The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 Implementation Status & Results Jordan JO-Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods (P127861) Public Disclosure Copy Operation Name: JO-Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods (P127861) Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 4 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 10-May-2014 Country: Jordan Approval FY: 2013 Product Line: Global Environment Project Region: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Implementing Agency(ies): Key Dates Board Approval Date 27-Nov-2012 Original Closing Date 30-Jun-2017 Planned Mid Term Review Date 12-Jan-2015 Last Archived ISR Date 15-Nov-2013 Effectiveness Date 28-Mar-2013 Revised Closing Date 30-Jun-2017 Actual Mid Term Review Date Global Environmental Objectives Global Environmental Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to support sustainable livelihoods and enhance ecosystem services through participatory approaches in selected areas of the Jordan Badia. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Community-Centered Ecotourism in the Northern Badia 1.47 Adaptive Rangeland Management and Alternative Livelihoods Support in the Southern Badia 1.43 Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation 0.43 Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Public Disclosure Copy Progress towards achievement of GEO Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status Overview This ISR update is based on the results of the February 2014 World Bank implementation support mission, as well as subsequent exchange of email and documents with the Client through March 2014. (1) Milestones: The Project became effective during March 2013 however contracts between the implementing agency and the two executing entities (RSCN and HFDJB) were signed after six months due to extended discussions with the Bank regarding contract terms and tax liabilities, and internal discussions about signatories. Following this, there was a Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 four month delay in processing the advance payments to the entities due to delays in submission of bank guarantee and errors in preparing withdrawal applications. There were also some personnel changes within the entities contributing to additional delays. The project mid-term is planned for January 2015, and current closing date is June 30, 2017. (2) Implementation progress: Despite the startup delays, the executing entities have established implementation teams with excellent technical and operational capacity and Public Disclosure Copy commitment to the project. The entities are aware of the time lost due to startup delays, and have therefore proposed alternative mechanisms for faster implementation of the scheduled year 1 and some year 2 activities. The executing entities revised their work plans during the mission, taking into account the initial delays. Activities including the baseline socioeconomic surveys, public consultations and few other studies are currently underway and the pace of implementation is expected to accelerate in the coming months. It is expected that some of the lost time could be made up during the course of implementation. Below is brief progress by component: (3) Component 1 (Community-Centered Ecotourism in the Northern Badia): RSCN is currently 2 months behind in submitting its first deliverable (socioeconomic baseline), for which it has prepared TORs and obtained PMU approval. RSCN intends to make up for the lost time by starting work on the Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP) in parallel with the socioeconomic baseline assessment. (4) Component 2 (Adaptive Rangeland Management and Alternative Livelihoods Support in the Southern Badia) - This component is currently 8-9 months behind schedule. The locations for the reserve and hafir at Al Husseiniah have been indicated by the communities during a consultation process, and are now pending final endorsement through results from NCARE’s technical studies. The feasibility option of establishing 2 range reserve areas in this region (sufficiently close to each other for organizational purposes) instead of 1 as per project design is also being examined. As regards Al Jafr, 4 preference areas have been indicated by, and discussed with the communities. Further consultations and verifications are underway to narrow down the scope. Agreements with both communities on selection areas are expected to be completed by mid-March 2014. This is important as NCARE can commence on the hafirs and range reserves only once their broad location have been agreed upon with the communities. Planned alternative livelihoods activities were well accepted during the community consultation meetings, and HFDJB has started compiling a list of proposed cooperatives that it could support, according to the selection criteria as indicated in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM). (5) Component 3 (Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation) - A PMU was established in February 2013, comprising a Project Manager, an M&E Specialist, a Financial Officer and a procurement officer (seconded from NCARE). The PMU has been undertaking its tasks; however, the consultants’ contracts expired on January 31, 2014 and the Bank is expected to receive a final version of the amended contracts from NCARE. Locations Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Jordan Ma'an Muhafazat Ma`an ✔ ✔ Jordan Mafraq Muhafazat al Mafraq ✔ ✔ Results Public Disclosure Copy Global Environmental Objective Indicators Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Amount of new ecotourism- related income to Amount(USD) Value 0.00 0.00 570000.00 communities along the Al Azraq/Shaumari- Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Public Disclosure Copy Burqu’ corridor Comments Ecotourism corridor along Al- Income to communities is Income is expected from the Azraq/Shaumari-Burqu' does expected in YR2 according to ecotourism supply chain: not exist and hence no the results framework purchases of goods and raw ecotourism-related jobs ($19,000). As the materials from providers, establishment of the corridor salaries, payment for services has notcommenced, the provided by communities to current value remains as zero. the corridor, and revenue sharing with the communities. The Beneficiaries Report is an annual report produced by RSCN for each of the sites it manages, showing income which goes directly to communities. Direct project beneficiaries Number Value 0.00 0.00 10720.00 Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Beneficiaries are expected in YR4 according to the results framework (10,720) Female beneficiaries Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 51.00 Sub Type Supplemental New areas outside protected areas managed Number Value 0.00 0.00 3000.00 as biodiversity-friendly (ha) Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Biodiversity friendly managed The rangelands will be within new area is expected in YR2 reserves which will be according to the results replanted, offering an framework (3,000 ha). It is extended grazing period. Public Disclosure Copy expected that startup delays may contribute to delays in Sustainability will be establishing the rangeland measured through the signing reserves as anticipated in a of grazing agreements timely manner, and in between the communities and achieving the YR2target. HFDJB. Biodiversity-friendly management is defined as management which Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 meets Jordan’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2003) strategies as explained in the Public Disclosure Copy PAD Intermediate Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Ecotourism Development Plan (ETDP) Yes/No Value No No Yes developed and approved by the Steering Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Committee Comments ETDP does not exist and it ETDP has not been ETDP to determine the will be developed during YR1 developed as was planned location, design and of the GEF project during YR1 of the project, due operational requirements of to startup delays experienced. interventions; it is also However, the TOR for the expected to help RSCN ETDP has been prepared and finalize capacity building and approved and the process marketing strategies. See has now commenced and is Annex 2 of the PAD for expected to be completed by detailed component Sept. 2014. description First ecotourism destination piloted Yes/No Value No No Yes Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments To be piloted by end of YR2. Excursions for Bedouin However because of delay in experiences, east of Azraq/ start of implementation, it is Shaumari reserves; as per expected that timeline would ETDP approach. be adjusted accordingly. Ecolodge infrastructure established Yes/No Value No No Yes Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Ecotourism corridor not The target is expected in YR3 Construction is expected to established and ecolodge as per results framework. be completed in Year 3 and Public Disclosure Copy does not exist. the ecolodge is expected to be operational in Year 4 (as per ETDP approach and EMP) Number of target stakeholders trained on Number Value 0.00 0.00 115.00 ecotourism services Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Target stakeholders not Training is expected in YR2 Ecotourism services include known. They will be identified according to the results rangers, guides, cooks, goods in the ETDP; needs framework (50 people). producers, translators, etc. assessment will be Target stakeholders will be Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 undertaken; training program identified in the ETDP, which will be devised and delivered is expected in September 2014. Once identified, they will receive the training. The Public Disclosure Copy first number of people is expected in YR2 according to the results framework (200 people). Number of improved hafirs constructed Number Value 0.00 0.00 2.00 Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Due to design and The target is 1 hafir in YR2 2 improved hafirs will be construction features according to the results constructed, based on combined with high framework. Location of hafirs topographic, hydrological, evaporation rates, water in both communities has been geological, agronomic and retention in hafirs is approx. discussed with other required preliminary 2-3 months. thecommunities and a design investigations. Water decision is expected in mid retention period is expected to March 2014. last up to 6 months. Capacity: 50,000-100,000 m3 Increased vegetation cover in two rangeland Hectare(Ha) Value 0.00 0.00 3000.00 reserves in Al Husseinieh and Al Jafr Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments This is a GEF LD indicator. Results are expected to be Biomass productivity seen by the end of YR2 (3000 increase measured in terms ha), however, due to startup of Dry Matter (DM) (kg/ha) delays in implementation, this during grazing seasons timeline will need to be adjusted accordingly. Number of men and women members in at Number Value 0.00 0.00 1000.00 least 12 cooperatives benefitting from Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 alternative livelihoods activities in Al Jafr and Comments The first number of people is Alternative livelihoods include Al-Husseinieh expected in YR2 according to small grants (Only direct the results framework (200 beneficiaries are counted). Public Disclosure Copy people). HFDJB are currently in the process of identifying Breakdown of target values: the cooperative it intends to Al Jafr: Men: 280; Women:70 engage with. Activities will Al Husseinieh: Men: 550; begin once the list has been Women:100 established. Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 M&E system operational Text Value No M&E in place M&E system being utilized by PMU Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Public Disclosure Copy Comments No M&E in place M&E system is being utilized PMU produces progress by the PMU to produce reports utilizing M&E system progress reports as planned, by getting required information from the executing entities and compiling them in the progress report. Progress reports are submitted in a timely Yes/No Value No Yes Yes manner Date 17-May-2012 12-Feb-2014 30-Jun-2017 Comments Yes. The Bank is working with Based on reports’ templates the M&E specialist of the as described in the PIM and PMU to enhance the quality of submission schedule as the reports. described in the Grant Agreement Data on Financial Performance (as of 06-Feb-2014) Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P127861 TF-12887 Effective 31-Dec-2012 31-Dec-2012 28-Mar-2013 30-Jun-2017 30-Jun-2017 Disbursements (in Millions) Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P127861 TF-12887 Effective USD 3.33 3.33 0.00 0.80 2.53 24.00 Disbursement Graph Public Disclosure Copy Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13762 Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation (1) The PMU will ensure close follow up, monitoring and reporting on project implementation and adherence to the revised work plans and timeline. As agreed during the mission, activities to be implemented by NCARE, RSCN and HFDJB according to the revised work plans should facilitate acceleration in project implementation and an increase in disbursements. (2) NCARE to monitor any procurement bottlenecks and propose an action plan. The Bank will closely support these transactions to ensure that procurement activities are launched on time. Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Page 7 of 7