Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN | Colombia | Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy Global Practice | Global Environment Project | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 17 | ARCHIVED on 29-Mar-2023 | ISR55126 | Implementing Agencies: IDEAM, Instituto SINCHI de Investigación Amazónica, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Parques Nacionales Naturales, Patrimonio Natural Fondo para la Biodiversidad y Areas Protegidas Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 08-Dec-2014 Effectiveness Date: 02-Mar-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 03-Feb-2020 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 02-Mar-2020 Original Closing Date: 30-Nov-2024 Revised Closing Date: 30-Nov-2024 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The project's global environmental objective (GEO) is the same as the project's development objective (PDO), namely, to improve governance and promote sustainable land use activities in order to reduce deforestation and conserve biodiversity in the Project area. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name 1. Protected Areas Management and Financial Sustainability:(Cost $4.56 M) 2. Sustainable forest and water management and use:(Cost $9.00 M) 3. Governance, Policies and Incentives:(Cost $1.31 M) 4.Project Coordination, Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation:(Cost $3.50 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions This ISR summarizes implementation progress as it was discussed in the implementation support mission held in Bogota from February 27 to March 2, 2023. Overall status and results: Progress towards achieving the PDO is moderately satisfactory. IP rating remains moderately satisfactory considering the slow implementation progress of the second additional financing (TFB5182). Overall project disbursements are at 52%. The project is making 3/29/2023 Page 1 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) progress toward meeting most of the overall and intermediate objectives. For some targets that are lagging behind, an action plan is being designed to accelerate interventions in areas where security conditions are manageable, and risks can be mitigated. The project team has continued to implement management and risk mitigation measures to adapt to the fragility due to the internal conflict. With adequate security measures, it has been possible to reactivate actions in the field, with the support of local leaders. The transition period of the new government required adjustments and time spent in socializing the project and receiving new guidance. The following positive achievements stand out: Component 1: Protected areas (PA) management and financial sustainability. (i) Increase in terrestrial protected areas under improved management; (ii) agreements with indigenous communities living inside PAs or buffer zones advancing as planned; (iii) progress in the declaration process for a new regional area (Distrito de Conservacion de Suelos); (iv) implementation plans for Ramsar sites implemented via community control and surveillance as well as monitoring of key fauna species; (v) progress in the governance structure for Herencia Colombia and new financing secured for the mechanism. Component 2: Sustainable Forest and water management and use. (i) New conservation agreements signed and others in the process towards signing and implementation; (ii) Forestry inventories, and economic/feasibility analysis for selected non-timber forest products have been prepared to inform the strategy towards community forestry activities; (iii) new hectares have been restored prioritizing areas towards connectivity and conservation of water recharge areas. Component 3: Governance, policies and incentives. (i) Memorandums of understanding with five (5) mayors' offices in the department of Putumayo were negotiated to ensure the implementation of the Green Road Infrastructure Guidelines, the Environmental Management Guide for Tertiary Roads, and the Guide for Fauna protection in relevant infrastructure projects. Making progress towards the overall goal of strengthening community and institutional governance have been possible with an institutional arrangement that allows the entities of the National Environmental System (SINA) with competence in the Amazon, to collaboratively adopt, plan and implement the project in the different areas of intervention. The mission was informed that this is a unique and positive arrangement for an international cooperation project, susceptible for replication. The project has had positive broader outcomes in terms of strengthening social capital, cultural values and traditions and, State presence in vulnerable and remote areas, as well as the protection of the region’s natural richness with a landscape connectivity approach. All of this in alignment with the national government's strategy to halt deforestation and build peace. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance -- Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic -- Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies -- Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program -- Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and -- Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary -- Moderate Moderate Environment and Social -- Moderate Moderate Stakeholders -- Moderate Moderate Other -- Substantial Substantial Overall -- Moderate Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes 3/29/2023 Page 2 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Management and governance for biodiversity conservation strengthened IN01256437 ►Terrestrial protected areas under improved management effectiveness (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 4,894,637.00 6,890,820.00 7,244,359.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 In addition to previously tracked PAs, management effectiveness measurement was carried out for four National Natural Parks (PNN): Picachos, Tinigua, Macarena and RNN Nukak. This had not been assessed before and mostly explains the increase of 1.996.183 hectares of protected areas (PA) with improved management effectiveness compared to the previous report. The other PAs, continue on the positive track of effective management for a total 6,890,820 hectares of protected areas with improved management effectiveness. To ensure a standard measurement comparable for all the country, Comments: measurement of the management effectiveness via the METT was aligned with the one designed at national level: Analysis of Effectiveness of Protected Areas Management with Social Participation - AEMAPPS-. It is noteworthy that the scores obtained for all national protected areas have exceeded the individual targets established for the year 2021 (the results of the measurement for 2022 will be presented in the report for the 1st semester of 2023). IN01256438 ►Areas under new or improved integrated sustainable management plans as a result of project activities (excluding PA) (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 10,110.00 2,008,585.00 2,009,237.00 4,299,291.00 Date 30-Dec-2016 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 This indicator reports an increase of 1,103 ha with an accumulated total of 2,009,237 ha. This increase corresponds to: 1. forest areas that were incorporated by Corpoamazonía in land management plans, (651.2 ha); and, 2. 452 ha restored under Conservation, Restoration and Non-Deforestation Agreements (ACRND). Progress was also made in the implementation of activities that contribute to the integrated landscapes management in the area subtracted from the Amazon Forest Reserve in Bajo Caguán, and Ramsar sites EFI and Tarapoto Lakes. Comments: An action plan is under design to accelerate the granting of subprojects leading to community forestry in areas with minor risks related to conflict. The project team is monitoring the situation and in contact with leaders of indigenous reserves where interventions have been suspended given the conflict; and which represent around 30% of the end target. Areas of environmental significance under legal protection increased IN01256375 ►New areas of environmental significance brought under legal protection (biodiversity conservation, avoided deforestation) (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 3,104,945.00 3,104,945.00 3,104,945.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 The target for this indicator has been met and no changes are reported for this indicator. However, with AF1 resources, progress was made in the interventions leading to the creation of the Bajo Guayabero-Guaviare Conservation District (regional PA). Despite the conflict in the region, workshops have continued promoting dialogue with representatives of the 14 villages. This has allowed the Comments: establishment of a community and institutional work plan and a communication strategy for the implementation of the roadmap towards the PA declaration. Once declared, the project will thus exceed the expected target. 3/29/2023 Page 3 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Sustainable low carbon land use activities implemented IN01256439 ►Land area under sustainable landscape management practices (Hectare(Ha), Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 24,526.40 25,177.60 862,961.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 This indicator reports an increase of 651.2 ha that were verified (via remote sensing and field visit-where possible- as complying with the conservation and restoration agreements. An action plan is under design to accelerate the granting of subprojects leading to community forestry. In Comments: addition, in the next semesters the actual value for the indicator is expected to raise once the participatory processes towards the signing and implementing conservation and non deforestation agreements culminate with implementation of improved management practices. GHG emissions from avoided/reduced deforestation monitored IN01256436 ►GHG emission levels established annually for the Amazon Region by IDEAM (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 The project has been measuring the emissions of GHG on an annual basis according to the methodology implemented by IDEAM and Minambiente. Data for the year 2021 show that 112,899 ha were deforested in the Amazon (65% of the national total). Although the project has been able to reverse deforestation trends in beneficiary properties and by promoting vigilance and control in PAs, the full scope of the deforestation drivers exceeds the project's capacity for action. This is evidenced by the monitoring Comments: system's analysis of deforestation levels (2020-2021), which shows an increase in deforestation in the Amazon region of 3.3% (from 109,302 hectares to 112,899 hectares). Considering only the area of intervention for the project that corresponds to almost a third of the total Colombian Amazon region, the deforestation that occurred in this area only represents 15% of the total region’s deforestation. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1 - Protected Areas Management and Financial Sustainability IN01256440 ►Mechanism for funding of PA system in Colombia designed and operational (Colombia Heritage- HECO) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 Under the new government, PNN (Sub-Directorate of Management and Administration) resumed coordination of the HeCo program and has been making progress in adjusting the Operational Manual to incorporate the new governance structure. A Steering Committee meeting was held to approve the Monitoring System, the Financial Model, and the entry of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Andes Amazon Fund, and Bezos Earth Fund as donors to the HeCo Program. Additionally, progress has been made in Comments: the adjustments and final preparation of technical and financial documents: (i) Conservation Plan with a logical framework; (ii) Monitoring scheme to evaluate the program's performance (compliance with objectives and goals) and financial execution; and, (iii) early piloting with community based activities in selected PAs. IN01256443 ►Capitalization of national funding mechanism for protected area system (Amount(USD), Custom) 3/29/2023 Page 4 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,500,000.00 Date 30-Dec-2019 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 Transfer of $2M from the project to the Herencia Colombia transition fund will be activated once disbursement conditions are met. The government indicated (to be confirmed formally) that it is expected that the AF2 funds for HeCo to be directed to the transition fund are to be fully disbursed for project Comments: activities allowing for the agreed land management and restoration targets. The park authority is in negotiations to secure additional funding for HeCo. Component 2 - Sustainable forest and water management and use IN01256441 ►Area of land restored (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,525.00 1,634.00 4,025.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 Following the strategy promoting ecological connectivity and conservation of water recharge areas, 108.4 hectares inside the PA RNN Nukak, were restored during this period. This was done (active restoration) with native and food species for family consumption. Production of native plant species in local nurseries that support restoration continues with around 13,000 seedlings. Comments: In the next semesters the actual value for the indicator is expected to raise once the participatory processes towards the signing and implementing restoration agreements culminate with implementation on the ground activities; as well as the accesibility of the plants that are currently in the nurseries. IN01256444 ►Farmers reached with agricultural assets or services (Number, Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 564.00 901.00 909.00 4,034.00 Date 30-Dec-2019 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 A cumulative total of 909 beneficiary farmers receiving the agricultural services and assets within the process of the conservation and restoration agreements are reported in this period. The actual value will significantly increase in the next semesters as farmers complete the process towards signing the Comments: conservation, non deforestation and restoration agreements, and then the project team procures the assets and deploys the services to support implementation of such agreements. IN01256449 Farmers reached with agricultural assets or services - Female (Number, Corporate Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 229.00 325.00 327.00 1,815.00 Component 3 -Governance, Policies and Incentives IN01256445 ►Number of agreements w/ sectors driving deforestation on land-use plan, strat for integrated landscape manag, policies or regulations, signed and under implementa (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 12.00 16.00 13.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 3/29/2023 Page 5 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) During this period, 16 agreements are reported, corresponding to four (4) new agreements signed and twelve (12) active agreements. These include arrangements under the leadership of Minambiente- with the infrastructure sector (Ministry of Transportation and Invías) and between the Sinchi Institute with the land and rural sector (National Land Agency - ANT and Rural Agricultural Planning Unit - UPRA). As for Comments: the new agreements, memorandums of understanding were signed between the regional environmental authority, CDA, and the mayors of the municipalities of San José del Guaviare, El Retorno, Calamar and Miraflores for the application of technical instruments in their infrastructure projects in force in the municipal road plans. IN01256448 ►Number of properties at the agricultural frontier that have been subject to zoning (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 20.00 313.00 313.00 120.00 Date 30-Dec-2016 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 No changes in this indicator. A total of 313 properties have been subject of zoning. Within this group, owners of 111 properties have been supported in order to comply with all the requirements making them candidates to be granted land use permits/contracts in the forest reserve.The project will continue Comments: monitoring the effective compliance of conservation agreements within the properties through the MOSCAL system. Component 4 - Project Coordination, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) IN01256442 ►Number of direct beneficiaries disaggregated by gender (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 13,343.00 14,429.00 18,116.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 A total of 14,429 people have been directly benefitted by the project. Between July and December 2022, 1.082 additional people benefited. Of the cumulative total of beneficiaries, 6.356 (44%) are women and Comments: 8.073 men. IN01256446 Percentage of women (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 44.00 44.00 45.00 IN01256447 ►Strengthened capabilities of environmental authorities for forest monitoring according to specific action plans (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Jun-2022 Technical training workshops were held including transferring of the methodologies used for the national level carbon monitoring system (SMByC) to regional environmental authorities. Training was provided on the following topics: (i) Socialization of early deforestation alerts (AT-D); (ii) Methodologies for monitoring Comments: deforestation implemented by the SMBYC; (iii) Deforestation in the department of Guaviare for SENA students (CRCD); and (iv) Importance of the early warning system for deforestation and the proper use of data. IN01256450 ►Early warning system (deforestation alerts) in the Amazon region operational according to defined criteria (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 3/29/2023 Page 6 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Value 0.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 During the semester, IDEAM's SMByC generated Bulletins No. 31 and 32 corresponding to the quarterly Early warnings of deforestation (AT-D for its acronym in Spanish) which is available in IDEAM's portal: http://www.ideam.gov.co/web/atencion-y-participacion-ciudadana/publicaciones-ideam. Bulletin 31 Comments: identified an increasing trend of deforestation in Colombia, compared to the bulletin of the same period of the previous year. The Bulletin 33 will be published during the first months of 2023 allowing for full compliance with the 4 yearly alert bulletins delivered. IN01256451 ►Levels of satisfaction on the effectiveness and relevance of training and knowledge exchange events (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 97.00 97.00 80.00 Date 21-Aug-2014 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 During this semester, 97% of the people surveyed after participating in training events indicated satisfaction. A total of 388 people were surveyed (members of community organizations, leaders, Comments: technicians and officials from public entities) who participated in workshops, courses and a knowledge exchange tour between farmers from Guaviare and Meta departments. IN01256452 ►Grievances registered related to delivery of project benefits that are addressed (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Date 30-Dec-2019 30-Jun-2022 30-Dec-2022 30-Nov-2024 During the second semester of 2022, 18 SQRs were received by the project and its partner entities, and all were satisfactorily resolved. Of the total number of SQRs received, the majority (10) correspond to requests for project information. Two (2) were complaints from the communities that are part of the Comments: conservation agreements requesting faster delivery of the economic incentive. This was resolved in a community meeting. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P144271 TF-18478 Closed USD 10.40 10.37 0.03 10.37 0.00 100% P144271 TF-A5789 Effective USD 12.00 12.00 0.00 9.97 2.03 83% P144271 TF-B5182 Effective USD 18.37 18.37 0.00 0.71 17.65 3.9% Key Dates (by loan) 3/29/2023 Page 7 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon (P144271) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P144271 TF-18478 Closed 21-Jan-2015 21-Jan-2015 02-Mar-2015 30-Jun-2019 30-Jun-2019 P144271 TF-A5789 Effective 31-Oct-2017 07-Nov-2017 07-Nov-2017 30-Jun-2022 30-Nov-2024 P144271 TF-B5182 Effective 30-Apr-2021 13-May-2021 05-Oct-2021 30-Nov-2024 30-Nov-2024 Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) P158003-Additional Financing Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon Project ,P171227-Second Additional Financing for the Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon Project 3/29/2023 Page 8 of 8