing laboratory infrastructure for microbiology in support of the implementation of the Technical Regulations to be installed in the Ministry of Health.  The Grant allowed the Ministry of Economic Regulation to retain international expertise for an assessment and identification of policy recommendations to align the domestic system of legal metrology on international best practice and standards in light of the Technical Regulation (TR) reform currently underway in the country. The awareness campaign will involve the various stakeholders interested by the TR reform, i.e. business community, local authorities, consumer associations and civil society at large.  The Grant supports project implementation by financing the translation to and from Kyrgyz and Russian languages to facilitate the exchange of international information and practice in technical areas related to the project.  The Center for Standards and Metrology (CSM) signed a Twinning Agreement with the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the German Metrology Institute, which allowed for provision of much needed professional coaching and technical assistance to the staff of the CSM which is being upgraded and modernized under the Project. There was considerable knowledge exchange through twinning arrangements with peer institutions in metrology and accreditation (Germany, Turkey). In addition, many counterparts traveled to international or regional fora organized under the WTO umbrella and had a chance to learn from peers through working group discussions. Page | 37 16. Kyrgyz Republic: CCIG Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project – Reforestation and Afforestation Component. Grant Data Name: CCIG Tien Shan Grant Number: TF091334 Grant Type: Climate Change Ecosystem Development Project: Country: Kyrgyz Republic Sector: Forestry Reforestation and Afforestation Approval Date: 12/10/2007 Grant Agreement Date: 04/17/2008 Component Region: ECA Original Closing Date: 12/10/2011 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 09/20/2011 Amount: US$626,120 Disbursement: US$595,855 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 95 Grant Objective: The objective of the grant would be to support the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry of the Kyrgyz Republic to prepare, implement, and monitor a Greenhouse Gases (GHG) sequestration project in the forest sector and build the capacity of the country to access the global carbon market. Key Achievements:  The grant enabled Kyrgyz Republic to prepare a draft project design documents and methodology for afforestation of abandoned agriculture land for registration with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).  Sites for afforestation were selected and social mobilization started.  All feasibility studies and area selection were completed.  The Project Design Document (PDD) was developed.  A Baseline Study and Monitoring Plan were developed.  A Monitoring and Baseline Methodology were approved by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and designated authorities.  Legal assistance to the State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry has been provided.  Training to village administration and forest district offices was completed and some pilot reforestation was conducted.  Local capacity and expertise were enhanced regarding site selection, preparation of PDD for afforestation for registration with CDM of the Kyoto Protocol. Page | 38 Latin America and Caribbean Region Page | 39 17. Colombia: Jepirachi Wind Farm Carbon Off Grant Data Name: Jepirachi Wind Farm Grant Number: TF093087 Grant Type: Climate Change Carbon Off Country: Colombia Sector: Renewable energy Region: LCR Approval Date: 10/06/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 07/14/2010 Original Closing Date: 03/30/2012 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 08/01/2012 Amount: US$675,000 Disbursement: 0 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 0 Grant Objective: The development objective is to implement a pilot project in decentralized wind and solar energy supply to rural communities as a basis to implement larger national strategies in renewable energy. Key Achievements: The grant objective has not been achieved due to a failure of the Recipient to submit a work plan and to request an extension of the closing date. 18. Mexico: Support to the Implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy Grant Data Name: Support to the Grant Number: TF093086 Grant Type: Climate Change Implementation of the National Country: Mexico Sector: Water Sanitation & Flood Climate Change Strategy Approval Date: 10/6/2008 Protection Region: LCR Grant Agreement Date: 9/23/2009 Original Closing Date: 7/19/2011 Revised Closing Date: 12/31/2011 End Disbursement Date: 9/19/2011 Amount: US$995,000 Disbursement: 0 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 0 Grant Objective: The development objective is to increase the effectiveness of Mexico’s climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. Key Achievements: The grant objective has not been achieved due to failure of the Recipient to comply with clause 4.04 of the Grant Agreement and the PHRD Policy Guidelines on cancellation, which stipulate that the Grant Agreement should be considered terminated if no implementation progress and disbursements have taken place six months after signature. Page | 41 Middle East and North Africa Region Page | 42 19. Yemen: Adaptation to Climate Change Using Agro-biodiversity Resources in the Rainfed Highlands Grant Data Name: Adaptation To Climate Grant Number: TF090648 Grant Type: Climate Change Change Using Agro biodiversity Country: Yemen Sector: Pub admin-agric & crops Resources In The Rainfed Approval Date: 7/11/2007 Grant Agreement Date: 9/1/2007 Highlands Region: MNA Original Closing Date: 7/10/2011 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 11/10/2011 Amount: US$780,000 Disbursement: US$183,174.13 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 23.48 Grant Objective: The Project Objective is to improve the local predictive capacity for climate change based on assessments, development of robust models and development of institutional capacity at the local and national levels so as to increase the resilience of rainfed agricultural farmers to climate change and to mainstream climate change modeling approaches in the agricultural sector. Key Achievements:  (i) Climate change assessments and scenarios developed and/or downscaled for Yemen; (ii) initial local predictive capacity of climate changes developed and installed; and (iii) improved capacity of key line agencies and stakeholders to undertake climate modeling, improved predictions, improved information and information flow for enhanced uptake of coping mechanisms in the agricultural sector.  The grant was implemented in parallel with the preparation of the complementary and Global Environment Fund (GEF)-funded Agro-biodiversity and Climate Adaptation Project (ACAP), which was approved on May 27, 2010, and became effective on August 31, 2010 after close to a two-year delay.  The grant has been instrumental in supporting the formulation of Climate change modeling & capacity building and Integrating Climate Change into Rainfed Agriculture of the ACAP project by providing (through relevant technical thematic reports, policy review and capacity needs assessment reports, and training and workshops on climate change modeling) the technical knowledge and a background information basis in dealing with climate change modeling and capacity building, and integration of climate change into rain-fed agriculture respectively.  The remaining funds under the grant were to be implemented as part of the cofinancing arrangements for the US$5.30 million ACAP (of which: US$4.0 million from the GEF, US$0.6 million from this grant, and the remainder from the Recipient). Unfortunately, Yemen entered in a sustained period of civil unrest and of deteriorating political and security situation associated with the Arab Spring, and that led to the suspension of disbursements by the World Bank across the Yemen portfolio from July 28, 2011 to January 20, 2012. As a result, there has been very little activity and no meaningful progress made in implementing and in achieving further the grant objective.  Other reasons for the overall delay could be identified as follows: (a) start-up delays in the use of resources; (b) change of the Project Implementation Unit on the basis of change in the institutional anchoring of the grant and associated the ACAP project; (c) challenges in finalizing in a timely fashion bidding processes for key activities. Page | 43 20. Tunisia: Addressing Climate Change Impacts in the Oak Forest Ecosystem Grant Data Name: Addressing Climate Grant Number: TF093089 Grant Type: Climate Change Change Impacts In The Oak Forest Country: Tunisia Sector: Irrigation & drainage Ecosystem Approval Date: 10/6/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 12/24/2008 Region: MNA Original Closing Date: 1/5/2012 Revised Closing Date: N/A End Disbursement Date: 7/5/2012 Amount: US$999,710 Disbursement: US$23,508.95 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 2.35 Grant Objective: The development objective is to undertake an assessment of climate change impacts on the oak forest ecosystem and to develop a strategic framework of mitigation and adaptation options for the management and conservation of these forests which are important in the context of water management, biodiversity conservation and livelihood strategies. Key Achievements:  The objective of the grant has not been achieved. Key performance indicators included: (i) improved state of knowledge and information of climate impacts on the oak forest ecosystem based on state-of- the art forest and climatological assessments, and targeted capacity building of relevant stakeholders; (ii) broad strategic framework developed, incorporating adaptation and mitigation options, for sustainable management of the oak forest ecosystem; and (iii) climate proofing measures piloted in existing operations, and new investment initiatives identified, for the implementation of specific adaptation and/or mitigation actions. None of these indicators have been achieved.  The grant became effective on January 12, 2009 and closed three years later on January 5, 2012. It was to complement and to be implemented in parallel with various World Bank and GEF supported operations (including in particular the Second Natural Resource Management Project, which was approved on June 17, 2010, and became effective on February 18, 2011). Yet, from the time the grant became effective, it encountered excessive startup delays related to procurement challenges and the weak implementation capacity of the Forest General Directorate (DGF). The persistence of prolonged delays throughout the life of the grant resulted in very little activity and no meaningful progress toward achieving further the grant objective.  Although a shortlist of firms was established to conduct the main study on the state and importance of oak forest in Tunisia, the selection process was never completed, and the study not carried out. For all practical purposes, the implementation of the grant activities ended up not going beyond the project launch workshop. Page | 44 21. Yemen: Population Project Grant Data Name: Population Project Grant Number: TF093103 Grant Type: Project Preparation Region: MNA Country: Yemen Sector: Health and other social services Approval Date: 10/06/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 12/02/2008 Original Closing Date: 09/30/2009 Revised Closing Date: 8/12/2011 End Disbursement Date: 02/12/2012 Amount: US$350,000 Disbursement: US$208,814.18 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 60 Grant Objective: The objective of the project is to improve the quality and utilization of an integrated package of maternal and child health/family planning/reproductive health services of the Yemen population in project target areas. Key Achievements:  The grant has achieved its objective in preparing the Health & Population Project (HPP). The HPP was signed in March 2011.  The grant financed the cost of a Project Administration Unit which contributed to the preparation of the project and will continue to implement the project with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP) Team. The grant also financed the cost of a number of consultants who provided important critical inputs to the development of the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) including an Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and a consultancy to develop a strategic training plan for midwives. As well, the grant funds were utilized to finance workshops to discuss the design of the project including a stakeholder workshop. Finally, the grant was utilized to purchase inputs that are important for the project such as the Accounting software and the development of important parts of the project operations manual such as the procurement manual, financial management manual, and a planning and implementation manual. Page | 45 22. Iraq: Emergency Irrigation Rehabilitation Project Grant Data Name: Emergency Irrigation Grant Number: TF092399 Grant Type: Project Preparation Rehabilitation Project Country: Iraq Sector: Irrigation and Drainage Approval Date: 6/12/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 4/29/2009 Region: MNA Original Closing Date: 7/29/2010 Revised Closing Date: 7/28/2011 End Disbursement Date: 1/28/2012 Amount: US$740,000 Disbursement: US$367,599 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 50 Grant Objective The Development Objectives of the grant are to: (i) rehabilitate and modernize critical water resources and irrigation infrastructure and (ii) enhance the capacity for sustainable water resources management. Key Achievements  The grant has been rated satisfactory in achieving its objectives. The main objective of this grant was to help improve agriculture productivity while ensuring sustainable management of water resources for irrigation in targeted farming areas. This will be accomplished by rehabilitating irrigation and drainage schemes, improving dams’ safety monitoring, and performing differed dams maintenance for selected dams and reservoirs.  5 critical studies were commissioned through a consulting firm: (i) Irrigation/Drainage Engineering and Agriculture study; (ii) Dam Safety and Water Resources Study; (iii) Financial and Economic Study; (iv) Institutional and Social Study; and (v) Environmental Study.  Inception and final reports of the project’s feasibility study were completed.  The grant helped develop the capacity of the Recipient in procuring/managing international consulting firm, and hold technical discussions, review and provide comments on consultants’ reports. Page | 46 South Asia Page | 47 23. India: Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project Grant Data Name: Bihar Panchayat Grant Number: TF092825 Grant Type: Preparation Project Strengthening Project Country: India Sector: Region: SAR Approval Date: 8/8/2008 Grant Agreement Date: 10/29/2008 Original Closing Date: 7/31/2010 Revised Closing Date: 9/30/2011 End Disbursement Date: 4/30/2012 Amount: US$565,000 Disbursement: US$232,395.31 % of Grant Amount Disbursed: 41 Grant Objective: The Project Development Objective is to help prepare the Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project that will improve autonomy, capacity and accountability of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Specifically, the objectives encompass: (i) in select districts, improving PRIs governance capacity to implement government anti-poverty schemes and undertake discretionary development initiatives that are responsive to community needs; and (ii) improving the policy and administrative environment to enable PRIs function. Key Achievements: The grant was not fully disbursed because…..This PHRD Grant was instrumental in the preparation and successful approval of the project by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors for US$84 million. Key results are as follows:  The grant supported the preparation of critical assessment documents such as safeguards manuals (Environment and Social), operations manual, and design of the Panchayat office buildings.  Pilot activities and workshops on capacity building have been financed through the grant.  The PHRD grant was instrumental in helping the client prepare a decentralized project and build knowledge. Page | 48