Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No: ICR00005695 IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION AND RESULTS REPORT TF-15339 AND TF-16915 ON A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF US$16.5 MILLION FROM THE STRATEGIC CLIMATE FUND AND A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF EUR7.41 MILLION (US$9.76 MILLION EQUIVALENT) FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BURKINA FASO FOR THE FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT December 23, 2021 Environment, Natural Resources & The Blue Economy Global Practice Africa West Region CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (Exchange Rate Effective June 30, 2021) Currency Unit = West African Franc XOF 536.36 = US$ 1 US$ 1.445 = SDR 1 FISCAL YEAR January 1 – December 31 Regional Vice President: Ousmane Diagana Country Director: Clara de Sousa Regional Director: Simeon K. Ehui Practice Manager: Maria Sarraf Mirko Ivo Serkovic Task Team Leaders: Yasmina Oodally Loic Jean Charles Braune ICR Main Contributor: Sanne Tikjoeb ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AfDB African Development Bank AIP Annual Investment Plan CBA Cost-Benefit Analysis CO2 Carbon Dioxide CPF Country Partnership Framework CPS Country Partnership Strategy DO Development Objective EA Environmental Assessment EC European Commission EX-ACT Ex-Ante Carbon-balance Tool FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FIP Forest Investment Program FM Financial Management GDP Gross Domestic Product GHG Greenhouse Gas GoBF Government of Burkina Faso ICR Implementation Completion and Results Report IDA International Development Association ICR Implementation Completion and Results Report IFN National Forest Inventory / Inventaire Forestier National INSD Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie / National Institute of Statistics and Demography IP Implementation Progress ISR Implementation Status and Results Report LDP Local Development Plan M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MRV Measurement, Reporting and Verification NAPA National Adaptation Program for Action NTFP Non-Timber Forest Products ONEDD Environment and Sustainable Development Observatory / Observatoire pour l’ Environnement et le Développement Durable PAD Project Appraisal Document PDIC Plan de Développement Communaux Intégrés / Integrated Community Development Plan PDO Project Development Objective PGDFEB Projet de Gestion Décentralisée des Forêts et Espaces Boisés / Decentralized Forest and Woodland Management Project PIU Projects Implementation Unit PNDES Plan National de Développement Économique et Social / National Economic and Social Development Plan PNGT Community Based Rural Development Program / Programme National de Gestion des Terroirs PNSR National Rural Sector Program / Programme National du Secteur Rural PNSRII National Rural Sector Program Phase II / Programme National du Secteur Rural Phase II REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation SCADD Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development / Stratégie de Croissance Accélérée et de Développement Durable SCD Systematic Country Diagnostic SME Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises TF Trust Fund ToC Theory of Change TTL Task Team Leader US$ United States Dollars WB World Bank XOF West African CFA Franc TABLE OF CONTENTS DATA SHEET ...........................................................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES .........................................................1 A. CONTEXT AT APPRAISAL ............................................................................................................. 1 B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES DURING IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................... 5 II. OUTCOME ...........................................................................................................................7 A. RELEVANCE OF PDOs .................................................................................................................. 7 B. ACHIEVEMENT OF PDOs (EFFICACY) ............................................................................................ 8 C. EFFICIENCY ................................................................................................................................ 12 D. JUSTIFICATION OF OVERALL OUTCOME RATING....................................................................... 14 E. OTHER OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS ............................................................................................ 14 III. KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME ..................................16 A. KEY FACTORS DURING PREPARATION....................................................................................... 16 B. KEY FACTORS DURING IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................ 17 IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME ...19 A. QUALITY OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) .............................................................. 19 B. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND FIDUCIARY COMPLIANCE ....................................................... 21 C. BANK PERFORMANCE ............................................................................................................... 22 D. RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME .......................................................................................... 23 V. LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................23 ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS ..............................................................25 ANNEX 2. BANK LENDING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT/SUPERVISION...........................52 ANNEX 3. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT ...............................................................................54 ANNEX 4. EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS ...............................................................................................55 ANNEX 5. BORROWER, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS ....59 ANNEX 6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................61 ANNEX 7. MAP OF PROJECT AREA ............................................................................................63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) DATA SHEET BASIC INFORMATION Product Information Project ID Project Name FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND P143993 MANAGEMENT PROJECT Country Financing Instrument Burkina Faso Investment Project Financing Original EA Category Revised EA Category Partial Assessment (B) Partial Assessment (B) Organizations Borrower Implementing Agency Government of Burkina Faso Ministere de l'Environnement et Developpement Durable Project Development Objective (PDO) Original PDO The project objective is to promote national development policies as well as to support the definition and implementation of community-based natural resource management processes in 32, mostly rural, communes in a way that strengthen sustainable local developmentpractices and contributes to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation. Page 1 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) FINANCING Original Amount (US$) Revised Amount (US$) Actual Disbursed (US$) World Bank Financing 16,500,000 16,500,000 16,487,264 TF-15339 7,405,775 7,270,196 7,244,567 TF-16915 Total 23,905,775 23,770,196 23,731,831 Non-World Bank Financing 0 0 0 Borrower/Recipient 0 0 0 EC: European Commission 9,755,111 0 0 Total 9,755,111 0 0 Total Project Cost 33,660,886 23,770,196 23,731,831 KEY DATES Approval Effectiveness MTR Review Original Closing Actual Closing 23-Jan-2014 16-Sep-2014 13-Feb-2017 31-Dec-2019 30-Jun-2021 RESTRUCTURING AND/OR ADDITIONAL FINANCING Amount Disbursed Date(s) Key Revisions (US$M) 17-Jul-2014 0 22-Mar-2018 5.96 Change in Components and Cost Change in Loan Closing Date(s) Reallocation between Disbursement Categories Change in Disbursements Arrangements Change in Legal Covenants Other Change(s) 10-Dec-2019 13.98 Change in Loan Closing Date(s) 22-Dec-2020 18.06 Change in Results Framework Change in Loan Closing Date(s) Change in Implementation Schedule KEY RATINGS Outcome Bank Performance M&E Quality Satisfactory Satisfactory Modest Page 2 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) RATINGS OF PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN ISRs Actual No. Date ISR Archived DO Rating IP Rating Disbursements (US$M) 01 13-May-2014 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 0 02 09-Dec-2014 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory .33 03 23-Jun-2015 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory 2.17 04 22-Dec-2015 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory 2.92 05 23-Jun-2016 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 3.51 06 28-Dec-2016 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 4.00 07 28-Jun-2017 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 5.02 08 15-Dec-2017 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 6.85 09 22-Jun-2018 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 7.96 10 03-Dec-2018 Satisfactory Satisfactory 11.00 11 29-Jun-2019 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 13.04 12 10-Apr-2020 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 16.02 13 10-Dec-2020 Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 19.55 SECTORS AND THEMES Sectors Major Sector/Sector (%) Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry 100 Public Administration - Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry 35 Forestry 65 Themes Major Theme/ Theme (Level 2)/ Theme (Level 3) (%) Private Sector Development 110 Jobs 100 Enterprise Development 10 MSME Development 10 Page 3 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Finance 10 Financial Infrastructure and Access 10 MSME Finance 10 Urban and Rural Development 52 Rural Development 52 Land Administration and Management 52 Environment and Natural Resource Management 29 Climate change 22 Mitigation 22 Environmental policies and institutions 7 ADM STAFF Role At Approval At ICR Regional Vice President: Makhtar Diop Ousmane Diagana Country Director: Ousmane Diagana Clara Ana Coutinho De Sousa Director: Jamal Saghir Simeon Kacou Ehui Practice Manager: Benoit Bosquet Maria Sarraf Mirko Ivo Serkovic, Yasmina Task Team Leader(s): Hocine Chalal Oodally ICR Contributing Author: Sanne Agnete Tikjoeb Page 4 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Note: Please note the following error in the Financing section of the Datasheet, the co-financing amount from the European Commission is entered twice and thus double counted for a total amount of US$33.66 million. Instead, it should be stated that the Original Amount included US$16.5 million from the Strategic Climate Fund under TF-15339 and US$9.76 million from the European Commission under TF-16915 as the two sources of funding were fully blended. The total Original Amount was US$26.26 million. Page 5 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES A. CONTEXT AT APPRAISAL Context 1. Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in the Sahel region of West Africa. At the time of project appraisal, the country had achieved significant and sustained economic growth for a decade, but continued to face challenges, especially related to poverty and climate change. In 2012, Burkina Faso had a population of 16.5 million with a per capita income of US$430. A high population growth rate of over 3 percent was projected to result in a doubling of the population in one generation; a trend which would accelerate environmental degradation and reinforce the cycle of poverty, especially for rural populations who depend on the natural environment for their livelihoods. 2. Agriculture represented 40 percent of GDP though less than 18 percent of the land was cultivable due to poor soil quality and recent droughts and desertification. The agricultural campaigns in 2008, 2009, and 2010 were marked by significant flooding, followed by localized periods of drought, which negatively affected the harvest and in turn resulted in an increase in basic food prices nationally. In the context of demographic growth and scarcity of quality soil, access to land was identified as one of the major challenges for the country. 3. Deforestation and woodland degradation were caused mainly by expansion of agricultural land, grazing, and over exploitation of forest resources with a significant carbon sequestration potential. It was estimated that the territory was deteriorating as a result of anthropogenic factors at a rate of 105,000 to 250,000 hectares each year, with 74 percent of arid and semi-arid areas affected by desertification or land degradation. A significant carbon sequestration potential existed both above and below ground simultaneously. Above ground, carbon sinks could be restored through avoided degradation and reforestation of forests facing the greatest anthropogenic pressures. Below ground, soil organic carbon comprised a significant portion of the overall carbon sequestration potential of the vast areas of savanna and drylands. 4. Both direct and indirect drivers contributed to forest and woodland degradation. Direct drivers corresponded to different types of encroachment on forested areas, such as livestock activities, agricultural expansion, overharvesting of firewood due to increasing demand, overharvesting of non-timber forest products, bush fires, and gold mining. Indirect drivers resulted from a complex interplay between socio-economic, political, technological, and cultural factors, including (i) economic and demographic factors, (ii) delay in implementing land tenure reforms and insufficient enforcement of land rights, (iii) lack of technical capacities, (iv) weak stakeholder capacity at decentralized and central levels, and (v) difficulties in enforcing laws and regulations. 5. Burkina Faso was one of eight pilot countries, and the only Sahelian country, eligible to benefit from the Forest Investment Program. FIP is a multi-donor trust fund supporting developing countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Burkina Faso was chosen as one of the pilot countries because of the substantial carbon sequestration potential of dryland forests and because of Burkina Faso’s substantial experience in participatory natural resource management through the Community-Based Rural Development Program (PNGT), which had been implemented in three phases over 20 years. At the time of Appraisal, FIP supported two projects that were complementary by design: This World Bank-executed Project and the African Development Bank-executed Participatory Management of State Forests Project (PGFC/REDD+). Burkina Faso successfully leveraged additional financial resources from the European Union, which is fully blended with the Project. 1 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 6. The development objective of the REDD+ process is to help Burkina Faso reduce deforestation and forest degradation by reducing pressures on forest ecosystems in order to strengthen their carbon sequestration capacity. The process of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, including conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD +) is a mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic changes. It simultaneously aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainable development. This process has three (03) phases including a preparation phase (phase 1), an investment phase (phase 2) and a payment for results phase (phase 3). Burkina Faso has started the process of joining REDD + since 2010. This requires better governance of local socio-economic development that respects the environment and sustainable management of forest resources and woodlands. 7. The Project supported the GoBF’s higher-level objectives to address food security and poverty reduction and was closely aligned with the country’s strategic development objectives. The Project was designed to support the government’s higher-level objectives of food security and poverty reduction while increasing resilience to climate change and preserving forest resources. Specifically, the Project supported the four pillars of the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development (SCADD): (1) accelerated growth; (2) human capital development and social protection; (3) improved environmental governance; and (4) cross-cutting priorities and themes. In addition, Project activities were closely aligned with the objectives of the National Rural Sector Program (PNSR): (i) sustainable national production of food; (ii) decreased malnutrition particularly amongst children aged between zero and five years; (iii) increased agricultural GDP; (iv) reduced rural poverty; (v) sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation for urban and rural populations and (vi) protection against the degradation of vegetation cover. 8. The project was consistent with the priorities outlined in the 2013-2016 Country Partnership Strategy and other Bank strategies. The Project was strongly aligned with the third strategic theme of the CPS to reduce economic, social, and environmental vulnerabilities. Efforts to improve governance and ensure gender equity were also a focus of the CPS that were embraced in the Project. The Project was aligned with the Africa Strategy of the World Bank, particularly through the focus on vulnerability and resilience. Theory of Change (Results Chain) 9. The Project’s theory of change mirrored that of the FIP developed in 2012. For the purpose of this ICR, the team prepared the TOC based on the Project description in the PAD and developed the illustration below in Figure 1. 10. The Project sought to achieve transformational and sustainable change in forest and woodland 1 management through a strong focus on community-based land use planning and management and support for climate change governance at the national level. This would support the government’s higher-level objectives of improving food security, reducing poverty, and strengthening climate resilience. 11. The Project’s theory of change was organized around each of the three intended development outcomes: (i)to promote national development policies, (ii) to strengthen sustainable local development practices, and (iii) to contribute to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation. The first results chain aimed to support climate change governance by developing a national REDD+ strategy and strengthening the integration of climate change and REDD+ concepts into national and sectoral development strategies, specifically the post-2015 SCADD and PNSR strategies. The second results chain sought to improve land use planning at the community-level 1The main difference between forests and woodlands is in the density of trees (forests are dense, while woodlands have more open spaces). 2 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) through an integrated landscape management approach developed in a participatory manner. The management plan would be linked to investments to create economic opportunities around sustainable use of forest and woodland resources. Combined, this would strengthen sustainable local development practices and lead to reduced deforestation, land degradation, and GHG emissions. Figure 1: Theory of change 12. The ToC relied on critical assumptions to achieve intended outcomes. These included relative peace and stability to implement planned activities, as well as a high degree of commitment from local stakeholders to carry out the required planning and investments to change local development practices and reduce GHG emissions. It also relied on synergies with the AfDB-executed FIP project on developing a monitoring, reporting, and verification system to assess the carbon impact of realized activities. Having one PIU manage both FIP projects also helped to create efficiencies in the day-to-day management of both projects. 13. Beneficiaries and Project area: The primary beneficiaries were expected to be the community members and private sector actors in the targeted project sites under component 2. This included rural communities and local authorities in 12 provinces and 32 communes, of which 27 are rural and 5 are urban. The target areas were selected by Burkina Faso on the basis of criteria such as sequestration capacity of forested areas including carbon stock 3 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) enhancement, CO2 emissions resulting from forest fires, opportunities for consolidating gains from prior interventions, security, and existence of a leading cause of deforestation and forest degradation (Map in Annex 6). Project Development Objectives (PDOs) 14. The Grant Agreement states that the project development objective was to promote national development policies, as well as support the definition and implementation of community-based natural resource management processes in thirty-two (32), mostly rural, communes in the territory of the Recipient in order to strengthen sustainable local development practices and to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation. Key Expected Outcomes and Outcome Indicators 15. The compounded PDO had three expected development outcomes and three associated outcome indicators. Development Objective 1: To promote national development policies ▪ PDO Indicator 1: “The next national development strategies (post 2015 SCADD and PNSR equivalent) include sound objectives for REDD+ and the use of climate resilient agricultural practices.” Development Objective 2: To strengthen sustainable local development practices (related to community-based natural resources management in 32, mostly rural, communes) ▪ PDO Indicator 2: “Effectiveness of sustainable natural resource management plans in targeted villages (this will be measured by the percent of local villages where FIP investments support activities). ” ▪ PDO Indicator 3: “People in targeted forest and adjacent communities with increased monetary or non- monetary benefits from forests (#) (% of which is female (estimated)) (Core Indicator).” Development Objective 3: To contribute to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation ▪ PDO Indicator 4: “Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation relative to the 2012 reference emissions level based on the comprehensive IFN forest carbon inventory. ” IFN is the National Forest Inventory. Components Component 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change and REDD+ into Sectoral Frameworks and Strategies Estimated cost: US$6.10 million Actual cost: US$3.83 million 16. Component 1 sought to improve climate governance and Burkina Faso’s readiness to implement REDD+ by: (i) developing a National REDD+ Strategy, (ii) awareness-raising and consultations related to REDD+ and climate change, and (iii) strengthening the country’s climate g overnance and resilience. By supporting the adoption of a REDD+ approach, activities would incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into sectoral frameworks, policies, activities, and investments based on a broadly informative, gender sensitive, and consultative process. Component 2: Participatory Planning and Management of Forests and Woodlands Estimated cost: US$17.07 million Actual cost: US$14.81 million 17. Component 2 provided support to target the drivers of deforestation and forest and woodland degradation. First, strengthening land-management capacities of selected local communities, including local governments, 4 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector actors, would focus on developing strategies and investment plans for sustainable forest and woodland management on the issues of economic use of non-timber products, conflict resolution, land use planning and mapping, and wildlife resources. Second, implementing a community-driven approach through the provision of sub-grants to beneficiaries for sub-projects would reduce deforestation and improve the management of forested land. Activities would focus on (a) support to the development of traditional forest products, (b) training for associations with a focus on youth and women, and (c) creation of sustainable alternative job opportunities for people living near forests and woodlands. Component 3: Coordination and Information and Knowledge Sharing Estimated cost: US$3.10 million Actual cost: US$6.90 million 18. Component 3 provided resources for the support of REDD+, FIP, and climate change at the programmatic and project levels. Resources would strengthen program-level coordination, develop knowledge management and lessons learned, and analysis of FIP program results, as well as Project-level coordination and fiduciary management. B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES DURING IMPLEMENTATION Revised PDOs and Outcome Targets 19. The project development objectives were not revised and expected outcomes have remained the same. Revised PDO Indicators 20. PDO Indicator 2 was reworded from “Effectiveness of sustainable natural resource management plans in targeted villages” to “Effectiveness of sustainable natural resource management plans in targeted sites”. The change in wording from “villages” to “sites” was required to reflect the reality that the Project operated at the commune level and not at the village level (December 2020 Level 2 restructuring). Revised Components 21. The components were not revised. Other Changes 22. Reallocation of funds between components: Approximately US$3 million was reallocated from Component 1 to Component 3 (December 2018 Level 2 restructuring). ▪ Component 1 was reduced from US$6.08 million to US$3 million as many activities were incorporated into the REDD+ Readiness Preparation Project financed by a grant of US$3.8 million from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) effective end of February 2015 (TF017919). ▪ Component 3 was increased from US$3.11 million to US$6.26 million to reflect the configuration of the management accounting reporting system, which had covered technical expenses under component 3, which were initially budgeted for component 2 such as field staff costs and dedicated technical assistants. 23. Reallocation of funds between disbursement categories: Approximately US$5.5 million was moved from the disbursement category “Goods, works, non-consulting services, consultants’ services, Operating Costs, and Training under the Project” to the disbursement category “Sub-grants” (December 2018 Level 2 restructuring). 5 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ▪ For TF15339: Sub-grants increased from US$3.72 million to US$7 million ▪ for TF16915: Sub-grants increased from US$0.8 million to US$3 million 24. Change in pari-passu disbursement ratios between funding sources: The Project was fully blended with trust funds from the Strategic Climate Fund and the European Union. The SCF Grant Agreement was amended twice to change the pari-passu disbursement ratio between funding sources as trust funds from the EU would end one year before the SCF Grant Agreement expired. ▪ In December 2014: The disbursement percentage of the SCF for eligible expenditures was lowered from 62 percent, as per the original GA, to 38 percent to allow EU funds to be disbursed more rapidly. ▪ In December 2018: The disbursement ratio between EU and SCF trust funds was sequenced to fully utilize EU trust funds before closing (i.e., EU funds would cover 100% of the expenses until fully disbursed, after which SCF funds would be used). 25. The Project implementation period was extended 1 year and 6 months. ▪ The first extension of 12 months was approved to allow for the full completion of the Integrated Community Development Plans (PDIC) in at least 27 communes out of 32 (December 2019 Level 2 restructuring). ▪ The second extension of 6 months was approved to finance the planting season in 2021, which was missed in the year prior due to COVID-19 lockdown measures (December 2020 Level 2 restructuring). Rationale for Changes and Their Implication on the Original Theory of Change 26. The REDD+ Readiness Preparation Grant complemented the FIP projects and overlapped with activities planned under Component 1 of the current Project. The complementarity was by design as both projects were managed by the same team in the World Bank and in the joint Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for all FIP projects in Burkina Faso. It may therefore be considered that the Project was instrumental in the achievements of the REDD+ Readiness Preparation Grant, which in turn underpinned the activities in the results chain supporting climate change governance. This led to the reallocation of 50 percent of funds from component 1 (see above). 27. Implementation arrangements were moved from the village to the communal level. Initially, it was envisioned that an integrated landscape management approach would be deployed at the village level to support planning and decision-making through local institutions like Village Development Committees (VDC). However, the implementation arrangements were modified to focus the consultation process at the communal level to reflect actual project operations. The change led to the rephrasing of PDO indicator 2 and related intermediate indicators (see the Results Framework in Annex 1). 28. Sub-grants to finance the PDIC/REDD+ investment plans under component 2 gained a broader scope. The initial Project design anticipated that sub-grants would only cover actual investment cost for each of the 32 PDIC/REDD+ local development plans. Other “soft” activities, such as capacity building and training, would be budgeted under a different disbursement category and would be executed directly by the PIU. During the MTR, this approach was modified in such a way that all activities supporting the reduction of deforestation and the management of forested land, including tangible investment, land tenure security, capacity building, communication, awareness campaigns and operating costs for the execution of the sub-projects would be integrated into each unique PDIC/REDD+ plan. Consequently, the budget for the sub-grants increased, which led to the reallocation of funds between categories. 6 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 29. The rationale for extending the Project closing date related to implementation delay caused by a political crisis in 2015/2016 at Project start and restrictions imposed under the COVID-19 pandemic at Project closing (see also section III.B (c)). First, a coup led to the ousting of the President in October 2014, just as the Project was declared effective on September 16, 2014. Following a political transition, peaceful elections were held in late November 2015. Municipal elections were realized in May 2016, following which local counterparts in the communes could be identified. As these political events coincided with the start of the Project, the Project experienced an early 18-month implementation delay. Second, the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared just as the first extension of the Project closing date was approved in December 2019. Given the impact of restrictions since March 2020, project implementation slowed down with some key activities related to investments in reforestation and agroforestry on a complete hold between April and June 2020. 30. The original TOC was not impacted by the changes to the Project’s results framework and implementation and disbursement arrangements. Changes to planned activities and funding allocation under Component 1 reduced the scope of activities in the results chain promoting national development policies on deforestation and forest degradation. However, given the complementary and synergy between the Project and the REDD+ Readiness Preparation Grant, it is difficult to delimit the influence of one over the other in the achievement of the first PDO. II. OUTCOME A. RELEVANCE OF PDOs Rating: High Assessment of Relevance of PDOs and Rating 31. At closing, the Project supports the achievement of the World Bank’s twin goals to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. The Project’s development objective is entirely aligned with the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework with Burkina Faso for FY18-FY23. In particular, the CPF’s Objective 1.5, which addresses the management of extractives and natural resource sustainability, where security of land tenure and forest management is highlighted, and Objective 1.1, which aims to increase sustainable agricultural productivity. Specifically, the project contributes to the following CPF progress indicators: (i) land area under sustainable landscape management practices (CPF Objective 1.1); and (ii) reduced emissions from land use and forestry (CPF Objective 1.5); and (iii) communes with improved management of natural resources by enforcing land-use zoning and planning tools (CPF Objective 1.5). Project objectives and outcomes also support the top priority identified in the 2017 Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) to end extreme poverty and increase shared prosperity in Burkina Faso, namely, to improve natural resource management. 32. The Project has stayed continually relevant to Burkina Faso’s strategic development priorities. First, Project achievements continue to provide targeted support to the priorities outlined in the Second National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDESII) for 2021-2025. The PNDESII includes a commitment to reduce net carbon emissions by 15 million tCO2eq by 2025 with the forest sector as a significant contributor to the realization of this objective. Project results directly helped deliver on this commitment by reducing emissions at an estimated 3.8 million tCO2eq, equal to 20 percent of the goal by the closing date of the project (June 2021). 7 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 33. The Project is aligned with the World Bank corporate climate change agenda, as well as Burkina Faso’s National Determined Contributions (NDC). These include the World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, with an objective to support transformative investments in key sectors, including forestry and land use, highly vulnerable to climate shocks and contributing to emissions; the Africa Climate Business Plan (2020), which considers that ecosystem services as part of adaptation and mitigation strategies add value to jobs and countries’ economies, while helping address gender gaps; and the World Bank Group Action Plan on Climate Resilience and Adaptation (2019), aiming at scaling up support to climate resilience, focusing on the most vulnerable populations. Finally, the PDO has stayed continually relevant to implementing Burkina Faso’s updated NDC (2021), which commits the country to reduce up to 11 percent GHG emissions from agriculture, forest, and other land use by 2025 from a 2007 baseline, and specifically targets the rehabilitation of 75,000 ha of degraded land each year for forestry and pastoral uses and a cumulative total of 1.12 million hectares for the period 2015-2030. B. ACHIEVEMENT OF PDOs (EFFICACY) Rating: Substantial Assessment of Achievement of Each Objective/Outcome 34. Project achievements are assessed against each of the objectives in the PDO. The different objectives are assessed based on various methodologies and drawing on evidence gathered in geo-referenced M&E data, estimated using FAO’s Ex-Act tool, and referenced from an impact assessment of the overall FIP program at Project closing (see also Results Framework in Annex 1). (i) To promote national development policies 35. The Project successfully promoted national development policies to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. The Project supported the integration of REDD+ into the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 2016-2020, and the National Rural Sector Program Phase 2 (NRSPII) (PDO indicator 1 achieved). First, PNDES 2016-2021 includes Strategic objective 3.5, which aims to reverse the trend of environmental degradation and ensure sustainable management of natural resources and placed a target on reducing net carbon emissions with 8 million tCO2eq by 2020. It should be noted that the objective is similarly reflected in the latest PNDESII 2021-2025 with a net carbon emissions reduction of 15 million tCO2eq by 2025 as mentioned in paragraph 32 above. Second, the NRSPII includes Axis 3 entitled "Environmental governance, promotion of sustainable development, and management of natural resources" with a target on "the degradation of the environment and the adverse effects of climate change are considerably reduced”, where REDD+ is identifi ed as a priority program. 36. The Project was instrumental in promoting national development policies on reducing deforestation and forest degradation, moving Burkina Faso closer towards a full REDD+ Program. The project has helped the country move forward in its readiness for the Paris Agreement. First, the Project drafted a National REDD+ Strategy designed based on multiple scientific studies on the drivers of deforestation. Before the strategy is formally adopted, the long-term social and environmental impacts must be assessed through a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment. Second, the REDD+ institutional arrangements have been designed and approved by the Council of Ministers, including the creation of a permanent consultation framework that will facilitate the dialogue from the national to the village level. Third, the carbon MRV system is being finalized and aligned with the Paris Agreement requirements, and the Project recently supported the definition of the Forest Reference Level, which was submitted to the UNFCCC (see also Section IV.A). 8 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) (ii) To strengthen sustainable local development practices (related to community-based natural resources management in 32, mostly rural, communes) 37. The Project successfully piloted an integrated landscape approach to natural resources management in forest and forest-adjacent communities. The process of strengthening sustainable local development practices is in itself one of the most important achievements of the Project. A comprehensive process (see Figure 2 below) was undertaken in every one of the 32 FIP communes to diagnose the needs and challenges of forest and forest-adjacent communities as they related to the communal territory. The Project pioneered the use of an innovative participatory planning methodology that incentivized local actors to find solutions to challenges related to natural resources through role-play. Local actors included different users of land, as well as customary and administrative authorities at commune and village levels, who engaged in a participatory land and social diagnostic, referred to as TerriStories, as a basis for proposing their own solutions to identified challenges. Under the commune’s leadership, priority sites for conservation activities in forests and pastoral areas, and accompanying investments around these sites, were identified by the participants through consensus and developed into Integrated Community Development Plans outlining a comprehensive vision of projects to reduce deforestation and woodland degradation (PDIC/REDD+). Finally, communes received funding from the Project to simultaneously (i) define their own zoning plans and land-use charters to establish rules for accessing and managing natural resources in common land; and (ii) implement the investments defined in their PDIC/REDD+. Figure 2: Consultation process in 32 communes 38. At Project closing, 32 communal PDIC/REDD+ plans had been developed and financed following the consultation of 6,696 participants in 128 villages (four in each commune) (PDO indicator 2 achieved). Each of the 32 communal REDD+ investment plans were financed with approximately US$245,000. The 20 most successful communes in their implementation of their investment plans benefited from additional funds varying between US$80,000 and US$160,000. In one commune, due to the worsening security situation, it was not possible to operationalize the plan and carry out planned investments. However, a solution was found to finance a portion of the plan to support soft activities and the provision of goods, such as capacity building and peacebuilding activities, improved cookstoves and agro-sylvo-pastoral production kits. The other 11 communes were likely lagging behind due to weak fiduciary and implementation capacities as well as lower levels of engagement. These weaknesses will be addressed in the new scale-up operations through more targeted capacity building of municipalities and further awareness creation among beneficiaries. 9 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 39. The outcome of strengthened sustainable local development practices is reflected in reduced deforestation and woodland degradation, reduced GHG emissions, and monetary and non-monetary benefits to local livelihoods. The involvement of communities has proven to lead to greater local ownership and sustainability of investments; reduced conflicts over the access to natural resources; strengthened social ties among community members and local authorities; and greater accountability for lasting results. In the words of the FIP Coordinator in Burkina Faso in the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change: “It is no longer the approach where it is only the state that manages the forest, but now an approach that integrates the communities and the private sector with forest management.” 40. The Project, in close collaboration with the Local Forest Communities Support Project (P149434), also part of the FIP program, worked with local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop income-generating activities for farmers and women’s organizations to develop and commercialize products in support of the public communal investments funded through the PDIC/REDD+. The partnership between the two projects was highly successful, and the investments from both were complementary for achieving greater impact. The stories below capture some of those impacts at the local level. Permanent vaccination parks have changed Project support to modernize Community-led activities to build the impact of cattle farming on local beekeeping has helped reduce forest dykes and prevent soil erosion is landscapes. Cattle farming is an integral part fires leading to deforestation and increasing forest cover and the of life in Burkina Faso. Traditionally, trees are woodland degradation. Beekeeping is a number of trees. Rain run-off was chopped down and used to build vaccination traditional practice in Burkina Faso, but causing trees to fall and making roads impassable. With an active role from parks. On average, to vaccinate 100 animals fires to smoke bee colonies out of trees local communities to build dykes, the would typically require 200 trees to be has caused widespread forest fires and situation has improved, and seedlings chopped down. With alternative building land degradation. With modern and grass are starting to grow. The materials, communities have built permanent equipment and technical assistance, Project helped strengthen Forest vaccination parks outside of protected areas, beekeeping is no longer a cause of Management Committees by setting and with wells built nearby to grant people deforestation and woodland degradation. up forest management funds, fed easier access to clean water. Now, This has led to the preservation of natural from the activities carried out in the communities can preserve the forest while resources and increased honey forests. This is leading to better safeguarding the health of the herd and the production manyfold. The extra income management of forest resources for pastures where they forage. help pay for school fees and health care. long-term community benefits. 41. The Project piloted the alignment of financial incentives with environmental objectives to address the internal trade-off between social and conservation goals. Findings from an assessment conducted by the Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) Group during the implementation of the FIP Program shows the financial mechanics that led to improved deforestation and woodland degradation. The main conclusions from the research were: (i) providing farmers with cash transfers conditional to afforestation and reforestation initiatives, such as payment for environmental services (PES), can bring immediate benefits in terms of food consumption while supporting long-term benefits to communities such as higher income opportunities and forest preservation; (ii) collectively incentivizing farmers via group payment schemes can support successful conservation efforts in de facto commonly owned land in 10 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Burkina Faso, and; (iii) using financial compensations to support peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and coaching is an effective tool to encourage the adoption by farmers of new SLM practices in forest areas. Finally, in the pandemic context of COVID-19, the research showed that PES can become a potent contingent social protection mechanism for forest communities. (iii) To contribute to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation: 42. The Project successfully demonstrated the contribution of community-led planning and management of forests and woodlands to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation. Through the implementation of local PDIC/REDD+ investment plans, the impact of Project activities and investments on carbon reduction was estimated at 3,78 million tCO2eq (PDO indicator 4 achieved). Using the FAO Ex-Act tool to estimate the carbon impact (Table 6 in Annex 1), the Project achieved a GHG reduction of 3.78 million tCO2eq through improved agro-silvo-pastoral management on approximately 44,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land. On forestland, Project activities can be attributed to (i) reforestation of 1,400 hectares, (ii) avoided deforestation on about 2,500 hectares, and (iii) a 20 percent reduction of forest fire occurrence and severity on 30,000 hectares. On agricultural land, Project activities related to the direct introduction of sustainable management practices can be attributed to an additional 10,000 hectares under sustainable land management. In addition, the Project created carbon sinks through the establishment of conservation spaces on about 30,000 hectares (see Table 5 in Annex 1) and planted 600,000 plants with a survival rate of 70 percent at Project closing, however this achievement is not considered as part of the estimation of GHG emissions reductions. (iv) Longer-term transformational impact 43. Project outcomes are showing evidence of a transformational and sustainable change in forest and woodland management that is leading to food security, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. The Project has demonstrated the potential for reducing GHG emissions while improving the livelihoods of over half a million local beneficiaries (PDO indicator 3 and related sub-indicator achieved). An analysis of the M&E data collected in the Kobo Toolbox indicates that 533,395 people, or which 253,825 were women, have directly benefitted in various ways from Project activities (see Table 7 and Table 8 in Annex 1). Among the beneficiaries, almost 30 percent say their livelihoods have improved due to better access of potable water, while close to 50 percent report that their livelihoods have improved as a result of an improved diet. This clearly indicates the transformative potential that REDD+ has for improving food security and reducing poverty while addressing local deforestation and degradation as well as global emissions reductions. Other reported improvements to local livelihoods include better access to the collection of medicinal plants and improved livelihoods due to income-generating activities. Note that beneficiaries may report multiple improvements to their livelihoods (see Table 1). Table 1: Beneficiaries reporting improvements to livelihoods as a result of investments Improvement of livelihood Beneficiaries % of beneficiaries % Female All beneficiaries* 533,395 48% - Improved access to potable water 148,415 28% 53% - Improved diet 252,883 47% 47% - Improved access to collection of medicinal plants 172,104 32% 46% - Improved incomes 194,836 37% 45% * Beneficiaries may benefit from multiple improvements to their livelihoods 11 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 44. These outcomes are supported by the findings in the impact assessment of the overall FIP program. An impact assessment of the Burkina Faso FIP was completed in 2021 in partnership with the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INDS) of Burkina Faso. It built a rural poverty index for the FIP intervention areas, which shows that rural poverty in 2021 was 44.5 percent, compared with 47.5 percent in 2018. The assessment shows that income from forests in the 32 FIP intervention communes was 34.08 billion FCFA, or USD$60 million, over the preceding 12 months. A total of 737,000 people living in targeted forests and in adjacent communities derived a monetary benefit from the forest through jobs linked to sustainable logging. In addition, 727,500 people living in the same areas befitted from sustainable non-monetary forest activities. However, without a baseline to ascertain what the level was before implementation it is not possible to entirely attribute Project outcomes to these observations. Justification of Overall Efficacy Rating 45. Overall Project efficacy is rated Substantial. This is justified by the attainment of all three parts of the Project development objective. The Project (i) successfully promoted national development policies to pivot Burkina Faso towards a full REDD+ program with a jurisdictional emission reduction program, (ii) strengthened sustainable local development practices by empowering communes and communities to address the drivers of deforestation and wood land degradation while improving local livelihoods for over half a million people, and (iii) contributed to reducing GHG emissions leading to global warming and climate change. The Project successfully piloted a decentralized approach to forest management and demonstrated the potential for REDD+ activities to the benefit of local beneficiaries. The Project achievements also directly contribute to the fulfillment of the objectives of the FIP program. The achievement of all four PDO indicators reflect these outcomes (Table 2). Table 2: Overview of achievement of outcome indicators PDO Indicator Target Outcome % Achieved The next national development strategies (post 2015 SCADD and PNSR equivalent) 3 3 100 include sound objectives for REDD+ and the use of climate resilient agricultural practices Effectiveness of sustainable natural resource management plans in targeted sites 75% 100% 133% People in forest and adjacent communities with monetary and nonmonetary benefits 250,000 533,395 213% from forest (female) (85,000) (253,825) (299%) Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation relative to the 2012 3.52 million 3.78 million 108% reference emissions level based on the comprehensive IFN forest carbon inventory tCO2eq tCO2eq C. EFFICIENCY Rating: Substantial Assessment of Efficiency and Rating 46. Project efficiency is assessed based (i) an economic analysis and (ii) aspects of design and implementation. a. Economic Analysis 47. At appraisal, a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) indicated a high probability that the Project was economically feasible, due to the high global benefits and much smaller national benefits. It captured two types of benefits: national (improved livelihoods) and global benefits (carbon sequestration). The analysis used several scenarios of discount rate, increase of livelihood benefits, and carbon price. It did not estimate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 12 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) or Net Present Value (NPV) for any “base scenario”. When only the national benefits were considered, the analysis found that the project could be economically attractive if the revenue of the entire population living in the target areas were to increase by at least 5 percent by the end of the project2. When only carbon benefits were considered, the analysis found the project to be economically attractive independent of other factors. 48. At completion, the results of a CBA indicate that the Project is economically attractive, with a NPV of US$2.3 million and an IRR of 9 percent if the treated areas are maintained after the end of the project. The CBA used a discount rate of 6 percent and a time horizon of 20 years. The costs included: the expenses associated with all project components, the maintenance costs, and the opportunity costs of land subject to reduced deforestation. In addition, the analysis captured forest benefits derived from: reduced deforestation on 2,500 ha; reduced degradation on about 6,000 ha; and reforestation of 1,400 ha; and additional agricultural benefits from the establishment of lowlands, vegetable gardens, and enhanced rangelands. However, a sensitivity analysis shows that the project can be economically unattractive if the treated areas become subject to deforestation rates higher than 2 percent per year (twice the country’s average at Project closing) and degradation rates above 10 percent per year (Table 3). 49. When considering the carbon impact, a global CBA generates an NPV ranging from US$87 million (low) to US$174 million (high). The EX-ACT tool indicates that the project will generate net GHG emissions reductions of about 3.8 million tCO2e on 45,000 hectares over 20 years. This corresponds to an annual average 0.2 million tCO2e per year. At appraisal, in comparison, it was estimated that the Project would generate net GHG emissions reductions of about 3.5 million tCO2e on 1,000,000 hectares over 5 years, which corresponds to 0.7 million tCO2e per year. The ICR applied a shadow price of carbon of US$35/tCO2 (low) and US$70/tCO2 (high) for 2014, with an annual increase of 2.25 percent. Including these carbon benefits provided by the project during 2014-2033 in a global CBA generates an NPV ranging from US$87 million (low) to US$174 million (high) for the base analysis ( Table 3). Table 3: Results of the CBA (NPV, US$ million) Base Sensitivity analysis to Sensitivity analysis to changes in deforestation and degradation* analysis discount rate Deforestation rate = 2% per year Deforestation rate = 2% per year r = 6% r = 8% r = 9% Degradation rate = 5% per year Degradation rate = 10% per year CBA (without carbon) 2.3 0.6 0.0 0.8 -0.2 CBA (with carbon, low scenario) 87 69 62 79 78 CBA (with carbon, high scenario) 174 139 125 159 158 Note: * the analysis assumes that deforestation and degradation start in the year following the project completion (2022). Deforestation rate applies to the area of 2,500 ha, while degradation rate relates to the conserved area of 6,000 ha, based o n the ex-post EX-ACT tool. b. Aspects of design and implementation 50. Implementation delays and issues at the level of Project coordination affected project efficiency, but not outcomes. The 18-months extension of the Project closing date was necessary to complete planned activities and fully disburse Project funds, but the extension did not incur any cost overruns. The implementation context, relying on rural and decentralized country systems to build sustainability of outcomes, was characterized by high local staff turn-over. At the level of the FIP coordination unit, issues related to procurement and financial management arose (see Section IV.B). While this is not uncommon for the sector in a Sahelian country context, it did create inefficiencies at the level of Project coordination, though it did not impede the satisfactory attainment of Project outcomes. 2 In addition, the analysis obtained positive results also for a 3 percent increase in livelihood benefits, but for a low discount rate (5%). 13 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 51. Other aspects of the Project design and implementation lend itself to higher efficiency. Particularly, the complementarity of Project activities achieved by having a single PIU for FIP projects helped ensure proper sequencing of activities to avoid overlap. Solid Project preparation and implementation arrangements built on Burkina Faso’s 30 years of experience in community-based participatory forest management, which as a cornerstone of the Project formed a solid foundation for REDD+ and underpinned the achievement of Project development outcomes. Low turn-over of task team leadership in the World Bank team ensured continuity of engagement and strategic decisions based on a deep technical understanding of the Project. 52. A comparison of actual expenditures to appraisal estimates by component shows that overall Project efficiency was as expected for the sector. The Project disbursed 97 percent of allocated resources. The cost of Component 1 was financed at just 63 percent of the appraisal estimate as planned activities were rolled into the REDD+ Readiness Preparation Grant (see para. 22). Component 2, under which 80 percent of funds were allocated to financing the local PDIC/REDD+ investment plans, delivered physical investment for 87 percent of the original cost estimate. Considering that costs for training and capacity building related to Component 2 were incurred under Component 3 (see para. 22), overall expenditures were in line with the appraisal estimate. Overall, this implies a fairly efficient employment of Project funds towards achieving intended outcomes. Component 3 was financed at over 200 percent of the appraisal estimate due to reallocation of funds between components (see para. 22 for an explanation). 53. In summary, while the Project experienced inefficiencies related to Project coordination and implementation as expected for the sector, the significant estimated benefits to local communities and the global environment far outweighs the cost of the Project and justifies a substantial rating of Project efficiency. D. JUSTIFICATION OF OVERALL OUTCOME RATING 54. Overall Project outcome is rated Satisfactory. This is justified by: (a) project development objectives that remain highly relevant at closing; (b) a substantial attainment of Project development objectives (the achievement of key outcome targets); and (c) a substantial level of efficiency, which is as expected for the sector and the country context. E. OTHER OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS Gender 55. Women are key actors in the management of forest and woodlands in Burkina Faso, and their integration in the development of the country’s REDD+ process was of particular importance in the design of the Project. While the original Project was approved before the gender-tag was introduced in FY17, the Project was explicitly designed with a strong gender focus. The Project supported the training of 5,729 women in forest governance, and at closing, women are involved in the various local bodies for investment management, consultation, and decision-making. They are present in the Management Committees (COGES), Forest Management Groups (GGF), Village Development Councils (CVD) and in professional organizations such as farmers’ groups and breeders, etc. 56. Targeted assistance to address gender gaps in the management of forest resources have contributed to Project outcomes. Developing gender sensitive activities have allowed women to play a significant role in local communities managing forest resources in a sustainable manner while strengthening income-generating activities. First, market gardens have encouraged the organization of women associations. The results are impressive for their ability to transform the landscape and have allowed the women to improve the nutritional status in the household 14 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) while generating an income. Second, NFTP Picture 1: Market gardens operated by women’s associations products have generated an alternative income source linked to the participation of women. Among the products produced at the 15 fully equipped processing units established, shea butter holds potential as Burkina Faso is the world's second largest shea producer and decarbonizing shea butter can help reduce deforestation. 57. Women account for 48 percent of Project beneficiaries, whose livelihoods have improved in monetary or non- monetary terms. This compares favorably to the original proportion of 34 percent (sub-indicator to PDO indicator achieved). A closer look at how women have benefitted shows that their livelihoods have improved the most from access to potable water and improve diets, as well as from more than 5,000 improved stoves, which reduce the cutting of firewood while improving air quality for women and children. The Project also supported women’s participation in discussions on land tenure rights to explore ways to secure women’s access to land and resources. Institutional Strengthening 58. The Project supported Burkina Faso’s decentralization process by empowering local municipalities to execute the identified investments and strengthening their capacity for managing forest resources with the active engagement of beneficiaries. The Project reinforced the trust and dialogue between its targeted local municipalities and communities by integrating the results of the diagnostic activities into territorial planning tools. By directly funding the plans through the local municipalities, the Project demonstrated the potential for decentralized natural resources management. Over time, as the decentralization process deepens, the municipal institutions are better prepared to continue delivering benefits beyond the life of the Project through the mobilization of funds from the State budget to support natural resource management at the communal level. Though much remains to be done in terms of sector reform, the Project provided a good pilot which will be scaled up in the new operation. Mobilizing Private Sector Financing 59. Not applicable as this Project does not have a guarantee. Poverty Reduction and Shared Prosperity 60. The project has helped reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity for over half a million people. This includes 533,395 beneficiaries of which 48 percent are women, who have benefitted from infrastructure improvements and income-generating activities, which supports their local livelihoods and helps close the poverty gap in rural areas in Burkina Faso. An impact assessment conducted at completion indicates that poverty has fallen in Project areas from 47.5 percent in 2018 to 44.5 percent in 2021 (see Annex 6). Beyond national borders, the significance of conserving the forest and scrub lands in the Sahel is critical to prevent the spread of desertification. By sustaining forests and forest woodlands, the Project contributes to preserving local biodiversity in support of the global environment and provides shared prosperity by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other Unintended Outcomes and Impacts N/A 15 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) III. KEY FACTORS THAT AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME A. KEY FACTORS DURING PREPARATION 61. The Project development objectives were realistic and ambitious at the right level and closely aligned with the general objectives of the Burkina Faso FIP. The Project’s PDO was closely aligned with the development objective of the Burkina Faso Forest Investment Program, which is “to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable forest management that leads to emission reductions and the protection of carbon reservoirs.” This complementarity of objectives within the FIP program, created synergies with other projects in the FIP portfolio, and allowed for cost optimization in terms of project management by having a single PIU for all FIP projects. 62. The Project benefitted from a clear theory of change and strong internal logic between expected outcomes, components, and planned activities. The project applied an innovative technique for participatory landscape mapping with extensive community consultations over a longer period than typical in similar projects. This approach laid a solid foundation for developing for the first time, and based on consensus, a shared vision for the management of natural resources, upon which comprehensive and integrated investment plans at the level of communes were then developed. The key was to facilitate strong ownership of the process by local beneficiaries while reducing conflicts over land use between different land users, which was a condition for sustainability and long-term impacts to be realized and pivoting Burkina Faso towards adopting REDD+ as an integrated development approach. 63. The Project design was based on solid diagnostics of the development issues and built on the lessons learned from other successful Projects. Drawing on lessons learned from other projects, which showed the need to focus concomitantly on both direct and indirect drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, the design was based on solid diagnostics to address land use planning and security of land tenure (indirect drivers) while at the same time tackling unsustainable land management practices in agro-silvo-pastoral systems and the lack of economic opportunities of non-timber forest products (direct drivers). The lessons from the PNGT project, in particular, illustrated how failing to address the issues of land tenure, decentralization, and the involvement of citizens would not lead to the desired transformative change in natural resource management. Solid implementation arrangements were pinned to the local context, underpinning Burkina Faso’s decentralization process and the shift in responsibility for natural resources management to local representatives. Finally, the Project sought to use and develop in-country systems by strengthening the mandate and capacity of communes. 64. M&E was one of the key aspects of the Project design where complementarity was sought with the overall FIP program. Part of the Project’s M&E as it related to GHG emissions reductions was tied to the development of a monitoring, reporting, and verification system to be prepared by the AfDB-executed FIP project. However, this did not materialize, and at closing this meant that the Project could not verify the GHG emissions reductions achieved, but instead had to rely on the EX-ACT tool using proxies to estimate the carbon impact (see Section IV.A). 65. The results framework, though aligned with operational objectives, did not capture the progress being made in consultation activities prior to project investments. Given the nature of the Project, activities were designed to build a solid foundation for development with results being delivered exponentially towards the end of the Project as the investments were realized. As the full consultation process leading to the development of the local PDIC/REDD+ plans lasted for years, actual field investments only began in 2018. As many of the indicators were dependent on the investments, the RF did not capture the significant progress made up until that point and therefore set the stage for the Project to be rated MS throughout the implementation period. 16 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) B. KEY FACTORS DURING IMPLEMENTATION (a) Factors Subject to the Control of the Government and/or Implementing Entities 66. The Project enjoyed strong and continuous commitment and leadership in the government. The Burkinabe government established a FIP program office to handle all projects in the FIP portfolio under a single PIU. In turn, the Project helped build the human and technical capacity of the PIU, which is being sustained in a follow-on Project (see Section IV.D). 67. The project reinforced the use of country systems by building on existing institutional arrangements and processes, while recognizing the importance of broad collaboration with public sector stakeholders for the Project’s success. The Project established broad collaboration with various government agencies and national institutions in charge of decentralization, territorial planning, and land tenure security, among others, for the implementation of related activities. Among those were the Ministry of Decentralization, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Finance, as well as the Permanent Secretariat on Sustainable Development National Conference (SP-CNDD). 68. Strategic partnerships underpinned the implementation arrangements by mobilizing skilled human resources and broad organizational capacity. First, the participatory phase was comprehensive and demanded a partnership with a research institute to adapt and implement an inclusive methodology to ensure high quality stakeholder engagement across the 32 FIP communes. The expertise ensured that sensitive issues related to land use were adequately addressed, and that the communal REDD+ investment projects aligned with the community’s holistic vision of land use developed during the process as opposed to sporadic micro-projects. Second, a partnership with the public Intervention Fund for the Environment (FIE) formed the financial structure and supervision of the integrated REDD+ communal investment plans. Given the general challenges with financial management in Burkina Faso and the Project’s weak performance in FM, the partnership ensured that the transfer of nearly US$10 million to the communes for implementation of the PDIC/REDD+ plans were handled under a third-party responsibility. 69. The Project pioneered practical solutions to ensure land tenure security for on-the-ground investments, thereby addressing one of the key drivers of deforestation. Through a partnership with the General Directorate of Taxes, the authority in charge of land tenure security, the Project pioneered the application of national regulations related to land tenure by registering conservation areas and the project’s physical investments, such as market gardens and wells, in the land cadaster as property of the commune. Innovative and pragmatic protocols were designed to facilitate the consent of communities, accelerate the delimitation and registration of land, and to secure land rights. This aspect sets the Project apart from previous Projects, such as the long-running PNGT project, which failed to address land tenure issues, which are some of the key drivers of deforestation and woodland degradation. 70. The communes adopted a “program budget approach” to realize the local PDIC/REDD+ investment plans, which offered several advantages and accelerated implementation speed. Based on the application of a government Decree No. 2018_092 / PRES / PM / MINEFID of February 15, 2018, relating to the general regulations of Projects and Programs, Project funding for the PDIC/REDD+ investment plans were linked to communes budgetary programs. By abandoning the “object-budget” in favor of a “program-budget”, the communes gained more flexibility in the implementation of the plans, which allowed for better synergy of action between the different actors of implementation. Teams dedicated to each deliverable were established to oversee the coordination efforts. 17 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 71. While the Project experienced disbursement delay throughout implementation, Project funds were almost fully disbursed at completion. Owing to its participatory nature, the project was executed in two phases: a planning phase supporting commune level and village-level consultations and land tenure diagnosis, followed by investments led by local governments at the level of communes after signing Sub-grants with the project. The first phase did not account for a large part of the budget, which coupled with an initial implementation delay of 18 months largely due to factors beyond the control of the implementing agency, meant that it would take years for disbursement to pick- up during the second implementation phase beginning in 2018. 72. For the same reason, while progress towards achieving the PDO was rated moderately satisfactory throughout most of the implementation period, the Project fully achieved its objectives at completion. The RF did not capture implementation progress towards achieving the PDO during the planning phase. Therefore, the Project was rated MS from the start and until December 2018 with the onset of the investment phase. However, this disguises the tremendous effort by both local stakeholders and Project teams to build a solid foundation of a shared community vision for the sustainable management of forest resources. At completion, the Project achieved intended development objectives and reached key indicators, which justified the upgrade to a satisfactory rating at the very end of the implementation period. (b) Factors Subject to the Control of the World Bank 73. The World Bank team provided pointed and timely supervision to identify and resolve implementation issues. Leading up to the MTR, candid reporting of implementation issues showed that the Project was experiencing slow implementation progress, low disbursement levels, poor project coordination, weak financial management, and lengthy procurement procedures. The World Bank team acted with resolve to increase supervision efforts with missions every three months supported by additional follow-up phone calls and to draw up a series of priority actions to be finalized by the Project team before the mid-term review in February 2017. 74. The mid-term review was a turning point in Project implementation, which led to better Project coordination and accelerated implementation. A new project coordinator was brought on-board to improve team leadership and human resource management issues. A large high-level, inter-sectoral event was successfully organized to launch the second phase of the project and to ensure that all sub-activities were at the same level of readiness to move forward in the investment phase in a coordinated way. The event confirmed that the GoBF and the 32 Mayors endorsed the PDIC/REDD+ investment plans, paving the way for the Project to move forward with the signing of sub-grants with individual communes, representing about 40 percent of the overall Project budget. 75. The Bank team was proactive in seizing the opportunity to prepare a follow-on Project and ensure that adequate transition arrangements are in place at the time of closing. Building on the Project’s achievements from the decentralized management of natural resources, outcomes will be sustained in part through ongoing work to advance the REDD+ agenda and in part by a next-generation, follow-on project to solidify and scale the approach piloted in the Project building on the institutional mechanism established and tested. (c) Factors Outside the Control of the Implementing Entities 76. Political turmoil caused early implementation delay. After 24 years of relative stability, the political and security situation gradually worsened between 2011 and 2014. This culminated in widespread protests that led to the ousting of the President in October 2014, just as the Project was declared effective on September 16, 2014. Following a political transition, peaceful elections were held in late November 2015, while local municipal elections were realized 18 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) in May 2016. As these events coincided with the start of the Project, the operational launch was significantly delayed. The launch mission was completed in February 2015, and local counterparts in the communes could only be fully established following the municipal elections. A persistent 18-month implementation delay lasted until closing. 77. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the need for a second extension of the project closing date. Just after the first extension of the Project closing date in December 2019, the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Given the impact of restrictions since March 2020, project implementation slowed down with some key activities related to investments in reforestation and agroforestry on hold between April and June 2020. This led to missing the planting season in 2020. The government therefore requested an extension of the project closing date for an additional 6 months to allow for the implementation of Project activities related to the planting season of 2021. IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME Rating: Modest A. QUALITY OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) M&E Design 78. The Project’s theory of change, which mimicked that of the FIP, was sound with clear links between planned short-term outputs, intermediate and development outcomes, and expected long-term transformational impacts. The four outcome indicators in the results framework encompassed all parts of the PDO statement, and were all specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). However, M&E arrangements for PDO indicator 4 were partly embedded in the AfDB-executed FIP project, which planned to develop an MRV system to assess the carbon impact across the FIP. However, as this activity was not timely completed, it impacted the evaluation of Project outcomes related to GHG emission reduction. Though in terms of monitoring, this did not impact the Project as it relied on proxies to estimate the progress related to investments using the EX-ACT tool. The same tool was used at closing to determine the contribution of investments towards reducing emissions. Intermediate indicators were linked to key component activities and outputs, and most were SMART. 79. The design of M&E arrangements at preparation was ambitious. M&E would be carried out by the FIP team, supported by eight Local Development Facilitators (LDF). In addition, the arrangements included: (i) baseline studies to be executed and financed by the Project Preparation Grant, (ii) independent Project reviews on the social mechanics of Project implementation carried out on a yearly basis, at MTR, and at closing, with costs embedded in the Project budget, (iii) a Forest Reference Level of emission and carbon sequestration to be developed by the AfDB, and (iv) a GIS specialist to be included in the M&E team. M&E Implementation 80. Overall, the RF was adequate in tracking progress towards Project development outcomes with progress on all indicators systematically reported in the ISRs. It may be noted that due to the design of the Project, change was expected to occur exponentially towards the end of the Project, hence the overall outcome rating of MS throughout the implementation period. A few indicators were slightly reworded for clarity in the December 2020 restructuring, and a few targets adjusted upwards. 19 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 81. The Project benefitted from M&E being implemented at the FIP level with data collected at the local and regional level with support from eight LDF. Overall, M&E was rated in the satisfactory range throughout the implementation period. The National Institute of Statistics and Demographics participated in the final FIP evaluation and impact assessment to ensure the sound application of scientific methodologies in the survey design and data collection. 82. However, there were shortcomings in the implementation of baseline studies and regular M&E activities. First, household surveys were not conducted at the outset of the project to ascertain a baseline for the target villages related to income generating activities, income levels, and other measures of local socio-economic conditions. Second, yearly monitoring of the social dynamics related to Project implementation were not carried out. Third, the implementation of the Kobo Toolbox for data collection and recording was at times delayed and at times irregular. Finally, there were delays in the transmission of statistical data collected at the local level to the PIU. Invariably, these shortcomings reduced the value of M&E as a daily management tool to improve and course-correct Project implementation, though the M&E framework was adequate to assess the successful attainment of Project outcomes. 83. Significant progress has been achieved in constructing a Forest Reference Level as the baseline for an MRV system of emissions reductions from the forest sector. A UNFCCC technical assessment of Burkina Faso’s submission of a proposed forest reference level (FRL) in the context of results-based payments notes that the data and information used by Burkina Faso in constructing its FRL are transparent, complete, and in overall accordance with the guidelines. Following consultation, the FRL is set to 10,218,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year and the reference period to 1995–2017. Progress on the construction of a FRL will be sustained in the follow-on Project as the full MRV system is being developed into a functioning M&E system for the REDD+ Program. In general, much of the capacity built in the FIP PIU will remain after Project closing, as the same team will implement the next Project. M&E Utilization 84. M&E information prompted a revision to the RF to align indicators with expected outputs: The findings are helping to inform subsequent interventions. This specifically related to the change in PDO indicator 2 where the focus changed from “villages” to “sites” to reflect the fact that Project activities were being implemented at the level of communes, and not at the level of villages as initially envisioned. This finding is helping inform the follow-on project to ensure that the next round of consultations will be anchored at the village level. 85. Monitoring data was also collected to serve in the evaluation of the FIP. The data has provided input to evaluate the set of program indicators informing the FIP and aided in the development of the final impact assessment. M&E data will also serve in the programmatic evaluation of the FIP. Justification of Overall Rating of Quality of M&E 86. The overall quality of the M&E system is rated Modest. While the M&E framework was adequate in permitting a proper assessment of the results chain and the attainment of project outcomes, there were significant shortcomings related to lack of baseline studies, the timely implementation of regular M&E activities at the local level, and the timely transmission of M&E data to the PIU. Furthermore, the dependence of the MRV system on another development partner meant that the emissions reduction achieved as part of the Project could not be verified but only estimated. M&E was actively utilized as a project management tool, despite shortcomings, and is helping to inform a subsequent intervention and program-level evaluation. 20 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) B. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND FIDUCIARY COMPLIANCE 87. The project was rated “category B” (partial assessment) with expected significant positive environmental and social impacts. The project triggered four safeguards policies. Though it was expected that the Project would lead to significant positive impacts through improved soil and water conservation, increased tree, shrub, and grass cover, and reduced deforestation and forest degradation, OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, OP 4.04 Natural Habitats, and OP 4.36 Forests were triggered to ensure that no activities would have unintended consequences on the environment. The Project also triggered OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement due to the potential restriction of pastoral access rights to livestock tracks, grazing, and water holes. Relying on country systems, the Project planned to use a local approach to negotiate agreement and reconcile differing points of view through land charters (chartes foncières). In case of irreconcilable disagreement, the Project would not finance the corresponding activity. 88. The project complied with applicable safeguards policies and completed planned mitigation activities. The Project prepared an Environmental and Social Management Framework and a Process Framework, both of which were timely disclosed in-country and through Infoshop. Both instruments were updated in 2018 with the launch of physical investments leading to Environmental and Social Impact Notices for investments plans in two of the 32 communes, and Process Framework Action Plans and land roadmaps in three of the Project communes. In June 2021, a completion report on the implementation of environmental and social safeguards under the Project and the REDD + Preparation Grant concluded that overall environmental and social safeguards have been implemented in compliance with applicable safeguards policies. This is confirmed in the ISRs where safeguards have been rated in the satisfactory range throughout implementation. 89. The Project signed an MoU with the Bank-executed FIP project Local Forest Communities Support Project (P149434) operating in the same area to use the same Grievance Redress Mechanisms. GRM was not required at the time of the project approval. The GRM received and resolved 4 complaints. The GRM are managed by the Communal Complaints Management Committees (CCGP), which at closing are part of the structures bequeathed to the municipalities by the Project to deal with complaints both related to the Project as well as relating to the life of each municipality. At Project closing, the CCGP operate satisfactory with a functioning grievance redress mechanism that records and processes complaints. 90. Going into the MTR, procurement delays were beginning to mount leading to a downgrade of the rating. As the Project was about to accelerate with the start of Phase 2, procurement needed to become more rapid and structured to be able to process critical contracts in the coming month to keep the project on schedule. It was agreed with the PIU to follow-up with additional training activities. However, the procurement delay became even more prolonged in the absence of leadership in the fiduciary team, and in June 2017 procurement was downgraded to the unsatisfactory range. The Procurement Risk Assessment and Management System Assessment (PRAMS) undertaken in May 2018 rated procurement Moderately Unsatisfactory due to delays in finalizing procurement processes. The assessment noted that after three years of effectiveness the project has disbursed only 22 percent. 91. Financial management performance of the FIP Coordination Unit was mostly rated Unsatisfactory and Moderately Unsatisfactory since March 2017. External auditors expressed a qualified opinion in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 financial statements and noted ineligible expenditures. The Bank carried out an in-depth FM review in 2019, which identified ineligible expenditures of CFA 537 million (US$0.9 million on P143993 and US$0.1 million on P149827). The FM assessment revealed a number of contributing factors: (i) weaknesses in the justification of workshops, training, and missions’ expenses, (ii) delays and deficiencies in the justification of expenses by 21 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) implementing agencies, (iii) weaknesses in fixed assets and fuel management, (iv) poor human resources management, and (v) ineffectiveness of internal controls. The issue of ineligible expenditures was resolved when the GoBF refunded the full amount in 2020 and agreed to a set of actions to improve financial management. 92. In 2020, an Action Plan was agreed with the FIP Coordination Unit to improve Procurement and FM performance. An internal auditor consultant was recruited to support the fiduciary team in internal control. In addition, specific actions were taken to update the accounting software to better record fixed assets and transactions and revise the Financial Management Procedures Manual to include sound and reliable processes for archiving, human resources, fuel, fixed assets, workshops, and training management. Eventually, the replacement of the Project Coordinator, Procurement Specialist, FM Specialist, and accountants led to an upgrade of procurement and financial management to Moderately Satisfactory in April 2020. There are no overdue reports at the time of Project closing. C. BANK PERFORMANCE Rating: Satisfactory Quality at Entry 93. The Project benefitted from satisfactory quality at entry. The project was based on a solid diagnostic of Burkina Faso’s development challenges and priorities, and it was closely aligned with the World Bank’s country engagement strategy as well as its global agenda on forests and climate change. The team adopted a solid methodology on a community consultation mechanism to develop a shared vision of and deep engagement in commune’s plans to investment in sustainable management of forest resources. It carefully incorporated lessons learned from the Bank’s previous experience in Burkina Faso, particularly relating to land tenure, decentralization, and citizen engagement, which enabled the Project to address direct and indirect drivers of deforestation and woodland degradation. The team paid close attention to gender issues in the Project design, and provisions for financial management, procurement, and safeguards were adequate at the design stage. Quality of Supervision 94. The Bank provided timely and adequate supervision guidance to the Project. The team supported the implementation of project activities in biannual supervision missions over a 7-year period, although missions were paused during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the MTR, the team proactively addressed implementation issues, validated the approach to community-led investments paving the way for the second phase of the Project to begin with the funding of local PDIC/REDD+. The Project team successfully tackled one of the main drivers of deforestation and woodland degradation, by finding practical solutions to address land tenure issues. 95. The Bank team maintained candid communication lines with both the PCU and Bank management, allowing issues to surface and be resolved proactively. The WB Project team provided consistent supervision assistance on critical Project coordination functions, including procurement and fiduciary management. The Bank team acted with resolve to clarify the ineligible expenditures identified during audit. By subjecting the Project to an FM assessment and committing the GoBF to repay the funds in full, the Bank team improved Project efficiency and prevented any negative impacts to Project outcomes. The team ensured adequate transition arrangements at Project closing and seized the opportunity to develop a new follow-on project that will help sustain Project outcomes. 22 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Justification of Overall Rating of Bank Performance 96. Overall Bank performance is rated Satisfactory. This is justified by the satisfactory quality at entry, and to the satisfactory quality of supervision. D. RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME 97. There are significant risks to the development outcomes achieved by the Project, but also significant mitigating circumstance that reduce those risks. 98. The biggest risk to Project outcomes relates to the growing conflict and instability situation in Burkina Faso. Since 2015, Burkina Faso has experienced a deteriorating security situation. After a series of attacks from 2015 in the north of the country, the number of violent events has grown dramatically since 2017, affecting roughly one-third of the country, with persistent armed conflict rampant in five of the country’s thirteen provinces and increasingly affecting civilians. In rural areas, the trade-off between basic needs for food and energy and sustainable forest management practices will persist. While the Project demonstrated the potential for REDD+ activities as a source of livelihood in local communities, there is a risk that violent conflict may exacerbate traditional inequalities and that communities may abandon sustainable practices out of need. Therefore, directly linked to the sustainability of the adopted practices and income-generating activities among local communities is the sustainability of the REDD+ agenda itself. 99. A new follow-on Project on Communal Climate Action and Landscape Management Project (P170482) will draw on the main strengths of the Project and help sustain outcomes. The objective is to strengthen sustainable landscape management and improve income generation in targeted forest areas in Burkina Faso’s territory. Drawing upon the experience of this Project and other initiatives, the new project will apply the same successful participatory, multi-sector, and decentralized land use planning methodology and scale it up from 32 to 96 communes as key to reducing conflicts related to competition over natural resources. Building on lessons learned in this Project, and due to increasing security concerns in parts of the country, the new project will focus on the communes where implementation of the PDIC/REDD+ plans were most successful. The scale-up would cover 30 percent of Burkina Faso’s entire territory and would be applied across agro-ecological zones, supporting the potential ER Program. An advance of US$4.9 million from a World Bank Project Preparation Facility was approved on June 22, 2021. The new project will be presented to Board in February 2022. 100. Broad institutional engagement in the REDD+ agenda will help mitigate risks to development outcomes. In 2022, Burkina Faso will present their Readiness Package to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and seek eligibility for the REDD+ mechanisms. This would allow the country to benefit from performance-based payments for having verifiably reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through the Emission Reduction Program. V. LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 101. Building a solid foundation for community-led development through citizen engagement at the most local level is essential for successful implementation of community-led REDD+ projects. The Project demonstrated the importance of not rushing into investments without conducting a thorough social diagnosis at the most local level. Giving sufficient time and consideration to harnessing local knowledge for developing a shared vision is one of the most 23 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) important lessons that other countries need to consider if replicating the approach in other parts of the Sahel. Through deep engagement between municipalities, communities, and citizens, the Project addressed underlying social tensions with the potential to cause conflict over land security and access to natural resources. While the process is more time- consuming than usual for most projects, citizen engagement is key to building a solid foundation for agreeing to and implementing community-led REDD+ investments. To avoid implementation delays, it is recommended to start the analysis of landscape governance roles leading into the consultation process already during project preparation phase. 102. The Project strengthened Burkina Faso’s decentralization process through the PDIC/REDD+ approach. The PDIC/REDD+ approach promoted the sovereign role of municipalities in natural resources management by transferring to them the financial and material means necessary to carry out agreed community investments. The process of developing local investment plans constituted an added value to good local governance in general and that of the sustainable management of forest resources in particular, enabled through community-led planning and multi-actor implementation. The institutional frameworks established and strengthened under the Project has advanced Burkina Faso’s decentralization process. This is particularly important in the context of preparing for a follow -on project relying on the same implementation approach as well as for a broader jurisdictional emission reduction investment program. 103. Addressing land tenure security as one of the indirect drivers of deforestation is key to improve landscape governance. Landscape governance includes, among others, the decision-making processes for attributing land and determining the land’s vocation, conflict management, land right security, and revenue sharing. Improving governance requires a breakdown analysis of the roles within the communities to separate, for example, customary right holders, land users including transhumant pastoralists and other vulnerable groups, and local formal representatives of special interest groups. Bringing these together in a managed process and identifying practical solutions to give access rights to different user groups is critical to overcome the issue of land security as one of the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation. 104. Impact assessments provide evidence of broader Project outcomes. The Project benefitted from being part of the broader Forest Investment Program, which enjoyed significant interest and investment from various sources in analyzing the outcomes of the overall program. These included the Socio-Economic Impact Evaluation of the Forest Investment Program and the Final Evaluation Report of the Forest Investment Program in Burkina Faso, as well as the assessment conducted by the Development Impact Evaluation Group. The support was critical to demonstrate the wider potential for the REDD+ approach through community-led management of forest resources. . 24 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS A. RESULTS INDICATORS A.1 PDO Indicators Objective/Outcome: Definition and implementation of sound community-based natural resource management Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion People in forest&adjacent Number 0.00 250000.00 533,395.00 community with monetary/non-monetary 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 benefit from forest People in forest and Number 0.00 85000.00 253,825.00 adjacent community with benefits from forest-female 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Target for main indicator 213 percent achieved. This indicator was defined as the extent to which local people have seen improved livelihood as a result of the intervention, covering both monetary income and non-monetary benefits like improved and easier access to fuelwood as well as cultural and spiritual services. The baseline value was set to zero. "People" were restricted to those people or entities whose development practices were directly supported by FIP activities, investments, and capacity building. At closing, an analysis of the M&E data collected in the Kobo Toolbox indicates that 533,395 people have benefitted from the Project in monetary and/or in non-monetary terms. Specifically, (i) 148,415 people benefitted from improved access to potable water, (ii) 252,883 people benefitted from an improved diet, (iii) 172,104 people benefitted from improved collection of medicinal plants, and (iv) 194,836 people benefitted from income-generating activities. A Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of the overall FIP Program implemented by both WB and AfDB highlighted the impact of increased agricultural yields by 88 percent of producers and improved soil fertility. A significant proportion of producers, 65 Page 25 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) percent, underlined the improvement in incomes. Only 3 percent of producers found that promoting good SLM practices have had no impact on their livelihood. Target for sub-indicator 299 percent achieved. The indicator target was set at 85,000 females benefitting fr om the forest in monetary and/or non-monetary terms, or 34 percent of total beneficiaries. At closing, M&E data collected in the Kobo Toolbox showed that of the 533,395 total beneficiaries, 253,825 were females. That is equal to a proportion of 48 percent female beneficiaries. Table 10 shows that females in particular benefitted from market gardens (for food and sales), drilling of bore holes (for access to potable water), and the creation of conservation spaces (for collection of medicinal plants and income from non-timber forest products). Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Reduced emissions from Number 0.00 3.52 3.78 deforestation and forest degradation relative to the 26-Nov-2018 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 2012 reference emissions level based on the comprehensive IFN forest carbon inventory. Comments (achievements against targets): Target 108 percent achieved. At appraisal, it was estimated that the Project would intervene on approximately 1 million hectares with a 3.5 MT CO2 reduction in GHG emissions over the project lifetime (5 years). It was expected that the MRV system to be complete under the AfDB project would determine the 2012 reference level and enable a verification of the carbon impact of Project investments. However, the MRV system was not completed by the AfDB project. Instead, the carbon impact was assessed using the FAO Ex-Act tool for estimating the carbon impact of local investments related to REDD+ (see also intermediate indicator number 2). At closing, the impact of Project activities and investments on carbon sequestration was estimated at 3,78 million tCO2eq. This was achieved through REDD+ activities on roughly 45,000 hectares across the 32 communes, including: (i) reforestation of 1,400 hectares, (ii) avoided deforestation on about 2,500 hectares, (iii) reduced forest degradation on 6,000 hectares, and (iv) created 72 conservation spaces on Page 26 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 30,000 hectares and planting over 600,000 plants with an average survival rate of 70 percent at Project closing (see Table 7). (See also intermediate indicator 5, which discusses the number of hectares impacted by sustainable forest and land management activities as defined in the CDPs). Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Effectiveness of sustainable Percentage 0.00 75.00 100.00 natural resource management plans in 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 targeted villages Comments (achievements against targets): Target 133 percent achieved. The indicator was defined as the percent of local villages where the land use planning process was satisfactory enough to lead to FIP investments. The indicator was slightly reworded in the December 2020 restructuring to remove the notion of “villages” and replace it with "sites" to better reflect the reality of Project implementation at the level of communes rather than villages (see Section I.B). At Project end, all 32 communes have adopted local FIP investment plans without resistance from local villages. At appraisal, though, it was recognized that while the most tangible results from the Project would come from the realization of investments plans, the most sustainable results would emerge from the social processes undertaken at the community level. Having a community that is empowered to define by itself how to allocate the land and agree on management rules was the real result expected from the project. At closing, this outcome is indeed the true success of the Project. It was achieved through an innovative consultation mechanism implemented in the 32 communes of the FIP. It included four villages per commune for a total of 128 villages and 6,696 people, who participated in these fora. This pilot process led to the development of FIP investments plans and is now being scaled in a larger follow-on REDD+ program. This testifies to the actual effectiveness of the participatory process to develop sustainable natural resource management plans in the targeted sites. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Page 27 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) The next national Number 0.00 3.00 3.00 development strategies (post 2015 SCADD and PNSR 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 equivalent) include sound objectives for REDD+ and the use of climate resilient agricultural practices. Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator was defined as REDD+ being considered by the Sustainable Development Strategy, the post-2015 National Program for the Rural Sector, and the next Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy. At closing, REDD + is integrated into the next-phase national development policies and strategies, which replaced those in effect during appraisal. Specifically, REDD+ is an integral part of the National Economic and Social Development Plan (both PNDES 2016-2020 and PNDESII 2021-2025), the National Rural Sector Program Phase 2, and the Green Climate Fund Country Program. More than that, Burkina Faso is on the cusp of becoming eligible for the REDD+ mechanism, which would allow the country to benefit from performance-based payments for having verifiably reduced emissions from deforestation and/or forest degradation through their Emission Reduction Programs. In 2022, Burkina Faso will submit the country’s Readiness Package (R-Package) to be reviewed by the FCPF Participant’s Committee. These achievements are evidence of the institutional ownership of the REDD+ approach and the embeddedness of REDD+ in national economic development and poverty reduction policies. A.2 Intermediate Results Indicators Component: Component 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change and REDD+ into Sectoral Frameworks and Strategies Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion The REDD+ strategy is Yes/No No Y Yes Page 28 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) defined and institutions 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 arrangements are defined for its implementation Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. According to the PAD, the indicator was linked to the REDD+ Preparation Project to be funded by the FCPF. At closing, the Project was instrumental in the process leading to: (i) the REDD+ Readiness Preparation Project (P149827) and FCPF grant of US$3.8 million (TF017919) approved in 2015, which folded in many of the activities planned under component 1, (ii) a decree on the management, implementation and consultation process for the REDD + process adopted November 22, 2017 in the Council of Ministers, and (iii) draft National REDD+ Strategy along with the analysis of the drivers of deforestation. Combined, these pillars have prepared Burkina Faso to scale REDD+ and to become eligible for the REDD+ mechanism. The institutional arrangements already exist, while work continues on the details related to the MRV system, the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, and the operationalization of the REDD+ project registration and safeguards control system. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion A monitoring system of SLM Yes/No No Y Yes and SFM co-benefits is established and operational 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator was described in the PAD: Monitoring the co-benefits of SFM/SLM (and the side-losses of business-as-usual development), with an economic value when relevant, is the best way to have an influence on the political decisions and the international negotiations based on figures and facts. At Project end, the M&E system is connected to the Ex-Act tool to calculate the carbon impact of the project investments (SLM and SFM). The system is operational and in production as of June 2019. Systematic reporting on the co-benefits of SLM and SFM is collected in Kobo Toolbox, an online platform for data collection and analysis in challenging environments. Data collectors have been trained in the application of the Kobo tool to correctly Page 29 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) enter data to be used in the EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool using proxies of carbon impacts for each type of local investment at the village level (Ex-Act). The Ex-Act tool is developed by FAO and based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodology for GHG emissions inventories. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Users of the ONEDD Number 2,500.00 5000.00 6,000.00 database per month 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator was defined as the average number of single users of the ONEDD website per month. According to the interim ISRs, the target was reached in 2016. In 2018, the target was exceeded, as per the ISR from November 2018 there were daily visits from 6,000 individual users. At closing, the ICR accessed the ONEDD website on November 9, 2021: https://www.onedd-burkina.info/. The counter on the homepage showed that an average 150-200 individual visitors access the website every day. In a month that would mean between 3,000-5,000 individual visitors. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion A database with relevant Yes/No No Y Yes information on climate resilient agricultural practices 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 is operational, accessible easily within the country and broadly known (adapted manual and trainings) Page 30 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator was described in the PAD as relating to the ONEDD website, which already existed but was disconnected from political decision makers and from other databases. At closing, the Borrower ICR reports that the goal was reached in 2016 when the FIP website was launched. The FIP website holds training modules on good agro-silvo-pastoral practices, which have been provided to local actors and the application of knowledge learned has helped improve agricultural productivity since 2018. Component: Component 2: Participatory Planning and Management of Forests and Woodlands Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Hectares impacted by a Hectare(Ha) 0.00 400000.00 400,000.00 SFM/SLM investment defined in the PDC 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator was described as the number of hectares impacted by sustainable forest and land management investments defined in the communal development plans. The target, which was set at 400,000 hectares, and the methodology of measuring this indicator was not defined in the PAD. At closing, the Project team defined a radius with a range of 3-5 kilometers per PDIC/REDD+ plan to account for the change in landscape management that was achieved. This was done to estimate the localized impacts of physical investments such as boreholes, manure pits, nurseries, hay storage facilities, animal pounds, and access tracks, in addition to income-generating activities employing sustainable techniques to preserve forest resources (see Table 4 for an overview of realized outputs). The approach allowed the Project team to approximate the hectares impacted by about 1,000 physical investments, arriving at a range between 300,000 - 500,000 hectares. In a conservative estimate relying on the median point, the Project impacted 400,000 hectares by supporting sustainable forest and land management investments. Alternatively, it may also be considered that on average 41 percent of villages in the 32 communes were affected by FIP investments. Taking 41 percent of the surface of those communes to be the area of influence would mean that 1.1 million hectares would have been impacted by Project investments in SFM/SLM. Page 31 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Village agreeing on a revised Percentage 0.00 80.00 100.00 PDC according to project methodology 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Target 125 percent achieved. In the PAD, the original indicator was phrased “Villages agreeing on a revised PDC according to project methodology”, referring to the French acronym of the local communes’ development plans, and was defined as the percent of villages that ela borated an investment plan based on the participatory mapping that would be performed during the first 2 years of the project. This definition would seem to overlap with outcome indicator 2. The indicator was revised in the December 2020 restructuring, as the phrasing of the indicator was improperly using the term CDP, which was a tool used at the communal level and not at the village level. The indicator was rephrased to ”Planned conservation areas that are actually established with the villagers' consent” with the purpose “to measure the adoption rate of the new landscape management plans (especially the restriction of access to the conservation areas) by the communities”. The definition, which seems somewhat at odds with the phrasing of the indicator itse lf, still overlaps with outcome indictor 2. At closing, all 32 communes are now implementing locally agreed upon FIP investment plans, which are annexed to the CDP. It may also be noted that a total of 72 conservation areas with restrictions on access and user right to the natural resources on nearly 30,000 hectares of land were established across the 32 communes with villagers consent (Table 7). Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Small and Medium local Number 0.00 320.00 575.00 555.00 Enterprises supported by the project 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 22-Dec-2020 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Page 32 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Original target 173 percent achieved, and revised target 97 percent achieved. The indicator target was defined based on an estimation assuming that 10 SMEs per communes would be supported by the Project. The target was revised upwards in the December 2020 restructuring as the Project was overperforming. At closing, at least 555 small- and medium-sized companies have been supported through the implementation of CDP investment plans to date. These SMEs are distributed across sectors and regions, and include i.e., beekeepers, market gardens, dairy distributors, and makers of traditional non-timber forest products enabled by sustainable management of conservation areas. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Participation of local Percentage 0.00 90.00 97.00 stakeholders in the planning, management and monitoring 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 of forest related activities Comments (achievements against targets): Target 108 percent achieved. The indicator was defined as the percentage of villages that went through the process of participatory mapping and that agreed on a set of land use management plans (“chartes foncières”). At closing, all 32 communes had completed a land use participatory diagnosis and developed land use management plans. In one commune, however, the security situation did not allow for the landscape management plan to become operational. Component: Component 3: Coordination and Information and Knowledge Sharing Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion Capacity of national and local Yes/No No Y Yes Page 33 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) authorities to manage 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 program activities strategically (including by performance payments) Comments (achievements against targets): Target achieved. The indicator target was described in the PAD as a “satisfactory rating” that would demonstrate Burkina Faso’s ability to imp lement program activities in a satisfactory manner to attract possible future carbon investors, such as eligibility for the REDD+ mechanisms with performance payments linked to carbon sequestration. At closing, the implementation of FIP activities in the municipalities was a case study for all categories of municipal staff, which has resulted in the establishment of institutional structures ready to scale and replicate future REDD+ investments. Numerous training sessions have been carried out with a view to providing the municipalities with competent actors to carry out the activities planned under the program as effectively as possible, the execution of which required rigorous application of administrative, financial, and accounting procedures. An agreement with Intervention Fund for the Environment (FIE) opened the way for a more strategic work with the communes and the creation of a national carbon fund. The FIE was identified at the national level to facilitate the financing of project investments. Contracts were signed with the project and with the communes for the implementation of the PDIC in the form of payments for environmental services. The successful pilot is paving the way for a full emissions reductions program with the FCPF. Formally Revised Actual Achieved at Indicator Name Unit of Measure Baseline Original Target Target Completion International Event about the Number 0.00 2.00 9.00 FIP in Burkina Faso 01-Jan-2014 26-Dec-2013 30-Jun-2021 Comments (achievements against targets): Revised target achieved. The indicator was defined as events that were carbon-related and aimed at promoting BF experience, possibly to raise additional financing sources: UNFCCC side event, Africa Carbon Forum, Carbon Expo, etc. In the December 2020 restructuring, the target was increased to 9 international events as the Project was overperforming. At closing, Burkina Faso has participated in the following events: green academy, DGM meeting; International events talking about the innovative experience of the FIP/Burkina Senegal and Montpellier, and most notably at the COP21 meetings in Paris Page 34 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) and as a showcase country at the Annual Land Conference in Washington March 2017. Furthermore, Cameroon has recognized Burkina Faso as a best practice country of forest management and have benefitted from a knowledge exchange in May 2017 on the Burkina Faso's FIP experience. Page 35 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) B. KEY OUTPUTS BY COMPONENT Outcome (i): To promote national development policies Outcome 1. The next national development strategies (post 2015 SCADD and PNSR Indicators equivalent) include sound objectives for REDD+ and the use of climate resilient agricultural practices Intermediate Component 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change and REDD+ into Sectoral Results Frameworks and Strategies Indicators 1. The REDD+ strategy is defined and institutions arrangements are defined for its implementation (Yes/No) 3. Users of the ONEDD database per month (#) 4. A database with relevant information on climate resilient agricultural practices is operational, accessible easily within the country and broadly known (adapted manual and trainings) (Yes/No) Component 3: Coordination and Information and Knowledge Sharing 10. International Event about the FIP in Burkina Faso (#) Key Outputs by REDD + is integrated into national level policies: Component 1. The National Economic and Social Development Plan PNDES 2016-2020 (linked to the - Includes a target to reduce net carbon emissions by 8 million tCO2eq achievement of by 2020 with the forest sector identified as a significant contributor to the Objective / the realization of this objective. Outcome 1) - Strategic objective 3.5 aims to reverse the trend of environmental degradation and ensure sustainable management of resources. natural and environmental. Two effects are expected from this specific objective: (i) EA 3.5.1: the environment and natural resources are managed sustainably and (ii) EA 3.5.2: capacities for mitigation and adaptation to the harmful effects of change climate are strengthened with a view to transitioning to the green economy. 2. The Second National Economic and Social Development Plan PNDES 2021- 2025 - Includes a target to reduce net carbon emissions by 15 million tCO2eq by 2025 with the forest sector identified as a significant contributor to the realization of this objective. - Strategic objective 4.1 aims at the sustainable development of the agro-sylvo-pastoral, wildlife and fisheries sector so that it is productive, resilient and market oriented. Two effects are expected from this specific objective: (i) EA 4.1.1: the sector contributes to food security, decent jobs, and agribusiness, and is respectful of sustainable development principles (ii) EA 4.1.2: the resilience of agro-sylvo- pastoral, wildlife and fisheries sector to climate change is strengthened. Page 36 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 3. The National Rural Sector Program Phase 2 - Axis 3 is entitled "Environmental governance, promotion of sustainable development and management of natural resources" - Include REDD+ as a priority program - Include a target on "the degradation of the environment and the adverse effects of climate change are considerably reduced”. 4. Green Climate Fund Country Program Draft National REDD+ Strategy is awaiting validation: - A draft National REDD+ strategy is prepared. - A Decree on the management, implementation and consultation process for the REDD + process adopted November 22, 2017 in the Council of Ministers. - Decision from the government to establish a large jurisdictional Emission Reduction Investment Program. - work continues on the details related to the MRV system, the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, and the operationalization of the REDD+ project registration and safeguards control system REDD+ Readiness financing - Phase 2: - Burkina Faso’s R-Package to the FCPF was reviewed by the Committee of Participants in October 2021. The outcome will declare if Burkina Faso is eligible for the REDD + mechanism. - World Bank follow-on: Communal Climate Action and Landscape Management Project (P170482) to support an Emission Reduction Program (US$113 million) - The Green Climate Fund Country Program. ONEDD Database: Page 37 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) - A database with relevant information on climate resilient agricultural practices is operational and accessible online. The database is hosted at the website of the Burkina Faso National Environment and Sustainable Development Observatory, part of the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development (SP- CNDD) of Burkina Faso. - The database is access by 150-200 individual visitors per day as evidenced by the screenshot of the counter on the ONEDD webpage: www.onedd-burkina.info/. The website was accessed on November 9, 2021. Outcome (ii): To strengthen sustainable local development practices Outcome 2. Effectiveness of sustainable natural resource management plans in targeted Indicators sites Direct project beneficiaries (Number) - CORE 3. People in forest and adjacent communities with monetary and nonmonetary benefits from forest - Female beneficiaries (Percentage) - CORE Intermediate Component 2: Participatory Planning and Management of Forests and Woodlands Results 5. Hectares impacted by a SFM/SLM investment defined in the PDC Indicators 6. Planned Conservation areas that are actually established with the villagers' consent 7. Small and Medium local Enterprises supported by the project 8. Participation of local stakeholders in the planning, management and monitoring of forest related activities Component 3: Coordination and Information and Knowledge Sharing 9. Capacity of national and local authorities to manage program activities strategically (including by performance payments) Key Outputs by The local integrated PIC/REDD+ investment plans enabled community Component organization, small and medium sized enterprises, and local stakeholders to (linked to the realize, among other things (see Table 4 for a full overview): achievement of - the equipment and training of actors in the field of non-timber forest the Objective / products (NTFPs); Outcome 1) - setting up of NTFP processing units; Page 38 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) - training of producers on good agro-silvo-pastoral practices of sustainable management of forests and wooded lands and their endowment with production equipment; - equipment and training of beekeepers; - the development of rice-growing lowlands; - the development of market gardening perimeters; - the development of grazing areas; - construction of water points (boreholes, wells, boulis); - the creation of nurseries; - the construction of vaccination parks, etc. Outcome (iii): To contribute to reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and woodland degradation Outcome 4. Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation relative to the Indicators 2012 reference emissions level based on the comprehensive IFN forest carbon inventory Intermediate Component 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change and REDD+ into Sectoral Results Frameworks and Strategies Indicators 2. A monitoring system of SLM and SFM co-benefits is established and operational Key Outputs by Avoided deforestation and forest degradation on 44,000 hectares, including: Component (i) reforestation of 1,400 hectares (linked to the (ii) avoided deforestation on about 2,500 hectares achievement of (iii) 20 percent reduction of forest fire occurrence and severity on 30,000 hectares the Objective / (iv) SFM/SLM practices introduced directly to farmers on 10,000 hectares Outcome 1) In addition, though not included in the GHG emissions reduction estimate: (v) created conservation spaces on 30,000 hectares (see Table 5) (vi) planted 600,000 plants with a survival rate of 70 percent at Project closing In the conservation areas, the integrated local development plans enabled various actions aimed at their restoration, protection, and conservation. These actions are in particular: - development of land charters containing local management rules for the areas concerned; - establishment of management committees for conservation areas; - planting of seedlings; - delimitation and demarcation of conservation areas; - provision of maintenance and protection equipment for conservation areas; - construction and maintenance of firewalls; - training of management committees; - preparation of memoranda. Page 39 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Reducing deforestation has been possible thanks to various land tenure security actions through: - the delimitation of land; - the registration of several sites; - the identification of conservation areas (29,720 ha); - the establishment of deeds of land transfers; - reduction in the cutting of firewood - reforestation in village areas of hunting interest; - afforestation through forest protection including setting in defenses; - the establishment of community groves; Reducing degradation of natural resources is linked to the same actions indicated above, and in addition, the application of agroforestry techniques and sustainable land management techniques by farmers, such as the making stone bunds, the use of organic manure, etc. In general, the promotion of good practices in the field of SLM has been carried out at the agroforestry level (agroecology, RNA, hedgerows, etc.), agronomic level (stone bunds and earthen bunds, manual and mechanized zaï, etc.), and at the zootechnical and pastoral level (mowing and conservation of natural fodder, fodder crops, etc. The reduction in the degradation of natural resources is observed through the increase in agricultural, animal, and forestry production. Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification System: By Project closing, Burkina Faso completed the Forest Reference Level for the MRV system in the context of results-based payments for a future emission reduction program. The FRL was submitted to the UNFCCC for assessment, and assessment team notes on January 25, 2021, that the data and information used by Burkina Faso in constructing its FRL were transparent, complete and in overall accordance with the UNFCCC guidelines. The program experimented with Payments for Environmental Services (PES). This mechanism was initiated with a view to strengthening the approach to sustainable forest management in order to link the program's investments in forests to the promotion of the adoption of good practices by communities living around forests. This involved signing a sustainable forest management charter with the communities and a PES contract to promote compliance with agreed management rules. In total, 25 PES contracts were signed with the communities for an average payment of 32,316,000 FCFA for a total of 807,900,000 FCFA. Page 40 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Picture 2: Consultation workshop using a landscape approach Page 41 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Table 4: Realized outputs Restoration of forest areas 72 conservation areas created and secured, occupying an area of 29,722.28 hectares ( Table 7) 603,224 plants planted in conservation areas 6,469 households with improved stoves 3,880 km of firewalls 02 agroforestry parks created on 76.9 ha 09 nurseries set up 5,051 producers trained in forestry and agroforestry production techniques, including 3,735 women Agriculture 56.66 ha of developed market garden areas 10 landscaped lowland dykes covering an area of 78.2 ha 05 warehouses for hay 7,174 producers trained in agricultural techniques, including 2,198 women, etc. 1,327 manure pits 15,000 linear meters of stone bunds 320 relay producers trained and equipped, and 1,920 colleague producers trained by relay producers Various equipment: provision of agricultural production kits (equipment and inputs), etc. Livestock 30 vaccination parks 70 grazing areas of 2,230 ha 49 boreholes and 08 pastoral wells 206 haylofts built and 04 pounds 18 access tracks built around the facilities over 39.37km 120 fattening and breeder units set up 02 multi-purpose shredders 120 beehives installed and 01 honey house built 14 cattle tracks with a cumulative length of 19.31km 06 vaccination lanes with a cumulative length of 9.11 km 2,121 producers trained in breeding techniques, including 574 women, etc. Various equipment: provision of breeding production kits (equipment and inputs), etc. Land security Securing investments and taking environmental and social safeguard measures for the benefit of 10 priority municipalities 230 COGES set up and training of 649 members including 176 women 25 land charters developed 137 land / demarcated sites 15 registered land / sites 132 deeds of sale drawn up, etc. Several maps developed including those of facilities and infrastructure, land use, conservation areas, etc. Other 75 boreholes 72 large diameter wells, etc. Page 42 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Table 5: Conservation areas realized by the Project N° Conservation space Surface (ha) 1 Forêt Villageoise De Kouboulou 54.31 2 Forêt Communale De Bakata 74.79 3 Forêt Des Chasseurs 115.27 4 Forêt Départementale De Batié 3.90 5 Bosquet Villageois De Lapara 3.25 6 Bosquet Villageois De Virou 2.16 7 Bois Sacré De Wako 1.28 8 Forêt Communale De Bourou_Bouroum 3,443.23 9 Forêt Sacrée De Gbonfrera 36.29 10 Forêt Sacrée De Lankardouo 19.72 11 Berges Du Cours D'eau De Boussoukoula 10.77 12 Forêt Villageoise_Markyo 26.90 13 Forêt De Bachoucorepoun 50.95 14 Forêt Villageoise De Bana 15.78 15 Forêt Villageoise De Kari 154.45 16 Forêt Villageoise De Naborgane 2.55 17 Forêt Municipale De Diébougou 13.69 18 Forêt Villageoise De Dankotanzou 31.14 19 Forêt Villageoise De Nakar Yirpaal 183.04 20 Forêt Inter Villageoise De Dissihn Péri-Bagane 166.73 21 Forêt Communale De Saala 100.13 22 Forêt Villageoise De Guidissi-Toéghin 31.98 23 Forêt Villageoise De Silemba 24.38 24 Forêt Villageoise De Kérébé 74.79 25 Forêt Communale De Douroula 18.38 26 Forêt Des Chasseurs De Moara Grand 146.98 27 Forêt Communale De Gassan (Lesséré) 70.51 28 Forêt Des Chasseurs De Soro 157.84 29 Forêt Communale De Gossina 18.86 30 Forêt Villageoise De Lékoum 28.08 31 Forêt Villageoise De Madamao 175.32 32 Forêt Villageoise De Kakin-Botougou 39.34 33 Forêt Villageoise De Narogtenga 66.75 34 Forêt Villageoise De Nakombogo 10.63 35 Forêt Villageoise De Bantoini 712.67 36 Forêt Villageoise De Nado 139.27 37 Forêt Villageoise De Kantari 155.94 Page 43 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) 38 Forêt Départementale De Kpuéré 9.48 39 Forêt Villageoise De Titenateon 5.18 40 Berges Du Cours D'eau De Vranso 1,011.31 41 Forêt Sacrée De Panpouna 32.44 42 Zovic De Midebdo 14,030.25 43 Forêt Villageoise De Moulera 82.89 44 Forêt Sacrée De Kourbera-Poura 53.82 45 Forêt Sacrée De Gourkpésoum 2.05 46 Bosquet Sacré De Oury 36.49 47 Bosquet Sacré De Serena 17.31 48 Forêt De Mardaga 503.78 49 Zone De Pâture Inter Villageois De Nadiabonl 535.97 50 Forêt Villageoise De Nabdogo 28.20 51 Forêt Inter Villageoise De Nionsma-Targho-Pazoetfom 68.62 52 Forêt Communale De Kounda 2.62 53 Uaf_4 926.60 54 Uaf_5 2,727.78 55 Uaf_8 1,447.40 56 Forêt Départementale De Bitiako 8.77 57 Forêt Communale De Siby 13.67 58 Forêt Villageoise De Banouba 75.46 59 Forêt Villageoise De Tierkou 4.82 60 Forêt Des Chasseurs De Douroukou 29.66 61 Forêt De Lati 886.80 62 Forêt Villageoise De Yelela 13.22 63 Forêt Villageoise De Niempiro 7.38 64 Forêt Villageoise De Daman 400.76 65 Forêt Villageoise De Mélou 84.06 66 Bois Sacré De Tampla V1 237.96 67 Bois Sacré De Bontioli 1.48 68 Forêt Sacrée De Djikologo 1.61 69 Forêt Des Masques De Zamo 21.62 70 Forêt Villageoise De Ziné 10.85 71 Forêt Villageoise De Némélaye 7.59 72 Forêt Villageoise De Bourou 12.63 Total conservation area (ha) 29,722.58 Page 44 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Table 6: Ex-Act tool - emissions reductions from Project-related avoided deforestation and forest degradation Page 45 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Table 7: Beneficiaries by Region, Province, and Commune Region, Province, and Commune Beneficiaries Women % Female BOUCLE DU MOUHOUN 161718 63991 40% BALE 35749 16565 46% Boromo 15340 7453 49% Ouri 14014 5706 41% Siby 6395 3406 53% MOUHOUN 91749 29394 32% Dedougou 27760 4995 18% Douroula 23484 9448 40% Tcheriba 40505 14951 37% NAYALA 34220 18032 53% Gassan 16443 8151 50% Gossina 4270 2449 57% Ye 13507 7432 55% CENTRE-OUEST 114539 63190 55% SANGUIE 90639 51639 57% Dassa 25793 13793 53% Kyon 1625 525 32% Tenado 8960 6140 69% Zamo 33289 18105 54% Zawara 20972 13076 62% ZIRO 23900 11551 48% Bakata 14877 6171 41% Sapouy 9023 5380 60% CENTRE-SUD 65889 35321 54% BAZEGA 65889 35321 54% Doulougou 5846 4061 69% Ipelse 23417 11433 49% Sapone 36626 19827 54% EST 25911 11621 45% GOURMA 6319 1946 31% Matiakoali 6319 1946 31% TAPOA 19592 9675 49% Kantchari 18002 8833 49% Partiaga 1590 842 53% SUD-OUEST 165338 79702 48% BOUGOURIBA 56812 26001 46% Diebougou 36250 18386 51% Page 46 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Tiankoura 20562 7615 37% IOBA 30945 14143 46% Dissihn 12086 6967 58% Zambo 18859 7176 38% NOUMBIEL 43755 20984 48% Batie 15265 7648 50% Boussou-Koula 18860 9484 50% Kpuere 3991 1723 43% Midebdo 5639 2129 38% PONI 33826 18574 55% Bouroum-Bouroum 3681 2041 55% Nako 30145 16533 55% Grand Total 533395 253825 48% Table 8: Beneficiaries – by type of investment Type of Investment Beneficiaries Women % Female Rice-growing lowlands 3083 1574 51% Bouli market gardener 254 141 56% Organic manure production center 510 10 2% Additional mesh fence for market gardening site 255 175 69% Stone cord 427 131 31% Market gardening drilling 2772 1583 57% Manure pits 1135 647 57% Work equipment storage shops for market garden 802 536 67% perimeters Warehouse Stores 4035 1633 40% Market gardening scope 15040 10886 72% Multifunctional platform 9657 5437 56% Large diameter wells for market garden perimeters 7170 3580 50% Farmers total 45140 26333 58% Grazing areas 3911 1255 32% Pastoral bouli 2667 1230 46% Multipurpose shredders 5800 2900 50% Vaccination corridor 2660 999 38% Collective hayloft 45 15 33% Individual hayloft 54 6 11% Pastoral drilling 63867 33171 52% Livestock feed store 1886 948 50% Cattle market 550 150 27% Page 47 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Vaccination park 23982 4018 17% Cattle track 4331 1236 29% Access track 2881 890 31% Boarding dock 500 0 0% Fattening unit 350 100 29% Breeders total 113484 46918 41% Other 54264 24889 46% Plastic and household waste collection center 1710 755 44% Staffing / equipment / support 43480 24095 55% Conservation space 153379 73363 48% Drilling 41623 23236 56% Training 26711 13386 50% Pound 12790 1270 10% Improved fireplace 1320 1220 92% Botanical Garden 2087 710 34% NFTP sales kiosk 54 54 100% Honey 120 0 0% Agro-forestry park 13 13 100% Firewalls 5596 3154 56% Communal nursery 1460 330 23% Large diameter wells 16711 6916 41% Reforestation 11302 5927 52% Apiaries 411 216 53% Restored sites 60 10 17% NTFP processing unit 1680 1030 61% Agro-silvo-pastoral total 374771 180574 48% Grand Total 533395 253825 48% Page 48 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Page 49 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Page 50 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Page 51 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 2. BANK LENDING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT/SUPERVISION A. TASK TEAM MEMBERS Name Role Preparation Hocine Chalal Task Team Leader(s) Emmanuel Y. Nikiema Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist Loic Jean Charles Braune Natural Resources Management Specialist Mamata Tiendrebeogo Procurement Specialist(s) Saidou Diop Financial Management Specialist Lucienne M. M'Baipor Social Specialist Maman-Sani Issa Environment Specialist Abdoulaye Gadiere Social Specialist Roch Levesque Senior Counsel Gwladys Nadine Isabelle Kinda Program Assistant Erik Reed Natural Resources Management Abdoulaye Gadiere Environment Boubacar Diallo Consultant Edith Atioumoutio Zannou Tchoko Consultant Supervision/ICR Mirko Ivo Serkovic, Loic Jean Charles Braune, Yasmina Oodally Task Team Leader(s) Mathias Gogohounga Procurement Specialist(s) Sandrine Egoue Ngasseu Financial Management Specialist Bintou Sogodogo Procurement Team Bouraima Diaite Procurement Team Lucienne M. M'Baipor Team Member Gwladys Nadine Isabelle Kinda Procurement Team Djeneba Bambara Sere Procurement Team Sujatha Venkat Ganeshan Team Member Gertrude Marie Mathilda Coulibaly Zombre Social Specialist Souleymane Hussein Seye Environmental Specialist Sanne Agnete Tikjøb ICR Lead Author Lelia Croitoru ICR Contributing Author Page 52 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) B. STAFF TIME AND COST Staff Time and Cost Stage of Project Cycle No. of staff weeks US$ (including travel and consultant costs) Preparation FY13 5.050 75,217.57 FY14 27.412 208,094.50 FY15 4.133 29,658.53 FY16 0 - 119.04 Total 36.60 312,851.56 Supervision/ICR FY15 2.337 26,977.64 FY16 5.186 39,752.27 FY17 6.852 126,009.83 FY18 18.741 287,751.48 FY19 10.682 271,457.93 FY20 3.875 67,580.64 Total 47.67 819,529.79 Page 53 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 3. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT Amount at Revised Actual at Percentage of Components Approval Amount Project Closing Approval (US$M) (US$M) (US$M) (US$M) Component 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change and REDD+ into Sectoral Frameworks 6.10 3.00 3.83 63 and Strategies Component 2: Participatory Planning and 17.07 17.00 14.81 87 Management of Forests and Woodlands Component 3: Coordination and Information 3.10 6.26 6.90 223 and Knowledge Sharing Total 26.26 26.26 25.54 97 Project Preparation Grant: US$1.5 million. A Project Preparation Grant of US$1.5 million from the Strategic Climate Fund was approved in 2013 (TF13831). The PPG was used to carry out initial studies and helped set up institutional arrangements necessary for Project management and coordination. The PPG was fully disbursed and closed in August 2016. Page 54 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 4. EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS This section provides the valuation context and details of the economic CBA conducted at completion, in terms of the main data and assumptions used for the analysis. 1. Valuation context At appraisal, a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was conducted for possible scenarios of project impacts and discount rates. It estimated two types of benefits: national (improved livelihoods) and global benefits (carbon sequestration). A few issues are noteworthy: ➢ The analysis included only the project’s investment costs, without considering any annual operation and maintenance costs, or forgone incomes due to the project activities; ➢ It considered that the project’s livelihood benefits accrue to all population in the target areas (902,000 people3). This is a strong assumption, involving a number of beneficiaries much higher than the expected number of “people in forest and adjacent communities with monetary/non - monetary benefit from forest” (250,000 people at appraisal4); ➢ It evaluated the carbon benefits based on a total quantity (11.5 million tCO2 over 15 years), consistent with the target value of the PDO indicator 3 presented in Table 9. It should be noted that this corresponds to an annual average (0.7 million tCO2e per year), substantially higher than that obtained at completion (0.2 million tCO2e per year)5. Table 9: Comparison of the estimated carbon sequestered at appraisal and at completion Total estimated carbon Period considered Carbon sequestered Carbon sequestered (million tCO2e) (years) (million tCO2e/year) (tCO2e/ha/year) PAD 3.5 (original target) 5 0.7 0.7 ICR 3.8 (ex-post estimation) 20 0.2 4.2 Sources: PAD for the first line, ex-post EX-ACT for the second line. At completion, there is insufficient information regarding the actual project impacts. This is primarily due to the non-operational MRV system, and the lack of data regarding the project impact on communities’ livelihoods. Although a recent survey estimated the income from the project’s forest area, it noted that the proportion due to the current project is not known6. Thus, an indicative CBA is carried out at completion, largely based on the ex-post EX-ACT data and communications with the PIU. The analysis paid attention to the following issues: (i) consideration of all project costs, including disbursements, annual maintenance costs, and forgone income in the conserved areas; (ii) estimation of national benefits, from 3 Estimated as 82,000 households * 11 people per households, PAD, p. 105. 4 See PAD, annex 1. 5 This is a result of differences in the area estimated for project intervention: 1,000,000 ha at appraisal (based on PAD) vs. 44,619 ha at completion (based on ex-post EX-ACT). 6 PIF. 2021. Etude d’évaluation finale des quatre indicateurs du Programme d’Investissement Forestier . The report estimated a total income of US$58 million from the forests located wi thin the project’s target areas, due to the current project and other interventions. Page 55 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) forests and agricultural areas based on a slightly different approach compared to that followed at appraisal; (iii) estimation of global benefits based on the ex-post EX-ACT tool, as presented in Table 9. 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis The CBA used a 20-year time horizon7, and a discount rate of 6 percent8. Costs. The analysis covers the following costs: - Direct costs, including the expenses during the project lifetime (2014-2021) and the recurring costs needed to maintain the investments after the end of the project (2022-2033). The present value of these costs attains US$20 million. - Forgone income. In the absence of the project, about 2,500 ha would have been deforested in favor of annual crop cultivation9. By conserving this forest area, communities forwent the agricultural income that would have been obtained from conversion. The valuation assumes the annual net returns from maize cultivation (US$240/ha/year)10, and a linear trend of avoided deforestation11. Accordingly, the present value of the forgone agricultural income on this land is estimated at US$5 million. Overall, the present value of these costs is about US$25 million. Benefits. While the project generated a wide range of benefits, only some of them could be estimated in monetary terms, as presented below. (1) Forest benefits - Reforestation. The project reforested about 1,400 ha, to supply non-wood forest products and to provide intangible ecosystem services, such as erosion control and biodiversity. Considering a linear trend of reforestation throughout project lifetime, an average survival rate of trees of 65 percent after the end of the project12, and that it takes at least 5 years for new plantations to generate benefits, the present value of the reforested areas is estimated at US$1 million. - Reduced deforestation. The project conducted several actions (e.g. land delimitation, forest registration, monitoring, education and communication), which helped avoid deforestation on about 2,500 ha by 2021 (UC-PIF, 2021)13. No study valuing forest ecosystem services was found for Burkina Faso. However, based on a recent valuation study in Sahelian countries, the total economic value of forests is crudely estimated at about US$350 per ha per year 14. Assuming that 7 This is the lifetime of many project investments. See GIZ. 2012. Bonnes pratiques de CES/DES. Contribution a l’adaptation au changement climatique et a la resilience des producteurs. Les experiences de quelques projets au Sahel. GIZ. 8 World Bank. 2016. Discounting Costs and Benefits in Economic Analysis of World Bank Projects . Washington DC: World Bank. 9 Based on data from the ex-post EX-ACT. 10 Based on communications with the PIU. 11 Increasing from 0 in 2014 to 2,500 ha in 2021, then remaining constant until 2033. 12 Mirzabaev, A., M. Sacande, F. Motlagh, A. Shyrokaya, A. Martucci. Forthcoming. Economics of Great Green Wall: Opportunities f or improved targeting and efficiency. Research Square. 13 UC- PIF (Unite de Coordination du Programme d’Investissement Forestier). 2021. Rapport d’achevement du projet de gestion decentra lisee des forets et des espaces boises (PGDFEB). 14 Estimate adjusted from Mirzabaev, A., M. Sacande, F. Motlagh, A. Shyrokaya, A. Martucci. Forthcoming. Economics of Great Green Wall: Page 56 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) the conserved area (2,500 ha) will be maintained also after the end of the project, the present value of the forest benefits due to the project is estimated at about US$7 million. - Reduced forest degradation. Several activities (e.g. technical training in water and soil conservation, capacity building in intensification techniques of agro-silvo-pastoral production) contributed to reduced forest degradation on about 6,000 ha by the end of the project (UC-PIF, 2021). It should be noted that the benefits from reduced degradation depend on: the level of forest degradation, if the project did not exist, e.g. severe, moderate, light; the degree to which the project was able to prevent that level of degradation. As none of this information is available, we assume that the project reduced potential degradation by roughly a half of the forest value reported above, e.g. US$175/ha. In addition, the analysis considers that reduced degradation followed a linear trend15. Accordingly, the present value of benefits from reduced degradation is estimated at about US$8 million. (2) Agricultural benefits - Improved crops. The project established lowlands on about 78 ha, and vegetable gardens on 57 ha. The present value of the additional net benefits provided by these practices compared to the status quo (maize) is about US$4,300/ha for lowlands and US$19,800/ha for vegetable gardens, such as tomatoes16. Thus, the present value of these benefits is estimated at about US$1 million.17 - Improved rangelands. Investing in fodder crop improvement in Burkina Faso provides additional benefits (increased fodder biomass, seeds for sale) compared to the currently degraded rangelands. Based on data from the PIU, the present value of the additional net benefits from the project’s investment in improved rangelands (Niebe fourrager) are estimated to reach about US$4,300/ha18. On an area of 2,230 ha, the additional net benefits from improved rangelands are estimated at US$10 million. Based on the above valuations, the benefits generated by the project are estimated at about US$28 million. Overall, the CBA shows a net present value of US$2.3 million and an IRR of 9 percent (Table 10). It should be noted that these results do not account for the value of other benefits provided by the project, such as those derived from income generating activities, agro-forestry, etc. At the same time, the final results assume a sustained implementation of these conservation practices after the end of the project. A sensitivity analysis to changes in different parameters (discount rate, deforestation, and degradation rates) is presented in the main text of the efficiency section. Opportunities for improved targeting and efficiency. Research Square. 15 Increasing from 0 in 2014 to 6,000 ha in 2021, then remaining constant until 2033. 16 Communications with the PIU for data related to lowland establishment, and results of the economic analysis of Agricultural Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PRECA) for the data on costs and revenues related to vegetable gardens. 17 Estimated as 78 * 4,400 + 57 * 3,800. 18 The net benefits generated by the improved rangelands vary between US$400-500/ha/year (based on data provided by the PIU). The net benefits generated by very degraded rangelands are estimated at about 10 percent of that of improved rangelands. Page 57 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) Table 10: Results of the CBA (US$ million) 2014 2015 2016 2017 … 2032 2033 PV Costs - Investment costs 0.3 2.6 1.1 3.0 … 0 0 18.4 - Annual O&M costs 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 … 0.4 0.4 1.9 - Forgone income 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.6 4.7 Total costs 0.3 2.7 1.3 3.2 … 1.2 1.2 25.3 Benefits - Reforestation 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 … 0.2 0.2 0.9 - Reduced deforestation 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 … 0.9 0.9 6.8 - Reduced degradation 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 1.0 1.0 8.1 - Improved crops -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.1 - Improved rangelands -0.1 1.0 1.0 0.9 … 0.9 1.0 9.6 Total benefits -0.3 1.4 1.6 2.0 … 3.2 3.3 27.6 Net benefits -0.6 -1.2 0.4 -1.2 … 2.2 2.3 2.3 Sources: based on data from PIU and other sources mentioned in the text, using a time horizon of 20 years and a discount rate of 6 percent. Page 58 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 5. BORROWER, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS Executive Summary of the Borrower Completion Report (translated by the ICR team from French) The commitment of the Burkinabè Government for the protection of natural resources allowed the country to be selected by the multilateral financial partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank to benefit from the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). The Decentralized Management of Forests and Woodlands Project started activities in 2014 with the financial support of these multilateral partners. The date of the first payment from the World Bank came in May 2015. The project was scheduled to close on 12/31/2019. The project was executed in synergy with the other projects of the Forest Investment Program (FIP) in accordance with the "program budget" approach adopted by the Burkinabè state. Like other FIP projects, the objective of the PGDFEB is centered on the protection of forest resources and aims to reduce poverty in Burkina Faso. The overall Project Development Objective is defined as follows: "Promote development and support the definition and implementation of natural resource management processes at the level of local communities in thirty-two (32) communes in Burkina Faso, mostly rural, so as to strengthen local sustainable development practices and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation and the degradation of wooded areas”. In view of the level of degradation of forest resources and high deforestation, the project makes a good contribution to the resilience of the beneficiary populations. The Project- specific implementation approach resulted in physical and financial completion rates of 95.15 percent and 99.68 percent, respectively. The disbursement rate is 99.2 percent, and the overall performance of the project is 94.19 percent. The results of monitoring indicators have also reached satisfactory levels. The implementation of the PGDFEB produced significant impacts beneficial to many beneficiaries. The quantitative effects are, among others, the increase in the incomes of the beneficiaries (737,152 people have seen an improvement in their incomes thanks to the exploitation of forest resources, the valuation of forest resources, jobs created, etc.19) Qualitative effects must also be taken into account, including positive changes in the mentality and behavior of most of the forest resource users, which have enabled the adoption of good practices in sustainable management. of these resources. Several factors affected the implementation of the project. They appeared at the level of project preparation / design, execution / monitoring-evaluation, implementation of actions selected in the Environmental and Social Management Framework, etc. Factors such as insecurity, red tape in procurement, etc., also had negative impacts on project implementation. However, it should be noted that despite the red tape observed in management, most of the provisions of the administrative, financial, and accounting procedures manual were generally observed. The few shortcomings noted are weaknesses in internal control, the failure to update individual personnel files, regional advance accounts which do not comply with procedures, etc. The analysis of the performance of the actors in the implementation of the project gave satisfactory results with regard to the effect of exogenous constraints often beyond the control of these actors. In terms of evaluations of the 19 Socio-Economic Impact Evaluation of the Forest Investment Program, July 2021. Page 59 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) various characteristic parameters of the project, the results are positive. All the elements of the evaluation gave satisfactory results. The relevance and consistency were even qualified as very satisfactory. In terms of the overall performance of the project, qualified as satisfactory, the high rate of physical and financial achievements, the good level of achievement of targets, the very good relevance of the project, etc., were favorable factors. The project encountered several difficulties during its implementation. Table 11 presents the essence of these difficulties and the solutions found. However, the implementing actors have combined their efforts to achieve the appreciable results observed. Lessons were learned through the implementation of the project. They revolve around the implementation of the Reduction of Emissions due to Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD +) approach, the consideration of local know-how, the securing of investments, the linkage between the PIF and REDD + readiness, etc. Some suggestions and recommendations addressed to the Government and to the World Bank are also formulated for the benefit of future similar projects. Table 11: Challenges encountered, and solutions adopted. Challenges Solutions Insecurity marked by terrorism and the Covid 19 The project adopted telework for the remote monitoring of activities, pandemic, thus reducing travel and the a greater delegation of responsibilities was granted to regional execution of activities in the field. coordination and investments have been redeployed in more favorable areas, particularly with regard to insecurity linked to terrorism. Inadequacies in internal control and financial An internal auditor consultant has been recruited to support the audits due to the absence of a financial fiduciary team in internal control. controller and an internal auditor. Failure to respect the deadlines for the execution A system of close monitoring of the companies by the competent of works by the companies marked by slowness technical services at the central and decentralized level has been put and poor performance. in place. This system is supported by a ministerial committee chaired by the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change. Mobility of PIF coordinators and staff at all levels The pooling of skills, strengthening of the synergy of action, and the of the organizational system. adoption and implementation of a training plan have made it possible to minimize the effects of this difficulty. The overload of work and the low financial The recruitment of assistants and consultants and the revaluation of motivation of the staff. salaries and allowances have been carried out. The late start of the project in general due to Capacity building of actors, in particular, PCU staff, operational actors various preparation activities and the poor including ministerial staff, the media, representatives of the National understanding of the innovative approach of Assembly, etc., and the recruitment of an expert in the field of REDD + REDD + by the actors. have been achieved. Page 60 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Key World Bank Project Documents Date Report No. Project Appraisal Document December 26, 2013 PAD606 Grant Agreement (TF015339) February 17, 2014 Amendment to GA July, 2014 Restructuring Paper March, 2018 RES29877 Restructuring Paper December, 2019 RES39241 Restructuring Paper December, 2020 RES44082 Systematic Country Diagnostic 2017 March, 2017 Reference: World Bank Group. 2017. Burkina Faso Priorities for Poverty Reduction and Shared Prosperity: Systematic Country Diagnostic. World Bank, Washington, DC. Available at: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26572 Country Partnership Framework FY18-FY23 June 5, 2018 123712-BF Aide Memoires Implementation Status & Results Report # 1-13 Project Information Document: Communal Climate Action and December 21, 2020 PIDC29619 Landscape Management Project (P170482) - FY22 Key Borrower Project Documentation Date Borrower Project Completion Report. Prepared by the FIP Coordination Unit in May 2021 the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change. Socio-Economic Impact Evaluation of the Forest Investment Program. Prepared July 2021 for the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change. Final Evaluation Report of the Forest Investment Program in Burkina Faso . June 2021 Prepared in collaboration with the National Statistical Institute for the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change. Final report on the Implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguard June 2021 Measures of the PGDFEB 2014-2020. Prepared by the FIP Coordination Unit in the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy, and Climate Change. Other Documentation Date Second National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDESII) 2021-2025. July 2021 National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 2016-2020. July 20, 2016 National Rural Sector Program Phase 2 (PNSRII) 2016-2020. Available at: April 18, 2018 http://spcpsa.bf/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Deuxieme-Programme- National-du-Secteur-Rural-PNSR-2-2016-2020.pdf Report on the technical assessment of the proposed forest reference level of January 25, 2021 Burkina Faso submitted in 2020. Prepared by UNFCCC Secretariat with report number: FCCC/TAR/2020/BFA. Available at: Page 61 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/tar2020_BFA.pdf FIP Video Material Access The Forest Investment Program in Burkina Faso - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN7g- Youtube Channel Km97_MQ-rr33zpH5gA/featured REDD+ in Burkina Faso – Supporting Climate-smart https://youtu.be/BSSF_EKWFkI Development in Communities Achievements of the PGDFEB in the municipality of https://youtu.be/BhIveaJQ6-I Sapouy – Animal Vaccination Park Young people revolutionize beekeeping in the https://youtu.be/u-nEpTxcuEo municipality of Zamo with the support of the PGDFEB Municipality of Diébougou: securing conservation areas https://youtu.be/0ZVr-p8od-A at the heart of PDIC / REDD + Zoom on the village forest of Zinè (Municipality of Zamo) https://youtu.be/dMqs0ZeGYvo Municipality of Tiankoura: Improved stoves to preserve https://youtu.be/RbEBRZTJink forests and wooded areas Municipality of Diébougou: a market garden to preserve https://youtu.be/QSaWA4Uy0SU natural resources and fight against poverty Zoom on the vaccination park of the municipality of Sibi https://youtu.be/16RR098dc0E Municipality of Boromo: An orchard to fight against climate change and improve the living conditions of the https://youtu.be/sMeEwgB2tdQ population PDIC / REDD + of the Municipality of Diébougou: A secure https://youtu.be/_Ki080Y3IiE shea park that is the pride of women Municipality of Sapouy: a vaccination park to fight against deforestation and strengthen cohesion between https://youtu.be/SGGkVA5nGvw livestock stakeholders Zoom on the Virou vaccination park in the municipality of https://youtu.be/1ba_RVom2JY Boromo Restitution of the Socio-land Diagnosis and participatory https://youtu.be/uwUoZDwYJ1k planning in the commune of Bouroum Bouroum Restitution of the Socio-land Diagnosis and participatory https://youtu.be/D5vSGR0nfIY planning in the town of Oury Market gardens improve the living conditions of women https://youtu.be/7UIWvFwB25Y Support vulnerable groups to drive positive change https://youtu.be/0jqmu9SMK60 Modernize beekeeping https://youtu.be/TRRnwWYxEYg Vaccination parks at the service of forests https://youtu.be/Vq2Jnpzsne4 Sequestering even more carbon https://youtu.be/ACpdNf377dM The intervention approach of the PGDFEB https://youtu.be/G7exR2CFPCI Page 62 of 63 The World Bank FIP - DECENTRALIZED FOREST AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT (P143993) ANNEX 7. Map of Project Area Page 63 of 63