The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) SOUTH ASIA | South Asia | Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2020 | Seq No: 6 | ARCHIVED on 28-Oct-2023 | ISR57872 | Implementing Agencies: SACEP, South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 29-May-2020 Effectiveness Date: 12-Aug-2020 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 10-Jul-2023 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 17-Jul-2023 Original Closing Date: 31-Jul-2025 Revised Closing Date: 31-Jul-2025 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) To strengthen innovation and coordination of circular economy solutions to plastic pollution flowing into South Asian Seas Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Supporting Competitive Block Grant Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste:(Cost $22.00 M) Leveraging Public and Private Sector Engagement and Solutions:(Cost $8.00 M) Strengthening Regional Integration Institutions:(Cost $7.00 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions The Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia regional project was approved by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors on May 29, 2020. The project's signing ceremony took place on June 8, 2020, World Oceans Day 2020. Since then, the effectiveness condition has been successfully fulfilled, and project effectiveness was declared on August 12, 2020. The South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), the recipient agency, has spent the first 24 months putting administrative functions in place to successfully manage and implement the project. SACEP started to receive implementation support from the United Nations Office for Project Services with respect to assisting the Project Implementation Unit . Based on the Midterm Review findings and current project status, key achievements by the project so far include: The selection process for regional block grants for Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, and Pakistan is completed. The due diligence process for shortlisted candidates is ongoing. SACEP is providing Technical Assistance support to the governments of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The construction of the new headquarters office building for SACEP is expected to start by October 31, 2023. The next Implementation Support Mission is scheduled for February 2024. The Implementation Status Report will be finalized by the end of the mission. 10/28/2023 Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Low Low Low Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial High Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary High High Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Other Moderate Moderate -- Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Strengthen innovation and coordination of circular economy solutions to plastic pollution IN01342525 ►PDO 1: Circular Plastic Economy Innovations developed and tested for application in participating South Asia countries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 Date 27-Feb-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Innovations are defined as new approaches, transfer or adaptation of existing and/or proven approaches to new contexts and/or geographies, new policies, national and regional strategies, standards, etc. It is Comments: estimated that approx. 20 grants to be allocated for RBG and that each of these will feature at least one unique innovation that moves toward circularity. Number of innovations is likely to be higher. The indicator measures the PDO outcome on innovations. Cumulative targets. IN01342586 ►PDO 2: Policies/standards /guidelines to promote a circular plastic economy harmonized and agreed by at least 3 countries at regional PPP convenings (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 10/28/2023 Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 03-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The project supports a collaboration and coordination arrangement between public and private sectors for jointly addressing plastic pollution. A key result of the convening will be harmonization of policies/standards/guidelines to promote a circular plastic economy that subsequently facilitate investments. Harmonization opportunities and priorities will be established by the regional PPP Comments: convenings and could range from mandatory policies (e.g., plastic bag bans) to voluntary standards (e.g., for plastic products and packaging). Since some countries take a long time to approve policies/standards/guidelines, regional harmonization is considered to be achieved if a majority, i.e., at least 3 participating countries agreed. The target for number of policies/standards/guidelines harmonized is cumulative. IN01342587 ►PDO3: SACEP’s institutional capacity strengthened to drive results for plastic pollution reduction across the region (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 An institutional capacity assessment will be conducted and a capacity building plan (including targets) will be developed and agreed by MTR. By year 5, assessment of capacity will be independently verified Comments: through technical audit and survey of partners, countries and beneficiaries. Annual targets. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components To improve identification and testing of possible plastic pollution mitigation solutions IN01342588 ►IR1.1: Regional Competitive Block Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste administered by SACEP (disaggregation by ‘under implementation’ and ‘completed’) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The indicator counts the number of approved block grants and whether these are under implementation or Comments: completed. The target is set based on available funds and average grant size and expected flow of approvals and implementation. Cumulative targets. IN01342591 ►IR1.2: Regional Competitive Block Grant Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste to women-owned enterprises or groups (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 This gender indicator counts the number of block grants approved for women-owned or women organizations and whether these are under implementation or completed. The target is set based on the gender analysis and gaps to close the gender gap. Cumulative targets. Comments: There is no progress in this indicator since the project did not not award any RBG yet. The first RBGs will be awarded by mid-October 2023. It is planned to award 2 RBGs per country. 10/28/2023 Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) IN01342594 ►IR1.3: Share business development services to women (TA) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Gender indicator. The target is set based on the gender analysis and gaps to close the gender gap. Comments: Cumulative targets. IN01342595 ►IR1.4: Regional circular plastic economy innovations knowledge sharing hosted by SACEP operational (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Knowledge sharing is deemed operational when stakeholders interact via project supported in person or on-line channels to exchange data, information and messaging as well as enable crowding-in of additional Comments: financial resources to RBG grantees are established. The target of full operational mode in year 3 is based on institutional capacity of SACEP, the technical solutions foreseen as well as planned progress of allocation block grants. Annual targets. IN01342597 ►IR1.5: People reached in plastic pollution and mitigation awareness campaigns (disaggregated by country and sex) (Number (Thousand), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Target is based on experience with large scale awareness campaigns in South Asia. Achievement will be Comments: counted after each campaign. Cumulative targets. To increase leveraging of private and public sector engagement and solutions in plastic pollution IN01342589 ►IR2.1: Regional public and private engagement mechanism branded and operational (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The regional PPP is deemed operational when consultations between public and private sectors are taking place in at least 5 countries as well as at regional level following a pre-agreed process and content. Furthermore, engagement is established via face to face interactions, in addition to technology enabled channels to exchange data, information and messaging. The target of full operational mode in year 3 is based on experience establishing such engagements in South Asia. Annual targets. Comments: There is no progress in this indicator due to the low staffing of PIU which currently consists of 2 persons (ESF and procurement specialist) and UNOPS team which focuses on other components. The new Project Director will be onboarded in May 2023 and the PIU can focus on the design and implementation of PPP engagement mechanism in FY24. 10/28/2023 Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) IN01342592 ►IR2.2: Annual regional convening of public sector policy and decision makers with private sector representatives on sharing of PPP circular plastic economy solutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The indicator measures the continued process of dialogue between public and private sectors on PPP Comments: solutions and sharing experience. Convenings will follow a pre-agreed process. The target is the sum of convenings in participating countries. Annual targets. IN01342596 ►IR2.3: National policies reviewed with recommendations for revisions and/or action plans (disaggregated country) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The indicator measures review of national policies with an effect on circular plastic economy approaches and their implementation. Reviews will be undertaken by technical experts from a host of disciplines Comments: including legal expertise and could possibly include a peer review mechanism with participation from the countries participating in the project. The target is set (prudently) as 2 per country given potential sensitivities around national policies. Cumulative targets. IN01342598 ►IR2.4: Consultations on marine litter actions carried out with targeted people and/or organizations in participating countries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Citizen engagement indicator. beneficiary feedback loop described under social safeguards. The target is set as two consultations per country in total. Cumulative targets There is no progress in this indicator since the project has not not award any RBG yet. The first RBGs will Comments: be awarded in in Bangladesh and Maldives by mid October followed by the 2 consultations in each country. IN01342599 ►IR2.5: Annual convenings of regional organization heads, including government decision-makers to collaborate and coordinate on circular plastic economy policy solutions branded and operational (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 The indicator measures the cumulative convenings by SACEP (at least one per year) of (a) regional Comments: organization heads, and/or (b) Heads of State and/or Foreign Affairs Ministers on the topic of plastic pollution, causes, consequences and solutions during the life of the project. Annual targets. To build institutional capacity IN01342590 ►IR3.1: Training and capacity building provided to SACEP staff across all project functions (Number, Custom) 10/28/2023 Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 4.00 4.00 24.00 Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 Topics include, but not limited to: procurement, financial management, project management, technical aspects related to marine plastic pollution management (material science, recycling, PPPs, etc.), Comments: database management, communications, etc. as per the annual training plan developed by the project. Cumulative Targets. IN01342593 ►IR3.2: Regional Center for Circular Plastic Economy Policy Research and Solutions branded and operational (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 09-Apr-2020 10-Mar-2023 22-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2025 A Center for Circular Economy Policy Research will be established by EOP and will oversee improvements in national and regional strategies, policies and industry standards to mitigate plastic Comments: pollution. It will be considered operational when it provides technical and other support to relevant institutions to collect and analyze lifecycle data. Annual targets. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P171269 IDA-D6480 Effective USD 37.00 37.00 0.00 5.03 30.72 14% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P171269 IDA-D6480 Effective 29-May-2020 08-Jun-2020 12-Aug-2020 31-Jul-2025 31-Jul-2025 Cumulative Disbursements 10/28/2023 Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Plastic free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (P171269) Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 10/28/2023 Page 7 of 7