Republic Of Kosovo Kosovo Comprehensive Approach to Health System Strengthening Project (P179831) Draft ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) January 2024 1|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Kosovo (the Recipient) will implement the Kosovo Comprehensive Approach to Health System Strengthening Project (P179831) (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Health (MoH), through the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), as set out in the Financing Agreement. The International Development Association (IDA), (hereinafter the Bank), has agreed to provide financing for the Project, as set out in the referred agreement. 2. The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and this Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), in a manner acceptable to the Bank. The ESCP is a part of the Financing Agreement. Unless otherwise defined in this ESCP, capitalized terms used in this ESCP have the meanings ascribed to them in the referred agreement. 3. Without limitation to the foregoing, this ESCP sets out material measures and actions that the Recipient shall carry out or cause to be carried out, including, as applicable, the timeframes of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring, and reporting arrangements, and grievance management. The ESCP also sets out the environmental and social (E&S) instruments that shall be adopted and implemented under the Project, all of which shall be subject to prior consultation and disclosure, consistent with the ESS, and in form and substance, and in a manner acceptable to the Bank. Once adopted, said E&S instruments may be revised from time to time with prior written agreement by the Bank. 4. As agreed by the Bank and the Recipient, this ESCP will be revised from time to time if necessary, during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to Project performance. In such circumstances, the Recipient through MoH and the Bank agree to update the ESCP to reflect these changes through an exchange of letters signed between Bank and the Project Coordinator of the PCU within MoH. The Recipient through MoH shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 2|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) – Health System Resilience and Preparedness Project (P179831) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Submit six-monthly reports to the Bank MOH through the PCU Prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, throughout Project implementation, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the commencing after the Effective Date. implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S Submit each report to the Bank no later instruments required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, and than 30 days after the end of each functioning of the grievance mechanism(s) reporting period. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Notify the Bank no later than 48 hours MOH through the PCU Promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident related to the Project which has, or after learning of the incident or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected accident. communities, the public or workers, including, inter alia, cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH), and accidents that result in death, serious or Provide subsequent report to the Bank multiple injury [specify other examples of incidents and accidents, as appropriate for the within a timeframe acceptable to the type of operation]. Provide sufficient detail regarding the scope, severity, and possible Bank causes of the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and/or supervising firm, as appropriate. Subsequently, at the Bank’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to address it and prevent its recurrence. C CONTRACTORS’ MONTHLY REPORTS Submit the monthly reports to the Bank MOH through the PCU Require contractors and supervising firms to provide monthly monitoring reports on as annexes to the reports to be ESHS performance in accordance with the metrics specified in the respective bidding submitted under action A above. documents and contracts, and submit such reports to the Bank. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Establish and maintain a PCU as set out MOH through the PCU Establish and maintain a Project Coordination Unit (PCU) under the Ministry of Health in the Financing Agreement. (MOH), with qualified staff and resources to support management of ESHS risks and Hire or appoint the one Environmental impacts of the Project including one full-time Environmental and Social Specialist and and Social Specialist and part time part time Healthcare Waste Management Specialist. Health Care Waste Management Specialist no later than 3 month of the Project effective day and, thereafter maintain these positions throughout Project implementation. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INSTRUMENTS 3|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) – Health System Resilience and Preparedness Project (P179831) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 1. Finalize, disclose, consult upon, adopt, and implement an Environmental and Social 1. Finalize the draft ESMF, that has been Management Framework (ESMF) for the Project, in accordance with the ESSs, the disclosed and consulted prior to Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs), and other relevant Good appraisal, one month after the effective International Industry Practice (GIIP), and in a manner acceptable to the Bank. day and thereafter implement the ESMF throughout Project Implementation 2. Prepare, disclose, consult upon, adopt and implement site-specific Environmental Social and Management Plans (ESMPs) as set out in the ESMF. The activities described 2. Prepare the site specific ESMP before in the exclusion list set out in the ESMF shall be ineligible to receive financing under launching the bidding process for the the Project. respective Project activity that requires the preparation of such ESMP. 1.3 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS As part of the preparation of MOH through the PCU Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including, inter alia, the relevant E&S procurement documents and respective instruments, the Labor Management Procedures, and code of conduct, into the ESHS contracts. specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and Supervise contractors throughout supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply Project implementation. and cause subcontractors to comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. 1.4 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Throughout Project implementation. MOH through the PCU Ensure that the consultancies, studies, including feasibility studies, capacity building, training, and any other technical assistance activities under the Project are carried out in accordance with terms of reference acceptable to the Bank, that are consistent with the ESSs. Thereafter ensure that the outputs of such activities comply with the terms of reference. 1.5 EXCLUSIONS: These exclusions shall be applied as part MOH through the PCU The ESMF set’s out the principles, rules, guidelines, screening criteria and procedures to of the E&S screening process as set out assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of project activities. The screening in the ESMF and prior to preparation of questions for Potential Environmental and Social Impacts are part of the ESMF. The ESMPs under Action 1.2 above. results shall guide confirmation of the overall E&S risk rating and classification of the activities to be financed based on the screening. Exclude the activities listed below as ineligible for financing under the Project: • Activities that are not aligned with the policies, initiatives, and or objectives of this project; • Activities that will cause significant, sensitive, complex, irreversible and unprecedented potential adverse environmental and social impacts requiring a full or partial environmental assessment to manage and mitigate such impacts. 4|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) – Health System Resilience and Preparedness Project (P179831) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY • Activities that Involve any procurement activities beyond the scope of this project; •Activities that Involve any civil works, that are not defined in the ESMF scope of application. • Any sites with potential physical and livelihood displacement impacts under ESS5. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES Finalize the draft LMP, that has been MOH through the PCU Adopt and implement the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) for the Project, disclosed and consulted prior to including, inter alia, provisions on working conditions, management of workers appraisal, one month after the effective relationships, occupational health, and safety (including personal protective equipment, day and thereafter implement the LMP and emergency preparedness and response), code of conduct (including relating to SEA throughout Project Implementation and SH), forced labor, child labor, grievance arrangements for Project workers, and applicable requirements for contractors, subcontractors, and supervising firms. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Establish grievance mechanism, within MOH through the PCU Establish and operate a grievance mechanism for Project workers, as described in the one month after the effective day and LMP and consistent with ESS2. thereafter maintain and operate it throughout Project implementation. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES Same timeframe than for the MOH through the PCU Prepare, adopt, and implement occupational, health and safety (OHS) measures specified preparation and implementation of the in the ESMF and include in site-specific ESMPs. ESMPs under action 1.2 above. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN Same timeframe as for the preparation MOH through the PCU Incorporate into site-specific ESMPs procedures to manage hazardous and non- and implementation of ESMPs under hazardous wastes, consistent with ESS3 and as set out in the ESMF. This shall include action 1.2 (b) above. procedures for managing and disposing of: (a) construction/reconstruction waste; and (b) health care waste in accordance with the standard operating procedures set out in the ESMF. 3.2 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Same timeframe as for the preparation MOH through the PCU Incorporate resource efficiency and pollution prevention and management measures in and implementation of ESMPs under the ESMP to be prepared under action 1.2 above. action 1.2 (b) above. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY Same timeframe as for the preparation MOH through the PCU Incorporate measures to manage traffic and road safety risks as required in the ESMP to and implementation of ESMPs under be prepared under action 1.2 above. action 1.2 (b) above. 5|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) – Health System Resilience and Preparedness Project (P179831) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 4.2 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Same timeframe as for the preparation MOH through the PCU Assess and manage specific risks and impacts to the community arising from Project and implementation of ESMPs under activities and include mitigation measures in the ESMPs to be prepared in accordance action 1.2 (b) above. with the ESMF. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT This standard is currently not relevant ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES This standard is currently not relevant ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES This standard is currently not relevant ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 CHANCE FINDS Same timeframe than for the MOH through the PCU Describe and implement the chance finds procedures, [specify the instrument that preparation and implementation of the describes these procedures, e.g. as part of the [ESMF] [ESMP]] of the Project. ESMPs under action 1.2 (b) above ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES This standard is currently not relevant ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION Finalize the draft SEP, that has been MOH through the PCU Prepare, disclose, consult upon, adopt, and implement a Stakeholder Engagement disclosed and consulted prior to Plan (SEP) for the Project, consistent with ESS10, which shall include measures to, inter appraisal, one month after the effective alia, provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable and accessible day and thereafter implement the SEP information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner, which is free of throughout Project Implementation manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination and intimidation. 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Same timeframe as for the preparation MOH through the PCU Establish, publicize, maintain, and operate an accessible grievance mechanism, to and implementation of the SEP under receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, action 10.1 above. promptly and effectively, in a transparent manner that is culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all Project-affected parties, at no cost and without retribution, Ensure the grievance mechanism is including concerns and grievances filed anonymously, in a manner consistent with disseminated in Project locations prior ESS10. to the commencement of any civil works. The grievance mechanism shall be equipped to receive, register, and facilitate the resolution of SEA/SH complaints, including through the referral of survivors to relevant gender-based violence service providers, all in a safe, confidential, and survivor-centered manner. CAPACITY SUPPORT 6|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) – Health System Resilience and Preparedness Project (P179831) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY CS1 The training shall focus on Project workers, contractors, community organizations and Conduct training before the preparation MOH through the PCU government agent officials involved in the Project. of the bidding documents and continue The training shall include the following: trainings throughout the Project ESF and ESMF; implementation ESMP for each activity SEP and GM; Performance of the Project (and incidence and accident reporting) Workers and Community Health and Safety; SEA/SH Risk Prevention and Management; Traffic Management; LMP and Labor GM • Codes of Conduct for the contractors’ workers including ESHS, OHS, SEA/SH , SEP and GM. 7|Page