Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No: XXX IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION AND RESULTS REPORT TF0B6544, and TF0B6543 ON A SMALL GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF USD 0.92 MILLION TO THE Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), and Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education (Tebtebba) FOR ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) October 31, 2023 Social Sustainability And Inclusion Global Practice Global Director: Louise J. Cord Practice Manager: Ingo Wiederhofer Task Team Leader(s): Maria Manuela Faria, Juliette E. Wilson ICR Main Contributor: Maria Manuela Faria ABBREVIATIONS ANSAB Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources BSP Benefit Sharing Plan CBP Capacity Building Program CPF Country Partnership Framework CRD Centre for Rural Development in Central Vietnam CSDM Center for Sustainable Development in Mountainous Areas CSO civil society organization ER emissions reduction ERP Emissions Reduction Program ERPA Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement ERPD Emissions Reduction Payment Document ESS Environmental and Social Standard FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FDF Forest Development Fund FECOFUN Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal FGD focus group discussion FMC Forest Management Council GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism GTM Grace Trifam Ministry HIMAWANTI Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association ICR Implementation Completion and Results Report IP Indigenous Peoples IPLCs Indigenous Peoples and local communities IPO Indigenous Peoples’ organization Lao PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic LC local communities M&E monitoring and evaluation MoFE Ministry of Forests and Environment MRV measurement, reporting, verification NEFIN Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities PanNature Center for People and Nature Reconciliation PDO Project Development Objective PES payment for ecosystem service REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries RF results framework SIS Safeguards Information System SSV Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei TTL Task Team Leader TEBTEBBA Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education WBG World Bank Group TABLE OF CONTENTS DATA SHEET ....................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ....................................................... 4 II. OUTCOME .................................................................................................................... 10 III. KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME ................................ 14 IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME .. 17 V. LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................. 19 ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS ........................................................... 22 ANNEX 2. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT ........................................................................... 29 ANNEX 3. RECIPIENT, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS ...... 30 ANNEX 4. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS .................................................................................. 31 ANNEX 5. SUMMARY OF SUBPROJECTS UNDER COMPONENT 1 ........................................... 33 ANNEX 6. SUMMARY OF MAIN REPORTS PRODUCED UNDER COMPONENT 2 ....................... 41 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) DATA SHEET BASIC INFORMATION Product Information Project ID Project Name ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON P175928 REDD+ Country Financing Instrument Multi-Regional Investment Project Financing Original EA Category Revised EA Category Organizations Borrower Implementing Agency Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and ASIA NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND Bioresources (ANSAB), Indigenous Peoples’ BIORESOURCES (ANSAB), INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S International Centre for Policy Research and Education INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLICY RESEARCH AND (Tebtebba) EDUCATION (TEBTEBBA) Project Development Objective (PDO) Original PDO Strengthen the engagement of targeted forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision making at the country and regional levels. Page 1 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) FINANCING FINANCE_TBL Original Amount (US$) Revised Amount (US$) Actual Disbursed (US$) Donor Financing TF-B6543 460,000 358,618 358,618 TF-B6544 460,000 373,975 373,975 Total 920,000 732,593 732,593 Total Project Cost 920,000 732,594 732,594 KEY DATES Approval Effectiveness Original Closing Actual Closing 11-Aug-2021 30-Sep-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 RESTRUCTURING AND/OR ADDITIONAL FINANCING Date(s) Amount Disbursed (US$M) Key Revisions 27-Oct-2022 0.42 Change in Loan Closing Date(s) Reallocation between Disbursement Categories Change in Disbursements Arrangements Change in Institutional Arrangements Change in Financial Management Change in Implementation Schedule KEY RATINGS Outcome Bank Performance M&E Quality Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Modest RATINGS OF PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN ISRs Actual No. Date ISR Archived DO Rating IP Rating Disbursements (US$M) 01 18-Aug-2022 Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory 0.42 Page 2 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ADM STAFF Role At Approval At ICR Regional Vice President: Juergen Voegele Juergen Voegele Country Director: Louise J. Cord Louise J. Cord Director: Louise J. Cord Louise J. Cord Practice Manager: Susan S. Shen Ingo Wiederhofer Maria Manuela Faria, Juliette E. Task Team Leader(s): Juliette E. Wilson Wilson ICR Contributing Author: Maria Manuela Faria Page 3 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES Context 1. The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and indigenous people's organizations established in 2008 to focus on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries – activities commonly referred to as REDD+. The FCPF works with 47 developing countries across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting REDD+ efforts through its Readiness and Carbon funds. The Readiness Fund helps countries set up the building blocks to implement REDD+, such as: designing national REDD+ strategies; developing reference emission levels; designing measurement, reporting, and verification systems; and setting up national REDD+ management arrangements, including proper environmental and social safeguards. The Carbon Fund, which became fully operational in May 2011, pilots results-based payments to countries that have advanced through REDD+ readiness and implementation, and have achieved verifiable emission reductions in their forest and broader land-use sectors. 2. Carbon Funds payments are designed to help countries and their stakeholders – including Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) – achieve long-term sustainability in financing forest conservation. The Carbon Fund remunerates participant countries based on negotiated contracts for verifiable emissions reduction (ERs). Participating countries develop Emissions Reduction Programs (ERPs) with technical support from the World Bank. Based on ERPs, countries enter into Emissions Reduction Payment Agreements (ERPAs) with the Carbon Fund. Benefit sharing – or the distribution of results-based finance – is a critical component of ERPs. The FCPF requires equitable and transparent benefit sharing arrangements, to ensure that all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and communities, are fairly recognized and rewarded for their role in reducing emissions, including through forest conservation and sustainable forest management. Benefit sharing plans (BSPs), which must be finalized and disclosed before countries can receive payments for emissions reductions, must include information on beneficiaries, benefits, and benefit sharing mechanisms for the distribution of results-based payments for verified emissions reductions. 3. The FCPF Capacity Building Program (CBP), launched in 2009, was initially focused on supporting Indigenous Peoples’ organizations (IPOs). Since 2011, it also supports other forest dependent communities and southern civil society organizations (CSOs) to: strengthen the knowledge of targeted forest-dependent IPs, other forest dependent communities, and southern CSOs of REDD+ Readiness activities at the national level, and to increase knowledge exchanges at the regional level. CBP operations consist of the following elements: capacity building activities at the national level in select countries, and regional knowledge sharing activities among IP organizations and CSOs in each of the three regions of focus (i.e., Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean). The FCPF CBP has had three phases:1 the first phase, from 2009 – 2016, supported 27 projects that helped improve IPs’ and CSOs’ participation in the preparation of REDD+ strategies and implementation of REDD+ programs, and helped to enhance the participation of IPs and local communities in international discussions on the role of REDD+ in climate change mitigation. The second and third phases, from 2016-2018 and from 2019-2023, respectively, supported six projects, each,2 that carried out national- level capacity building and awareness raising, and regional-level exchanges and sharing of lessons learned. The third 1 While the first phase was implemented through direct contracts between the World Bank and the implementing CSOs/IPOs, the second and third phases were implemented through small Recipient Executed Trust Fund (RETFs) grants to IPOs and CSOs that channeled subgrants to competitively selected subprojects. 2 In each phase, there were two projects per region, one focusing on IPs and IPOs, the other on local communities and CSOs. Page 4 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) phase prioritized FCPF Carbon Fund countries for both the scale-up of existing support, and the initiation of new activities, and had an additional focus on supporting an exit strategy for capacity-building and gender inclusion. 4. In the Asia-Pacific region, rapid deforestation is threatening the flow of key environmental goods and services at the local, national and regional levels. In Fiji, where forests cover more than half of the total land area, deforestation is happening at a rate of 1.1 percent, the equivalent to losing about 10,000 ha on average of forests per year. Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Fiji’s economy and the main driver of deforestation due to the clearing of forests for agriculture. Commercial logging constitutes the main driver of forest degradation. In Vietnam, the focus is on forest protection, afforestation, and sustainable forest use. However, as afforestation is mainly done for wood supply, total forest extent has increased, but forest quality has declined, and mangrove forests have decreased. Degraded secondary forests, which are extremely prone to fires, account for nearly 70 percent of the total forest area. In Nepal, there are high levels of deforestation and forest degradation in certain parts of the country. Deforestation accounts for approximately two-thirds of land-based emissions in the Terai Arc Landscape, and is driven by immigration and unplanned settlement, encroachment of government-managed forests, illegal and unsustainable logging (mostly in government managed forests) and expansion of infrastructure development. Generally, across the Asia-Pacific region, lack of awareness of the impacts of deforestation and unsustainable use of forest resources is affecting the management of forests at both the local and national levels. There is therefore a recognition of the importance of the involvement of and better engagement with all stakeholders, especially IPLCs and other forest dwellers. 5. The previous two phases of the FCPF CBP supported eight projects in the Asia-Pacific region. In the first phase, the CBP supported six projects in the region, including two focused on IPs and IPOs, and four projects focused on local communities (LCs) and CSOs. Four of these operations were implemented in Nepal, while the other two were implemented in Cambodia and Indonesia, respectively. In the second phase, the CBP supported two projects, one focused on IPs and IPOs in Bhutan, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Vietnam; and the other focused on local communities and CSOs in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. The second phase operations were implemented by the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) for LCs and CSOs, and the Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education (TEBTEBBA) for IPs and IPOs. This ICR concerns strictly the third phase of the CBP. 6. Theory of change. Figure 1 presents the project’s theory of change as laid out in the Project Paper. The project sought to raise awareness and increase knowledge of IPs, IP organizations, CSOs, and local communities on REDD+ to enhance their understanding of REDD+, and to enable them to engage more meaningfully in the implementation of REDD+ readiness activities. Capacity building activities at the national level and knowledge exchanges at the regional level provided opportunities to engage with and build networks across IPLCs and organizations, thereby strengthening their knowledge. The theory of change had three underlying assumptions: that beneficiaries (IPs/IPOs/LCs/CSOs) would be willing to participate in capacity building activities, that subprojects (i.e., the capacity building activities at the community level implemented by IPOs/CSOs) would be sufficient catalysts to enhance beneficiaries’ engagement in REDD+ processes; and that the beneficiary IPOs/CSOs selected to implement subprojects would be the most suited to deliver capacity building activities due to their knowledge of their constituents and their needs, as well as of local languages. Page 5 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Figure 1. Theory of change of the Asia-Pacific FCPF Capacity Building Project on REDD+ Project Development Objectives (PDOs) 7. The PDO was to strengthen the engagement of targeted forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision-making at the country and regional levels. Key Expected Outcomes and Outcome Indicators 8. The key expected outcome was the strengthened engagement of targeted forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision-making at the country and regional levels. This outcome was monitored through three PDO indicators: i. Increased participation of direct project beneficiaries in formulation and implementation of REDD+ strategies and actions (number, disaggregated by IPs/CSOs and gender); ii. Increased participation of direct project beneficiaries in Emission Reduction Programs and Benefit Sharing Programs (number, disaggregated by IPs/CSOs and gender); and iii. Beneficiaries who feel project investments reflected their needs (percentage, disaggregated by IPs/CSOs/gender) 9. Beneficiaries. The project aimed to benefit forest dependent IPLCs and their representative organizations and institutions in eleven FCPF eligible countries in Asia and the Pacific: Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. These countries were eligible to participate in the regional learning and exchange activities under Component 2. Three of these countries, Page 6 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Fiji, Nepal and Vietnam, were also eligible for national-level capacity building activities under Component 1, because they have signed ERP documents.3 10. Indirect project beneficiaries included national and regional stakeholders from the REDD+ community that would benefit from the studies and reports that would be produced and/or disseminated through project activities. Indirect beneficiaries also included FCPF donors and Carbon Fund participants; Readiness Fund Delivery Partners (the UN Development Program, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization); and other multilateral, bilateral and private sector entities. Components 11. Component 1: National Capacity Building and Awareness Raising (at appraisal: US$552,000, actual: US$430,759) supported REDD+ capacity building and awareness raising subprojects for forest-dependent IPs, ethnic minorities, civil society, and their representative organizations and networks in three FCPF countries: Fiji, Nepal, and Vietnam. This component comprised two subcomponents: subcomponent 1.1, Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising activities for IPs and IP Organizations (at appraisal: US$276,000, actual: US$195,001.76), which was implemented by TEBTEBBA, and subcomponent 1.2, Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising activities for Local Communities and CSOs (at appraisal: USD 276,000, actual: US$235,757.24), which was implemented by ANSAB. Capacity building activities comprised awareness raising activities, trainings, and dialogues between IPOs/CSOs and decision-makers at various levels of government. Trainings focused on REDD+, ERP, BSP, climate change mitigation and adaptation, forest conservation and sustainable forest management, ethnic minorities’/IPs’ rights, women’s rights, among other topics. 12. Eight subprojects were financed through subgrants and (where these were not possible due to governmental restrictions) consultancy contracts (Table 1). The two implementing agencies, TEBTEBBA and ANSAB, issued open calls for proposals to IPOs and CSOs in the three target countries, and screened applicants and their proposals based on criteria agreed with the Bank.4 A total of 32 applications were received, nine from IP organizations, and 23 from CSOs. The screened proposals were reviewed and scored by two Regional Steering/Advisory Committees (one for each subcomponent) composed of independent experts who advised TEBTEBBA and ANSAB, respectively, with respect to the technical soundness of the proposals.5 Activities were planned and carried out in collaboration with REDD+ government agencies/focal points to ensure alignment with REDD+ programs. All subprojects followed closely national and local guidelines for community outreach, including guidelines related to COVID-19. Annex 5 provides a summary of the implementation of subprojects. 13. Component 2: Regional Exchange and Sharing of Lessons Learned (at appraisal: US$257,600, actual: US$187,674.62) supported the launch workshops organized by each implementing agency for their respective subprojects, and the regional lessons learned workshop organized jointly by the two implementing agencies by project 3 The ERPs are financed by the World Bank’s Carbon Fund through the following three programs: Nepal Emission Reductions Program in the Terai Arc Landscape (P176375), Vietnam North Central Region Emission Reductions Program (P162605), and Fiji Carbon Fund ER Program (P163484). 4 The criteria for screening of applicants and applications included applicants’ legal status, and their “homegrown� character (i.e., not be part of an international organization); experience and capacities related to REDD+, forestry, and climate change issues; and the proposals’ alignment with countries’ REDD+ and COVID-19 response priorities, their participatory approach, and expected impacts. 5 Some of the key criteria for the technical review of proposals included: the organizational capability of the proponent (e.g., governance, core strength and its relevance to the project); the technical strength of the proposal; the likelihood of implementation and effectiveness of the proposal, including networking and linkages between IPs, CSOs, and local communities. Page 7 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) closure.6 The latter brought together the local CSOs responsible for the implementation of subprojects under Component 1, representatives of IPLCs from other FCPF countries, REDD+ focal points from countries that have signed ERP agreements, CSOs and IPOs acting as FCPF observers in the region, members of the project’s Regional Steering/Advisory Committees, representatives of regional organizations working on REDD+, and the World Bank. The launch workshops gave the selected IPOs and CSOs the opportunity to become familiar with all the subprojects under their respective subcomponent, network and learn from each other’s experience, learn about the project’s requirements including on financial management, environmental and social aspects, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting. The lessons learned workshop reviewed the good practices, challenges, and lessons learned from implementation of the subprojects, and further strengthened the collaboration between the IPOs, CSOs, and government representatives (i.e., the REDD+ focal points). The component also supported research and the development of two reports: Indigenous Women and Benefit Sharing in the Emission Reductions Programs, and Lessons Learnt from the Implementation of REDD+ Capacity Building and Awareness Raising Activities in the Asia-Pacific Region. Annex 6 provides a summary of the lessons/findings and recommendations from the lessons learned workshop, and the two research reports. In addition, the component supported the dissemination of existing REDD+ educational and knowledge products. Table 1. Subprojects financed under Component 1 Country Responsible organization Name of subproject Subcomponent 1.1: Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising activities for IPs and IPOs Center for Sustainable Enabling and mobilizing the participation of ethnic minority communities in the Vietnam Development in Mountainous implementation of Vietnam ERP and combating against COVID-19 Areas (CSDM) Promoting the effective engagement of ethnic minorities in the Centre for Rural Development Vietnam implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ERP through strengthening in Central Vietnam (CRD) knowledge and capacity of ethnic minorities in REDD+ process Nepal Federation of Indigenous Supporting rights and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal’s Nepal Nationalities (NEFIN) ERP implementation Himalayan Grassroots Enhancing sustainable forest management and biodiversity preservation for Women’s Natural Resource prosperous living culture of Chepang communities in Nepal by increasing their Nepal Management Association engagement in REDD+ mechanisms and decision-making process through (HIMAWANTI) capacity building trainings and workshops Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Enabling indigenous forest dependents to effectively participate in Fiji’s Fiji (SSV) Emissions Reduction Program Subcomponent 1.2: Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising activities for LCs and CSOs Federation of Community Nepal Forestry Users Nepal Capacity building of local communities and CSOs on REDD+ in Nepal (FECOFUN) Capacity building for local communities and CSOs in monitoring the Benefit Center for People and Nature Vietnam Sharing mechanism of the Emission Reductions Program in the North Central Reconciliation (PanNature) Region of Vietnam Fiji Grace Trifam Ministry (GTM) REDD+ capacity building project in Fiji 6The project launch workshops were held on March 28-29, 2022, for CSOs, and on April 20-22, 2022, for IPOs. Both were held virtually. The regional lessons learned workshop was held on February 12-14, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand. Page 8 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 14. Component 3: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting (at appraisal: US$110,400, actual: US$114,685.27) financed the overhead costs of the project management teams (PMT) at TEBTEBBA and ANSAB. PMTs were responsible for subprojects selection, overseeing subprojects implementation, preparation of annual work plans and budgets, procurement, financial management, environmental and social standards, M&E, and reporting. The component also financed the financial audits of the two implementing agencies. Table 2. Planned and actual component costs Amount at Component share Project components Actual amount appraisal of total disbursed 1: National Capacity Building and Awareness Raising US$552,000.00 US$430,759.00 58.8% 1.1: Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising US$276,000.00 US$195,001.76 26.6% activities for IPs and IP Organizations 1.2: Implementation of capacity building and awareness raising US$276,000.00 US$235,757.24 32.2% activities for Local Communities and CSOs 2: Regional Exchange and Sharing of Lessons Learned US$257,600.00 US$187,674.62 25.6% 3: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and US$110,400.00 US$114,685.27 15.6% Reporting Significant Changes During Implementation 15. Changes to the project were introduced through a restructuring in October 2022, as follows: 16. Addition of second modality of financing of subprojects under Component 1, and reallocation of grant amounts between disbursement categories, both for ANSAB: Due to restrictions to foreign exchanges imposed by the Government of Nepal, which restricted the transfer of funds to organizations outside of Nepal, ANSAB was not able to transfer funds directly to the subgrantees in Fiji and Vietnam. The addition of consulting contracts as an alternative modality of financing subprojects thus enabled ANSAB to proceed with the implementation of Component 1 activities in Fiji and Vietnam through consulting contracts that could be paid directly by the World Bank. The amounts allocated to the two disbursement categories (subgrants; and goods, works, non-consulting services, consulting services, training and incremental operating costs) were thus revised accordingly (Table 3). Table 3. Reallocation between disbursement categories during project restructuring Amount of the grant Amount of the grant Amount of the Percentage of allocated at appraisal allocated at grant allocated at expenditures to be Category for each implementing restructuring for restructuring for financed (inclusive agency (in US$) Tebtebba (in US$) ANSAB (in US$) of taxes) (1) Subgrants 276,000 276,000 (no change) 96,295 100% (2) Goods, works, non-consulting services, consulting services, 184,000 184,000 (no change) 363,705 100% training and incremental operating costs Total Amount 460,000 460,000 460,000 Page 9 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 17. Changes in disbursement arrangements, for Tebtebba: The restructuring revised the minimum value of applications for direct payments and reimbursements to be submitted by Tebtebba to US$10,000, in line with the minimum value of applications to be submitted by ANSAB. 18. Extension of the closing date: The closing date was extended by two months, from December 31, 2022, to February 28, 2023. 19. Shortening of the disbursement deadline from four to two months: The Readiness Fund of the FCPF Trust Fund Program that financed the project had a disbursement deadline of June 30, 2023. The shortening of the deadline for both implementing organizations to disburse all funds was thus reduced from four to two months, to maintain the mandatory two-month period between the project’s disbursement deadline and the Trust Fund Program’s end disbursement date. II. OUTCOME Assessment of Achievement of Each Objective/Outcome 20. Relevance of PDO. The PDO of strengthening the engagement of targeted forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision-making at the country and regional levels remained relevant to the development priorities of the three countries eligible for country-level activities. In Fiji, the National Climate Change Policy (2018–2030) emphasizes “an equitable, socially inclusive, low carbon, and environmentally sustainable economy,� and states that a sustainable forestry sector remains a key priority for Fiji’s national climate change response. In Vietnam, the reduction in emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) is part of the National REDD+ Action Program 2017-2030; Vietnam is also the first country in Asia to implement a national payment for forest environmental services program. In Nepal, the government endorsed the National REDD+ Strategy in 2018, which supports forest-based carbon and non-carbon benefits. Nepal has pledged to maintain at least 40 percent of the total area under forest cover, and to improve forest governance, among other commitments. Nepal also aims to mainstream community/ecosystem-based adaptation by 2025. 21. The PDO is even more relevant today than at appraisal for the World Bank Group’s (WBG) revised mission and vision, which emphasize resilience to climate change, the importance of biodiversity, and access to clean air and water, among other elements needed to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. The PDO is also highly relevant to the WBG’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development approach, which prioritizes the creation of opportunities for poor and vulnerable populations, as well as to the WBG’s Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, which is guided by the principles that people must benefit from the transition to a low-carbon and resilient future, and that natural capital is critical to address climate change. 22. The PDO also remains highly relevant to regional strategies and actions plans. The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Climate Change Action Plan for FY21-FY25 aims to support four critical climate transitions, including in ecosystems, agriculture and natural resources. The PDO is very relevant to one of EAP’s regional priorities, which is to reverse the decline of tropical forests through, for example, modernizing forestry through multipurpose, community-centered management of forest landscapes. The South Asia regional strategy notes that high exposure to the adverse effects of climate change and natural resource degradation exacerbate challenges and disproportionately affect the poor. One of South Asia Region’s objectives is therefore to promote green growth through driving transitions in food and land-use systems, such as in forest ecosystems, and community adaptation and mitigation. Page 10 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 23. Lastly, the PDO remains relevant to the WBG’s support strategies for the three countries eligible for country-level activities. The WBG Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Vietnam for the period 2023-2027 has three high level objectives, including strengthening climate resilience and attaining sustainable growth, and upgrading human capital with enhanced inclusion of vulnerable groups. The PDO is highly relevant to the CPF’s objectives of reinforcing sustainable management of natural resources, and of enhancing inclusion of women, ethnic and other vulnerable groups. The WBG CPF for Fiji for the period 2021-2024 notes that the WBG will support sustainable use of ecosystem services, and that forests are critical carbon sinks that also help foster poverty reduction, economic growth, and employment. The WBG will thus support the enhancement of forest carbon stocks at national level through the Fiji Carbon Fund ERP. One of the focus areas in the WBG CPF for Nepal for the period 2019-2023 is inclusion and resilience, with the goal of addressing key sources of fragility, such as continued inequality and exclusion, and vulnerability to shocks. The CPF’s objective 3.4, improved adoption of sustainable natural resources management, pays special attention to women, youth and vulnerable segments of the rural population. Based on the above, the relevance of the PDO is rated high. 24. Efficacy. The project almost fully achieved the PDO of strengthening the engagement of target forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision-making at the country and regional levels, by making substantial contributions to strengthening both the capacity of target beneficiaries to engage with decision-makers, and their actual engagement with decision-makers at national, district, and local levels of government. 25. To strengthen the capacity of target beneficiaries, the project delivered a total of 96 trainings (58 for CSOs and local communities (LCs), 38 for IPs and IPOs) to around 4,228 beneficiaries (2,978 local community members, 1,250 IPs) on REDD+, ERP, BSP, climate change mitigation and adaptation, forest conservation and sustainable forest management, IPs’ and women’s rights, among other topics. An analysis of the data reported by the two implementing agencies shows that 86.1 percent of beneficiaries surveyed agreed that project investments reflected their needs (90.5 percent among LCs/CSOs, 79.1 percent among IPs/IPOs, 84.2 percent among women), a result that surpasses the 80 percent target for this PDO indicator. To facilitate beneficiaries’ understanding of the contents of the trainings, training materials were translated into the local languages, and included visual representations to the extent possible (e.g., graphs, illustrations). Reports from the two implementing agencies reveal that a total of 687 beneficiaries benefited from ERP and BSP activities at the local and national level (174 LC members, 513 IPs), a result that greatly surpasses the target of 50 for this intermediate results indicator (although the overachievement of the indicator may be due to limitations of M&E implementation, as discussed later). In addition, some 1,654 beneficiaries (498 LCs, 1,156 IPs) indicated that they had improved capacity [and] directly utilized results of REDD+ activities or planned to do so. This result greatly surpasses the target of 600 beneficiaries for this intermediate results indicator. 26. To strengthen IPLCs’ capacity to engage in REDD+ processes and decision-making, some subprojects also focused on establishing or reviving local platforms. In Nepal, HIMAWANTI7 facilitated the formation of three local REDD+ decision- making committees, one in each of the subproject’s three target municipalities, which are expected to engage with government representatives to advocate for IPs’ inclusion in REDD+ decision-making processes. Also in Nepal, FECOFUN8 sought to revive the REDD+ CSO and IPO Alliance, which involves 23 CSOs and IPOs and has been recognized by Nepal’s ERP as an important platform in the country’s REDD+ institutional framework. 27. Importantly, the reports from the two implementing agencies provide substantial qualitative evidence of the knowledge gap that the trainings addressed: the most common theme across the eight subprojects is that many training 7 Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association. 8 Federation of Community Forestry Users of Nepal Page 11 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) participants, including both IPLCs and local government representatives, did not know about the REDD+ program, the ERP and BSP, and were not familiar with the concepts underlying these. The project thus made an important contribution by providing critical knowledge on climate change, REDD+, ERPs and BSPs to communities who are often at risk of exclusion from fora on these topics. 28. To strengthen the actual engagement between IPLCs and decision-makers, the project organized a total of 85 dialogues and meetings between IPOs/CSOs and decision-makers at various levels of government (71 with CSOs and LCs, 14 with IPs and IPOs). Fifteen of these 85 events (11 with CSOs and LCs, 4 with IPOs and IPs) were meetings and capacity building activities held between IPLCs and REDD+ decision-making entities at the national level, surpassing the target of 12 for this intermediate results indicator. Government representatives who participated in these meetings included REDD+ units and focal points, sector ministries responsible for forests and Indigenous Peoples’ affairs, etc. Project reports indicate that approximately 2,039 beneficiaries participated in these meetings (1,412 local community members, 627 IPs). In addition, government representatives (mainly REDD+ units) joined the lessons learned workshop in Bangkok with the implementing agencies, subgrant recipients, and other IPOs and CSOs. 29. One important outcome of the project was that five community groups (all five from LCs, representing more than 250 individuals) developed a plan of activities to access benefits from ERP and BSP once these become effective. In this sense, the project almost achieved the target for the second PDO indicator increased participation of direct project beneficiaries in ERP and BSP (final target: six). Although these groups are not yet benefiting from these mechanisms because the mechanisms themselves had not become effective during the life of the project, they are well placed to do so as soon as the ERP and BSP become effective. The project also achieved the target of the first PDO indicator, with 50 direct project beneficiaries [participating] in formulation and implementation of REDD+ strategies and actions (all 50 from LCs, including 16 women). There is no data regarding IP beneficiaries for the latter two PDO indicators, as delays in project implementation discussed below did not allow sufficient time to conduct the post-surveys that were planned to collect such data. Another important outcome of the engagement between IPLCs and decision-makers at the national level was the change, in Nepal, of the percentage of ERP payments allocated to the Ministry of Finance for transaction costs, which was decreased from 20 percent to 15 percent because of the feedback shared by CSOs during dialogues with decision- makers. As a result, when the new BSP is approved, 85 percent of the funds will be allocated to local-level beneficiaries according to the prescribed distribution criteria outlined in the BSP. 30. Other examples of how the project contributed to strengthened engagement between CSOs and policymakers is that (at the time of writing this ICR) the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) of Nepal was considering possible revisions to the Forestry Regulations 2079 based on feedback shared by CSOs during the dialogues facilitated by the project. Another example is the fact that district level meetings conducted by FECOFUN for CSOs in Nepal led to the formation of district level multistakeholder forums on REDD+ in four districts, which will complement the government agencies in the implementation of the REDD+ program by providing a platform for consultations, outreach and communication. 31. The project also made important contributions for strengthening the capacity of the CSOs and IPOs that implemented the subprojects. Through the interactions with IPLCs, which included consultations to determine the contents and contextual factors for the development of trainings, the engagement with the implementing agencies, and the participation at the regional lessons learned workshop, the eight CSOs/IPOs were able to strengthen their own knowledge and understanding of topics covered by the project, their facilitation and project management skills, ability to engage with policymakers and advocate for IPLCs, and their networking with other CSOs/IPOs. One example of this is that in Fiji, the dialogue between the implementing IPO, GTM, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, led the ministry to seek a Page 12 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) collaboration with GTM for its annual awareness activities The two research papers developed by the implementing agencies and presented at the regional lessons learned workshop were also important contributions for the CSOs/IPOs knowledge of issues pertaining to indigenous women’s participation in BSPs and ERPs, and the lessons learned from capacity building on REDD+ in the Asia-Pacific region. 32. One limitation to project outcomes is the fact that the ERPs and BSPs in the target countries did not become effective during the life of the project. This fact limited the IPLCs’ ability to fully benefit from the capacity built throu gh project activities by project closure. Nevertheless, there is qualitative evidence suggesting that project beneficiaries will be able to make use of the knowledge and skills acquired under the project as soon as these financing mechanisms become effective, as described above. Based on the available evidence of project results and outcomes, efficacy is rated substantial. 33. Efficiency. Given the nature of the project (capacity building and dialogues), no economic analysis of the investments was undertaken. The analysis of efficiency therefore relies on efficiency of project implementation. There were five factors that contributed positively to implementation efficiency: the first factor was that the project continued to implement the same types of activities that had been implemented under the previous phase of the Capacity Building Program, and that it was implemented by the same two implementing agencies, ANSAB and TEBTEBBA. By relying on the same agencies that had implemented the previous phase of the CBP, the project leveraged and built on the knowledge and experience of these organizations. The project teams in the two organizations were also composed mostly of the organizations’ own staff, instead of hiring external consultants, which further helped strengthen their capacity while reducing costs. The second factor was that the subprojects under Component 1 were implemented by national and local CSOs/IPOs, which contributed to cost efficiency, leveraging these organizations’ networks and knowledge of the local contexts, and strengthening their capacity. The third factor concerned the organization of the regional workshops: the launch workshop was held virtually rather than in-person due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and the regional lessons learned workshop was organized in tandem with another previously planned activity9 that several workshop participants were scheduled to attend. As a result, there were substantial savings in the implementation of Component 2. A fourth factor that contributed to implementation efficiency was a depreciation of local currencies vis-à-vis the US Dollar (e.g., in Nepal and Vietnam), that led to cost savings in the implementation of subprojects under Component 1. Lastly, some subprojects also coordinated activities with other Bank-financed operations, which enabled the delivery of quality training materials, while reducing costs.10 One factor that negatively affected project efficiency was delays in implementation described below, and which limited some activities planned under Component 1. Based on the available evidence, project implementation efficiency is rated substantial. Overall Outcome Rating 34. Achievement of the overall outcome is rated as satisfactory. The project remains highly relevant to the Bank’s renewed mission statement and regional strategies, as well as the target countries’ development objectives. The project’s efficacy and efficiency were both substantial, with only a few shortcomings. For these reasons, the project’s overall achievement of the outcome is satisfactory. 9 The EnABLE Project Management Training Course for CSOs and IPOs took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 6-10, 2023. 10 For example, in Nepal, FECOFUN used resource materials developed under a Bank-Executed Trust Fund grant provided by the EnABLE Trust Fund Program in support of the Nepal Emission Reductions Program in the Terai Arc Landscape Project (P176375), which is available in Nepali and uses illustrations and graphical representations for easier understanding. In Fiji, GTM did the voice over translation of two episodes of the video series Get REDDy produced by the EnABLE Trust Fund Program. Page 13 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Other Outcomes and Impacts 35. Gender. The project made important contributions toward gender equality and advocacy of women’s rights in relation to ERPs, and capacity building of women members of IPLCs and women-led IPLC organizations, particularly among IP communities and IPOs. While women represented 43.8 percent of the overall number of participants in all subprojects activities, women were the majority of participants among IP beneficiaries (53.8 percent). It is noteworthy that of the five subprojects focused on IP communities, two were implemented by women-led IPOs, HIMAWANTI in Nepal, and SSV11 in Fiji (an organization of women volunteers). The project carried out several trainings that were either focused on women’s rights (including indigenous women’s rights), or targeted women. For example, in Vietnam, CRD organized eight trainings for a total of 200 women (including 65 youth) that focused on ERP monitoring and evaluation, benefit sharing, COVID-19 prevention, and dissemination of information through social media. CRD also organized four dialogue events for IP women, including women members of forest management committees, members of the Women’s Union, and local government representatives, on the rights of women and ethnic minorities related to the ERP, safeguards, etc. Another example of the gender orientation of subprojects is the fact that HIMAWANTI, in Nepal, conducted their training activities in the villages so that women did not need to travel away from home, thus increasing women’s ability to participate in project activities. Similarly, FECOFUN organized a training program for the women representatives from the provincial, district and local chapters of FECOFUN in ERP districts, which trained 19 women on the REDD+ mechanism, National REDD+ Strategy, the ERP and BSP. This training aimed to enable the effective and meaningful participation of women in the REDD+ process. Subprojects focused on CSOs and local communities also prioritized the engagement of women trainers, enabling them to take on leadership roles while carrying out community level trainings. The timing and venue of capacity building events were purposely selected to facilitate women’s participation. III. KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME 36. There were two factors that positively affected project preparation and implementation. The first factor was that the two implementing agencies were experienced in the implementation of the previous phase of the CBP. Their knowledge and experience thus contributed to smooth early implementation. The second, was the choice of relying exclusively on locally based CSOs/IPOs for subproject implementation, as these are expected to be more committed to the development and advancement of their own communities. While this focus on home-grown organizations poses challenges (often related to low capacity), it contributed to the successful implementation of half of the eight subprojects in a substantially shortened timeframe (due to the delays and issues described below). However, there were also factors that occurred during the preparation and implementation phases that negatively affected project implementation. 37. Factors during project preparation. There were four main factors related to project preparation that negatively affected project implementation: a. Very short period for project implementation, which exacerbated the consequences of several other factors described below, and did not allow the implementation of risk mitigation measures considered in project design. The project had a total implementation period of a little over 18 months since project approval (17 months, since it became effective), including the two-month extension introduced by the restructuring. The very short implementation period was due primarily to the scheduled closure of the parent Trust Fund program that financed the project.12 The short implementation period was also due in part to the lengthy 11 Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei. 12 The end disbursement date of the Readiness Fund of The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (TF071076) was June 30, 2023, Page 14 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) project preparation, which took a total of 11-13 months, from the closing date of the two operations that preceded it.13 As the project was a follow-on operation that continued the design and was implemented by the same implementing agencies from the previous phase, a shorter preparation time would have been expected. However, there were a few differences in the processing of this project compared to the preceding phase that took some time to determine, which contributed to the long preparation time: The first was the decision over which department would be responsible for the project. While the previous phase had been under the responsibility of the EAP Regional Vice Presidency, restrictions in place to the creation of project codes at the regional level, eventually led the Task Team to engage with the Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Team, who agreed to pursue the project. The second difference from the previous phase was that this project was subject to the Environmental and Social Framework, and therefore the IAs were required to prepare Environmental and Social Commitments Plans. ESCPs were a novelty to the IAs and took time to prepare;14 b. Choice of subgrants as the implementation modality for subprojects, which caused constraints to the implementation of subcomponent 1.2 led by ANSAB, the implementing agency based in Nepal. While in phase II, subprojects were implemented through contracts between the implementing agencies and the local CSOs/IPOs, the implementation modality adopted for this project was one of subgrants, given the nature of the relationship between the implementing agencies and the CSOs/IPOs.15 However, there are regulations in place that restrict foreign exchanges by citizens and organizations based in Nepal. These restrictions already existed at the time of project preparation and were reinforced during the project implementation period, 16 thus limiting ANSAB’s ability to transfer funds to the subgrantees in Vietnam and Fiji. To address this challenge, the Bank requested the relevant regulatory authority, i.e., the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), to issue a letter of endorsement that would support ANSAB’s application to an exception from the Central Bank of Nepal that would authorize the transfer of funds. The letter to MoFE was sent on April 1, 2022, more than six months after project effectiveness, and MoFE did not respond positively to this request. The Bank therefore proposed the restructuring of the project, which was approved on October 27, 2022, allowing the implementation of subprojects under subcomponent 1.2 through contracts for which the Bank could make direct payments; which conditioned all grants under the Trust Fund to close six months prior to that date, by December 31, 2022. 13 The second phase of the FCPF Capacity Building Program was implemented through two separate operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The operation focused on CSOs, FCPF Capacity Building on REDD+ for Southern Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities in East Asia and Pacific Region Project (P153588), was approved on July 20, 2017, and closed on June 30, 2020. The operations focused on IPOs, FCPF-Capacity Building on REDD+ for Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples in EAP and SAR Project (P153585), was approved on September 30, 2016 and closed on September 30, 2020. 14 Although the phase II operations also covered countries in South Asia and East Asia and Pacific regions, they were both under the responsibility of the EAP Regional Vice Presidency. Both phase II projects were subject to the safeguards policies. The current operation was under the responsibility of the Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice, and subject to the ESF. 15 The choice of subgrants was based on the fact that the IAs did not define Terms of Reference for the implementation of the subprojects (which would have resulted in the issuing of contracts); instead, the IAs issued open calls for proposals, giving applicants the opportunity to define the scope of the activities to be carried out (which lends itself to a grantee-subgrantee relationship). 16 The Foreign Exchange (Regulation) Act, 2019 (1962) determines that “Except in accordance with the provisions specifi ed by the Bank, no person residing in Nepal shall do or cause to be done any of the following acts directly or indirectly: (a) to make payments of any kind in any manner to any person residing outside Nepal,� and that “A person, firm, company or body who intends to carry on the foreign exchange transaction shall� apply for a license from the Central Bank of Nepal (Rastra Bank). The Central Bank Circular dated 2079 (January 7, 2022), on Foreign Currency Management, included measures to tighten the facility provided for foreign currency exchanges, requiring that any payments to an entity outside Nepal mandatorily have an approval from the regulatory authority. Page 15 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) c. Having one single project for the two implementing agencies, which affected the process and timeline for the restructuring. Once it became clear that the restructuring was needed to address the challenges noted above, both implementing agencies had to agree with, and formally request the restructuring. As the processing of the restructuring coincided with delays and ambiguity faced by IPOs in Vietnam in obtaining government permits (described below), the determination of whether the restructuring also had to allow for IPO subprojects to be implemented through contracts delayed the restructuring and therefore the implementation of subprojects for CSOs in Vietnam and Fiji; and d. A few weaknesses in the design and implementation of the project’s results framework (RF), which affected the consistency of reporting on results between the two IAs. The RF does not contain descriptions of the indicators, which caused some ambiguity and different interpretations by the two implementing agencies. As a result, there was some variation in the way ANSAB and TEBTEBBA measured some indicators. For example, ANSAB and TEBTEBBA considered different groups of beneficiaries to report on the first and second intermediate results indicators, total beneficiaries with improved capacity, who directly utilize results of REDD+ activities,17 and target beneficiaries benefitting from ERP and BSP activities at the local or national level.18 It is important to note nevertheless that weaknesses in the reporting provided by some subgrantees, led TEBTEBBA to make the best use it could of the available data. Another example is the fact that the RF does not clarify if the mentions of beneficiaries in several indicators referred to individuals or groups. While for almost all indicators both implementing agencies reported on individuals as beneficiaries, for the second PDO indicator, increased participation of direct project beneficiaries in ERPs and BSPs (disaggregated by IPs/CSOs and gender), ANSAB reported groups. 38. Factors during project implementation. There were four main factors during project implementation that were beyond the control of the Bank and the implementing agencies, and two main factors that were within the control of the Bank and the implementing agencies, all of which negatively affected project implementation, as follows: a. Factors beyond the control of Bank and the implementing agencies (IAs). The first important factor was COVID-19 and the restrictions in place to curb the pandemic, which restricted project activities in the early phase of implementation. For example, the launch workshops were held virtually, thus limiting the networking between the participating CSOs/IPOs; the Bank was not able to conduct supervision missions in person either and conducted them virtually instead. The second important factor was that none of the ERP and BSPs in the three target countries for country-level activities became effective during the period of project implementation.19 This factor affected beneficiaries’ ability to use the capacity built through project activities to claim benefits under the ERPs and BSPs. The third factor, which was exacerbated by the project’s short timeframe, were the delays faced by subgrantee IPOs in obtaining government permits to implement 17 ANSAB considered beneficiaries who later participated in onward trainings to local communities and CSOs; and/or who met with the REDD+ decision entities; and/or participated in policy dialogue and other REDD+ events organized by central and local governments, or other organizations; and/or participated in capacity needs assessment of local communities. TEBTEBBA considered the beneficiaries who declared having understood well the topics of REDD+ trainings and having the intention to apply the new knowledge and skills. 18 ANSAB considered beneficiary participants in policy dialogue with REDD+ office and central and local governments. TEBTEBBA considered beneficiaries who participated in capacity building activities on ERP and BSP. 19 Vietnam is the most advanced of the three countries in making the ERP and BSP effective. The government launched the implementation plan of the Decree on Piloting the transfer of emission reduction payment in the North Central region in April 2023, i.e. two months after project closure. Page 16 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) the subprojects in Vietnam and Nepal. These delays led to much shorter periods of implementation (from the planned 11-12 months, to only four months), and noncompletion of some planned activities, such as the post-implementation surveys that would have measured the achievement of PDO indicators by the IPOs. In Vietnam, one subproject was terminated due to denial of the government permit. Another factor, which was a challenge for TEBTEBBA in particular, was the low capacity of some subgrantees, which caused delays in the implementation of activities, and affected subgrantees ability to provide complete reporting data as required by TEBTEBBA, or financial management records. b. Factors within the control of the Bank and IAs. The first factor, which affected the consistency of data reporting on the project’s RF, was that the two implementing agencies do not seem to have used the same data collection tool. While the Bank encouraged the two agencies to develop and use a common tool, the Bank did not follow through with the IAs to ensure a common tool was adopted, and the reporting provided by both agencies indicates that they used different approaches. As noted above, this led to inconsistency of reporting on achievement of outcomes. The second factor, which affected the implementation of one subproject focused on IPOs, were managerial decisions made by the responsible implementing agency, and which were not communicated to the Bank timely. As the subgrantee IPO in Fiji was not able to fully comply with financial management reporting requirements, due to both their low capacity and contextual factors (such as the need to cover some (small amount) expenses of participants in project activities, for which there are no receipts), TEBTEBBA suspended the subproject in September 2022, a decision that was only communicated to the Bank in March 2023, after project closure. There was no implementation support mission conducted between this occurrence and project closure,20 and despite the Task Team’s frequent engagement with TEBTEBBA, the Bank team did not detect it during implementation either. IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME 39. Environmental and social compliance. Seven Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) were relevant for the project.21 The two implementing agencies prepared Environmental and Social Commitment Plans, Stakeholder Engagement Plans that included Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for beneficiaries, and Labor Management Procedures that included GRMs for workers. Both implementing agencies published the GRMs on their webpages and disseminated them through the awareness raising and capacity building activities; the implementing agencies also guided the subgrantee organizations in the development of their GRMs. No grievances were received during the life of the project.22 The project had positive social and environmental impacts, as it focused on building communities’ capacity for sustainable forest management in areas where IPLCs depend on these resources for their livelihoods. Training activities for subgrantees (CSOs/IPOs) presented the Bank’s environmental and social requirements for the project, including the GRMs, while the project’s capacity building activities for communities covered topics related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, REDD+, ERPs, sustainable forest management, among others. 20 The last implementation support mission was conducted virtually on August 8, 2022. 21 ESS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts, ESS 2: Labor and Working Conditions, ESS 4: Community Health and Safety, ESS 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources, ESS 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities, ESS 8: Cultural Heritage, and ESS 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure. 22 The lack of complaints is more a reflection of the type of activities supported by the sub-grants (i.e. capacity building and awareness raising), with limited risks and no direct risks to stakeholders. Page 17 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 40. Procurement. Project procurement consisted mostly of small value contracts (e.g., individual consultants, audit firms, training providers, and goods). In addition, the two subprojects managed by ANSAB in Vietnam and Fiji were also implemented through consulting contracts to enable the Bank to make direct payments to the respective CSOs. Since the subprojects had been selected through an open call for proposals, the contracts with the CSOs were procured through the single-source selection method. Both implementing agencies maintained qualified procurement personnel throughout the project. The only issue related to project procurement concerned the selection of the project audit by TEBTEBBA. The approved Procurement Plan indicated this contract would be selected through the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method. However, as the audit would be conducted at a time of great demand for auditor’s services, to expedite the selection of the firm, TEBTEBBA changed the selection process to sole-sourcing without requesting the Bank’s prior approval of the revised Procurement Plan. Once TEBTEBBA provided documentation justifying the change of the procurement method and the selection of the audit firm, the Bank provided a retroactive no objection to the contract. The Bank's procurement teams held multiple meetings and trainings with both implementing agencies on the relevant system and process, to strengthen their capacity in this area. 41. Financial Management. The project disbursed a total of US$733,118.89, i.e., 79.7 percent of the grant amount. The difference was due to several factors, including: savings in some activities (e.g., the regional lessons learned workshop that the two implementing agencies organized jointly and in parallel with another event that several workshop participants were attending, thus reducing costs), the fact that several subprojects were substantially delayed (for the reasons discussed above) and therefore could not complete all activities, and the fact that two subproject were suspended (one for failure to obtain a government permit, the other for weaknesses in financial reporting) and therefore did not implement most of the planned activities. Both implementing agencies were staffed with experienced personnel and maintained a good accounting and recording system throughout the project. Both implementing agencies submitted audit reports on time and with unqualified opinions. With the extension of the project closing date to February 28, 2023, the grace period for making payments was reduced from four to two months, to maintain the two-month interval between the end disbursement date of the grants provided to ANSAB and TEBTEBBA, and the end disbursement date of the parent Trust Fund that financed the project. The Bank's financial management teams held multiple meetings and trainings with both implementing agencies on the relevant system and process, to strengthen their capacity in this area. 42. Monitoring and evaluation. The M&E system as designed and implemented was generally sufficient to assess the achievement of the objectives, but there were substantial weaknesses especially in M&E implementation, as noted above. Based on this, quality of M&E is rated modest. 43. Bank performance. There were three important factors in Bank performance that affected project preparation, implementation, and outcomes. The first factor concerned project design, which built upon the design and lessons of the previous phases of the FCPF Capacity Building Program, but with a few notable changes, including the introduction of outcome indicators in the Results Framework, and the reliance on subgrants as the implementation modality for Component 1. Both these changes proved challenging: (a) the measurement of outcome indicators in this capacity building project is challenging, given that the main expected outcomes of the capacity built through project activities can only materialize once the ERPs and BSPs become effective. As noted above, effectiveness of these mechanisms did not happen during the short project life and is outside of the scope of the project and the control of the implementing agencies; and (b) the choice of subgrants as the mechanism to implement Component 1, which did not fully consider the implications for the IA based in Nepal, greatly affected the implementation of two subprojects under subcomponent 1.2. A review of project records, and discussions with Task Team members engaged in project implementation reveals some disconnect among the large and widespread Task Team, which led to delays in identifying and implementing actions to support the IA in overcoming the foreign exchange restrictions. The second factor related to the task team composition, including two Page 18 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) changes in the task team leadership (TTL) during the short life of the project, and task team members spanning two regions and opposite time zones (with two sets of fiduciary specialists, one for each implementing agency). The first TTL change happened in the early stages of project preparation, and the second, as the project was going through the restructuring. A review of the challenges faced by the project during both preparation and implementation suggests that the changes in project management, the task team spread over two regions and opposite time zones with the two incoming TTLs based in Headquarters, and an initial lack of clarity over internal processes contributed to the delays and challenges faced by the project. This factor was particularly relevant in the selection of subgrants as the implementation mechanism, and the delayed Bank response to the challenges faced by ANSAB. 44. The third factor concerned the limited implementation of planned measures to mitigate the political and governance risks faced by the project. The Project Appraisal Document proposed actions to mitigate the risks posed by the politically sensitive nature of project activities (e.g., that funding was provided directly to IPOs and CSOs which is not preferred by governments). While the Bank implemented some of those measures (e.g., informing governments in the three target countries prior to the implementation of capacity building activities), it did not implement others (e.g., obtaining no-objection letters from the relevant governments prior to implementation), which proved consequential to some of the challenges faced by the project. One example of this is the lack of responsiveness of the MoFE, in Nepal, for a letter of endorsement of the project that would enable ANSAB to apply for an exception to the foreign exchange restrictions; while the Bank informed MoFE of the project prior to implementation, it did not seek MoFE’s formal no- objection to the project. No-objection letters from governments had been obtained for the second phase of the CBP, therefore Bank communications to government about the third phase were merely informative. Given the shortcomings noted above, Bank performance is rated moderately satisfactory. 45. Risks to development outcome. There are two main risks to the sustainability of the project’s development outcomes. The first, is the risk of further delays in the effectiveness of the ERPs and BSPs in Fiji and Nepal, which will continue to prevent IPLCs from benefitting from these mechanisms. In Nepal and Vietnam, this risk is compounded by the fact that there is no formal recognition of IPs’ customary rights over forests, which can impact their equitable participation in the ERP and benefit sharing. These potential further delays may also lead to a loss of the momentum built by the capacity building activities, which generated great expectations among the IPLCs, many of whom heard about REDD+, ERPs, and the BSPs for the first time through project activities. The lack of benefits in the short term may also discourage beneficiaries from participating in future capacity building efforts, or from seeking to claim benefits from emissions reductions, for lack of trust in the process and the institutions involved. The second, is the risk that the capacity built through the project may not be sufficient for IPLCs in the target countries to access the ERP and BSP once these become effective. One common theme across the eight subprojects was the need for more capacity building and awareness raising activities for communities and government officials (e.g., on the recognition of IPs’ rights, sustainable forest management, also on facilitation skills, to allow government officials to better engage with beneficiaries and facilitate their participation). V. LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS 46. The lessons drawn from the project’s experience are generally applicable to similar operations focused on building the capacity of IPLCs related to REDD+, ERPs and BSPs, as well as to small grants projects in other areas as well. 47. The implementation period of similar projects focused on building the capacity of local communities and CSOs/IPOs on topics that are fairly new to them should not be shorter than three years. Projects should allow sufficient time for the selection of subproject proposals, the implementation of planned activities (including follow-on activities for Page 19 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) the same communities to cement or complement the new knowledge and skills), provide additional capacity building to beneficiaries and implementing CSO/IPOs as the needs arise (e.g., capacity building on financial management or administrative aspects, etc.), make adjustments to face the challenges that arise (and unforeseen challenges will always arise), and measure the results of the activities. 48. Capacity building projects related to ERPs and BSPs may consider adding a component with small community-led investments, such as those provided by the Dedicated Grant Mechanism. This would complement the capacity building of communities with livelihoods alternatives where beneficiaries could apply (and thus consolidate) the newly acquired knowledge and skills. It would also provide the opportunity for more concrete outcomes for the newly developed capacity. 49. Locally led climate action is more likely to be effective when it relies on well-established local groups, and when there are regulations in place that promote inclusion within those groups. The outcomes of the subproject targeted at CSOs in Nepal were possible in good part due to the existing community forest user groups, which are well established throughout the country. These groups hold regular group meetings, where members actively discuss and identify potential interventions within their communities. The community forest user groups also have a strong practice of promoting women's leadership and the participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups, as mandated by the Community Forestry Guidelines. Relying on these systems in place (and having had the benefit of a full year of implementation), the subproject targeting CSOs in Nepal achieved the most promising outcomes. 50. Capacity building projects in low-capacity environments should also consider building capacity in project management, beyond the technical aspects. When projects intentionally seek to support and strengthen the capacity of local CSOs/IPOs, rather than local branches of larger, international NGOs, they should include provisions and funding for strengthening the capacity of the selected (subgrantee) organizations in broader project management skills (e.g., financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social risk management, report writing, communication and presentation, etc.), depending on the needs that may arise. In this regard, it would be useful to include a capacity needs assessment of selected local CSOs/IPOs right after the selection process and before the implementation of subproject activities to determine their capacity needs. This would enable strengthening CSOs’ capacity and recognition beyond the technical aspects. 51. Project design should include clear activities or measures to promote gender equality and the participation of women. This can be achieved in several ways, including designing specific activities for groups of women (which may facilitate women’s participation in contexts where women face greater restrictions of movement), planning activities for both male and female beneficiaries to discuss gender related topics (e.g., rights of women and challenges to their exercise, in the specific context of the project), establishing minimum quotas for women trainers, who can act as role models and motivation for women beneficiaries, etc. Projects can make substantial contributions to increasing women’s participation, if intentionally designed to do so. 52. Implementing agencies are most effective when they oversee the implementation of projects in the countries where they are based. The most effective of the subprojects was the one led by FECOFUN for CSOs in Nepal, which benefitted to a great extent from the fact that ANSAB, the responsible IA is also based in Nepal. FECOFUN benefitted from ANSAB’s knowledge of the local context, local networks among government and CSOs, and close technical assistance and support as needed. Based on this experience, country programs such as those financed by EnABLE, can be expected to lead to stronger outcomes, than regional programs led by IAs that do not have office representation in all the countries benefitting from the program. TEBTEBBA, based in the Philippines and overseeing subprojects in Fiji, Nepal and Vietnam Page 20 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) did not have the benefit of local networks in these countries that could have eventually supported a more expeditious subproject implementation. 53. The management of regional projects would be more efficient and effective if led (or co-led) by staff based in the region. This would allow for a more direct, frequent, and timely engagement with implementing agencies, other Bank support teams that also tend to be based in the region (e.g., financial management, procurement), and – importantly – government entities. Having at least a co-Task Team Leader based in the region would provide a more effective model. Task Team Leaders based in the region may be more aware of local regulations or restrictions that may impact project implementation, thus being better able to anticipate issues, and to identify and implement solutions when unexpected issues arise. For projects that are led by CSOs, frequent engagements between the Bank and government entities can help facilitate engagement between the CSOs and the government, and secure and maintain government buy-in for the project (e.g., providing frequent updates on project implementation, seeking advice or support when challenges arise, etc.). CSOs may not be well placed to maintain this engagement on their own, especially with governments outside of the country where they are based. 54. The amount of staff time and effort needed to prepare and supervise operations financed by small grants should not be underestimated. Despite the small financial amounts and simplified procedures, the preparation and supervision of small grants can be just as time consuming as larger investment operations. This is particularly true of small grant operations that have more than one implementing agency, or those that are implemented in more than one country or region. If co-implementing agencies are expected to collaborate to achieve common project outcomes, that collaboration often does not come naturally, and may require the Bank’s frequent engagement and convening. When operations are implemented in low-capacity environments, close supervision and hand-holding by the Task Team may be needed as well. In operations that cover more than one country, Task Teams may include several country-based FM, Procurement, and Environmental and Social specialists. The transactional costs of preparing and supervising such operations can be high, in relation to the grant amount, raising questions about overall appropriateness as well as efficiency of the Bank’s involvement in such activities. . Page 21 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS A. RESULTS INDICATORS A.1 PDO Indicators Objective/Outcome: To strengthen the engagement of targeted forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision making at the country and regional levels. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Increased participation of Number 0.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 direct project beneficiaries in formulation and 30-Apr-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 implementation of REDD+ strategies and actions (number, disaggregated by IPs/CSOs and gender) Comments (achievements against targets): 50 direct project beneficiaries in Nepal (50 local communities/CSOs, 16 women) who benefitted from trainings provided by the project, later participated in policy dialogues and meetings organized by the concerned government ministries. No post-project survey was conducted for the Indigenous Peoples subprojects. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Page 22 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Increased participation of Number 0.00 6.00 6.00 5.00 direct project beneficiaries in Emission Reduction Programs 30-Apr-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 and Benefit Sharing Programs (number, disaggregated by IPs/CSOs and gender) Comments (achievements against targets): 5 community forest user groups in Nepal (5 local communities/CSOs comprising over 250 community members), who benefitted from trainings provided by the project, developed a plan of activities to access benefits from the ERP and BSP, once these mechanisms become effective. No post-project survey was conducted for the Indigenous Peoples subprojects. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Beneficiaries who feel project Percentage 0.00 80.00 80.00 86.10 investments reflected their needs (percentage, 30-Apr-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 disaggregated by IPs/CSOs/gender) Comments (achievements against targets): A total of 5,167 beneficiaries out of the 6,004 surveyed by the two implementing agencies (i.e., 86.1%), declared that projects investments reflected their needs. Among local communities/CSOs, 3,312 out of 3,660 beneficiaries surveyed agreed with this statement, i.e., 90.5%. Among IP beneficiaries, 1,855 out of 2,344 beneficiaries surveyed agreed with this statement, i.e., 79.1%. Among women, 2,273 out of 2,699 women beneficiaries surveyed by the two implementing agencies agreed with this statement, i.e., 84.2%. Page 23 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) A.2 Intermediate Results Indicators Component: Component 1: National Capacity Building and Awareness Raising Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Total Beneficiaries with Number 0.00 600.00 600.00 1654.00 improved capacity, who directly utilize results in of 31-May-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 REDD+ activities Comments (achievements against targets): The total outcomes includes: -- 498 members from local communities/CSOs who benefitted from project activities, and later participated in onward trainings to local communities and CSOs; and/or met with the REDD+ decision entities; and/or participated in policy dialogue and other REDD+ events organized by central and local governments, or other organizations; and/or participated in capacity needs assessment of local communities; and -- 1,156 members from IP communities/IPOs who benefitted from project activities, and declared having understood well the topics of REDD+ trainings and having the intention to apply the new knowledge and skills. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Target beneficiaries benefiting Number 0.00 50.00 50.00 687.00 from ERP and BSP activities at the local or national level 31-May-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 Comments (achievements against targets): Page 24 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) The total outcomes includes: -- 174 members from local communities/CSOs who benefitted from project activities, and later participated in policy dialogue with REDD+ office and central and local governments; and -- 513 members from IP communities/IPOs who benefitted from the project's capacity building activities on ERP and BSP. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Meetings and capacity building Number 0.00 12.00 12.00 15.00 activities held between IPLCs and national REDD+ decision 31-May-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 making entities Comments (achievements against targets): The total outcomes includes: -- 11 meetings between CSOs and the national level REDD+ decision making entities; and -- 4 dialogues/workshops held conducted at the national level between IPs and national REDD+ decision making entities. Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Direct project beneficiaries Number 0.00 100.00 100.00 4780.00 satisfied with activities, of which female 50% are female 31-May-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 Comments (achievements against targets): The indicator was intended to be measured as a percentage, rather than a number. The 4,780 direct project beneficiaries satisfied with project activities represent 79.6% of the 6,004 beneficiaries surveyed by the two implementing agencies. The total outcomes includes: -- 2,925 out of 3,660 beneficiaries surveyed among local communities/CSOs were satisfied with project activities, i.e., 79.9% Page 25 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) -- 1,855 out of 2,344 beneficiaries surveyed among local communities/CSOs were satisfied with project activities, i.e., 79.1% -- 2,383 out of 2,699 women beneficiaries surveyed by the two implementing agencies were satisfied with project activities, i.e., 88.3% Of the total 4,780 direct project beneficiaries satisfied with project activities, 2,383 are women, i.e., 49.8%. Component: Component 2: Regional Exchange and Sharing of Lessons Learned Unit of Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Baseline Original Target Measure Target Completion Regional knowledge exchange Text 0 Launch Workshop, Launch Workshop 3 workshops: 2 launch among IPLCs Lessons Learned Lessons Learned workshops, 1 lessons workshop workshop learned workshop 31-May-2021 31-Dec-2022 28-Feb-2023 28-Feb-2023 Comments (achievements against targets): The project launch workshops were held on March 28 - 29, 2022, for CSOs, and on April 20-22, 2022, for IPOs. Both were held virtually. The regional lessons learned workshop, which brought together CSOs and IPOs, was held on February 12-14, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand. Page 26 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) B. ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PDO Objective/Outcome 1. Strengthen the engagement of forest-dependent beneficiaries in REDD+ processes and decision-making at the country and regional levels 1. 50 direct project beneficiaries participated in formulation and implementation of REDD+ strategies and actions (50 beneficiaries from CSOs, 16 women) 2. 5 community forest user groups (direct project beneficiaries) are Outcome Indicators prepared to participate in Emission Reduction Programs and Benefit Sharing Programs (5 civil society groups) 3. 86.1% of beneficiaries feel project investments reflected their needs (79.1% among IPs/ 90.5% among CSOs/ 84.2% among women) 1. 1,654 beneficiaries with improved capacity, who directly utilize results of REDD+ activities 2. 687 beneficiaries benefitting from ERP and BSP activities at the local or national level Intermediate Results Indicators 3. 11 meetings and capacity building activities held between IPLCs and national REDD+ decision-making entities 4. 2 regional launch workshops among IPOs and CSOs, respectively 5. 1 regional lessons-learned workshop among IPOs and CSOs 1. 58 trainings and capacity building workshops for local communities and CSOs 2. 2,978 participants in trainings and capacity building workshops for local communities and CSOs, including 1,258 women Key Outputs by Component 3. 71 dialogue events between local communities and CSOs, and (linked to the achievement of the Objective/Outcome 1) government representatives and other relevant stakeholders 4. 1,412 participants in dialogue events between local communities and CSOs, and government representatives and other relevant stakeholders, including 390 women Page 27 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 5. 38 trainings and capacity building workshops for IPs and IPOs 6. 1,250 participants in trainings and capacity building workshops for IPs and IPOs, including 782 women 7. 14 dialogue events between IPs and IPOs, and government representatives and other relevant stakeholders 8. 627 participants in dialogue events between IPs and IPOs, and government representatives and other relevant stakeholders, including 332 women 9. 14 knowledge products developed and disseminated Page 28 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) . ANNEX 2. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT Amount at Approval Actual at Project Percentage of Components (US$M) Closing (US$M) Approval (US$M) Component 1: National Capacity 552,000.00 430,759.00 78.04 Building and Awareness Raising Component 2: Regional Exchange and 257,600.00 187,674.62 72.86 Sharing of Lessons Learned Component 3: Management, M&E and 110,400.00 114,685.27 103.88 Reporting Total 920,000.00 733,118.89 79.69 Page 29 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ANNEX 3. RECIPIENT, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS COMMENTS FROM ANSAB We have carefully reviewed the ICR report, and we appreciate [the World Bank’s] excellent presentation of the project activities and information as they happened throughout the project's duration. While reading the report, we gained valuable insights into the developments on the Bank's side that we were previously unaware of during the project's implementation phase. We have made a few additions and minor corrections to the report. It was a pleasure collaborating with the Bank team during the project's execution. [signed] Programs Director ANSAB (Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources) COMMENTS FROM TEBTEBBA Please be informed that Tebtebba has no comment/s to the report. [signed] Project Manager TEBTEBBA Page 30 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ANNEX 4. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Project documents: • Project Paper for Asia- Pacific FCPF Capacity Building on REDD+ Project (P175928) • Implementation Status and Results Report #1, filed August 18, 2022 • Aide Memoires for second Implementation Support Mission, August 1 and 8, 2022 Progress reports from implementing agencies: • First progress report, TEBTEBBA, December 2021 • Second progress report, TEBTEBBA, June 2022 • Final progress report, TEBTEBBA, February 2023 • Draft ICR, TEBTEBBA, June 2023 • Progress report for the period August 2021 – December 2021, ANSAB, February 2022 • Progress Report for the period January 2022 – June 2022, ANSAB, August 2022 • ICR, ANSAB, June 2023 Reports generated by the project: • Asia- Pacific FCPF Capacity Building on REDD+ Project – Regional Sharing Workshop, February 2023 • Indigenous Women and Benefit Sharing in the Emission Reductions Programs, published by TEBTEBBA, with support from the FCPF, 2022 • Lessons Learnt from the Implementation of REDD+ Capacity Building and Awareness Raising Activities in the Asia-Pacific Region, ANSAB, 2023 World Bank reference documents: • Note to the Executive Directors on the World Bank Group (WBG) Vision and Mission Statement, World Bank President, June 15, 2023 • World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan 2021 – 2025: Supporting Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development, World Bank Group, 2021 • East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Climate Change Action Plan for FY21-FY25 • South Asia Region Update to the Board 2021: Transitioning to Resilient Development • The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s Capacity Building Program for Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples and Southern Civil Society Organizations: Results from 2009-2016 • Presentation of the World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework for Vietnam for the period FY23 – FY27 • World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework for the Republic of Fiji for the period 2021 – 2024 • Country Partnership Framework for Nepal for the period FY2019 – FY2023, World Bank Group, July 2018 Other project documents: • Implementation Completion and Results Report for Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Capacity Building On REDD+ For Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples In East Asia And The Pacific And South Asia Regions Project (P153585), World Bank, February 2021 • Implementation Completion and Results Report for FCPF-Capacity Building on REDD+ for Southern Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities in East Asia and Pacific Region Project (P153588), World Page 31 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Bank, December 2020 • Project Appraisal Document for Nepal Emission Reductions Program in the Terai Arc Landscape (P165375), World Bank, January 2021 • Project Appraisal Document for Vietnam North Central Region Emission Reductions Program (P162605), World Bank, October 2020 • Project Appraisal Document for Fiji Carbon Fund Emission Reduction Program (P163484), World Bank, July 2020 Page 32 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ANNEX 5. SUMMARY OF SUBPROJECTS UNDER COMPONENT 1 I. Subprojects benefitting Indigenous Peoples and IP Organizations COUNTRY: Vietnam ORGANIZATION: Center for Sustainable Development in Mountainous Areas (CSDM) SUBPROJECT: Enabling and mobilizing the participation of ethnic minority communities in the implementation of Vietnam ERP and combating against COVID-19 OBJECTIVE: Ethnic minority groups in Ba Thuoc district would be confident and capable of effectively participating in the formulation and implementation of national REDD+ strategy and ERP, and would successfully address issues [related to] climate change resilience livelihood development and combating against COVID-19 pandemic. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$51,155.47 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$13,207.91 BENEFICIARIES: 105 total (including 64 women and 12 youth) from Thai and Hmong ethnic minorities in 16 communes in Ba Thuoc and Tuong Duong districts. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: The subproject was halted prematurely due to the denial of the government permit on August 24, 2022. CSDM conducted only five trainings as it waited for a response to the request for government permit. The trainings covered the following topics: climate change, REDD+, the ERP and Benefit Sharing Program, safeguards, monitoring, grievance redress mechanisms, ethnic minorities’/IPs’ rights , traditional knowledge in REDD+ implementation, community-based climate change/pandemic resilient livelihoods, and climate smart agriculture. Training materials were translated from Vietnamese into Thai and Hmong to facilitate understanding. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • The majority of participants in trainings did not know about ERP and REDD+, even those in the targeted ERP areas. One local official acknowledged that: “most of the leaders of communes participating in the program do not know much about it.� • Participants demonstrated commitment to implement and further disseminate the knowledge gained in trainings, especially related to forest protection and ERP implementation. District and commune officials also committed to disseminate information on ERP, especially the regulations on results-based payments and benefit sharing. • Participants noted that government officials should be trained on relevant skills to facilitate peop le’s participation in ERP implementation and monitoring. • As forests are a source of livelihood and spirituality for ethnic minorities, there is a need for more support, including through policies, for livelihoods for people participating in ERP implementation, to minimize damage to forests. COUNTRY: Vietnam ORGANIZATION: Centre for Rural Development in Central Vietnam (CRD) SUBPROJECT: Promoting the effective engagement of ethnic minorities in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ERP through strengthening knowledge and capacity of ethnic minorities in REDD+ process. OBJECTIVE: Strengthen the engagement of ethnic minorities, especially women and youth, in REDD+ processes and decision- making in Vietnam under the context of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$59,422.63 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$52,969 BENEFICIARIES: 1,265 total (including 625 women and 249 youth) from the Co Tu, Pa Ko, Ta Oi, Pa Hy, and Van Kieu ethnic minorities in Luoi and Nam Dong districts (Thua Thien Hue Province). SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: CRD received the government permit on August 25, 2022, i.e., seven months after the subproject was scheduled to commence. Given this delay, the third-party evaluation of the subproject, and a policy brief were not implemented. CRD implemented all other planned activities, including one planning workshop (for finalizing the design of subproject activities), trainings, dialogues between ethnic minorities and government representatives, and dissemination activities. Trainings included: (i) two trainings on the ERPA, BSP and the monitoring of the BSP (including the recently issued Decree 107/2022/ND-CP on Piloting the transfer of emission reduction results and financial management of GHG emission reduction payment agreements in the North Central region); (ii) six community-based trainings on REDD+ and climate change, deforestation and reduction strategies, REDD+ institutions, and rights and participation of ethnic minorities in REDD+; (iii) one exchange visit to Page 33 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Huong Phung commune focused on community-based forest management; (iv) four trainings for groups of women on the effective engagement of women in ERP implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and (v) four trainings for groups of women on COVID-19 prevention and online communication skills. Dialogues between ethnic minorities and government representatives included: (i) four dialogues between ethnic minorities and representatives from local government and the Vietnam Women’s Union on the recognition of the rights of women and ethnic minorities; and (ii) one national level workshop that brought together representatives from ethnic minorities and government institutions to share the subproject’s outputs and lessons learned. Dissemination activities included: (i) 10 community meetings on the integration of knowledge on REDD+ and ERP in community and community-based forest management meetings; and (ii) two district level awareness raising activities that focused on REDD+ and ERP, women’s roles in sustainable forest management, and ethnic minorities and women’s rights in REDD+ and ERP. CRD also developed communications and educational materials to support the delivery of training and dialogues, including a 15- minute video on the engagement of ethnic minorities in Thua Thien Hue Province, and printed materials (e.g., leaflets and posters). Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • In general, the concepts related to REDD+ and ERP were new to participants. • Participants demonstrated commitment to implement and further disseminate the knowledge gained in trainings, including on sustainable forest management, maintaining and enhancing ecological values and biodiversity of forest, recognition of women’s rights to participate in forest activities, recognition of legal and/or customary rights of local communities and ethnic minorities to forest and forest lands, etc. • Discussions between local governments and ethnic minorities during dialogues were recorded in minutes and are expected to be leveraged by local governments in a local ERP plan. • Participants suggested regularly sharing issues related to ethnic minorities’ rights, particularly women’s rights in ERP implementation, in meetings of the Women’s Union at district and commune levels. • Planning for REDD+ and ERP should focus more on gender inclusion and equity, including sufficient indicators on gender equity and women’s empowerment. • Subproject duration should be longer to allow the retraining/updating of trainers, as needed. • Ethnic minorities in ERP areas need more capacity building on the new Decree 107/2022/ND-CP. • There is a need to increase the capacity of local authorities and forest owners on climate change, REDD+, ERP, safeguards, property rights and gender issues. • REDD+ implementation should focus more on benefit sharing mechanisms, livelihoods models, and indigenous knowledge. COUNTRY: Nepal ORGANIZATION: Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) SUBPROJECT: Supporting rights and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal’s ERP implementation OBJECTIVE: The target Indigenous Peoples and their network will have both increased awareness of the country’s REDD+/ERP, as well as enhanced capacity to advocate their rights and meaningful participation in the REDD+/ERP implementation. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$55,000 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$49,548.63 BENEFICIARIES: 293 total (including 103 women) from the Chepang, Raute Bote, Majhi, Mushar, Tharu, Danuwar, Raji, Sonaha, and Banakariya ethnic minorities in 13 districts in the Terai Arc Landscape. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: NEFIN delivered trainings, organized dialogues between ethnic minorities and government representatives, and developed and published five knowledge products and one educational video. NEFIN conducted three trainings at district/provincial level on REDD+, safeguards, and the BSP that covered topics such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Nepal’s ERP and its’ impact on indigenous communities . Dialogues between ethnic minorities and government representatives included: (i) four dialogues at district level on REDD+ and the BSP; and (ii) one national level dialogue between representatives from government, Indigenous Peoples, and other REDD+ stakeholders (e.g., World Wildlife Fund-WWF, United Nations Development Program-UNDP, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization-FAO, etc.) to share the requests of participants in the district level dialogues. Knowledge products included: (i) one briefing paper on “Present status of the rights of IPs and their concerns in Nepal’s REDD+ Page 34 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) program,� which covers the topics of safeguards, Nepal’s REDD+ strategy, and relevant national and international laws and policies related to the rights of IPs; (ii) three case studies on the Badghar23 and Pewa24 customary institutions, and the Dhimal IPs group; and (iii) a position paper on “Demand of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal REDD+/Emissions Reduction Program,� which calls for ensuring IPs’ rights to customary land tenure and rights to land, territories and resources; no displacement and access restrictions of IPs over forests and resources; ensuring IPs’ food sovereignty, as their food system is linked to forests and land; the collective rep resentation and participation of IPs in all levels and phases of ERP; ensuring IPs’ participation in development of the BSP; etc. NEFIN also produced one educational video, “Ancestral Wisdom and Forest in Nepal,� which narrated the multiple ways in which IPs in Nepal’s ERP area are interconnected with the forests and natura l resources. The video was screened during training activities and other events organized by NEFIN, and distributed in flash drives in rural communities where internet access is limited. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • Participants noted that prior to these trainings, there was no information sharing on ERP from either government agencies or other organizations, and the majority of participants was not aware of the ERP. • Participants committed to speak for [their] rights, and voice [their] concerns within the community forestry user groups meetings, and also ask about the [ERP] project at the respective government agency and municipality offices. • Participants noted that all forests in Nepal, including customary forests, are under the community forestry/community-based forestry management due to lack of formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ customary rights on forests, which can impact IPs’ equitable participation in ERP and benefit sharing. • Participants noted the need to provide additional support to Indigenous Peoples (including financial support) to further enhance their knowledge and advocacy capacity, so they are better able to dialogue with government officials, as well as for IPs to document and disseminate their traditional knowledge and practices on agriculture and natural resources management. • During dialogues with government representatives, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives requested the organization of REDD+ trainings at local level; addressing IPs’ issues and concerns on non -carbon value of forests, non-carbon benefits, and BSP before the implementation of the ERP; and undertaking free, prior and informed consent prior to the implementation of REDD+ and the BSP; etc. • Participants at the national level dialogue suggested the institutional/collective representation of IPs in the REDD+ benefit sharing mechanism; that all REDD+ stakeholders recognize the historical contributions of Indigenous Peoples in nature conservation, and their access to the benefits of REDD+; etc. ORGANIZATION: Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association COUNTRY: Nepal (HIMAWANTI) SUBPROJECT: Enhancing sustainable forest management and biodiversity preservation for prosperous living culture of Chepang communities in Nepal by increasing their engagement in REDD+ mechanisms and decision-making process through capacity building trainings and workshops OBJECTIVE: To enhance sustainable biodiversity for prosperous living culture of Chepang [communities] in Nepal PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$55,000 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$55,000 BENEFICIARIES: 514 total (including 285 women) in three municipalities in Chitwan district SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: Although subproject implementation was planned to take place from February to December of 2022, activities at community level were delayed until HIMAWANTI received the government permit on September 13, 2022. Prior to commencing field activities, HIMAWANTI held consultative meetings with the REDD+ Implementation Center on the training activities and manual, as well as with organizations working in the target communities. HIMAWANTI conducted trainings and 23 Badghar is a customary system practiced by the Tharu Indigenous People. Badghar is a village head who is responsible for the development of the community, maintaining social order, social harmony and unity as well as preserving and continuing its social, cultural and religious rites, rituals and practices. Badghars have a one-year tenure period. They are selected in the first week of Magh month (third week of January) by a consensus of the community members, participated in by men, women and youth. 24 Pewa is a customary practice to empower and educate girls and women. It consists of bestowing on girls/women the right over movable property (e.g., cash, jewelry, livestock, poultry, furniture, a share of newly harvested grains, or (in exceptional cases) land), and to the income it generates. The pewa can be considered an educational practice through which a girl/woman can learn about finding an income source, making the best use of money, and making decisions independently. Page 35 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) dialogues, enabled the formation of local committees, and developed one knowledge product. Trainings included: (i) three awareness raising trainings on REDD+ that covered climate change and its impacts; the goals of REDD+, and Nepal’s REDD+ strategy and activities; sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stock; the role of IPs in REDD+ and how REDD+ mechanisms can contribute to local livelihoods and ecological resilience; etc.; (ii) three trainings on the formulation and implementation of REDD+ strategies and actions, the ERP and BSP, which covered the role of IPs in REDD+ decision- making processes, how IPs in Nepal can benefit from REDD+ and participate in the ERP and BSP, monitoring, reporting and verification, performance-based payments, etc.; (iii) one training on elements of REDD+ such as safeguards, grievance redress mechanisms, benefit sharing arrangements, monitoring and carbon accounting, as well as relevant legislation; (iv) one training on IPs’ sovereign rights over land and biodiversity resou rces, and traditional and customary practices linked to cultural diversity ; (v) one training on alternative/sustainable livelihoods that covered the effects of climate change on farming, new farming techniques, alternative sources of livelihood to improve food security, etc.; (vi) one training on women leadership for women members of IPs’ forest based committees to help increase the share of women in those committees; and (vii) one training on reducing the risks of COVID-19 in Indigenous Peoples’ communities. HIMAWANTI enabled the formation of three local committees, one in each of the three target municipalities; committees are expected to engage with government to advocate for IPs’ inclusion in REDD+ decision -making processes. HIMAWANTI also led three dialogues, one each at district, provincial and national levels, between representatives from IPs, government, and other stakeholders; the dialogues focused on IPs’ issues and challenges related to REDD+, including lack of knowledge of IPs’ rights, non-recognition of customary land/forest use rights, inadequate skills on alternative livelihoods, etc. The knowledge product consisted of a training manual in Nepali that compiled and simplified information on REDD+, ERP, benefit sharing, and national laws and relevant documents including on women’s rights. The training manual was used in the trainings delivered under the subproject, distributed in hard copies to participants, and HIMAWANTI plans to continue using it un future trainings related to REDD+ and ERP. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • Participants committed to help reduce deforestation and forest degradation, contribute to afforestation and restoration of forests by planting more trees, and controlling the regrowth of harmful plants (e.g., banmara). • Participants in trainings noted that the knowledge gained will be used to improve sustainable community forest use and management, by reducing excessive extraction of resources. • Participants also committed to share the knowledge gained in the trainings with other community members. • Due to the low level of literacy of training participants, HINAWANTI used videos and photos in the trainings: the use of graphic resources such as pictures and videos is more effective in indigenous communities. • Local government representatives at the women leadership training committed to conduct similar trainings to women members of the indigenous communities. • Local government representatives acknowledged the need for trainings on the recognition of IPs’ rights. • Participants also noted the need for regular communication and coordination between local government and IPs communities for effective ERP/BSP implementation. COUNTRY: Fiji ORGANIZATION: Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei (SSV) SUBPROJECT: Enabling indigenous forest dependents to effectively participate in Fiji’s Emissions Reduction Program OBJECTIVE: The subproject aimed at empowering forest dependent beneficiaries, ad putting in place an enabling framework that will promote their appreciation and knowledge of the REDD+ program and the requirements of the ERP, and therefore contribute towards the efficient and effective implementation of the country’s ERP. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$53,947 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$24,276 BENEFICIARIES: 167 total (including 124 women) iTaukei in 11 districts. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: The subproject started implementation in April 2022 but was suspended by the Implementing Agency in September 2022 due to limitations in financial reporting by the subgrantee. For this reason, several planned activities were not implemented, including 11 trainings at the district level, and one national level dialogue. SSV carried out one dialogue at national level, consultations, and trainings. The national dialogue brought together representatives from the indigenous iTaukei, Page 36 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) government, and industries, to discuss the ERP and stakeholders’ perspectives and current efforts on the ERP, and the scope, methodology and content of the planned capacity building activities for IPs. Three division level consultations were held between representatives from iTaukei, government, and other stakeholders, to obtain, share and disseminate views, experiences and information on the ERP and gather additional ideas for the planned training activities. SSV also conducted two trainings of trainers for IPs’ and government representatives, who were expected to deliver the trainings at the district level. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • Agricultural malpractices are a cause of deforestation and forest degradation. Government representatives identified interventions designed to address these causes, and noted the need to engage with indigenous forest owners and increase awareness on sustainable forest management and smart agricultural practices. • Participants reaffirmed that indigenous forest owners derive alternative livelihoods from the forests, as well as other non- carbon benefits, and that forests contribute to better level of resilience in the face of disasters. • Knowledge on climate change was very good among participants in the national dialogue, and was adequate among participants in the consultations. • Participants recommended more concerted efforts among stakeholders working with communities in delivering needed interventions. • Participants also recommended encouraging sustainable alternative modes of livelihoods that could be derived from forest ecosystems, strengthening community governance, leadership and networks among all stakeholders, improving information flows from national level to communities, and transforming the knowledge and information into values that could cause the desired behavior change. • Participants from the Western Division proposed to move from the current practices to smart agriculture. II. Subprojects benefitting local communities and CSOs COUNTRY: Nepal ORGANIZATION: Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) SUBPROJECT: Capacity building of local communities and CSOs on REDD+ in Nepal OBJECTIVE: To enhance the knowledge and capacity of local communities and their representative CSOs, including Indigenous Peoples, Dalits, women, Madhesi, Muslims, and youth on REDD+, ERP and BSP, along with the relevant instruments to roll out the process of Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) in the country. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$90,295 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$87,874.96 BENEFICIARIES: 2,829 total (including 1,008 women) in 13 ERP districts in Nepal: Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi (East), Nawalparasi (West), Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang, Banke, Bardia, Kailali, and Kanchanpur. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: The subproject was implemented from February 2022 to February 2023. FECOFUN carried out trainings, organized dialogues between CSOs and government representatives, and developed knowledge products. Trainings included: (i) one workshop at provincial level for the provincial, district and local chapters of FECOFUN and potential trainers from the 13 target districts, which covered topics such as climate change, the national REDD+ strategy, ERP and BSP, and how local communities can access these; (ii) a three-day training of trainers on REDD+ for community level resource persons selected from the district chapters of FECOFUN who had participated in previous REDD+ activities and trainings, who then carried out the community trainings; (iii) 26 one-day trainings on REDD+ for local communities on REDD+, ERP and BSP, and the way communities can benefit from the ERP; (iv) a provincial level workshop for community level facilitators on the implications of REDD+ in community- based forestry management, which covered topics such as tenure rights, livelihoods, and community governance; (v) one training on REDD+ for women representatives from the provincial, district and local chapters of FECOFUN, which focused on the REDD+ mechanism and national strategy, the ERP and BSP; and (vi) one training on REDD+ for Dalits and marginalized groups from the provincial, district and local chapters of FECOFUN, which covered the REDD+ mechanism and national strategy, the ERP and BSP, with a focus on increasing the access of the Dalits and marginalized groups to the benefits of ERP. Dialogues included: (i) 24 district level multistakeholder meetings on the REDD+ process in Nepal that brought together representatives from local governments, local communities, and CSOs to discuss how the ERP and BSP could be integrated to Page 37 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) safeguard communities’ interests; (ii) 25 dialogues between community-forestry user groups and local governments (municipalities) to discuss the ERP, BSP and the role of local governments in ERP implementation; (iii) one meeting to revive the REDD+ CSOs and IPOs Alliance, which involves 23 CSOs and IPOs and has been recognized by Nepal ’s ERP document as an important platform in the country’s REDD+ institutional framework for advocating for IPLC concerns; (iv) one national workshop for CSOs on REDD+ implementation that gave the representatives of CSOs the opportunity to share and discuss concerns, achievements, and the future roles of CSOs in the implementation of REDD+; (v) one national level dialogue on the REDD+ Safeguards Information System (SIS) in Nepal brought together representatives form government and civil society to analyze the progress made in the development of the SIS, identify the potential role and contribution of local communities to enrich the SIS, and provide feedback on this system; (vi) one national workshop on the operationalization of the Forest Development Fund (FDF) that brought together representatives from the CSOs and IPs Alliance, and government to discuss provisions for the FDF in forest regulations and BSP, and ways to facilitate access to the FDF for local communities (forest user groups) and CSOs; and (vii) four meetings with the national REDD+ decision-making entities (i.e. Ministry of Forests and Environment, and REDD Implementation Center) over the course of subproject implementation to inform about the activities planned and progress in their implementation, and share concerns from local communities regarding the policy process and the BSP. Knowledge products/training resources: As the ERP document and BSP are in English, FECOFUN produced a training manual on REDD+, ERP and BSP in Nepali for use in the trainings, and translated the executive summaries of the national REDD+ strategy, ERP document, and BSP into Nepali as well. FECOFUN also used resource materials developed under the Bank-financed EnABLE project, which is available in Nepali and uses illustrations and graphical representations for easier understanding. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • Participants stressed the need for proper information sharing to increase efficiency of efforts of each stakeholder. • District level meetings led to the formation of district level multistakeholder forums on REDD+ in four districts that will complement the government agencies in the implementation of the REDD+ program by providing a platform for consultations, outreach and communication. • Local government representatives acknowledged that not all local governments were aware of the REDD+ programs, as no such information had been relayed through any channel. • Participants at the provincial level workshop on implications of REDD+ in community-based forest management developed an advocacy plan to direct the ways in which CSOs can advocate for accessing benefits. • CSOs recommended that the manual on the benefit sharing mechanism include detailed information on critical issues such as area- based distribution of benefits, fund flow channels, and socially-based allocations, to clarify how community-forest user groups can optimize benefits from the BSP. • Recommendations from CSOs on the Safeguards Information System (SIS) include: clearly present on the website the team responsible for verification of information, for transparency and accountability; further simplify the website to make it easier for local communities; the SIS should also cover other REDD+ projects under implementation, not just the ERP. • Government representatives acknowledged that the dialogue organized by the subproject provided the first review of the SIS (which was built during the COVID-19 period through virtual consultations), and the concerns raised are important feedback that will be addressed. • More clarity is needed regarding the cash vs in-kind contributions that the BSP can provide communities. • During dialogues, IPLC communities expressed dissatisfaction with the FDF structure and benefit sharing provision, which included 20% allocation of ERP payments for transaction costs through government budgetary system; as a response to this feedback, this allocation was reduced to 15%. • As a result of the engagement with the national REDD+ decision-making entities (i.e. Ministry of Forests and Environment, and REDD Implementation Center), federal government representatives participated in several subproject events: the Training of Trainers, and the national workshops/dialogues on the operationalization of the FDF and the SIS. This engagement also facilitated the amendment of the BSP, and gave CSOs the opportunity to convey concerns about Nepal’s Forestry Regulations 2079, which are being considered by the Ministry of Forestry along with feedback from other organizations working in the sector. • Collaboration with government and other CSOs: Activities were implemented in coordination with the REDD Implementation Center, Divisional Forest Offices in the ERP districts, and the two subgrantees responsible for implementing the IPs subcomponent (NEFIN, HIMAWANTI). Page 38 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) COUNTRY: Vietnam ORGANIZATION: Center for People and Nature Reconciliation (PanNature) SUBPROJECT: Capacity building for local communities and CSOs in monitoring the Benefit Sharing mechanism of the Emission Reductions Program in the North Central Region of Vietnam OBJECTIVE: To enable and empower local communities and CSOs to make the best use of BSP and relevant instruments designed in the ERP to protect their benefits. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$ 89,705.00 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$58,537.14 BENEFICIARIES: 691 total (including 224 women) from communities in Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue provinces in North Central Vietnam SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: Implementation of activities was delayed by nine months, due to the restrictions to the transfer of funds outside of Nepal, which were addressed through the project restructuring that enabled the World Bank to make direct payments to PanNature. Activities were therefore implemented in a condensed timeframe, between November 2022 and February 2023. The delay prevented the implementation of some of the planned activities. PanNature held consultations and orientation meetings, carried out trainings, organized dialogues between government and civil society representatives, and developed and disseminated knowledge products. Four community-level consultation and orientation meetings were held with local communities and CSOs to discuss and identify the training needs, and collect community level information to enable the contextualization of training materials. Trainings included: (i) four community level trainings on benefit sharing and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction covered the ERP payment mechanism, the monitoring of the implementation of the payment mechanism, and the monitoring of forest quality; (ii) two workshops for forest owners (forest management and protection groups, and state forest companies) on the benefit sharing mechanism and GHG emissions reduction; (iii) one workshop with CSOs, academic and research institutions, and commune representatives, on REDD+ benefit sharing mechanism and the role CSOs can play in supporting the implementation of Decree 107; (iv) one training for CSOs, forestry cadastral officers and other government representatives on analysis, monitoring, and benefit sharing in ERP implementation, which also aimed to strengthen the participation of CSOs in the benefit sharing process; and (v) one seminar where government representatives, CSOs, and local communities discussed ways to strengthen the participation of communities and other stakeholders in the benefit sharing mechanism. Dialogues included: (i) two multistakeholder meetings to discuss the benefit sharing mechanism and the Forest Management Councils (FMC), which are a mechanism for ERP and BSP implementation but which have not yet been established; FMCs would have a role in monitoring the benefit sharing arrangements at the local level, and would also be the mechanism for allocation of performance-based benefits at the local level; and (ii) four meetings with REDD+ decision-making entities at national and provincial levels, to share local communities and CSOs’ perspectives on ERP an d BSP, and the subproject activities. Knowledge products included: a (i) policy review bulletin, which discusses aspects related to the development of a carbon market in Vietnam, including with a focus on forest carbon, and offers recommendations for building a carbon market in Vietnam with the goal of opening up a new financial stream for emissions reduction; (ii) an ERPA Handbook: Q&A for Individuals, Households, and Communities to Manage and Protect Forests, which seeks to help local communities understand their rights and responsibilities in the implementation of the policy of payments; (iii) a booklet “A Local Perspective on ERPA,� which summarizes the opinions and concerns of local communities and stakeholders on the ERP Agreement, to help government and development stakeholders understand local perspectives; and (iv) a video documentary on ERPA that documents project activities towards promoting the effective implementation of Decree 107. Knowledge products were disseminated through PanNature’s website and social media; the Policy Review and Handbook were shared in hard copy and electronically with PanNature’s n etwork of 1,500 CSOs, and also government and development partners. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • The workshops for forest owners were especially meaningful to local communities in Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province which rarely receive payments for forest environmental services, thus helping to improve people’s livelihoods, and at the same time helping to enhance responsibility and awareness of forest-based indigenous communities. • Collaboration with government and other CSOs: Activities were implemented in coordination with the Forest Protection and Development Fund of Thua Thien Hue Province, Centre for Upland Resource Governance Research (CEGORN) Page 39 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) COUNTRY: Fiji ORGANIZATION: Grace Trifam Ministry (GTM) SUBPROJECT: REDD+ capacity building project in Fiji OBJECTIVE: To enhance the knowledge and capacity of target local communities on REDD+, ERP, and BSP. PLANNED GRANT AMOUNT: US$90,000.00 ACTUAL AMOUNT: US$85,976.86 BENEFICIARIES: 1,173 total (including 533 women) from 16 districts in Fiji: Bua, Cakaudrove, Cuvu, Dogotuki, Emalu, Lakeba, Naiyalayala, Namataku, Nasavusavu, Saqani, Savatu, Serua, Tokaimalo, Tunuloa, and Wainikeli SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: Implementation of activities was delayed by nine months, due to the restrictions to transfer funds outside of Nepal, which were addressed through the project restructuring that enabled the World Bank to make direct payments to GTM. Activities were therefore implemented in a condensed timeframe, between November 2022 and February 2023. GTM held an orientation meeting, carried out trainings, organized dialogues between government and civil society representatives, and developed and disseminated knowledge products. GTM conducted an orientation meeting for the heads of 36 villages on how the local communities can benefit from ERP and BSP. Trainings included: (i) 17 community level trainings on REDD+ and the ERP that provided detailed orientation to local communities on the technical details of REDD+ and ERP, climate change, REDD+ mechanism and the national REDD+ strategy, the ERP and BSP, etc.; and (ii) one “ERP Women Rocket Stove Empowerment� workshop that served to demonstrate the production and use of rocket stoves, and how these consume 40 percent less fuel wood and can thus help reduce pressure on local forests. The workshop also covered topics such as climate change and ERP-related topics. During the workshop, rocket stoves were assembled by youth volunteers and gifted to 50 poor and marginalized women in Viti Levu, one of the islands covered by the ERP. Dialogues included: (i) three division level dialogues, and one national level dialogue with tribal and religious leaders on REDD+ and environmental stewardship, to discuss sustainable forest management, REDD+, ERP and BSP, and how local communities’ concerns can be addressed in the REDD+ process, with the expectation that tribal and religious leaders would convey these messages during meetings with their congregations; (ii) five meetings with national REDD+ decision-making entities, including preparatory meetings with the Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, and Ministry of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation ahead of subproject implementation, and meetings with the REDD+ Unit and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry to share updates on subproject implementation. Knowledge products consisted of the voice over translation of two episodes of the video series Get REDDy produced by the World Bank through the EnABLE Trust Fund Program, which presents how local communities and indigenous peoples in Fiji are preserving their forests and land amid a changing climate; the episodes were screened during community level trainings. Some findings and recommendations from participants in the activities: • Culturally appropriate approaches: Capacity building activities used traditional/indigenous approaches, such as Talanoa sessions among CSOs, local communities, and representatives from the national ERP team, to share perspectives on REDD+ and ERP, and traditional/indigenous terminology, such as Vakabulavanua, i.e., ecological restoration.25 • The orientation meeting for village heads led the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs to seek a partnership with GTM to cooperate with the ministry’s annual awareness activities in the 36 villages covered by the subproject. • Based on lessons from the second phase of the CBP of using established forums, GTM used the faith-based forums to convey REDD+ messages to communities, and to explore the potential of the faith-based organizations to contribute to Fiji’s REDD+ program. GTM partnered with the Fiji Council of Churches and Inter-Faith Search Fiji, which is composed of various faith-based organizations. The dialogues helped solidify faith-based partnerships on environmental stewardship. • One government representative noted: “You know! in I Taukei indigenous mentality - a green standing tree is a worthless tree. Only after it’s been logged and sold, then it’s useful and of some commercial value. What a lesson they learnt today about REDD+/ERP and the potential of sustainable forest management for livelihoods and forest conservation.� • Collaboration: Activities were implemented in coordination with the Fiji ERP team and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs. 25Talanoa is a traditional term used in Fiji and other Pacific islands that refers to a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathy, and make wise decisions for the collective good. The process of Talanoa involves the sharing of ideas, skills and experience through storytelling. Page 40 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) ANNEX 6. SUMMARY OF MAIN REPORTS PRODUCED UNDER COMPONENT 2 I. Summary of “Asia-Pacific FCPF Capacity Building Project on REDD+ Regional Sharing Workshop,� jointly prepared by ANSAB and TEBTEBBA (link to full report)26 1. The Regional Sharing Workshop was held on February 12-14, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was organized jointly by ANSAB and TEBTEBBA, and brought together 65 representatives from the 10 FCPF countries, including representatives from the IPOs and CSOs implementing the subprojects, REDD+ focal points from ERP countries, CSO/IP FCPF observers in the region, members of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) for IPs, Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for CSOs and local communities, regional organizations working on REDD+, and the World Bank. 2. Objectives: The workshop aimed to: (i) share first-hand experiences, achievements, challenges and lessons learned from the IPLC organizations implementing subprojects on capacity building in Fiji, Nepal and Vietnam; (ii) share country/regional level experiences on capacity building of IPLCs and their meaningful participation and inclusion in REDD+ and ERP processes, programs and projects of relevant governments and donors; and (iii) consolidate gaps, barriers, challenges, good practices and lessons learned, and draw specific and practical recommendations to improve effective participation and inclusion of IPLCs in REDD+ and Emission Reductions Program (ERP) processes, programs and projects including access to benefits. 3. Workshop structure: The workshop consisted of presentations of overall project progress, presentations of the progress made and challenges faced by subprojects; discussions on IPLCs’ participation in REDD+ programs and projects, ERPs and benefit sharing; discussions on how to strengthen the capacity of IPLCs on REDD+ processes at the regional level; a working session on the gaps, barriers, challenges and good practices on the participation of IPLCs in REDD+ and ERP; a working session on the lessons learned and recommendations for the effective participation of IPLCs in REDD+ and ERP; presentations of the two research papers developed under Component 2, and a panel discussion with government representatives (REDD+/ERP focal points) on the capacity and participation of IPLCs in REDD+ processes, programs and projects at national level. 4. Key project highlights: The review of subprojects implementation highlighted the following key points: • Educational materials: some subprojects prepared educational materials in print and audiovisual forms, in national and local languages, and disseminated them through radio, TV, social media and news articles. • Gender: while all subprojects conducted capacity building activities for both men and women, CRD in Vietnam, and the women’s organizations HIMAWANTI in Nepal and SSV in Fiji made conscious efforts to increase the participation of women and youth through women-specific consultations and leadership training activities. Female staff of subgrantee organizations and IPLC women volunteers also led some of the activities organized by subgrantees. • Capacity building of beneficiaries: based on the feedback of some training participants, the project increased participants’ knowledge and was able to build the capabilities of IPLCs in understanding REDD+ and its 26Link to report: https://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/component/fileman/?view=file&routed=1&name=FCPF%20Regional%20Workshop%20R eport%202023.pdf&container=fileman-attachments Page 41 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) processes through the training activities and wide dissemination of information at the grassroots level. These activities addressed knowledge gaps among IPLCs and relevant local government offices. Before the project, IPLCs and local governments were unaware of REDD+ and ERP. • Engagement with policymakers: the project became an enabling factor for IPLCs to lobby for representation at national and subnational level REDD+/ERP/BSP related meetings organized by governments. Local government representatives became more willing to collaborate with CSOs/IPLCs and forest officials at local levels committed to resolve IPs’ issues on representation and participation. IPLC training participants said they will use the knowledge gained in their respective communities. 5. Key issues and challenges: Participants discussed the issues and challenges faced by the project, which included the following: • Timeframe: the short timeframe of the project caused by delays in obtaining government permits in Nepal and Vietnam was a major challenge for subproject implementation. • Restrictions to transfer of funds: the implementation of subprojects for CSOs/LCs in Fiji and Vietnam were delayed, due to difficulties in transferring funds from Nepal to other countries. The project was restructured to allow ANSAB to enter into a contract with the subgrantees, thus allowing the WB to make direct payments to the subprojects in Fiji and Vietnam. The CSOs in the two countries implemented the national level activities from November 2022 to February 2023. • Funding mechanism through intermediary implementing agencies: in phases 2 and 3 of the Capacity Building Program, funding was channeled through intermediary implementing agencies, but some participants in the workshop expressed a preference for funding to go directly to the IPLCs’ organizations that are involved in implementation. However, while direct funding from the would reduce administrative costs and procedures for the intermediary implementing agencies, the requirements for the recipient IPLCs’ organization, however, would be more onerous. • Benefit sharing: the panel discussion with government representatives confirmed that BSP mechanisms are in place. In almost all cases, the benefits go first to the concerned national government agency. A workshop participant from Nepal pointed out that the share of funds that should be allocated to IPLCs, as per provision of the BSP of Nepal, were inadequate. • Advance payments from FCPF: Lao PDR and Indonesia received an advanced payment from the FCPF in August 2022 and November 2022, respectively. For Indonesia, the advanced payment amounted to US$20.9 million from a total of US$110 million. According to Indonesia’s government representative, IPLCs receive benefits from the 65 percent performance cost, and the 10 percent reward costs. Performance dues are to be paid to IPLCs who contributed to emission reductions, and the reward will be paid to those who have zero deforestation in their forests. A total of 441 villages are to receive or have received payments. The country has national and local regulations and has a division in an agency in charge of verifying community data. The government required IPLCs to provide their indigenous history, proof of customary ownership and traditional governance systems to be eligible for BSP funding. • FCPF countries: In Asia-Pacific, five (5) countries are beneficiaries of the Carbon Fund of the FCPF: Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Vietnam and Fiji. Other countries in the region are still focused on the REDD+ readiness phase and pilot projects, and are not yet receiving benefits from the Carbon Fund. • Limitations of capacity building efforts: Awareness-raising and capacity-building activities were effective tools. However, there are instances where trained IPLCs and government stakeholders left their institutions, changed positions within their institutions, or moved through different levels of the organization without transferring the knowledge, leaving gaps in the knowledge of the institutions they used to belong to. Page 42 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Although some participants claimed that there had already been capacity building in the past, others said REDD+ is new to IPLCs. In addition, participants noted that capacity building should not be for a few months or years, but should involve equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills to take responsibility to ensure continuity and sustainability. IPLCs continue to protect their forests and educate the youth on customary practices and the value of forests. The importance of the engagement of local academic institutions in capacity building was raised as well. • Relevance of process indicators for IP communities: the concepts of “time-bound,� “results-based,� and “performance-based targets� in project design is a challenge to indigenous peoples’ concept of capacity building as a multilinear process. For IPs, building capacities should strengthen the exercise of self- determination, self-governance and cultural integrity while advancing their recognition by state in law and in practice. Results should not be gauged by the number of people trained or the number of training activities conducted, but by the outcomes/changes deemed among beneficiaries, their communities and/or organizations. Capacity building, in this regard, and in the context of the REDD+/ERP and BSP, should further look into process indicators. • Lack of formal recognition by governments of the customary land/forest tenure/ownership rights of IPLCs hinders their access to these resources, and to having a share of the benefits arising thereof. IPLCs are deprived of their carbon rights/ownership, from practicing their traditional livelihoods and from engaging effectively in REDD+/ERP processes. In the open discussions, a participant pointed out that carbon rights/ownership is clearly associated to tenure as stated in international documents. National laws/constitutions, however, have yet to explicitly recognize IPLCs territorial/tenure rights, including, in the context of forestry, climate change and environment. Some countries also required IPs to undergo a long process to prove their indigenous heritage and customary rights to the land/forests, particularly cited in Indonesia. • Engagement with policy and decisionmakers: Engaging IPLCs at the grassroots in decision-making at higher levels is still a challenge for CSOs/IPOs. The workshop revealed that IPLCs needed more capacity building to effectively raise their voices in REDD+ decision-making. There were a few grassroots IPLC representatives in the workshop. A representative from the Pakistan nomadic communities said that there was no participation from his community in national and sub-national REDD+ decision-making. • Gender: The lack of dedicated spaces for youth and women in REDD+ decision-making processes is an aspect to consider in relation to the future of REDD+. IP women are recognized in REDD+ for their historical roles and knowledge of forests. However, the research on IP women in benefit sharing found that IP women’s participation in forest decision-making has been undermined by patriarchal influences in culture and in law. Time poverty and the multiple burden among IP women should be taken into account in designing and implementing REDD+/ERP/BSP processes. • Youth: Many IPLC youth prefer to migrate out of the forest areas to cities or town centers for school and work opportunities. They are often not, seemingly, interested in taking responsibility to maintain and manage the forests sustainably. Some sub-grantees in Vietnam and Fiji faced difficulties in engaging with the youth for this reason. 6. Recommendations: The workshop made recommendations to the World Bank and other development partners, governments and policy makers, as well as to CSO and IPOs. 7. Recommendations for the World Bank and development partners include the following: Page 43 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) • Increase funding and continue supporting the Capacity Building Program, aligned to the needs of IPLCs in all FCPF countries • Ensure that administrative processes do not hinder the access of IPLCs to financial resources for the timely implementation of WB/FCPF-related initiatives • Support an independent evaluation of the Capacity Building Program • Strongly monitor states’ compliance and accountability to the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards and provide technical and logistical support for independent IPLC monitoring and evaluation of the same • Provide funds directly to organizations that will implement capacity building projects to reduce administrative costs and procedures the (intermediary) implementing organizations and allow direct project monitoring by the World Bank/donor • Projects should have longer periods of implementation and higher budget allocation with more investments in formal and informal capacity building, including on new developments at national and global levels (i.e., REDD+, benefit sharing, carbon rights, carbon markets, etc.) and development of relevant technical skills (i.e., carbon accounting, climate smart agriculture, alternative livelihoods, etc.) of IPLCs and other stakeholders • Promote landscape management (Payment for Ecosystem Services) in REDD+, including water/watershed as non-carbon benefits and protect blue carbon ecosystems • Create a program specific to the Pacific, separate from Asia, managed by IPLCs’ organizations from the Pacific region to address their unique concerns, e.g., the lack of homegrown organizations 8. Recommendations for the World Bank, development partners, and governments/ implementing agencies include the following: • Establish and institutionalize a participatory consultation mechanism for the effective participation of IPLCs as partners, especially women and youth, and nomadic and semi-nomadic communities, to ensure their representation in REDD+ agencies, the entire program cycle, and in the development of REDD+ national policies and strategies • Establish a fair benefit-sharing mechanism that recognizes the carbon rights of IPLCs based on customary land use and ownership/forest tenure rights, and reconsider the financial mechanism for REDD+ benefits to go directly to IPLCs who protect the forests 9. Recommendations for governments/ REDD+ policy makers include the following: • Ensure allocations in national and local government budgets for capacity building activities specific for IPLCs, and ensure their implementation, instead of relying only on international donors • Provide sustained capacity building on REDD+/ERP to IPLCs, especially for women, youth, and local governments/agencies, through REDD+ budget of government ministries/agencies implementing REDD+ programs • Harmonize national forestry and climate related laws and practices with international legal standards, particularly ILO Convention No. 169 [on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples], the UN Declaration on the Rights off Indigenous Peoples, UNFCCC agreements, and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), and report on compliance • Ensure intergovernmental (national to local) coordination and transparency, and dissemination of new regulations and project approval procedures Page 44 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) • Report on how IPs’ rights, issues and concerns (including related to Free Prior Informed Consent) in the ERP processes, mechanisms and benefit sharing are addressed • Conduct indigenous and gender-sensitivity training activities among government and non-government stakeholders 10. Recommendations for governments and CSOs/IPOs include the following: • Develop local or home-grown knowledge products at sub-national level and in specific sites using vernacular or local languages and other culturally appropriate materials. 11. Recommendations for CSOs, IPOs, and IPLCs include the following: • Forward to governments relevant and clear inputs to national and local plans and policies on REDD+/ ERP/BSPs • Coordinate actions on REDD+ and forest mechanisms from local to national levels, and ensure the participation of IPLCs in regional capacity building, dialogues and knowledge sharing • Cooperate in the conduct of educational and training activities on safeguards and benefit sharing related to REDD+/ERP implementation for IPLCs, including capacity building on technical aspects (i.e., carbon accounting) at grassroots level • Develop synergies among CSOs/LCs and IPs and strengthen linkages and collaboration among and between grassroots projects • Ensure sustained capacity building for IPLC leaders, organizations and institutions • Ensure the sustainability of the livelihoods of IPLCs by supporting appropriate technologies and innovations • Allocate more financial support for research, dissemination and establishment of databases of findings and analysis related to forests or various ecosystems • Allocate financial support for the development and translation of appropriate materials (written, audiovisual, software) that improves the rate and quality of understanding of IPLCs on REDD+/ERP • Generate more resources and support for capacity building, including leadership development especially for women, youth, and organizational strengthening 12. Recommendations for all stakeholders include the following: • Include the agriculture sector in REDD+ discussions • Engage academia in capacity building programs and research, ensuring allocations in this aspect Page 45 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) II. Summary of report: Lessons learnt from the implementation of REDD+ capacity building and awareness raising activities in the Asia-Pacific Region, prepared by Professor Tek Maraseni for ANSAB 13. Objectives: The study aimed to review the FCPF-funded projects in the Asia-Pacific region (i.e., the Emissions Reductions Programs in Nepal, Fiji, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos), and the country-level activities and outcomes of the third phase of the Capacity Building Program in Nepal, Fiji, Vietnam (i.e., the present project), to draw lessons, good practices and success stories, and capture gender impacts. The study also offers general recommendations for the future of the capacity building program. 14. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed-method approach, which included a review of academic literature on REDD+ in Fiji, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and Nepal; review of project documents, with particular attention paid to the key results of their in-country capacity building activities, the participation of CSOs and LCs in REDD+ processes in Nepal, Vietnam and Fiji, and the participation of women in CSOs and REDD+ processes. Based on the gaps and issues identified in the desk review, the author developed and administered a questionnaire for the three subprojects. The preliminary findings of the study were presented at the regional lessons learned workshop held on February 12-14, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. This workshop provided an open, value-free, and inclusive atmosphere for all stakeholders to share their views. The feedback provided by workshop participants was considered in the finalization of the report. 15. Background on REDD+: To receive results-based finance from the implementation of REDD+ activities, countries should have five elements in place: (1) REDD+ Strategy or Plan of Action, (2) Forest Reference Emissions Level (FREL) or Forest Reference Level (FRL), (3) a national forest monitoring system, (4) a safeguards information system (SIS), and (5) summary of information on safeguard (MRV). Countries also need to submit Biannual Update Reports (BURs) including technical annex on REDD+, and develop an effective, efficient, and equitable Benefit Sharing Program. 16. Major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the countries of study are conversion of forests to agriculture for oil palm plantings in Indonesia, rubber and cassava plantings in Vietnam, rubber planting in Laos, and taro and kava in Fiji. Other common drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are unplanned settlement and infrastructure development (in all countries), timber planting and mining (Indonesia), encroachment (Nepal), and shifting cultivation (Laos). 17. Benefit sharing programs: REDD+ results-based payments require countries to distribute carbon funds equitably and maximize emissions reductions. In Vietnam, the regulatory approaches to benefit sharing for REDD+ are informed by the government-financed payment for ecosystem service (PES) schemes. In Fiji, they are informed by the “iTaukei Land Trust Board model� and “Land Bank model,� which require collective discussion and consensus of no less than 60 percent of the registered landowning units in agreeing to all transactions pertaining to iTaukei lands. In Nepal, the community forest user groups’ benefit sharing guidelines were used as a reference. 18. To meet equity criteria: Nepal allocated 5 percent of carbon payment for poverty alleviation (i.e., for forest dependent household outside community forest user groups); and Indonesia allocated 10percent for rewarding historical forest protection (National Park/village/community, etc.). 19. Challenges of the Benefit Sharing Programs. There are two key issues with all the Benefit Sharing Programs. First, they are complex and therefore are not transparent. Many of the key stakeholders do not know the details of Benefit Sharing Programs. Second, these programs have not documented arrangements on how to deal with an expected increase in carbon prices. Table 4 provides a summary of the ERPs, ERPAs, costs, and benefit sharing arrangements. Page 46 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) Table 4. Brief overview of ERPs, ERPAs and cost & benefit sharing arrangements (Adapted from FCPF, 2022) deforestation and Program location Major drivers of Reference Level (USD) and main and area (Mha) or emission for Program name REDD+ Benefit Total target of (2019-24) and Deforestation interventions Sharing Plan Agreement* Country and Overall cost sources of funding C-Fund FCPF ERP Vietnam Location: 157,340 ha Drivers: Cost: Target: 50% Local communities 6 provinces (gross loss) Rubber $312.8 M 19.78 MtCO2e 21% FMB and SFC Vietnam’s in (2005-2016) (3,491ha/yr), 17% Private sector North Central Vietnam’s cassava Sources: FCPF Region North (1,318ha/yr) ODA/WB Agreement: 7% Operational and Emission Central plantation ($76.5M), Up to US$51.5 management costs Reductions Region JICA, USAID, million for 5% Performance buffer Interventions: VN Gov. reductions of Area: Policy reform, 10.3 MtCO2e >5 sustainable forest management, climate smart agriculture Nepal Location: Average Drivers: Migration, Cost: Target: 10% Operational and 5 provinces emissions unplanned $184 M 34.2 MtCO2e management costs People and and 13 1.56 settlement, 80% Government Forests: A districts of MtCO2e/yr) encroachment, Sources: FCPF entities and community SFM-Based Nepal’s (2004-14) infrastructure $45M Govt, Agreement: forest user groups Emission Terai Arc development $13M TAL, *Up to US$45 5% Forest dependent Reduction Landscape $7.5 FIP, million for households outside Program in the Interventions: $13 CF/CFM reductions of 9 community forest user Terai Arc Area: Expand CF & CFM, MtCO2e groups Landscape 2.2 Private forest, (TAL) Pro-poor leasehold 5% Private Forest owner forest (in-kind seedling, biogas technical input, etc.) Fiji Location: Average Drivers: Conversion Cost: Target: 85% Beneficiaries 11 emissions to agriculture $43.18 3.5 MtCO2e (owners) Emission provinces, 1.636 (taro, kava), million 10% Operational costs Reductions including MtCO2e/yr) unplanned FCPF 5% Performance buffer Program of Fiji the islands (2006-16) infrastructure, Sources: Agreement: of Viti Levu, conventional Government, Up to US$12.5 Vanua Levu, logging, Fiji Pine Ltd, million for and Taveuni mining Fiji reductions of Hardwood 2.5 MtCO2e Area: Interventions: Ltd, WB-CF 1.7 Integrated land use planning, community-based A/R, agroforestry Indonesia Location: 15% or 1 Drivers: Cost: Target: 25% National and (both East million ha Expansion of palm $90.7 M 86.3 MtCO2e subnational Page 47 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) deforestation and Program location Major drivers of Reference Level (USD) and main and area (Mha) or emission for Program name REDD+ Benefit Total target of (2019-24) and Deforestation interventions Sharing Plan Agreement* Country and Overall cost sources of funding C-Fund FCPF ERP government Kalimantan (2006-2016) oil areas (51%), governments and private Province, timber plantation Sources: FCPF 65% for performance- sector budget) covering (14%) & mining Govt Agreement: based (village/ seven (10%) (74.5%), Up to US$110 communities/ FMUs) East districts Private million for 10% Reward for Kalimantan - Interventions: sector reductions of historical forest Jurisdictional Area: Policy reforms, (21.7%), 22 MtCO2e protection (National Emissions 12.7 engage with oil development Park/ village/ Reduction palm and forestry partners community, etc.) Program companies, and (3.8%) local communities Lao PDR Location: 72,000 Drivers: Cost: Target: 69.3% Communities (GCF funded) 6 northern ha/yr Land-based $136 M 16.1 MtCO2e 3.85% Subnational provinces (2005-15) investment (>80% governments Governance, (Bokeo, (40% foreign, mainly Sources: FCPF 3.85% Pilot initiatives forest Huaphanh, national DD from V/C/T) for Government, Agreement: owners landscapes Luang occurred rubber, GCF, WB-CF Up to US$42 and Namtha, here) shifting cultivation, million for 18% Operational costs Livelihoods - Luang illegal logging reductions of 5% Performance buffer Northern Laos Prabang, 8.4 MtCO2e Oudomxay, Interventions: and Policy reforms, Xayaboury) forest restoration, land use planning Area: 8.1 NOTE: *Crediting period of all the ERPAs is six year (2019-2024) 20. Findings on subprojects implementation: Collaborators of the three subprojects suggest that the third phase of the capacity building project was successful in achieving its targets and in improving the understanding among CSOs, IPs, and LCs on climate change and REDD+, thereby placing these stakeholders a step closer to their meaningful participation in the REDD+ process. The subprojects have assisted in building a platform for all stakeholders to collectively implement the REDD+ processes. 21. Common barriers/gaps: Although the sub-projects were effective in enhancing the knowledge of CSOs and LCs in key areas, and also in developing some level of capacity to participate in REDD+ process, there are still some gaps/barriers for their full and effective participation. Some of the common gaps/barriers are: (1) delays in scheduled payments, which halted the project activities for a long time; (2) periodical events like festivals (Tet holidays, Dashain), elections, monsoons, etc. that made it difficult to conduct field level activities; (3) the REDD+ issue is still new, especially in Quang Binh province of Vietnam and rural parts of ERP districts in Nepal, so awareness and concerns of local communities is low, moreover, the participants of various capacities participate in the same programs; (4) REDD+ related funding is not dedicated to CSOs, while the majority of funding sources focus on the government authorities for the REDD+ initiatives; and, (5) the Benefit Sharing Program has not been finalized yet. It’s Page 48 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) well agreed that, to overcome the above-mentioned barriers, a pre-defined fund-flow channel between donor and the grantee should be used, a more precise criteria should be used in selecting participants for the capacity building, and a direct, long-term and regular funding should be provided to CSOs and LCs for implementing REDD+ activities. Most importantly, the key documents like Benefit Sharing Programs need to be finalized in time to receive the ERP in a timely manner. 22. Lessons learned: Subprojects have learned some common lessons, including: (1) the more subprojects collaborated with local governments and other projects with similar objectives, the better the outcomes they achieved; (2) the direct involvement of local indigenous communities can be fostered by developing training materials in local languages; and using effective visual media, interactive tools; and (3) producing trainers at the local level that can be used for capacity development activities is instrumental to the success of REDD+. 23. Unintended consequences: In Nepal, the subproject led to some tension between Divisional Forest Officials and FECOFUN staff. As the FECOFUN staff sensitized the communities about the incoming benefits from REDD+, the government officials, who were not updated about the upcoming REDD+ payments, accused FECOFUN staff of misleading the communities. 24. Gender impacts of subprojects: There are some general issues/barriers affecting women’s participation in CSOs: (1) limited knowledge and capacity of women to engage in CSOs, as women tend to have lower literacy levels than men, and to be less aware of their rights, rules and availability/provision of services. As a result, women tend to have less of an opportunity to engage in CSOs; (2) women have limited time to engage in CSOs and decision-making processes since they are expected to perform several household chores and taking care of their family members; and (3) male-dominated societies do not culturally encourage women empowerment activities and thus limit their involvement in CSOs. This issue largely results in low participation of women in REDD+ related decision-making. In Fiji, women are discouraged to participate in the discussions related to land rights and ownership. In Vietnam, information sharing and consultations with women in regard to their roles in forest management, is still limited. Meanwhile, the field level organizations in Nepal who implement the REDD+ capacity building programs, most of the times, tend to have a biased decision while selecting women participants. This may be due to elite capture in some cases. 25. Country-specific barriers to women’s participation include the following: In Nepal, selection of participants in REDD+ activities must be done at field level, where decision-making tends to be biased. Government entities representing REDD+ are more focused on other issues such as measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), SIS and SES, which have overshadowed the gender perspectives in REDD+. In Vietnam, the language skills and educational level of ethnic minority women are major barriers to their participation in the REDD+ process. In Fiji, discussions related to ERPs issues tend to be restricted to landowners, thus men are prioritized. 26. General recommendations: In order to further enhance the impacts of the project, future support need to focus on: (1) ensuring the sustainability of capacity building initiatives in tandem with the REDD+ implementation; (2) designing and organizing women empowerment trainings as an entry point of capacity building; (3) providing long- term and dedicated funds, particularly to rural vulnerable women; (4) improving consistent and common regional views on REDD+; (4) making provision for IP’s and CSO stakeholders’ representations at national level in official committees (REDD+ technical/steering committee, etc.); and (5) ensuring that most of the benefits from the ER programs reach the grassroots communities through an effective fund-flow channel. Page 49 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 27. Recommendations for improved gender impacts: Based on the study, some general measures to increase women’s participation in CSOs and REDD+ decision-making include: (1) design training and develop training materials in simple and understandable language; (2) design and organize women empowerment trainings as an entry point of capacity building of CSOs. Such trainings should target marginalized and vulnerable women, particularly from rural areas; (3) develop the culture of respect and promote rights and value of women by providing opportunities and engaging women in program design and decision-making process of CSOs; (4) raise awareness of gatekeepers, such as men members and CSOs leaders; and (5) seek long-term financial supports from donor targeting women- empowerment activities. Page 50 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) III. Summary of Research Report: Indigenous Women and Benefit Sharing in the Emission Reductions Programs, written by Raymundo D. Rovillos, PhD, Akanisi Sobusobu Tarabe, Pasang Dolma Sherpa, PhD, Pasang Sherpa, PhD, Preity Gurung; and edited by Ann Loreto Tamayo, Eleanor Dictaan-Bang-oa, and Helen Valdez; for TEBTEBBA. 28. Background: Among the social and environmental safeguards that were agreed under REDD+ is the right of IPs to participate fully and meaningfully in REDD+ related processes and to ensure that their collective rights to their lands and territories are safeguarded during the design and implementation of REDD+ processes. To facilitate this, IPs requested the FCPF in their regional and global dialogues for an allocation for capacity building activities specifically for IPs. This request was approved by the FCPF Participants Committee (PC) as the Capacity Building Program (CBP) of the Readiness Fund on REDD+ for forest-dependent IPs, southern civil Society organizations (CSOs), and other forest dwellers. 29. The present study was undertaken in Fiji, Indonesia, and Nepal, three countries that submitted their Emission Reductions Program Documents (ERPDs) and signed Emission Reductions Payment Agreements (ERPAs) with the WB as Trustee of the Carbon Fund of the FCPF. 30. Objectives: REDD+ comes with a Benefit Sharing provision through “the distribution of results-based finance, a critical component of greenhouse gas emission reduction initiatives, including FCPF emission reductions programs. Equitable and transparent benefit sharing arrangements ensure that all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and communities, are recognized, and rewarded for their role in reducing emissions, including through forest conservation and sustainable forest management.� 31. The research aimed to: (1) identify IP communities covered and/or affected, whether directly or indirectly, by ERP implementation and their existing contributions to emission reductions, and barriers to sustaining these; (2) analyze existing opportunities, actions, mechanisms, etc. that can drive or constrain equitable benefit sharing for IPs, especially women; and (3) make recommendations on how IPs' practices can enhance benefit sharing arrangements to reduce carbon emissions and propose a design for equitable benefit sharing to IPs with attention to indigenous women. 32. Methodology: The research adopted indigenous and gender sensitive research methods for both primary and secondary data-gathering, which included key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), rapid appraisal, document analysis, and literature review. These methods ensured that diverse perspectives among stakeholders were generated. Data analyses anchored primarily on a rights- and -ecosystems-based approaches that surface the recognition, respect, and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their lands and territories, identity, culture, traditional knowledge systems, practices, customary governance and institutions, social justice, and self-determined development, and the protection and sustainable management of the natural environment. 33. Limitations of the study: A major limitation of this study is that the data-gathering phase took place at a time when the first tranche of carbon funds from the World Bank had not yet been transferred to the three countries (Fiji, Indonesia and Nepal). Hence, this study focused on the Benefit Sharing Plans (BSPs) and the initial experiences of Fiji and Nepal on carbon payments that are not attributable to the FCPF. Page 51 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) 34. Another limitation is the fact that the researcher contracted to cover the Indonesia portion of the study was unexpectedly not able to carry out the field research, for medical reasons. The research team thus relied on secondary data sources and virtual focus groups discussions to cover the case of Indonesia. 35. Role of indigenous women in forest management: The case studies from Nepal and Fiji provide substantial representation and insights on the role/s of indigenous women in forest management. Indigenous women in both countries play considerable roles in relation to sustaining natural resources, including forest management. Their relationship with nature/forest is intimate and inextricable, being the primary subsistence farmers and caretakers of the forest resources. Because of this relationship with the forest and the farming system, indigenous women possess thorough knowledge on the flora and fauna in their ecosystem. This extends to their extensive knowledge on medicinal and edible plants and other organisms that are found in the forest. However, while indigenous women have access to land and resources such as the forests, control over the same may not necessarily be shared equally with men. The narratives on gender roles and relations in Fiji and Nepal show that their society is patrilinear or patriarchal. In more nuanced instances, as in the case of Fiji, indigenous women who do not belong to indigenous structures, such as the mataqali, are also excluded from having access to and control over resources and benefits derived from them. 36. The REDD+ ERP and indigenous women: The gender dimension of the REDD+/ERP were analyzed based on the following concepts: women’s access to and control over resources (forest and benefits derived from ERP), participation in decision-making structures and processes, and women’s practical and strategic gender needs. • Indigenous Women’s Access to and Control Over Resources and Benefits: Even before the introduction of REDD+/ERP in the three countries, indigenous women already experienced structural and systemic constraints especially in the aspect of control over resources such as land and forest resources. This is attributed by several authors to the patriarchal system, even in the context of indigenous/customary laws in the case of Fiji, and/or introduced by mainstream society that is patriarchal, as in the case of Nepal. Indigenous women’s role and status in land tenurial regimes (whether based on customary laws or introduced/western/national laws) have implications on their access to and control over land and resources. These nuanced gender dimensions do not seem to be recognized by the benefit sharing policies and practices in the three countries in this study. • Lack of access to full and appropriate information: Regarding benefits derived from the REDD+/ERP, the majority of indigenous women interviewed for this study were not aware of the REDD+/ERP, and had not heard, seen or experienced its actual activities in their community. Those who were aware complained they did not fully grasp its meaning and implications on their lives. This is perhaps due to the technical elements of the ERP like the quantitative (MRV). • Indigenous Women’s Participation in the ERP: The observed lack of indigenous women’s awareness of the ERP is indicative of their lack of participation in decision-making structures and processes of the ERP in Indonesia. This observation is also reflected in the reports from Nepal and Fiji where women face socio- cultural/structural barriers in taking part in decision-making structures and processes, including those related to ERP—that is, the patrilineal and patriarchal nature of both indigenous (Fiji) and mainstream (Nepal) society and culture. Two other factors constrain indigenous women from fully, effectively, and meaningfully participating in the ERP decision-making structures and processes. One is the lack of time or “time poverty,� where women are already overloaded with multiple tasks in production (work in the field) and reproduction Page 52 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) (work at home as mothers), thus restraining them from engaging in public/community life. Another factor is the lack of capacity to participate fully and effectively in the male-dominated structures and processes. • Women’s Practical vs Strategic Needs: The ERP projects and activities mentioned in the reports are largely geared towards forest conservation, such as reforestation (tree planting), nursery, apiary, and the like. Projects that address women’s practical needs include those that relate to food security, such as goat dispersal, seedling dispersal, toilet bowl provision (sanitation projects), school buildings for their children’s education, among others. However, none of the reports cited projects that seek to address the strategic needs of women, which should have addressed the subordinate position of women. Indigenous women respondents have expressed their yearning to be trained to enable them to effectively participate in decision- making structures and processes—a strategic gender need. 37. Challenges/gaps: According to the study, the main challenges/gaps regarding the conceptualization/planning and implementation of ERPs in Nepal, Fiji, and Indonesia are the following: • The performance-based/results-based and centrally-managed approaches of ERP may have incentivized the efficient, timely delivery of expected outputs and outcomes (results), but may have relegated indigenous processes and timescapes (i.e., indigenous notions and realities of time). The approach, being state-centered, continues to undermine indigenous customary knowledge, practices and institutions on forest conservation and management. The ERP reifies the dichotomy between state laws and practices and customary institutions, instead of narrowing the gap through more collaborative approaches. • Government requirements like possession of land title and a bank account in Nepal and Fiji prevent indigenous persons and communities from fully accessing and enjoying the benefits derived from the ERP. This, too, is the result of the government’s nonrecognition of customary practices on land tenurial regimes and forest conservation. • Governments have not considered/integrated customary laws, practices and institutions in their policies and programs on benefit sharing schemes. These indigenous customary laws, practices and institutions have proven to be holistic, among other positive attributes, and are characterized by the value and principles of equity and reciprocity. • Women’s meaningful and effective participation in decision-making structures and processes are limited, if not totally hindered by structural/systemic constraints. These constraints may be seen in culture-based beliefs and values, as in the case of Fiji, or introduced/ influenced by mainstream or dominant society and culture as in the case of Nepal. • The ERP may bring benefits to the indigenous communities in terms of infrastructure development, forest conservation and food security, but women’s practical needs for cash, health, sanitation, decreased workload and participation in decision-making leave much to be realized. Addressing women’s strategic needs, that is, addressing their subordination under a patriarchal system are not manifested in the ERP. • Indigenous women’s effective and meaningful participation in decision-making structures and processes is hindered by structural constraints (e.g., patriarchy) that limit the role of women in the public sphere. These gender gaps should be addressed by policy makers, project implementers and community organizers (NGOs and IPOs) in all three countries. 38. Conclusion: Indigenous Peoples’ practices in sustainable forest management and benefit sharing still exist as well as the customary laws and institutions governing these. The report discusses some of the existing indigenous institutions, namely: Badghar in Nepal, Vanua in Fiji, and Arisan and Gotong Royong in Indonesia. Although Page 53 of 54 The World Bank ASIA-PACIFIC FCPF CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT ON REDD+ (P175928) customary laws and institutions may vary based on the unique cultural and societal contexts of each indigenous community, they share common characteristics: holistic, integrated, equitable, communal, consensual, sacred, and most importantly, they are sustainable. This study affirms the globally recognized fact that Indigenous Peoples/indigenous communities are indeed the guardians, stewards, and purveyors of sustainable management practices. Evidence to this is the fact that the forested areas in most countries in all global regions are found in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. 39. The study also affirms the fact that indigenous women play important roles and contribute substantially to sustainable forest management. They are the primary subsistence farmers, ensuring food security of their households and kin. They gather fodder and food from the forest and have knowledge of medicinal plants because of their intimate relationship with the forest and natural resources. While women may have access to land and resources, in some countries like Fiji, they may not have control over the same because of structural constraints, i.e., the patrilineal/ patriarchal system prevailing in the republic. Indigenous women in all three countries are not able to participate fully and meaningfully in decision-making structures and processes due to said structural obstacles and the multiple burdens in their production, reproduction and community managing roles. 40. The notions and strategy of gender sensitivity and gender equity are highlighted in the National Strategy Plans and Benefit Sharing Plans of the three countries. However, as of the duration of this study, the full benefits promised by the ERP have not reached the IP communities, especially the indigenous women because the BSPs have not been implemented yet. The BSPs have not disbursed any benefits to date (and first ER payments from the Carbon Fund have not been made (Fiji), or have only just recently been made (Nepal and Indonesia). Moreover, most IPs have not even heard yet of the REDD+/ERP. Those who did, still do not fully understand what it is all about. 41. There are favorable and positive feedback from Fiji (increased food security due to enhanced forest conservation). In Nepal and Indonesia, indigenous women claim they have received benefits from ERP like the school buildings, other infrastructure projects and reforestation projects. However, they have not been given capacity building activities to increase their voice and representation in the ERP decision-making structures and processes. Page 54 of 54