Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) Forestry Development Project (P147760) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Belarus | Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 14 | ARCHIVED on 23-Aug-2021 | ISR47829 | Implementing Agencies: THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS, Ministry of Forestry, BellesExport Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 27-Mar-2015 Effectiveness Date: 30-Jul-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 28-Feb-2018 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 02-Apr-2018 Original Closing Date: 31-Aug-2020 Revised Closing Date: 31-Aug-2021 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective is to enhance silvicultural management and reforestation and afforestation, increase the use of felling residues and improve the public good contribution from forests in targeted forest areas. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Improving silviculture and the sustainability of forest management:(Cost $36.47 M) Improving forest fire prevention, monitoring, detection and suppression, improving forest management information systems:(Cost $4.88 M) Building the capacity for sustainable forest management (including GEF Project management):(Cost $2.10 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions This is the final ISR covering the whole project implementation period. The overall progress in the project and activities funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Grant, has been satisfactory, and the project was able to make notable contributions towards the objective to enhance silvicultural management and reforestation and afforestation, increase the use of felling residues and improve the public good contribution from forests in targeted forest areas. The PDO is relevant and achieved by successful completion of planned activities: 8/23/2021 Page 1 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760)  Through the physical investments in goods and machinery, the Project developed and intensified the thinning of young and middle-aged stands. The GEF grant financed key aspects of the training program by investing in simulators for harvester operators. Also new safe and well-paid jobs were created in rural areas.  For enhancing reforestation and afforestation, the Project financed 4 new nurseries in 4 oblasts. These nurseries introduced innovative technology of reforestation using seedlings with a closed root system, created 79 new jobs for local population (50% women) and provide Belarus foresters with the best planting stock of native species for reforestation and afforestation activities. This is especially important for adaptation to climate stresses such as increased drought, other extreme weather events (windblow, fire), and the increased incidence of pests and diseases.  By investing in heavy duty chipper machines, the Project supported the use of woody biomass from the felling residues. Now in two oblasts logging residues are not left in the forest to rot, but supplied for woody biomass production.  Enhancing silvicultural management and reforestation and afforestation is impossible without improvements in the forest fire activities. Here the Project was instrumental to develop a new forest fire zoning system, raised the awareness on the importance to save forests from human origin fires and strengthened fire detection by investments in video surveillance system. It also improved fire suppression efforts through the provision of forest fire-fighting vehicles in all 6 regions.  The public good contribution from forests by the Project was provided by a set of activities: carbon sequestration exceeded 6 mln metric tons and was ensured by developing improved forest nurseries for afforestation and reforestation, using of the woody biomass from logging residues and improving forest fire management. The second track covers the job creation in rural areas in the new nurseries and in thinning activities. A targeted inventory of depleted peatlands and those peatlands that are no longer used for agricultural purposes and that pose a high risk of fires was conducted.  Capacity building for sustainable forest management was fully financed by the GEF Grant and all implemented as planned. Project resources have been used efficiently to achieve the outcomes and efficiency of the project is expected to be confirmed when the ex-post economic analysis is done at Implementation Completion Report stage. The Project was extended by one year to allow sufficient time to implement the additional activities as part of the Additional financing in 2018. The GEF Grant closing date was aligned with the Project’s timeline accordingly to allow the complementarity of the Component 3 activities. Starting September 2021, the Bank team will launch the preparation of the Project and GEF Grant ICR. The Bank will also monitor that the Borrower prepare the GEF tracking tools. Based on the preliminary analysis of the Results framework , out of fifteen PDO and intermediate indicators, fourteen have either met or exceeded their respective targets. Based on the preliminary analysis made, the vast majority of planned activities under each of the project Components were completed as planned, which helped to achieve the PDO. The final Results Framework will be presented as part of the Project’s completion report. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Low Low Macroeconomic Moderate Low Low Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Low Low Technical Design of Project or Program Low Low Low Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Low Low Low Stakeholders Low Low Low Other -- -- -- Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate Results 8/23/2021 Page 2 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes The Project Development Objective is to enhance silvicultural management and reforestation and affor IN01026647 ►Area of young and middle-aged production-forest thinned according to approved management plans (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 132,500.00 105,000.00 167,000.00 165,000.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 The actual amount for the period ending July 2021 was 167,000 Ha. The target was met (101%). This indicator is linked to the PDO to enhance silvicultural management of forests. 148 unit of harvesting machinery were procured for the young and middle-aged thinning according to the approved forest management plans. Such modernization and mechanization of thinning has raised forwarder productivity and harvesting is possible with one operator rather than 8-10 chainsaw workers laboring in hazardous conditions. In addition, the supply of new machinery helped to create new well-paid jobs ( a harvester and Comments: forwarder operators) in the rural areas. During the project implementation, starting 2018 till 2020 the actual indicator value was less than planned because there was a priority placed on sanitary clear cutting to remove dead and dying trees affected by pine bark beetle infestations before undertaking other types of harvesting in Belarus. Now as reported by the Ministry, the problem has been resolved and the indicator value returned to its planned values and in the final year even exceeded the planned value of 165,000 hectares. IN01026648 ►Amount of carbon (CO2) sequestered (Metric ton, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 4,643,384.00 5,285,315.00 6,095,032.00 5,245,627.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This PDO and GEF indicator was met (116%). The indicator was calculated using the EX-ACT tool. The final actual value of Year 6 includes the actual Comments: performance of the 4 seeding lines in the four new nurseries in Ivatsevichi, Glubokoe, Minsk and Mogilev. It also includes the seedlings planted in the growing fields of the state forest enterprises. IN01026649 ►Economic performance of participating SFEs enhanced (Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 21,578,000.00 46,600,000.00 15,826,000.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This indicator was exceeded ( 296%) It measures the excess of revenue over expenditures inclusive of all financing sources for participating State Forest Enterprises (SFEs). Since 2020, the Belarus SFEs enjoy favorable internal and external price for wood materials, which caused such a spike in the net profits. For example, the price of lumber in 2020 Comments: has doubled. Prior to 2020, the SFEs demonstrated stable performance as the modernization of equipment for the silvicultural activities started to bear its fruits. During the ICR preparation, the Bank team will investigate further to estimate what is the share of the price increase in the market for timber resources in the net profit increase of SFEs. IN01026650 ►Capacity to produce high quality seedlings increased (number of container grown seedlings per year in project-financed nurseries) (Number, Custom) 8/23/2021 Page 3 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 14,341,200.00 25,100,000.00 23,700,000.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This PDO indicator was met (106%). Actual capacity for two planting seasons of the forest nurseries in Ivatsevichy State Forestry Enterprise, Glubokoe State Experimental Forestry Enterprise and three rotations in the Republican Seed and Selection Center , and one rotation in Mogilev nursery is indicated in the final actual value. The Project also helped new nurseries to obtain new types of cassettes (100F) which could technologically help to significantly increase the seedling production capacity. Comments: Overall, this new technology with the container-grown seedlings allows to increase the planting period which is important in the reforestation and afforestation. In the future the Ministry of Forestry plans to create more than 20% of forest crops using this technology. During the final mission, the 1st Deputy Minister highlighted that he considers the major result and breakthrough of the Project is the investment in these 4 new nurseries. IN01026661 ►Average utilizable volume of commercial timber harvested during intermediate felling in targeted SFEs increased (Cubic Meter(m3), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 28.50 34.50 35.00 35.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This PDO indicator was met as planned. It measures the intensity of the thinning operations and cannot exceed 35m3/ha per thinning Comments: operation. Current value remains optimal for keeping the productivity level on a sustainable level in Belarus. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Building the capacity for sustainable forest management (including GEF Project management) IN01026664 ►Number of people trained (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2,243.00 3,448.00 3,448.00 3,000.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 The target was exceeded (115%) During the implementation of the Project, financed by the GEF grant, forestry specialists were trained in new methods and technologies . All recommendations for updating strategic documents of normative acts of the Ministry of Forestry were discussed at seminars, round tables with the participation of employees of forestry enterprises, representatives of scientific and civil society. Thanks to the equipping of simulators on the basis of the Republican center for advanced training of forestry specialists, training was organized for all operators of harvesters (forwarders), 405 specialists were trained for the period 2018-2021. Comments: Some of the face-to-face trainings were postponed or rescheduled due to the COVID19 measures of the Ministry of Forestry. However the Ministry intensified number of online trainings, which allowed to keep up the indicator value and even allowed to increase the outreach of the audience. The number of female trained is also met, there is an increase in the number of female entering the sector and receiving the required training, despite the fact that the forestry sector in Belarus is male- dominated. 8/23/2021 Page 4 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) IN01026666 Number of people trained - female (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 110.00 157.00 157.00 150.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 IN01026668 ►Govt institutions provided w/ capacity buildg to improve mgt of forest resources (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 12.00 12.00 11.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 The target was met (109%) Comments: The delegates from the Ministry of Forestry and selected SFEs participated in total in the 12 study exchanges meetin workshops in Poland, Romania, Kazakhstan, Switzerland and Belgium. IN01026669 ►Project-supported organization(s) publish reports on inputs and effect of consultation and information dissemination activities on project/program/policies (Yes/No) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 All final reports with results from project activities are available on the UE “Bellesexport” and MOF websites. The project progress information is regularly provided on the website of the Ministry of Forestry and the main media forestry journals and magazines (“Belarusian forest newspaper”; magazine “Forestry and Comments: Hunting”, “Architecture and Construction”; newspaper “Soviet Belarus-Belarus today” and “Minskaya Pravda”). Stands on the construction of forest nurseries with visual graphic and text materials were established by district executive committees to inform the local population about the construction of nurseries. IN01026670 ►Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 38,487.00 38,487.00 35,500.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 The target was met (108%). This indicator not only captures the employed staff of the 78 SFEs benefitted from the Project but also entities participating in the GEF Grant implementation. The Ministry of Forestry also reported that the 4 new nurseries in the 4 regions of Belarus have created 73 new jobs for local Comments: population. Thanks to the equipment in 78 forestry enterprises, 195 highly paid and safe workplaces for operators of harvesters and forwarders have been created. IN01026671 Female beneficiaries (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 17.70 17.70 17.50 8/23/2021 Page 5 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) Improving forest fire prevention, monitoring, detection and suppression, improving forest management information systems IN01026663 ►Reforms in forest policy, legislation or other regulations supported (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 The Ministry of Forestry processed a number of by-laws and decrees to fulfill the provisions of the new Forestry Code since it was introduced in 2017. With support of the GEF Grant , a new forest fire zoning was developed and publicly discussed, this then was included in the respective decrees. This also included the clarifications of the forest management activities composition; detailing other types of logging. Procedure for measuring, marking and accounting of harvested wood has been clarified. Comments: Similarly, the State Program "Belarusian Forest” for 2016-2020 has been reviewed and update for new planning period is being prepared. A draft of the State Program "Belarusian Forest" for 2021-2025 has been developed, widely discussed with the stakeholders , drawing up on the GEF Grant analytical support proposals to update the strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector in Belarus. This new Program was approved in the end of January 2021. Improving silviculture and the sustainability of forest management IN01026662 ►Nursery lines for container grown seedlings of native tree species established (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 4.00 4.00 6.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This actual indicator in Year 6 includes all seed lines in the 4 established new forest nurseries - Ivatsevchi (opened in April 2018), Glubokoe (opened in October 2018), Minsk (opened in September 2019), and Mogilev (opened in September 2020). The construction of these new complexes went without any major delays and in compliance with the environmental and social safeguards. The end target value was retracted as part of AF restructuring cancellation to 6 nursery lines, and the total number of financed nursery lines is 4 as per the Ministry of Forestry priorities and needs. However the capacity of these 4 seedlines (25.1 million seedlings) plus the volume of SFEs nursery fields paired with Comments: the new type of cassetes, provided the forestry sector of Belarus with sufficient growing materials to ensure sustainable forest management in Belarus. These 4 new nurseries provide the volume of seedlings as if it was for 6 nursery lines. The 4 new nurseries created 73 new jobs, all new personnel received training including on pest management as supported by GEF grant. The seedlings produced at these 4 new nurseries will help to create forest cultures on an area of about 6 thousand hectares annually. IN01026665 ►Improved thinning regime developed (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 Indicator is met. Supplied units of machinery to 74 SFEs continue to contribute to the introduction of new technologies for forest thinning operations. In addition, adjustments to the Provision of the Ministry of Comments: Forestry No. 68 dated December 2019 were made, taking into account the existing forestry practice such as clarifying the grounds for felling. The version of this Provision remains valid as of July 2021. 8/23/2021 Page 6 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) IN01026667 ►New areas outside protected areas managed as biodiversity-friendly (ha) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 1,226,700.00 4,642,805.00 4,642,805.00 4,500,000.00 Date 27-Mar-2015 31-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 This indicator is met (103%) and even exceeds the planned target of 4,500,000 hectares. The area of mixed stands under the authority of the Ministry of Forestry is indicated, with the exception of specially protected natural areas (forest reserves and natural monuments). Through the GEF Grant an Electronic Reference Book of protected areas was developed to improve information support for forestry workers Comments: about the location and characteristics of protected areas located in the state forest Fund of the Republic of Belarus. Moreover, the Forest Code of the Republic of Belarus has new requirements of forest management with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation throughout the territory. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P147760 IBRD-84740 Effective USD 40.71 40.71 0.00 40.71 0.00 100% P147760 IBRD-88210 Effective USD 14.40 14.40 0.00 13.81 0.00 100% P152636 TF-A1173 Effective USD 2.74 2.74 0.00 2.74 0.00 100% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P147760 IBRD-84740 Effective 27-Mar-2015 02-Apr-2015 30-Jul-2015 31-Aug-2020 31-Aug-2021 P147760 IBRD-88210 Effective 12-Mar-2018 11-Apr-2018 09-Aug-2018 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 P152636 TF-A1173 Effective 02-Apr-2015 02-Apr-2015 30-Jul-2015 31-Aug-2020 31-Aug-2021 Cumulative Disbursements 8/23/2021 Page 7 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Forestry Development Project (P147760) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 17-Sep-2018 ,Level Approved on 09-Apr-2019 ,Level 2 Approved on 17-Jul-2019 Related Project(s) P152636-Forestry Development Project ,P165121-Belarus Forestry Development Project - Additional Financing 8/23/2021 Page 8 of 8