The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | Tunisia | Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2017 | Seq No: 13 | ARCHIVED on 23-Aug-2023 | ISR57419 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fishing, Republic of Tunisia Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 15-Mar-2017 Effectiveness Date: 12-Dec-2017 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 01-Jun-2021 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 01-Jun-2021 Original Closing Date: 29-Mar-2024 Revised Closing Date: 29-Mar-2024 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The project development objective is to improve landscape management and access to economic opportunities for targeted rural communities in the North West and Center West regions of Tunisia. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Laying the foundations for sustainable management of agricultural resources:(Cost $10.12 M) Fostering sustainable regional investments:(Cost $11.19 M) Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:(Cost $1.70 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions Technical support Mission: A Technical Support Mission was held April 10-17, 2023. The objectives of the mission were to: (i) monitor the progress of the actions agreed during the December 2022 support mission, in particular as regards safeguards environmental and social, procurement and financial management; (ii) provide support technical and advice to the UGO for the proper execution of the project; and (iii) monitor progress major contracts, including the one with FAO (United Nations for food and agriculture) to support the national forestry, pastoral and olive inventory (IFPON). Project Implementation: The mission reconfirmed the renewed momentum registered during the December 2022 mission with regard to project implementation by the PIU (UGO), UREPs, and other stakeholders. Good progress has been made in recent months, including a significant increase of land area under sustainable landscape management practices from 8,377 ha to 11,330 ha, and an increase in the area of forests and pastures managed according to co-management plans from 15,000 ha to 63,979.7 ha, between June 2022 and July 2023. The project has also facilitated access to key buyers and/or markets for 17 producer organizations (GDA). Implementation progress and impact on the ground will be 8/23/2023 Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) revisited in depth during the forthcoming September 2023 implementation support mission, which will also focus on supporting the PIU with due diligences related to project closing (the project closing is March 29, 2024). Grievance Redress Management (GRM): This mission confirmed that GRM is in place and functioning. To further strengthen the GRM, the mission reviewed implementation of the GBV action plan. The UGO progressed after delay on the mobilization of GBV, environment and social specialists. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Substantial Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Substantial Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Substantial Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Substantial Substantial Substantial Stakeholders Substantial Moderate Moderate Other -- Moderate Moderate Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improve landscape management and access to economic opportunities for targeted rural communities IN01328084 ►Land area under sustainable landscape management practices (Hectare(Ha), Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 10,059.50 11,330.00 11,800.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 29-Sep-2023 The target is on track for completion by the end of the project. Following the reduction of the final target at restructuring in accordance with the cost reduction under component 2.1, good progress have been made with a significant increase of Land area under Comments: sustainable landscape management practices from 8,377 ha in June 2022 to 10,059.5 ha in November 2022 and 11,330ha in July 2023. 8/23/2023 Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) IN01328085 ►Producer organizations (GDA) with facilitated access to key buyers and/or markets (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 15.00 17.00 17.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 29-Sep-2023 As per reduction of the final target (number of producers’ organizations, farmers associations, and MSMEs with improved access to markets and buyers) to 17, the target has already been achieved Comments: before the end of the project. IN01328221 ►Area of forests and pastures managed according to co-management plans (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 36,200.00 63,979.70 50,000.00 Date 15-Jun-2022 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 29-Sep-2023 The target has already been achieved and surpassed before the end of the project. In order to assess if forests pastures and Alfa areas are managed in accordance with the co-management agreements signed, this indicator is being estimated by summing areas granted to GDAs deemed active. As a result, strong progress have been made with an increase from 15,000 ha to 36,200 ha from June to November 2022 and 63 979,7 as of July 2023. Indeed, the 22 GDA which signed a co-management agreement are responsible for a total area of 87,455 ha. Without the results of an independent evaluation of the co-management agreement implementation, the indicator is currently measured by the area under Comments: co-management of the GDAs which have signed at least one commercial alliance to exploit the non-wood forest resources and which have implemented at least part of their commitments (NB: at the second restructuring in June 2022 the former PDO indicator 3 dealing with beneficiaries’ satisfaction was cancelled and replaced by the former Intermediary Results Indicator (IRI) “Area of forests and pastures managed according to co-management plans (Ha)” as the later indicator better informs the first part of the PDO stated above. However, beneficiary satisfaction will continue to be monitored by the UGO, outside of the results framework monitoring and reporting). Overall Comments PDO The results framework reflects status provided by the PIU as of July 30, 2023. Indicators will be reviewed in depth during the forthcoming September 14-28, 2023 Implementation Support Mission and updated in the next ISR. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Laying the foundations for sustainable management of agricultural resources IN01328222 ►Knowledge and planning base for forest, pasture and olive trees established (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value Score of zero Score of two Score of two Score of four Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 8/23/2023 Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) Some progress have been made as two milestones (realized) out of four have achieved as follows: 1. IFPON carried out to the satisfaction of the DGF/MARHP; 2. National afforestation and reforestation plan implemented annually (realized); 3. Measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system set up and operational (realized); Comments: 4. Integrated forest and rangeland management plans developed in a participatory manner with the support of the PGIP approved by the Forestry Department. However, regarding this indicator closely related to activities to be implemented by FAO (milestones 1 and 4), there is a risk to not be completed given the current contractual difficulties. IN01328224 ►Integrated Landscape Development Plans in selected lagging regions developed and approved (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 The target is already achieved as PDIPs were prepared at project start in 2018. The 15 PDIPs will be updated, under a truly participatory and iterative process, in 2023 (the updated PDIPs will cover the period 2024-2029) as agreed at restructuring mission. This will allow to prioritize Comments: investments and will facilitate resource mobilization for their implementation, beyond the PGIP closure. As such, the updated PDIPs will become important tools to be used by communities, POs, VC actors, local authorities and other local stakeholders. IN01328226 ►CSOs and MSMEs trained (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 The end target is already achieved. The supervison mission confirmed that the total number of GDAs and MSMEs legally recognized under Comments: the ILMP and having signed a co-management agreement (case of GDAs) and/or productive alliances (case of MSMEs) is 38. They are benefitting / will benefit from trainings by the end of the project. IN01328227 ►Milestones achieved in reform of the agriculture and forestry sector institutional framework (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value Score of zero Score of two Score of two Score of two Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 Comments: The end target is already achieved. The indicator formulation and its actual value are unchanged as compared to previous ISR. The first two milestones have been validated in the sequential order requested; a vision was developed with the aim of creating and setting up the National Forestry Authority (Office national des forêts) granted with financial and administrative autonomy, including the organizational chart of this new structure at the central and regional level. This vision has been validated by all stakeholders. In addition, a draft law reflecting the creation of the proposed authority has been drawn up and submitted for review and approval by the highest decision making bodies, including the ministerial council. However, the prevailing country situation prevented its adoption so far. The implementation of the envisaged reform depends on the publication of the revised text of law (itself dependent on holding a Parliamentary session, currently stalled and to be reinstated) and publication of a decree by the Ministry of Agriculture (or Prime Minister) stating the creation, mandate, and organization of the proposed National Forestry Authority. 8/23/2023 Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) IN01328229 ►Legal framework reviewed and revised (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value Score of zero Score of two Score of three Score of two Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 Achievement of the four milestones reads as follows: 1. Analysis of the strengths and inconsistencies of the Forest Code: completed. Revision of the articles relating to access to forest resources and to the strengthening of the enforcement component was done. 2. Assessment of the legal soundness and effectiveness and impacts of the co-management of forest resources model tested in the 15 targeted pilot landscape units (LUs), before expanding it to other areas in same and other governorates: yet to be done. TORs were prepared, a bid was launched, technical and financial offers were received on 21 June 2022 and are being studied. Field work is scheduled to start in Comments: September 2022. The final report of the consultant is expected in the last quarter of 2022. 3. Proposals concerning the adjustment of the agricultural regulatory framework (forestry code): done. A bill amending and supplementing law n ° 88-20 of April 13, 1988, revising the forest code has been drawn up. 4. Proposals for national procedures aimed at including farmers and MSMEs in the decision-making process and giving them access to finance. Fostering sustainable regional investments IN01328223 ►Physical infrastructure completed in selected lagging regions operational supported by the project (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 22.00 23.00 10.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 The end target is already achieved and exceeded. To assess this indicator, sub-indicators by type of infrastructure have been specified. Thus, the current Comments: value of this indicator takes into account: 3 boreholes and 20 individual cisterns i.e. a total of 23 Physical infrastructure completed). IN01328225 ►Number of Value chains supported by the project (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 After restructuring, the end target has been reduced to 2 value chains supported by the project. Therefore, Comments: the end target is already achieved. IN01328228 ►Forest, pastures and Alfa areas with management plans prepared according to revised standards and approved by the Forest Administration (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 8/23/2023 Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50,000.00 Date 31-Mar-2017 30-Nov-2022 30-Jul-2023 23-Sep-2023 Regarding this indicator closely related to activities to be implemented by FAO, there is a risk to not be completed given the current contractual difficulties faced by FAO with a service provider. The procedures that have been underway since December 2021 for a potential new collaboration with the FAO have not resulted in the signing of a UTF agreement "Development of forest and alfa tablecloth management plans". Given the importance of these development plans for the DGF, recourse to the recruitment of a firm specializing in the field, according to competitive procedures, is essential for the DGF. All technical and budgetary details have been worked out and discussed between FAO, DGF and the identified partner. When the draft contract was submitted to FAO services, in October 2022, it turned out that the status of the identified partner does not allow its selection by direct agreement and requires a Comments: tendering procedure, requiring approximately six months, to be added to the duration proposed for the execution of the contract (18 months), resulting in exceeding the closing date of the ILMP. Various options have been discussed during the supervision mission in December 2022 with the DGF to maintain the activity, whether funded by the ILMP or other sources. The mission recommended: a) immediately launching the international call for tenders for the selection of the service provider (based on the ToRs already available) so as to have offers evaluated before the next supervision mission; (b) consider methodological and quality assurance support; and c) study the modalities for carrying out and financing the activity on the ILMP (or other sources) in order to decide no later than June 2023. Overall Comments IR The results framework reflects status provided by the PIU as of July 30, 2023. Indicators will be reviewed in depth during the forthcoming September 14-28, 2023 Implementation Support Mission and updated in the next ISR. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P151030 IBRD-87220 Effective USD 100.00 23.00 77.00 19.71 4.33 82% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P151030 IBRD-87220 Effective 15-Mar-2017 22-Apr-2017 12-Dec-2017 29-Mar-2024 29-Mar-2024 Cumulative Disbursements 8/23/2023 Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions Project (P151030) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 11-Mar-2020 ,Level Approved on 09-May-2020 ,Level 2 Approved on 27-Jun-2022 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 8/23/2023 Page 7 of 7