E4194 Environmental and Social Management Framework Palestinian NGO IV Project – Additional Financing (PNGO IV – AF) NGO Development Center (NDC) April 11, 2013 Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Project Description .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Implementation Arrangements ....................................................................................................................... 4 Environmental and Social Management Framework ................................................................................. 19 Environmental and Social Liabilities of NDC Contractors ....................................................................... 26 Environmental and Social Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 28 Public Consultation and Complaints Mechanism ........................................................................................ 30 Baseline Information ........................................................................................................................................ 33 Annexes ................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Tables Table 1: Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to Agricultural Services Projects. Table 2: Overall Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to Water and Wastewater projects. Table 3: Overall Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to the Agricultural Roads Maintenance Projects Table 4: Construction Activities and Potential Impacts Table 5: Operational Activities and Potential Impacts Table 6: Environmental Screening and Classification of Subprojects Table 7: Social and Cultural Resource Screening of Subprojects Table 8: Environmental and Social Management Checklist for Small Construction and Rehabilitation Activities. Table 9: Safeguard Risks Expected By the PNGO IV-AF Possible Investment Table10: Proposed Training Sessions Annexes Annex1: Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan Matrices Annex2: Environmental Management Guidelines for Contractors (provisional to Construction in Roads) Annex3: Environmental and Social Issues and Baseline Information Annex 4: Summary of Public Consultations Acronyms and Abbreviations AF Additional Financing AFD Agence Française de Développement CBO Community Based Organization DA Designated Account EJ East Jerusalem ESEMs Environmental and Social Evaluation Matrices ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan FM Financial Management GS Gaza Strip LGU Local Government Unit MoPAD Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development NGO Non-Governmental Organization NDC NGO Development Center OM Operations Manual PA Palestinian Authority PNGO Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization SA Special Account TFGWB Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank TFGA Trust Fund Grant Agreement Introduction 1. The NGO Development Center (NDC) is an innovative Palestinian non-profit organization that empowers Palestinian NGOs to better provide vital services to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, especially the poor and marginalized. Conceived in partnership with leading Palestinian NGOs, unions and networks, NDC mobilizes donor funding to deliver a unique combination of direct grants and capacity building programs that enhance the effectiveness, self-reliance and sustainability of Palestinian NGOs. NDC advocates greater NGO transparency and accountability through the adoption of professional financial and management practices, and promotes sector-wide coordination and sharing of best practice experiences within its programs and on its Masader portal (www.masader.ps). 2. NDC is in the unique position to serve as the management body for agencies seeking to implement programming throughout the entirety of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. NDC has over 14 years of experience in managing and monitoring funding and rendering development programs and projects, with the added value of building organizational capacities. 3. NDC provides a distinctive combination of direct grants to NGOs to help them perform with improved quality and better directed outcomes. NDC uses different granting schemes to allow NGOs with various capacities and magnitudes to focus on sectors and themes where NGOs have a comparative advantage. PNGO IV is a repeater project that builds on the achievements of PNGOIII and the systems that it has already established for service delivery through NGOs. In implementing the fourth phase of the Palestinian NGO Project (PNGO IV), NDC mobilized $8 million in donor funding (with financing of US$2.00.million from the Trust Fund for Gaza and West Bank (TFGWB) and Euro 5.00 million (equivalent to US$6 million) by the French Development Agency (AFD) towards the NGO Sector in the form of granting schemes and capacity building aimed at enhancing socioeconomic conditions of poor and marginalized communities through NGO delivery of key social and productive services and further strengthening the institutional development of the NGO sector. Additional Financing aims at scaling up PNGO IV activities to enhance the project’s development outcomes and address some of the identified strategic issues. In addition, it will allow building on the satisfactory on-going PNGO IV, using its sound institutional arrangements. The total amount of the (AF) is $5 million over a period of three years 4. To proceed with the preparation of any project under B environmental category, it is necessary to follow the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which is an integral part of the Operations Manual (OM) of the NGO Development Center (NDC).The OM is prepared for the purposes of implementing the World Bank supported PNGO IV-AF in compliance with the national and local policies and regulations as well as the World Bank safeguard policies and procedures. However, OP 4.12 requirements, which are described below, should prevail, in case of any discrepancy with the national legislation. ESMF cover environmental, cultural, and social aspects of project management. 1 5. ESMF study for PNGO IV-AF should provide the following key outputs:  Identify and assess the environmental and social impacts, both adverse and beneficial, in the project’s area of influence in order to avoid, or where avoidance is not possible, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts on workers, affected communities, and the environment.  Identify the types, nature and scale of interventions under PNGO IV-AF project;  Determine based on knowledge of these interventions, whether the proposed investments may result in environmental or social impacts;  Propose mitigation and monitoring measures in the form of a sub-project- ESMF and applicable safeguard documentation to address potential impacts;  Evaluate the existing institutional capacity of the NGOs to manage the recommendations for implementing the measures outlined in the ESMF;  Provide recommendations to build capacity and strengthen environmental and social management;  Develop procedures to identify and address potential environmental and social safeguard issues of the projects;  Provide a detailed budget for mainstreaming environmental and social issues into the PNGO IV-AF project budget. 6. The ESMF document presents the environmental and social criteria for selecting the sub-projects to be covered by PNGO IV-AF and give details for administering and monitoring the potential environmental and social impacts and their mitigation measures. The environmental and social matrices annexed to the ESMF provide means to be considered during the main phases of the projects, design, implementation, operation, and control and monitoring. Project Description 7. Most of the PNGO IV-AF sub-projects are located in the West Bank and Gaza, specifically in areas that are un-served and under-served where the Palestinian Authority (PA) has difficulty operating (e.g. Area C, Seam Zone, close to settlements, EJ, GS).1 The natures of the sub-projects are similar to those implemented under PNGO IV. Therefore, the subprojects of PNGO IV-AF are of the community development driven type of projects. They will be mostly classified as Categories B or C and have limited adverse environmental impacts. PNGO IV-AF includes activities that mainly have positive environmental and social impacts for most sectors. Subprojects of these sectors mainly include awareness 1 It is important to note that activities must be in compliance with Israeli guidelines, provisions and regulations in East Jerusalem, Area C and any other areas under Israeli control. 2 programs and small scale projects aiming at improving social services of the local communities. Some projects could include implementing rehabilitation of agricultural roads which aim at improving and facilitating access to land, especially isolated and remote agricultural land, reclamation, cultivation, and rehabilitation of damaged agricultural land and rehabilitation of existing community buildings and homes to improve the physical conditions of the structures and improve safety conditions. On the other hand, the risks and negative impacts of the proposed PNGO IV-AF subprojects can be minimized by addressing mitigation measures during construction and post- construction operation phases. PNGO IV-AF Objective 8. The objective of PNGO IV-AF is to provide social services to those who are poor, vulnerable or marginalized through NGOs and to strengthen the institutional capacity of these organizations. PNGO IV-AF Project Components 9. Although the proposed AF activities are similar in type and scope to the original investment project, PNGO IV, without any major structural changes to the initial project design, the AF will focus on strengthening the strategic approach and development outcomes of PNGO IV by scaling up activities. AF will build on lessons learned from previous operations, and (i) improve targeting of poor and disadvantaged communities in un-served and underserved areas, using up-to-date data and a “consortium� approach to social service delivery; (ii) use a multi-stakeholder approach with enhanced collaboration between NGOs/CBOs, PA, LGUs, citizens, academic institutions (and possibly also the private sector) during the identification and implementation of NGO/CBO sub-projects; (iii) enhance its support for good governance of NGOs/CBOs; (iv) increase participation of citizens in NGO/CBO sub- project identification and implementation; and (v) enhance its focus on outcome measurements and expanded its disaggregated measurement of gender and youth issues, as well as use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). 10. The expected outcomes of the AF include: enhanced good governance and more effective and efficient social service delivery to marginalized Palestinians in priority geographical areas through a more targeted, inclusive, holistic, and results-oriented approach that is grounded in enhanced partnerships between the PA, LGUs, NGOs/CBOs and if possible also the private sector. 11. Main Components of the Project: Component 1: Grant making to NGOs for social service delivery (USD 3,494,050) with two subcomponents: (a) Cross-sectoral grant packages for a consortium of NGOs/CBOs, and possibly also between NGOs/CBOs and the private sector (b) “Emergency Grants� as a contingency for unforeseen events 3 Component 2: Strengthening the capacity of the NGO sector (USD 1,343,514) with three subcomponents: a) Subproject cycle coaching for component 1 grantees; b) implementation of the Code of Conduct Compliance System (a) through NDC’s provision of Technical Assistance for rated NGOs/CBOs to address any code compliance capacity weaknesses etc.; and (b) through grants to Umbrella Networks to raise awareness on Code of Conduct Compliance; and c) implementation of the NGO Strategic Framework through grants to Umbrella networks Component 3: Project Management & Monitoring and Evaluation (USD 162,436): which includes strengthening the M&E System, external and internal audits, Evaluation and Impact Assessments, communications and outreach, as well as general project management. Implementation Arrangements 12. About 60% of the PNGO IV-AF will be allocated to component 1 for urgently needed support to small and medium-sized NGOs and CBOs to provide social service provision to poor and vulnerable Palestinians in un-served and under-served areas where the PA has difficulty operating (e.g. Area C, Seam Zone, settlements, EJ, GS). In addition to the social services provision, training and capacity building activities, some small-scale infrastructure projects will be implemented including the rehabilitation of existing agricultural roads, reclamation, and rehabilitation of damaged agricultural lands and this include plowing the lands, planting vegetables and seedlings such as olive, citrus and almonds as main crops, rehabilitation of existing community buildings and homes, etc. 13. For Component 2, sub-component a: technical assistance for NGOs and CBOs, receiving social service grants under component 1, to strengthen their good governance capacities for subproject management. Specifically, NGO/CBO grantees will receive intensive, individualized, long term “on-the-job� coaching from dedicated NDC sub- project officers throughout the entire NGO/CBO sub-project cycle to enhance the transparency, accountability and good governance of their overall subproject management, incl. improved procurement financial management and reporting procedures. 14. Sub-component b: Implementation of the NGO Code of Conduct Compliance System (CoCCS), that was developed and piloted under PNGO IV, to enhance good governance of the NGO sector. This will be done through two streams: (i) Stream 1 will support NDC, as the agreed Code Compliance Secretariat, to provide Technical Assistance to component 1 grantee NGOs/CBOs to complete the voluntarily Code Compliance rating, validation, and accreditation and to address any code compliance capacity weaknesses; and (ii) Stream 2 will support the NGO Umbrella networks, as the Code Accreditation Body, to raise awareness of code compliance among their members, and accredit NGOs/CBOs. 4 15. Sub-component c: Implementation of the NGO Strategic Framework developed and launched under PNGO IV - AF will be conducted by the Umbrella Networks. 16. Component 3 includes strengthening the M&E System, external and internal audits, Evaluation and Impact Assessments, communications and outreach, as well as general project management. Institutional Structure 17. NDC will be the signatory of the Trust Fund Grant Agreement (TFGA) and the recipient of the Bank’s Grant from the Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank (TFGWB) which would be disbursed through a Designated Account (DA) that is opened and managed by the NDC. Consequently, NDC would be responsible for the overall implementation of the new project and management of the Special Account (SA) in accordance with the TFGA. NDC would thus be responsible for all fiduciary aspects including financial management (FM), procurement, and safeguards (management and monitoring of environmental and social aspects), incurring expenditures and making payments to NGOs, suppliers and consultants. 18. Sub grants would be provided for NGOs/ CBOs under components 1 and for the four Umbrella Networks under component 2 – these would be implemented by the recipient NGOs, CBOs and NGO Umbrella Networks in accordance with their individual Grant Implementation Agreement signed between them and the NDC. 5 Environmental Legislation and Regulations/Policy Palestinian Environmental Law 19. The Palestinian environmental legal and administrative framework has taken major strides towards protecting environmental resources and institutionalizing their sustainable management. The Environment Law of Palestine is comprehensive, covering the main issues relevant to environmental protection and law enforcement. Among the objectives of the law are:  Protecting the environment from all sorts and types of pollution  Protecting public health and social welfare  Incorporating environmental resources protection in all social and economic development plans and promote sustainable development to protect the rights of future generations;  Conserving ecologically sensitive areas, protecting biodiversity, and rehabilitating environmentally damaged areas;  Setting inter-ministerial cooperation regulations and standards various environmental protection areas and jurisdictions;  Promoting environmental information collection and publication, public awareness, education and training. The law addresses various environmental issues including:  Management and protection of various resources. Issues covered are related to land environment, air environment, water resources and aquatic environment, and natural, archeological, and historical heritage protection.  Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and auditing, permitting of development projects, monitoring of environmental resources and their parameters.  Penalties to be applied in case of violation of any article presented under the law.  Other issues addressed by the legislation include emergency preparedness, public participation, research training and public education. 20. The Environment Law of Palestine of 1999 has stated in Chapter 1 (of section III), article 45, “The Ministry, in coordination with the competent agencies, shall set standards to determine which projects and fields shall be subject to the environmental impact assessment studies. It shall also prepare lists of these projects and set the rules and procedures of the environmental impact assessment". 21. Article 47 of the Environmental Law states that "The Ministry, in coordination with the competent agencies, shall determine the activities and projects that have to obtain an environmental approval before being licensed. This includes the projects that are allowed to be established in the restricted areas". 6 Legal Environment 22. The governing environmental law in the Palestinian territories is the Palestinian Environment Law which was published in October 1999 by MEnA and it covers the political and social context, the legal and institutional framework, the environmental driving forces, the environmental themes and strategy elements. Two main articles 45 concerning the Environmental Impact Assessment and 47 concerning Licensing are depicted in the previous section. 23. Further the Palestinian Environmental Assessment Policy was issued in 2004 in order to support the sustainable economic and social development of the Palestinian people through assisting in meeting the life standards adequacy, conserving the natural environment, conserving biodiversity and natural resources, and avoid irreversible environmental damage and minimize the reversible damages from development activities, the summary of Palestinian Environmental Assessment Policy is presented below: Palestinian Environmental Assessment Policy 24. The Palestinian Ministerial Council approves the Palestinian Environmental Assessment Policy, through resolution No: 27-23/4/2000. This Policy shall be interpreted and implemented to support the sustainable economic and social development of the Palestinian people through assisting in meeting the following goals: 1. Ensuring an adequate standard of life in all its aspects, and not negatively affecting the basic needs, and the social, cultural and historical values of people as a result of development activities. 2. Preserving the capacity of the natural environment to clean and sustain itself. 3. Conserving biodiversity, landscapes and the sustainable use of natural resources. 4. Avoiding irreversible environmental damage, and minimizing reversible environmental damage, from development activities. 25. There are two types of Environmental Assessment (EA) reports that represent sequential stages in the project life cycle and the EA review process: 1) an Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE), and 2) an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Ministry shall provide guidance on the content and preparation of these reports. The Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) is for projects where significant environmental impacts are uncertain, or where compliance with environmental regulations must be ensured; whereas An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for projects, which are likely to have significant environmental impacts. An EIA may be carried out as a result of an IEE. 26. Based on the Application for Environmental Approval, screening criteria are used to determine whether an Initial Environmental Evaluation or an Environmental Impact Assessment (or none of them) is required for a project. An Environmental 7 Impact Assessment (EIA) shall be conducted for the following types of major development projects: 1. Power plants (including gas turbines, substations and super tension lines) 2. Quarries and mines 3. Wastewater treatment plants including main sewers 4. Cement plants 5. Solid waste disposal sites 6. Hazardous waste disposal sites 7. Plants producing, storing or using hazardous substances 8. Airports and landing strips 9. Seaports, jetties and harbors 10. Refineries 11. Industrial estates 12. Major dams and reservoirs 13. Major roads 14. Steel mills 27. For project types not listed above, a determination of whether or not an IEE or an EIA must be conducted will be based on screening criteria. Extensions to existing projects of the types listed above shall be subjected for the need for IEE or EIA studies. 28. The project proponent must first obtain initial approval from the appropriate Ministry or Local Planning Committee. The proponent then submits an Application for Environmental Approval to the Ministry. The Ministry will notify the appropriate permitting authorities that an Application for Environmental Approval has been received and that an EIA is required. 29. For projects not above, the proponent submits the Application for Environmental Approval to the appropriate permitting authorities as part of his overall application package for initial approval. These authorities then refer the project to the Ministry. The Ministry may ask the proponent for further information to ensure the Application is sufficient for consideration under the EA Policy. In consultation with these authorities and others through the EA Committee as required, the Ministry then applies the screening guidelines and determines whether an IEE Report or an EIA Report is required. If an IEE Report or EIA Report is not required, the Ministry will determine, in coordination with the relevant permitting authorities or the EA Committee as required, whether or not Environmental Approval will be granted and, if so, under what conditions. 30. Once the Ministry considers that an Application for Environmental Approval is complete, it has a maximum of 14 business days to determine the need for an IEE or an EIA Report, or to determine whether Environmental Approval will be granted based on the Application alone. If this deadline is not met, the proponent has the right to submit a written complaint to the Minister, who must respond in writing within a week from receipt of the complaint. 8 31. The Screening process will be based on requirements of relevant land use plans, and on whether the project is likely to: 1. Use a natural resource in a way that pre-empts other uses of that resource, 2. Displace people or communities, 3. Be located in or near environmentally sensitive areas such as natural reserves, wetlands, or registered archeological and cultural sites, 4. Generate unacceptable levels of environmental impact, 5. Create a state of public concern, or 6. Require further, related development activities that may cause significant environmental impacts. 32. Without limiting its content, an Environmental Approval may specify:  Required measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts or capture potential environmental benefits, including a compliance schedule,  Measures that the proponent must implement in order to comply with relevant standards and requirements; and  Monitoring and reporting duties of the proponent. 33. For existing projects and developments, Environmental Auditing (EAU) may be required. Its aim is to mitigate negative environmental impacts through evaluating their environmental management and performance. An environmental audit is prepared by the owner or operator of the development activity, and focuses on mitigation measures for existing environmental impacts to comply with relevant environmental standards and regulations. Decisions resulting from an Environmental Audit Report can include: a) Suspension of the permit for the development activity by the permitting authority until specified measures are implemented; b) Agreement on conditions that will be applied to the development activity, including a plan of implementation; or c) Exemption of the development activity from further compliance with the EA Policy. 34. All mentioned laws, orders and regulations have enforcement power, the main base of the enforcement system is the Palestinian Public Health Law No 20 and the Municipality regulatory system. Enforcement actions are to be taken by the municipality directly in some cases and through the Soluh court, the police and sometimes the district governor for much complicated cases. 35. The form of the framework is similar to that of the World Bank and does not contradict with it, and it specifies the requirement for comprehensive EIA’s for projects likely to have significant impacts and an Initial Environmental Evaluation IEE for projects where significant impacts are uncertain, or where compliance with environmental regulations must be insured. 9 Environmental and Social Safeguards 36. The last supervision mission of PNGOIV in October 2012 rated the project performance of safeguards as Satisfactory. During WB site visits, the environment and social specialist found sub-projects were in compliance with the EMP and that the NDC team and the environmental consultant monitored subprojects. Including OP4.12 on the negative list of the Operations Manual served as effective method of ensuring the policy was not triggered. The successful approach to safeguards implemented under PNGOIV will be maintained for the AF. Since the use of an environmental consultant was successful for PNGOIV, NDC will continue to use an environmental consultant to monitor environmental safeguards issues. For PNGOIVAF, NDC has prepared an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which has an increased focus on systematic monitoring of social safeguards. In addition, a formal complaints mechanism was designed. 37. PNGO IV-AF must be implemented in full compliance with the national and local legislation, including laws, regulations, and standards governing environmental management, social protection, and preservation of cultural heritage applied by the Palestinian National Authority. However, OP 4.12 requirements should prevail, in case of any discrepancy with the national legislation. 38. As far as the World Bank provides core financing for the program implementation, the safeguard policies of the World Bank also apply. The Program is classified as environmental Category B with subproject rating as higher or lower risk category B. Therefore, PNGO IV-AF triggers OP/BP4.01 Environmental Assessment. It is important to note that despite the fact that sub-projects may include rehabilitation of roads, the client confirmed in writing, that no pesticides will be used and OP 4.09 will not be triggered. It will exclude any project of Category A:  Dams and reservoirs;  Forestry production projects;  Industrial plants (large-scale) and industrial estates;  Irrigation, drainage, and flood control (large-scale);  Land clearance and leveling;  Mineral development (including oil and gas);  Port and harbor development;  Reclamation and new land development;  Resettlement and all projects with potentially major impacts on people;  River basin development;  Thermal and hydropower development; and  Manufacture, transportation, and use of pesticides or other hazardous and/or toxic materials.  Digging new water wells 39. On the other hand, PNGOIV-AF will exclude any project that triggers: 10  OP/BP 4.09 Pest management.  OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources.  OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement2: 40. NGOs, when submitting a project proposal/appraisal to NDC, would have accomplished all legal requirements acquired by and respecting the revised Palestinian Basic Law of 2003, the Jordanian Law No. 79 of 1966.The Cities, the Villages and Buildings Regulating Law, and the Buildings and Regulation Bylaw for Local Authorities No. 5 for 2011. 41. Therefore, some negative environmental impacts which are easily mitigated may occur due to the implementation of the rehabilitation and maintenance sub- projects. As a result, a detailed Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) was prepared for the program with the aim to provide a review, analysis and recommendations of the best mitigation measures that the project management team shall consider during implementation. Furthermore, ESMP for each sector is to be integrated to facilitate ESMF implementation. Cultural Heritage and Physical Cultural Resources 42. The definition of physical cultural resources include any movable or immovable objects, sites, structures, groups of structures, and natural features and landscapes that have archaeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, religious, aesthetic, or other cultural significance. Physical cultural resources may be located in urban or rural settings, and may be above or below ground, or under water. Their cultural significance may be at the local, provincial or national level, or within the international community. NDC will not finance any sub-project that might trigger OP 4.11. 43. In case of accidental findings of any antiquities or physical cultural resources that might occur during the implementation of the sub-projects, the contractor must notify NDC and the NGO immediately. According to the applicable Jordanian Heritage law No. 51 for the year 1966, Article 15 NDC must stop the contractor and notify the related Authority (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) within 3 days to take the necessary actions. 2 In terms of social safeguards, any subproject grants that could trigger the OP 4.12 will be excluded as part of the list of ineligible grants provided in the Operational Manual as was the case for PNGOIV, which served as an effective means to avoid triggering the policy. In other words, financing should not be provided to subprojects that result in direct economic and social impacts through the: (1) involuntary taking of land resulting in relocation or loss of shelter, loss of assets or access to assets, or loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location; or (2) involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas resulting in adverse impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons. 11 44. In other words, the contractor is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the following “Chance Finds Procedures� in case culturally valuable materials are uncovered during excavation:  Stop work immediately following the discovery of any materials with possible archeological, historical, paleontological, or other cultural value; announce findings to project manager; and notify relevant authorities;  Protect artifacts as well as possible using plastic covers; implement measures to stabilize the area, if necessary, to properly protect artifacts;  Prevent and penalize any unauthorized access to the artifacts; and  Restart construction works only upon the authorization of the relevant authorities.  Control access to site where finding occurred Involuntary Resettlement 45. Any subprojects that could trigger the involuntary resettlement policy (OP 4.12) will be excluded, and a respective negative list is being prepared as part of the Operational Manual. In other words, financing will not be provided to subprojects that result in direct economic and social impacts through the: (1) involuntary taking of land resulting in relocation or loss of shelter, loss of assets or access to assets, or loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location; or (2) involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas resulting in adverse impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons. 46. Considering that NGO when submitting a project proposal/appraisal to NDC would have accomplished all legal requirements acquired by and respecting the revised Palestinian Basic Law of 2003, the Jordanian Law No. 79 of 1966 The Cities, the Villages and Buildings Regulating Law, and the Buildings and Regulation Bylaw for Local Authorities No. 5 for 20. 3 Voluntary Land Donation 47. In cases where there is voluntary land donation, defined as when people or communities agree to voluntarily provide land in exchange for benefits or services related to the project, the below requirements must be met: 1. The infrastructure must not be site specific. For example, a school or clinic can have one or more locations if the land owner objects. However, voluntary land donation would not be allowed in the case of a location specific infrastructure such as a dam or reservoir since objectors can be forced or coerced into agreement. 3 The information in this document is taken from the World Bank 2004 publication entitled Involuntary Resettlement Sourcebook. 12 2. The impacts must be minor, involving no more than 10% of the area of any holding and require no physical location. 3. The land required to meet technical project criteria must be identified by the affected community, not by line agencies or project authorities (nonetheless, technical authorities can help ensure that the land is appropriate for project purposes and the project will produce no health or environmental hazards). 4. The land in question must be free of squatters, encroachers or other claims or encumbrances. 5. Written verification is necessary (for example, a notarized letter or witnessed statements) of the voluntary nature of land donations must be obtained from each person donating land. 6. If any loss of income or physical displacement is envisaged, verification of voluntary acceptance of community devised mitagatory measures must be obtained from those expected to be adversely affected. 7. If community services are to be provided under the project, land title must be vested in the community or appropriate guarantees of public access to services must be given by the private title holder. 8. Grievance Redressalor a complaints' mechanism must be available In cases of voluntary land donation, NDC will need to confirm the above criteria is met as well ensure that voluntary land donation was not done through coercion.. Environmental and Social Impacts 48. PNGO IV-AF includes activities that will, as per project sector, mainly have positive environmental and social impacts for most sectors. Positive impacts identified include the following:  Supply Tools and Equipment’s: Such projects improve the capacities of the local community staff and enable them to carry out their tasks with less time and in safe environment.  Rehabilitation of Existing Agriculture Road Projects: Reduce dust, improve drainage, minimize disturbances and obstacles and improve and facilitate access to land, especially isolated and remote agricultural land.  Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings: Generally, the rehabilitation of existing schools, clinics, public centers or other buildings will increase the capacity of employees and improve the work environment. Building maintenance projects improve the physical conditions of the structures and improve safety conditions. 13  Reclamation, cultivation, and rehabilitation of damaged agricultural land: such projects aim at rehabilitating damaged agricultural land and mainly include leveling the land, installing an irrigation system, and cultivating the land with trees and vegetables. Organic materials are used in organic agriculture and include materials used for soil pathogen (Soil Solarization - Compost ), materials used for plant protection (Sulfur - Pheromone traps - Sticker Traps - Nematose - Soup powder - pepper powder - Anti Insects nets ), and nutrient materials ( Compost - Tea compost - Shfah - Aptic ). 49. Environmental and social impacts are different from one project to another according to the project sector. The following tables (matrices) are listing of the overall main environmental and social impacts of the projects based on the different sectors of Agricultural Services Projects, ,and the roads and road maintenance projects. The tables list the expected environmental and social impacts and indicate whether the impact is positive, negative or neutral (no impact). These impacts are estimated based on the general information available at this stage of the project. Later and after detailed information of the projects are provided, these Environmental and Social Evaluation Matrices (ESEMs) can be modified. Two points should be made with regard to the ESEMs: (i) that the positive and ‘no-impact’ categories could degenerate to negative if caution is not exercised; and (ii) these impacts are often ‘site-specific’ and this should be taken into consideration. 50. Table 1 is the ESEM of the Agricultural Services Projects. These projects have mostly positive impacts, but will affect soil and surface and ground water quality. Therefore, protection of surface and groundwater in addition to soil are required to mitigate these impacts. Table 1: Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to Agricultural Services Projects No. Environmental Component Impact Positive No Impact Negative 1 Air Quality X 2 Groundwater Quality X 3 Community Water Supply X 4 Public Health and Services X 5 Workers Health and Safety X 6 Noise Reduction X 7 Cultural and Heritage X 8 Socio-economic X 9 Water Courses and Wadis X 10 Forest and Biodiversity Areas X 11 Soil X 12 Aesthetic X 14 51. Table 2 is an ESEM for the Water and Wastewater projects. The table indicates that the Water and Wastewater projects almost have equal number of crosses for negative and positive impacts, but this does not mean that the overall assessment of the project is neutral. Mitigation measures should be considered for the negative impacts. In addition, the impacts have different weighting factors in regard of their importance and this should be taken into consideration. Table 2: Overall Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to Water and Wastewater projects No. Environmental Component Impact Positive No Impact Negative 1 Air Quality X 2 Groundwater Quality X 3 Community Water Supply X 4 Public Health and Services X 5 Workers Health and Safety X 6 Noise and dust Reduction X 7 Cultural and Heritage X 8 Socio-economic X 9 Water Courses and Wadis X 10 Forest and Biodiversity Areas X 52. The roads and road maintenance projects include rehabilitation of agricultural roads. Table 3 presents the ESEM for agricultural road maintenance projects. Agricultural roads will result noise and dust emission. The gases that will be emitted from the cars will affect the air quality. Accidental risks and workers health and safety will be impacted. The water courses and wadis will be also impacted if the drainage systems of the roads are changed. Table 3: Overall Main Environmental and Social Impacts due to the Agricultural Roads Maintenance Projects No. Environmental Component Impact Positive No Impact Negative 1 Air Quality and Gas emission X 2 Groundwater Quality X 3 Community Water Supply X 4 Public Health and Services X 5 Workers Health and Safety X 6 Noise Reduction X 7 Cultural and Heritage X 8 Socio-economic X 9 Accidental risks X 15 10 Water Courses and Wadis X 11 Forest and Biodiversity Areas X 12 Aesthetic X 13 Waste Reduction X Activities associated with construction and Operation phases of projects 53. Both construction and operation phases involve activities that can be associated with impacts on the surrounding environment and society, which need to be closely monitored by NDC team and the assigned Environmental Consultant. The project activities during construction and operation are detailed and related in Table 4 and Table 8 identifying the potential impacts on the significant environmental and social issues. Construction Phase 54. Concerns generally exist in many of the project categories (education, health, transportation, water supply, etc.) during the construction phase. These concerns are usually minor and can be easily addressed using appropriate mitigation measures in the civil works contracts. The most important issues include:  Construction and demolition waste  Risk of damage to archaeological or historical sites  Risk of destruction of wildlife habitats Table 4: Construction Activities and Potential Impacts Significant Environmental and Social Issues Project Construction Agricultural Water Air Cultural and Socio- Activities Resources Resources Quality Historical economic Resources Conditions Demolition Removal of Existing Infrastructure Heavy Machinery Operation Construction of Infrastructure Excavations and Earthwork Construction of Buildings and Facilities 16 Significant Environmental and Social Issues Project Construction Agricultural Water Air Cultural and Socio- Activities Resources Resources Quality Historical economic Resources Conditions Material Procurement / (for some pesticides) Waste Disposal (solid, liquid, hazardous, etc.) Wastewater Disposal Transportation Accidents and Unplanned Events 55. The Contractor shall be responsible for the safety of all activities on the site. The Contractor shall comply with the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) appended to Contract Documents and should follow up on its implementation in addition to the preservation of the archeological assets during implementation and the coordination with archeological department when required. 56. In case of the contractor non-compliance to the ESMF the Environmental Liabilities to Contractor Section 5 and bidding documents conditions govern. Operation Phase 57. Based on experience in previous projects there are concerns most typical in the operation of subprojects, primarily in the education and health sectors. General issues during operation include:  Availability of functioning and maintained sanitation facilities (sometimes not functioning due to a water shortage);  Improper disposal of municipal wastewater; (e.g. establishments such as schools or healthcare units may dispose their wastewater in percolation pits without conducting an assessment of the surrounding environment, so it is important to identify its sensitivity and accordingly whether there are potential environmental and/or public health risks); and  Improper management of municipal solid waste generated by the subproject (and other potential sources). This usually results in the accumulation of municipal waste on or around the subproject premises/area. 17 Table 5: Operational Activities and Potential Impacts Significant Environmental and Social Issues Project Construction Agricultural Water Air Cultural and Socio- Activities Resources Resources Quality Historical economic Resources Conditions Transportation Power Generation  Water Supply Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Wastewater Collection and Disposal Educational Training Production Investments and  Landscape Irrigation Accident and Unplanned Events  Overall Project Development 18 Environmental and Social Management Framework Introduction 58. These Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) are technical day-to-day guide for implementing PNGOIV-AF in the environmentally and socially responsible manner and with full preservation of cultural heritage of the region. It provides guidance for screening sub- project proposals for the risks of deteriorating natural environment, damaging cultural heritage, and resulting in negative social impacts. Based on the outcome of risk identification, ESMF offers two formats for environmental, cultural heritage, and social review and for planning mitigation measures. ESMF also carry uniform templates to facilitate conducting subproject screening, review, and environmental and social management planning for infrastructure sectors. Subproject Screening and Approval 59. Environmental Screening (Table1 below) and Social Screening (Table 7) would take place at an early stage of the PNGO IV-AF subproject cycle. The screening and review process will be conducted by the Project Officers. While risks associated with various subproject may vary from high or low risk, all of them are expected to fall under environmental Category B. The screening will exclude subprojects that might trigger category “A� subprojects, physical cultural heritage per the World Bank Operational Policy 4.11 specific to Physical Cultural Resources, and World Bank Operational Policy 4.12 related to Involuntary Resettlement. Table 6: Environmental Screening and Classification of Subprojects (A) IMPACT IDENTIFICATION Section A – Basic Information Project Title: Project Sector: Duration: NDC officer: Environmental Specialist: Has the subproject a tangible impact on the environment? 19 What are the significant beneficial and adverse environmental effects of the subproject? Does the subproject have any significant potential impact on the local or affected communities? What impact has the subproject on the human health? (B) MITIGATION MEASURES What alternatives to the subproject design have been considered and what mitigation measures are proposed? What lessons from the previous similar subprojects have been incorporated into the project design? Have concerned communities been involved and have their interests and knowledge been adequately taken into consideration in subproject preparation? (C) CATEGORIZATION AND CONCLUSION Conclusion of the environmental screening: 1. Subproject is declined 2. Subproject is accepted If accepted, and based on risk assessment, subproject preparation requires: 1. Completion of the Environmental Management Checklist For subprojects of sector 2. Environmental Review, including following the approved Environmental Management Plan for sector. 20 Table 7: Social and Cultural Resource Screening of Subprojects Social safeguards screening information Yes No 1 Will the project reduce other people’s access to their economic resources, such as land, pasture, water, public services or other resources that they depend on? 2 Will the project result in resettlement of individuals or families or require the acquisition of land (public or private, temporarily or permanently) for its development? 3 Will the project result in the temporary or permanent loss of crops, fruit trees and Household infra-structure (such as granaries, outside toilets and kitchens, etc.)? If the answer to any above question is “Yes�, then OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement is applicable and the subproject is ineligible. If the Answer for all the above is "No", please fill in the followings; Required Documentation Yes No 4 Is the information related to the affiliation and ownership status of the subproject site available and verifiable? 5 If there is voluntary land donation, is documentation provided and have the WB procedures been followed as outlined on page 27 of the ESMF? Cultural resources safeguard screening information Yes No 6 Will the project require excavation near any historical, archaeological or cultural heritage site? If answer to question 6 is “Yes�, then OP/BP 4.11Physical Cultural Resources is applicable and possible chance finds must be handled in accordance with OP/BP and relevant procedures provided in the Environmental and Social Management Framework. 60. The screening process including documentations, checklists( Table3 below), and site-specific Environment and Social Review in order to verify sector ESMPs for which is detailed in the NDC Operations Manual. 21 Table 8: Environmental and Social Management Checklist for Small Construction and Rehabilitation Activities NGO: …………………………..… Project Name:…………………………...... Date:……………………………………... Safeguards / Mitigation # Impact to check Yes No Remarks measure/s carried on 1 Noise/alarm generation 2 Dust spreading out 3 Odor emission Traffic problems (hindering, detours, 4 closure …etc.) 5 Solid Waste Services problems 6 Sewerage Services problems 7 Water Services problems 8 Green cover negatively affected 9 Pedestrians' safety endangered 10 Electricity services problems Landscape / aesthetic element/s 11 deteriorated Natural Resources negatively 12 affected 13 Biodiversity & Wildlife threatened 14 Recreational sites negatively affected Heritage and archaeological sites 15 negatively affected Agricultural activities negatively 16 affected 17 Industrial utilities negatively affected Workers safety and health 18 considered Workers commitment to OHS (vests, 19 gloves, HD wearing apparel ….. etc.) 20 Working machines suitability 12 Additional Impact( Add it) 22 NGO: …………………………..… Project Name:…………………………...... Date:……………………………………... 22. Comments: ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23. Recommendations: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………….……………………………………………………… Environmental Specialist Signature Date 61. A standard appraisal and mitigation matrix will be part of the specifications for the contractor and will form the basis of regular monitoring. The ESMP matrix based on the sectors and consisting of phases, and potential environmental and social impacts, if any, due to the project, mitigation measures, operation and supervision (see Annex1). 62. From previous experience within PNGO IV projects, the risks associated with various subproject may vary, all of them are expected to fall under environmental Category B which may carry relatively higher or lower risks. Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan Objectives and Features 63. The objective of the ESMP is to cater to the environmental and social needs of the PNGO IV-AF in a simple, responsive and cost effective manner that will not unnecessarily overload or impede the project cycle. The ESMP outlines the measures needed to address the issues identified in the ESIA. Moreover, the ESMP demonstrates proposed monitoring activities that encompass all major impacts and identify how they will be integrated into project supervision. The following activities to be carried out are outlined in the ESMP:  Main environmental and social mitigation measures;  Environmental and Social training and capacity program; and  Environmental and social monitoring. 64. The ESMP is also considered the base of the environmental and social audit of selected projects and an assessment of the potential impacts and mitigation measures. This ESMP has been prepared based 23 on the existing environmental and social situations and the auditing requirements. Based on the audit and assessment of the projects, the ESMP highlighted the following elements:  Site-specific environmental and social screening review and assessment of key environmental issues.  Identify linkages to other safeguard policies relating to the project.  Ensure adequate consultation during the assessment process.  Develop an Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan.  Develop methodologies and procedures to be applied in context of the ESMP  Grouping the sub-projects into sectors: Water and Agriculture, Water and Environment, Environment, water supply and sanitation 65. The ESMP is prepared in compliance with the Palestinian environmental laws, Municipal bylaws and World Bank safeguard Operation policies OP.4.01, OP.4.11,O.P4.09 and OP4.12. The ESMP provides tools for the evaluation and management of the impacted environmental and social parameters and they are:  Dust and gases emissions,  Noise,  Water (wastewater, surface water discharge, storm water),  Natural Resource, Forests and Biodiversity Areas,  Physical and cultural resources such as archeological places,  Construction waste,  Accidental risks, and  Vulnerable Atheistic, and loss of vegetation  Land use 66. The risks and negative impacts of the proposed PNGO IV-AF projects can be minimized by addressing mitigation measures during construction and post-construction operation phases. Annex 1 presents matrices detailing representation of the environmental and social impacts typically associated with the type of projects. These environmental matrices show the expected impacts covered by the projects and list the mitigation measures proposed to be implemented during and after the construction of the projects. ESMP should be included in the project design and reflected in the project document. Safeguard Risks Associated With Subprojects 67. Certain types of small-scale projects can be considered of high risk (e.g. new rural roads, waste treatment plants) while others can be considered low risk (rehabilitation of wells and boreholes, construction of classrooms). High-risk subprojects are those that require a site specific EA and SA or detailed ESMP because they present potential adverse environmental and social risks. Low-risk subprojects are those that have minimal to no impacts and can be managed through the insertion of environmental check list and clauses within the construction and supervision contracts. Some types of projects such as training and capacity building or dissemination of toolkits and school accessories do not present any risk and can be appraised without any safeguard measures. 24 Table 9: Safeguard Risks Expected By the PNGO IV-AF Possible Investment PNGO IV-AF investments No risk Low risk High risk Education  Construction of classrooms x  Teacher housing x  Fencing x  Provision of classroom furnishings X  School supplies and medical kits X  Laboratories X  Sports fields/recreation facilities x  Functional adult literacy activities X Water Supply  Water point rehabilitation X  Tertiary distribution piping x  Rehabilitation of wells and springs x  Spring protection X  Community reservoirs X  Drainage canals x  Water harvesting facility X  Water treatment plant (house and community units) X  Hand pumps and mechanized boreholes x  Gravity water schemes x Sanitation and Waste Management  Washing facilities x  Public toilets/ pit latrines x  Sewerage facilities and collection X  Sewage treatment units X  Soak pits and septic tanks x  Waste disposal facility X  Solid waste landfill X  Wastewater systems X Health  Construction of health centers X  Healthcare waste management X  Dispensaries X  Emergency rooms X  Maternity clinics X  Health control centers X  Laboratories X Transportation, Communication and Energy  Tertiary and secondary level roads X  Primary level culverts and bridges X  Footpaths X  Rural telephone X  Rural electrical distribution X  Retaining walls X 25 PNGO IV-AF investments No risk Low risk High risk  Public Parks & Recreation Centers  Plantation X  Swimming pools X  Land use X Environmental and Social Mitigation and Auditing 68. The primary objective of environmental and social management framework is to define the necessary mitigation measures that would be considered / implemented at the various stages of project implementation (design, construction and post construction). The type and magnitude of the impacts vary from one sub-project to another depending on the scale, local hosting environment and tools adopted for physical implementation. 69. At the subproject selection stage, an audit of environment and social issues will be prepared. The questionnaire will cover public and environmental health, water and sanitation, solid waste, noise and psychological comfort, land use, air pollution and public safety. In addition, a Technical Audit including the environmental and social audit of a sample of implemented sub-projects will be carried by a consultant recruited by the NDC at different project stages. 70. Annex1 presents matrices detailing representation of the environmental and social impacts typically associated with the type of projects of PNGO IV-AF. These environmental matrices show the expected impacts covered by the projects, sector wise, and list the mitigation measures proposed to be implemented during and after the construction of the projects. Implementation Arrangements Environmental and Social Liabilities of NDC Contractors 71. The ESMFs must be included in the tender documentation, so that potential bidders are aware of environmental and social performance standards expected from them and are able to reflect that in their bids. 72. Provisional environmental management guidelines for construction of roads; to be implemented also as per stated in Annex2. Moreover, the bidding documents will have a section for ESMF compliance where breakdown for the cost of each mitigation measure noncompliance will be attached. 73. The ESMF becomes an essential part of a works contract upon its conclusion and their implementation is mandatory for a contractor. The NGO, as an owner of construction works, will be responsible for enforcing compliance of contractor with the terms of the contract, including adherence to the ESMF. 74. For minor infringements and social complaints, an incident which causes temporary but reversible damage, the contractor will be given environmental and social note/ stop and alert to remedy the problem 26 and to restore the environment. If reviewing the action by the NGO Coordinator showed that restoration is done satisfactorily no further actions will be taken. 75. If it is not done during this given time, the NGO Coordinator in cooperation with Local Technical Consultant will stop the work and give the contractor an environmental and social note and financial penalty according to the non-complied mitigation measure depicted in the biding document and the following Table. This penalty will be deducted from Contractor final invoice. Noting that if reviewing the action by the NGO Coordinator showed that restoration is done satisfactorily no further actions will be taken, otherwise and if Contractor hasn’t remedied the situation within 1 day any additional days of stopping work will be considered no excused delay. 76. If repeating the noncompliance to ESMF penalties approached (3-5) % of the contract value, the NGO Coordinator will raise the formal recorded environmental and social notes and the deduction history to NDC in order to take a legal action. Considering that bidding document will ensure good explanation of deduction method. Environmental and Social Note No ( ) NGO Date Project Name Site Location Contractor The Environmental Note NGO Coordinator Local Technical Consultant Contractor Representative on time of note Submitted to Contractor Representative Submitted to NDC on Hour Date ESMF Compliance Penalty 4 No Environmental Penalty and Social Note 4 For Social issues only item number 1 is applied. 27 2 2 Stop/Alert 1 1 Stop /Deduct 0.05% for each mitigation measure5 according to the project. and minimum 20 Euro 3 3 Stop /Deduct 0.05% for each mitigation measure according to the project. and minimum 20 Euro 4 4 Stop /Deduct 0.1% for each mitigation measure according to the project. and minimum 40 Euro 5 4+1 Each 3 notes + deduction: For example: Stop /Deduct 0.1%+0.5(0.1%) for each mitigation measure according to the project. and minimum 60Euro If Penalties Rate approach 3% of Contract cost it is recommended to stop work, and send official request to NDC of the proposed action according to bidding documents and procurement manual. Environmental and Social Monitoring Environmental and Social Monitoring 77. Environmental and social monitoring will be an integral part of NDC’s supervisory work in the course of the project implementation. The NDC (Project Officers and or LTCs) and NGO Coordinator will be responsible to ensure that contractors work are familiar with ESMFand instruct workers/personnel on the compliance with the ESMF and the project sector ESMP. The concerned NGO and NDC will conduct regular on-site monitoring of civil works to verify contractors’ adherence to the requirements set out in ESMFs following Environmental and Social Liabilities of NDC Contractors. Figure1 depicts the PNGO IV-AF Project Implementation stages, monitoring and reporting. 78. Checklist attached in Table 8 is utilized to facilitate comparing environmental and social mitigation measures recorded in the appraisal stage and what is implemented on ground. 79. The appraisal process will inform the appraisal team on the sub-projects that will require mitigation measures during implementation. For each sub-project approved under component 1, the POs with the guidance of the NDC Environmental Specialist will check the impact parameters and will advise on the mitigation measures for each of the impacts. Any cost implications will be recorded and will be financed from the grant awarded to the NGO. The mitigation measures and the associated costs will become part of the EMP for the sub-project which will be monitored during the implementation. 80. Environmental and social sections of progress reports on the project implementation will include detailed reporting of the status of environmental and social performance under the PNGO IV-AF cycle, including overview of deviations/violations of ESMPs encountered over the report period, instructions given to the contractors for addressing incompliance and identified issues, and follow-up actions on the revealed outstanding matters. 5 Detailed mitigation measures noncompliance cost is to be depicted in the Bidding Documents based on the project sector and upon screening and review. 28 Figure 1NDC Project Implementation Chart Environmental and Social Capacity Building and Training Program 81. The NDC project officers’ related training would be arranged within NDC capacity building plan, while training to NGOs Coordinators on proper implementation of environmental and social requirements process, roles and responsibilities will be fulfilled under Local Technical Consultant support during project stages. With the support of LTCs, NGOs will also liaise with Stakeholders, Beneficiaries, and Contractors to carry out similar workshop tailored. Workshop will be conducted both in the West Bank and in Gaza. The NDC social specialist will also participate to select training sessions for the different target groups . 82. The table below shows a provision of the proposed seminars/ workshop that seen to be held for the different levels during the project implementation stages. 29 Table10: Proposed Training Sessions Target By Whom6 Notes Workshop/ Seminars Group NGOs  Training session on the planning and design of  LTC Coordinators environmental and social protection schemes. contracted by and POs  Training session on implementation of NDC environmental and social protection schemes.  LTC contracted by NDC Beneficiaries  Training session on implementation of  NGOs and environmental and social protection schemes. Stakeholders  An orientation session on the monitoring of the implementation environmental and social guidelines and mitigation measures. Contractors  Training session on:  NGOs  The use of the mitigation form and environmental and social guidelines.  The implementation of mitigation measures.  Safety measures for construction workers.  Waste management and cleaning measures during construction. Public Consultation and Complaints Mechanism Environmental and Social Consultation 83. NDC will have the responsibility of reviewing and assessing the environmental and social feasibility of the proposed sub-projects. This will be carried out by NDC PO who has prior experience from previous projects including but will receive additional environment and Social specific orientation and training during the life of the project. 84. NDC will also liaise with key stakeholders including the recipient NGOs and if required with the MENA for Projects where required according to the Palestinian Environmental Strategy. Moreover, PWA will be consulted regarding water projects if required. NDC will also liaise with the appropriate officials from the Department of Antiquities at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities where needed. Environmental and social assessment (EA and SA) takes place during the second stage of the project life cycle (preparation of project document). Projects classified under category "B" would be subjected to a simple EA, where to identify and include the relevant mitigation measures. Mitigation measures indicated in the 6 The NDC social specialist will also participate to select training sessions for the different target groups. 30 Public Consultations 85. Three project consultation sessions were organized on March 28, 2013 (one for the North West Bank NGOs, one for the South West Bank NGOs and one in Gaza) in order to get feedback and input on the AF design and components, as well as on the ESMF. The consultations were conducted by the NDC team in addition to the external environmental consultant, who all have previous experience with consultations as part of PNGO IV. 86. Participants included a diverse set of stakeholders such as NGOs, CBOs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Municipalities from the likely targeted geographic poor areas. Around 59 people attended the different consultations with a considerable number of women and youth. Powerpoints presentations were prepared and presented during the sessions to the participants. 87. The following table presents some details on the venue of the consultations, the date, the time and the number of attendants. Location Date Time No of attendants Gaza 28/3/2012 10:00 - 10:30 24 Jerusalem and South 28/3/2012 09:00 – 10:30 17 Ramallah and North 28/3/2012 12:00 – 12:30 18 88. The consultation sessions were interactive and were highly appreciated by the attendants as they were given the opportunity to contribute to the design of the project and to learn more about the World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards. The participants welcomed the newly proposed Coordinated Approach to project’s implementation especially that it maximizes the impact of the interventions on the lives of the beneficiaries. They have also given examples of how integrated activities can be designed. Furthermore, the participants welcomed the idea that small and medium size NGOs/CBOs will be targeted and appreciated the criteria for targeting that would help identify the poorest and most marginalized communities. The presence of a representative from the Ministry of Social Affairs at one of the consultation sessions who provided information about the CTP was also very highly welcomed by the participants. The MOSA representative expressed willingness and readiness to provide access to their CTP database to help NGOs with their targeting and the design of their proposals. One issue raised by some of the larger NGOs who work in several sectors was whether or not they can apply alone for the grants allocated to the Coordinated Approach. It was explained that they still needed to partner with other NGOs if they wanted to apply for the Coordinated Approach. 89. No major concerns were raised regarding the ESMF but on the contrary participants welcomed this attention to environmental safeguards. This was particularly true since the AF, and similar to the current PNGOIV project, will only include small-scale infrastructure projects, such as household cisterns, house rehabilitation works, and rehabilitation of agricultural roads. 90. The detailed inquiries and comments are summarized in the minutes of the meeting “Annex “. The ESMF will be disclosed in Arabic and English on NDC website. 31 Complaints Mechanism 91. A complaints mechanism has been developed to receive, record and respond to complaints as follows:  Contact Person to Respond to Complaints: o The NDC Grants Program Manager will be responsible for managing and reporting to the Bank (i.e. via semi-annual reports) on overall complaints related to the AF. o In addition, all NGOs, receiving grants for component 1 and component 2, will assign someone in the NGO to be responsible for managing complaints related to the grants.  Public Awareness of Where to Address Complaints: o As it is important for the public to be aware of who to contact in case of a complaint or concern, it was agreed that NDC will provide its contact information (via fax) on promotional materials (website and brochures) as well as in documents related to the Calls for Proposals. o For community complaints related to the grants, the NGOs receiving grants will provide their contact information in public places (i.e. brochures, websites, etc.).  Timing of Response: o Irrespective of whether NDC or grantee NGOs/CBOs are responding to complaints, an initial response, that acknowledge receipt of the complaint, will be made within one week and a final response within two weeks after receiving the complaint however, large issues, that require a longer response time, will be granted more time. For issues that cannot be resolved at the local level by the grantee NGOs/CBOs, the NGO will immediately contact NDC for assistance to resolve the issue.  Log of Complaints: o For complaints received by NDC or grantee NGOs/CBOs, complaints will be recorded in a log, which details information such as: (1) the date the complaint was received, (2) the date on which the complaint was responded to, (3) reason for the complaint, (4) how the complaint was resolved, (5) when it was resolved, etc. For complaints recorded by grantee NGOs/CBOs, they will provide the log to NDC as part of their quarterly report. 32 Baseline Information 92. The baseline information for Gaza Strip and West Bank describing potential environmental and social issues are listed in Annex 3 of this report. These issues are:  Climate  Available water resources and water quality  Air quality  Transportation  Noise  Vegetation cover  Natural habits and sanctuaries  Marine life resources  Agricultural resources  Resettlements  Employment and income  Culture and heritage  Recreation and tourism  Safety and occupational health  Public health 33 Annexes Annex1: Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan Matrices Annex2: Environmental Management Guidelines for Contractors (provisional to Construction in Roads) Annex3: Environmental and Social Issues and Baseline Information Annex4: Summary of Public Consultations 34 Annex 1 Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan Matrices Potential Negative Mitigation Responsibility for Monitoring Procedures Monitoring and Impact Measures Execution and Measures Enforcement Responsibility Lack of accuracy in Specify accurate Project Management Ensure adjustment of the Project determining the technical technical technical specifications Management Team specifications of the specifications with before submitting the material for the cisterns, regards to the tender and on handover treatment units and road quality of used construction. materials Lack of comprehensive Training farmers Project Management Preparation of suitable Project training material and and beneficiaries and supervising training material for its Management Team. awareness campaignsto on dealing with the engineers. proper use and benefit by Agricultural and farmers and beneficiaries treatment units the beneficiaries. engineering especially those related to safely. extension agent the management of Regular agricultural and Beneficiary farmers. available water and the Training of farmers engineering extension improper handling of grey and beneficiaries visits to the beneficiary water treatment units. on management, farmers and conducting optimal use and awareness campaigns conservation of water resources. Training of farmers on the safe use and handling of chemicals and fertilizers. The use of safety measures for the production of harmless product for consumption. Possibility of dumping the Environmental Project Management Substitution by alternative Project construction Awareness and agricultural and sub-sites Management Team. material waste near Campaigns engineering for such purpose; Agricultural and the site neighborhood in supervisor. engineering an illegal way byfarmers Contractor Permitting and licensing by extension agent andbeneficiaries including responsible of relevantlegal bodies / local Beneficiary farmers the improper disposal of implementation councils. and families. the waste and construction Local council / material of cisterns and municipality roads. Lack of accuracy in the To take into Project Management Ensure Compliance with Project development of consideration the the conditions set for the Management Team. appropriate designs for the types of crops to suitable designs ( Beneficiary new cisterns and grey be grown using according to the type of Farmers. water treatment units water available crops and climate 35 Potential Negative Mitigation Responsibility for Monitoring Procedures Monitoring and Impact Measures Execution and Measures Enforcement Responsibility from the new conditions) established treatment units. Consider quality of water in the cisterns and treated grey water. Consider the climate conditions prevailing in the area. Accidents and injuries Follow the safety Contractor Ensure compliance with Project during construction and measures. responsible of the safety terms and Management Team. installation cisterns and Workers to wear implementation instructions treatment units. suitable clothing Noise due Working hours Contractor Adjacentcommunities/ Project To construction, loading and days responsible of areas complaints Management Team. and unloading of complying implementation material from or to the with the labor law site in Palestine Land Use (Property Avoid any use of Project Management Ensure Compliance with Project Rights) private land if there and Contractor the conditions set for Management Team. are no verifiable responsible of verifiable documents for documents for land implementation land ownership ownership Accidental excavation of Stop construction Contractor Ensure Compliance with Project cultural heritage and activities. the conditions set Management Team. archeological assets / Immediately notify Additional survey for Uncovered historical and Ministry of potential sites cultural heritage assets Tourism and Monitoring of site Antiquities excavation (MOTA). 36 Annex 2 Environmental Management Guidelines for Contractors (provisional to Construction in Roads) Purpose The purpose of these environmental management guidelines for contractors is to define minimum standards of construction practice acceptable to the NDC. Roads In order to carry out the rehabilitation works, it may be necessary to close or divert certain specified roads, either permanently or temporarily during the construction period. The contractor should arrange diversions for providing alternative route for transport and/or pedestrians. However, the contractor would also need to ascertain in that case that any access or diversion road is not constructed on private land. As part of the sub-project approval, the NDC should obtain a copy of the tile of the land form the municipalities to ascertain that the sub-projects are in public land. In case land tile is not available, an official letter should be obtained to that effect. After breaking up, closing or otherwise interfering with any street or footpath to which the public has access, the Contractor shall make such arrangements as may be reasonably necessary so as to cause as little interference with the traffic in that street or footpath during construction of the rehabilitation works as shall be reasonably practicable. Wherever the rehabilitation works interfere with existing public or private roads or other ways over which there is a public or private right of way for any traffic, the Contractor shall construct diversion ways wherever possible. Movement of Trucks and Construction Machinery The Contractor moving solid or liquid construction materials and waste shall take strict measures to minimize littering of roads by ensuring that vehicles are loaded in such a manner as to prevent falling off or spilling of construction materials and by sheeting the sides and tops of all vehicles carrying mud, sand, other materials and debris. Traffic Safety Measures The Contractor shall provide, erect and maintain such traffic signs, road markings, barriers and traffic control signals and such other measures as may be necessary for ensuring traffic safety around the rehabilitation site. The Contractor shall not commence any work that affects the public motor roads and highways until all traffic safety measures necessitated by the work are fully operational. Access across the Construction Site and to Frontages In carrying out the rehabilitation works, the Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent or reduce any disturbance or inconvenience to the owners, tenants or occupiers of the adjacent properties, and to the public generally. The Contractor shall maintain any existing right of way across the whole or part of the rehabilitation site and public and private access to adjoining frontages in a safe condition and to a standard not less than that pertaining at the commencement of the contract. If required, the 37 Contractor shall provide acceptable alternative means of passage or access to the satisfaction of the persons affected. Protection of the Existing Installations The Contractor shall properly safeguard all buildings, structures, works, services or installations from harm, disturbance or deterioration during the concession period. The Contractor shall take all necessary measures required for the support and protection of all buildings, structures, pipes, cables, sewers and other apparatus during the concession period, and to repair any damage occurs in coordination with NGO and concerned authorities. Noise and Dust Control The Contractor shall take all practicable measures to minimize nuisance from dust and noise from the rehabilitation sites. This includes:  Respecting normal working hours in or close to residential areas;  Maintaining equipment in a good working order to minimize extraneous noise from mechanical vibration, creaking and squeaking, as well as emissions or fumes from the machinery;  Shutting down equipment when it is not directly in use. Regarding Dust control, contractor is asked to provide a water tanker, and apply water spraying when required to minimize the impact of dust. Waste Disposal The Contractor must agree with the NGO about arrangements for construction waste disposal. The NGO shall designate a dumping site or landfill for the disposal of solid waste. . Protection of Trees and Other Vegetation The Contractor shall avoid loss of trees and damage to other vegetation wherever possible. Adverse effects on green cover within or in the vicinity of the rehabilitation site shall be minimized. Clearance of Rehabilitation Site on Completion The Contractor shall clear up all working areas both within and outside the rehabilitation site and accesses as work proceeds and when no longer required for the carrying out of the Rehabilitation works. All surplus soil and materials, sheds, offices and temporary fencing shall be removed, post holes filled and the surface of the ground restored as near as practicable to its original condition. 38 Annex3 Environmental and Social Issues and Baseline Information  Environmental Issues and Project Impacts This section summarizes the environmental and social baseline and potential impacts of the PNGO IV- AF subprojects. Environmental and social issues to be addressed in this section are as follows: o Climate o Available water resources and water quality o Air quality o Transportation o Noise o Vegetables o Natural habits o Marine life resources o Agricultural resources o Resettlements o Employment and income o Culture and heritage o Recreation and tourism o Safety and occupational health o Public health o Employment and Poverty  Climate Existing Condition 1. Gaza Strip: Gaza Strip is characterized by semi-arid climate. The average daily temperature ranges between 250C in the summer to 13 0C in the winter. The daily average wind speed ranges between 3.9 m\s to 4.2 in the summer and winter respectively. The temperature in the West Bank varies according to the geological position, altitude, and exposure r to marine influences. Generally, the average temperature in summer varies between 20 and 30 0C reaching a maximum of 43 0C and the average temperature in winter is about 11 0C, reaching as low as –3 0C. Wind direction is predominantly from the west and northwest as a speed of 10-13 knots, respectively. Wind speeds blowing from the south range from 3-5 knots. 2. West Bank: The climate of the West Bank is of the Mediterranean type with moderate summers and warm winters. The mean annual temperature in the West Bank is 22.3C and the mean annual minimum is 15.6C. The mean temperature from June to August is 25C. This value increases to an average of 26.2C in August. From 1992 until 2004, the highest maximum temperature measured was 41.4C at 2 pm on May 12, 39 1996. In winter, the area is influenced by warm air from the sea. The average temperature from December to February is 11.8C. The coldest days of the year come in January with an average of 11C. The above characterize the average temperatures in the eight project governorates in the West Bank. The rainy season in the West Bank usually starts in October and continues through May. Between December and February, almost 70% of the annual rainfall occurs, while 20% of the annual rainfall occurs in October and November. December and January are normally the wettest months. The amount of the annual rainfall in the eight governorates varies from year to year and rain may fall with great intensity in wet years. In the West Bank, the wind direction mainly lies between the southwest and the northwest with mean annual wind speed of 3.4 km/hr. In winter, the area is influenced by the depressions passing from west to east over the Mediterranean. These depressions bring westerly rain bearing winds. The average wind speed from December to February is 4.1km/hr. In summer, the West Bank is influenced by the sea breeze that comes from west in the morning. Towards noon, winds change their direction to southeast and later in the evening they turn to south and southwest. The average wind speed from June to August is 2.85 km/hr. In September and October, winds are more northerly with an average wind speed of 2.78 km/hr. In spring, the Khamaseen, desert storm, may occur during the period from April to June. During the Khamaseen, the temperature increases, the humidity decreases, and the atmosphere becomes hazy with dust of desert origin. The mean daily wind speed from April to June is 3.2 km/hr. Impacts Given the small scale of potential subprojects under PNGO IV-AF, no impacts are anticipated on the climate. Available Water Resources and Water Quality Existing Condition 1. Gaza Strip: In Gaza Strip groundwater aquifer is the only source of fresh water, which is severely polluted, mainly by salt water, nitrates and other pollutants. Gaza Strip is in critical situation that requires immediate and concerted efforts to improve the water situation in terms of quality and quantity. Demand greatly exceeds water supply and very limited water supplied for domestic use is portable. Chloride concentration varies from 30 to 1500 mg ∕I with an average of 400 mg ∕I. Nitrate concentration varies from 13 to 380mg ∕Iwith an average of 110mg ∕I. The only major fresh water way is the Wadi Gaza ; water flows in Wadi Gaza few days a year, during heavy storms. The rest of the year, it is mainly a conduit for sewage effluent and dumping ground for various types of refuse. 40 2. West Bank: The major resources available existing in the West Bank are the Jordan River and the West Bank Aquifer System rainfall is the source of all water resource in the West Bank. The mean annual rainfall as a long-term average ranges between 500 and 600 mm with and average volume of about 3000 MCM∕yr infiltrates into the soil and rock strata to recharge the ground water basin. Palestinians have access to only about 20% of these figures. The second resource in the West Bank is the Jordan River. Of 1470 MCM annual flow; very minor quantity reaches the Palestinian riparian in the West Bank, which is of bad quality. The deterioration of Jordan River water quality is attributed to the upstream utilization by other riparian and to Saline springs which are diverted by Israel into the Lower Jordan River. In the West Bank, generally, the water quality is much better than in Gaza Strip and it is not an issue except for some springs with regards to salinity, hardness, and fecal coliform. The average chloride concentration is about 150 mg∕1 and the average nitrate concentration is about 43 mg∕1. Impacts Water projects are not anticipated under PNGOIV.. Road projects increase runoff quantities and reduce direct infiltration of rainwater to the aquifer due to increasing improved surfaces. Air Quality Existing Condition Compared to other environmental issues within Gaza Strip, air quality is not considered to be a priority. With the exception of fugitive particulate emissions, the ambient air quality appears to be acceptable. This is because Gaza Strip is well ventilated with ample dispersion of emissions from the primary air emissions sources, namely trucks and automobiles. Wind are either from the Mediterranean or from Negev desert, neither of which is a source of anthropogenic emissions. Particulate matter appears to be principally in the form of dust from disturbed surfaces. The streets, paved and unpaved, are sources of particulates that are entrained into the air from motor vehicle tries and the wind. This occurs because the streets are not cleaned, there is little ground cover, and street drainage is poor, resulting in thick layers of silt deposits. The West Bank, which houses few heavy industries, suffers from substantial air pollution especially in the main urban areas and their vicinities. More than 90% of pollution is a result of human activities. The increase in population of the West Bank, the expanding of industrial activities, and the transboundary air pollutants are key factors to the deterioration of air quality in the West Bank. The lack of preventive legislation, codes and regulation to protect the environmental leads to the heightening of the effect of the human activities on air pollution. Climate and topography play a crucial role in transmitting air pollutants from one place to another. Among the most common and dangerous air pollutants in the West Bank are sulfur dioxide(SO2), suspended particulate matter (dust), nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon oxides (COX) and lead (Pb). Impacts In case of building projects, the impacts on air quality will be limited to construction period. These impacts were limited to construction time and were localized within the project area. During operation, no impacts are anticipated. Road projects reduce dust generated from unpaved roads generated by motor vehicles and people. On 41 the other hand, they have minor negative impacts since they increase air pollution by emitting Carbon Monoxide(CO) due to additional traffic. Transportation Existing Condition the road network in Gaza Strip, which totals approximately 3,219 linear km in year 2007, consists of a poorly developed and largely neglected road system. Regional (north-south) transportation is limited to Salah El-Dean Road or Road # 4. Agricultural road networks do not exist. The same condition exists in the West Bank. Transportation is the largest contributor to pollution that affect air quality in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its impacts are seen in the poor air quality along roadsides and degradation of buildings along traveled roads. The impacts of transportation can be fairly well estimated by knowing the number of vehicles operating in the West Bank, along with traffic and road conditions. At least 69,296tons of CO2 3,860tons of SOx 3,666tons of NOx , 6512tons of hydrocarbons (HC) volatile organic compounds and 257tons of lead were emitted to the West Bank atmosphere in 1997 considering the number of registered cars only. Added to this, there are approximately 36,500 settlers cars in the West Bank which estimated to emit 11,483 tons of CO2 1,185 tons of SOx ,1,299 tons of HC and 80 tons of lead to the West Bank's atmosphere. Impacts In general, the micro projects under PNGO IV-AFare of a very small scale to cause any environmental impact. Minor localized impacts were limited to traffic disturbance during construction. Improvement of roads is expected to increase traffic flow to certain areas, which may locally increase most of the above- mentioned emissions but will reduce air pollution associated with dust due to unpaved roads. Noise Sources of noise pollution in Gaza Strip and the West Bank are mainly traffic and motor vehicles, construction of roads and buildings and industrial activities in addition to noise pollution resulting from Israeli military aircraft and military training activities. In Palestine, noise pollution from cars has increased since there has been no improvement in the road system and the number of cars rises by about 12% every year leaving the system more crowded. Noise pollution is also increased because most of the vehicles are old and not in good working conditions. Moreover, it is the habit of the people to use their horns frequently specially in traffic jams. In many places, vehicles noise pollution is exacerbated by the topography of the West Bank; vehicles produce greater noise as they work to climb hills. For security reasons, there are checkpoints both at the entrance to Israel and in many places between areas inside the West Bank. These checkpoints interrupt the flow of traffic and cause areas of intense vehicles noise especially when the frustration level rises and horns are used. Industries add to the noise pollution since they are unregulated and often operating below the standards. Many of the industrial facilities in Gaza Strip and West Bank are located near or within residential areas, making the noise a problem for neighbors. Road and building construction add great amounts of noise to life in the commercial centers, neighborhoods and rural areas. 42 Impacts In case of sewage, water, and building projects, the noise impacts were limited to construction period due to construction machineries. These impacts were limited to construction time and were localizes within the project area. During operation no impacts are anticipated. Road projects have minor negative impacts since they increase noise due to additional traffic. These negative impacts can be minimized by applying proper mitigation measures and follow up the environmental management plan. Vegetation Existing Condition Palestine contains 113 families of flora with 2,392 species. Undisturbed vegetation hardly exists in entire Gaza Strip due to the fact that most of the land uses is dominated by urban and agricultural use. The overpopulation has resulted in tense development and pollution pressures and in the over-exploitation of Gaza's natural resources. The coastal dunes have somewhat higher species richness than other areas. The eastern plains, which receive only 150 to 300 mm of rainfall annually, are characterized by patchy dwarf shrub vegetation adapted to the loess soils and extreme temperatures. The cultivated species of agricultural are directly contributing and supporting the major agricultural income for the Palestinian economy. The economic value of several biological uses could be; Food and ; Plants (the West Bank is rich with plants that gave different medical values, such as herbs, gums and resin plants). Forest Plants and forests covers approximately 51.5 km2 of the areas of the West Bank). The beauty of wild flora in the West Bank gives a significant ornamental importance to the area. Impacts Directly, improving water and waste water services would increase the amount of wastewater available for treatment and thus, reuse in irrigation altering the vegetation. Construction of few structures and roads above ground has caused some disturbance to the vegetation within the immediate vicinity of footprints of these facilities. It is not anticipated the unique vegetation of special concern to be affected by these types of projects due to the scale issues. Natural Habitats Existing Condition Palestine has variety of habitats and consequently a wide range of fauna in Palestine consists of 67 families of birds of which 45 are of local breeds, 33 families of mammals, and 93 species of amphibians. The majority of the bird species seen in Gaza Strip are migratory, since the region is near a major migratory flyway from Africa to the Palestine Eurasia. As a result, dense bird population, representing approximately 185 species, can be found in Gaza Strip in the spring and fall(UNDP 1997 and PEPA, 1994). Two of the most abundant birds are crows and house sparrows, considered a nuisance to agriculture. In the West Bank approximately 470 species of birds are present in the West Bank. The 470 species of birds belong to 260 43 Genera, divided into more than 65 families and 21 orders. The number of mammalian species in Palestine reaches 113, including 27 different species of bats. Impacts Generally, in case of small-scale construction activities, the potential to destroy the habitat of various reptiles, mammals, or amphibians within the footprints of the construction sites were limited to construction stages. Bird species would be unlikely affected by operation of the assessed projects, since they have the ability to relocate more easily to similar, potentially, more distant habitats. Marine Life Resources Existing Condition Marine species of Gaza Strip consists primarily of fish resources, which are characterized by low densities due to the oligotrophic conditions of this part of the Mediterranean. More than 170 known Mediterranean fish species inhabit this coastal part; however, only seven percent of these are indigenous species. Marine fishery resources are of great importance to the population and contribute much to their income and sustainability. In addition to fish, approximately 250 species of macro-benthic organism are recorded in Gaza Strip coastal waters, to depth of 80 m. These include members of Mollusca, Crustacea, Polycheata. Impacts The assessed projects components do not have any significant impact on the marine life. Some positive impact is expected from waste water projects since less polluted water will be flowing to the sea. Resettlement Existing Condition The population of Gaza Strip is characterized by three distinct sectors: an urban population, a rural population, and a refugee camp population. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated the population of Gaza Strip to be approximately 1.5 million persons in 2009 (PCBS, 2009). The population density within the eight refugee camps is nearly 38,600∕ square km, placing it among the most densely populated areas in the world. Even the urban areas have population densities of approximately 4,073∕square km. The population of the West Bank is estimated at 2.4 million people (PCBS, 2009). The West Bank has a population density of approximately 433 indviduals∕km2. However, urban areas in the West Bank which are the focal point for almost 34% of the West Bank population suffer from higher population densities. The remaining 66% are distributed over more than 540 villages and hamlets and 18 refugee camps. Impacts Generally, the assessed micro projects were found to have positive environmental impacts on the issue of population and housing. Sewage lines projects are found to have great positive impacts regarding the overall environmental situation. It reduces the risk of pollution and waterborne diseases and reduces the daily work of women in cleaning and cloth washing by eliminating open space discharge of raw sewage where children are playing. Roads projects provide comfortable access to schools, mosques, and houses 44 without any problems. Although road and pavement projects may increase accidents risk due to traffic, it will improve the economic value of the land and encourage organized housing and small business in addition to better accessibility. Construction of classrooms and sanitation services for school enhances the educational process by providing more space and cleaner environment for students. This will give more opportunity for raising environmental awareness and education. Public Services Buildings improve the level provided by the Council and improve the cultural education, environmental awareness, and provide better services and regulation for the different categories of the community. Employment and Income Existing Condition The total workforce in West Bank and Gaza is estimated at 475,500by the year 2009. The standard unemployment rate is about 24.5% of the total work force while the adjusted unemployment rate is 44.7%.. Overall, loss of jobs in Israel has been the driving force behind the high unemployment figures. Prior to the implementation of mobility restrictions in October 2000, approximately 145,000 Palestinians were employed in Israel. These totals dropped to 61,000 by Q1-2002 and 33,000 by Q2-2002. Income loss from this decline in employment in Israel was substantial. In 1999, approximately 17 percent of Gross National Income came from Palestinians employed in Israel. By 2001, this share shrunk to 11 percent and diminished even further in 2002. Impact These types of projects provide some short-term and fewer long term job opportunities for local community. Sewage and water projects have great positive impacts on the overall environmental situation. This in turn reduce the expenditure on medication by reducing the risk of pollution and waterborne diseases. Road and pavement projects reduce the expenditure on vehicles maintenance. It also improves the economic values of land and creates more investment opportunities. Agricultural Resources Existing Condition Historically, agriculture functions as the main source of income in the Palestinian economy. However, Israel has imposed restrictions on the amount of fresh water that can be used by Palestinian farmers. As such, irrigated agriculture in the West Bank becomes limited comprising only approximately 5% of the entire cultivated area. In Gaza Strip, irrigated agriculture comprises about 45% of the cultivated land and consumes about 60% of the water abstraction from the over utilized polluted aquifer. Irrigated agriculture, however, is a source of environmental pollution because of extensive use of pesticides, fertilizers and plastic sheets. Farmers have used increasing doses of chemical at a persistent rate particularly in irrigated farming without knowing the negative effects of such practice. The intense use of chemicals can cause severe illness and death as well as soil and water contamination especially in Gaza shallow aquifer. With 45 the increase of population, demand for agricultural land increases while forests and grazing land gradually diminishes. This leads to further degradation of the environment. Impact Excavation and backfilling activities usually generate dust. The prevailing winds may carry the suspended matters around the construction site. This may affect the nearby crops as it reduces temporarily photosynthesis and causes flower falling during flowering stage. This impact is usually limited to construction stage. In the long run, pavement of roads will reduce dust generated from moving traffic over unpaved roads. Sewage and water supply projects would increase the potential of wastewater treatment and thus, reuse in agriculture. Cultural Heritage Existing Condition The geographical location of the Gaza Strip has contributed to its notable diverse history and heritage. Gaza Strip is located midway along the ancient sea highway connecting Egypt and the remainder of Africa to the south, with the land of Canaan and Asia to the north. This highway was referred to in Egyptian inscriptions as the "Horus Way", in the old testament as "The Way to the Land of `Philistines", and during the Greek and Roman period as "Via Maris", the sea way. The hundreds of settlements along the shore line west of the north-south highway or along the caravan road have left abroad range of archaeological evidence, representing the material culture of almost seven thousand years of history, and reflecting the influx of international material and influence. The West Bank (about 5,690 square km) is one of the most important historical parts of the world. During the last century a large number of archaeological sites were discovered and excavated. They present the different historical phases of the area since the Neolithic time down to the present day. The most important sites are located in Jerusalem, which was built by Juba sites some 6,000 years ago. Jerusalem possesses many archaeological sites and historical buildings concentrating within the walled and fortified old city and the close surrounding area. Impacts Implementation of PNG Phase IV projects would have the potential to uncover, damage, or destroy archaeological resources. Numerous undiscovered resources may be within a few meters of soil surface and remain unknown in the future, unless unearthed by future construction or excavation. In future construction work, excavation should be done carefully especially in the areas of potential archaeological sites. Once the construction is completed, negative impacts are no more anticipated. During the construction work, if any material of an archaeological nature, such as burned or blackened material, brick or tile fragments, coins, pottery or bone fragments, skeletons, timber joists or post holes, brick or stone foundations are encountered by the contractor during work, this should immediately be reported to NDC to take the necessary actions and inform the concerned parties. 46 Recreation and Tourism Existing Condition The beaches along the 40 km of the coast of Gaza Strip are the main source of recreation for Gaza population. However, the seawater is often below generally organized standards for swimmers, and beaches themselves contain dangerous waste. Palestine in general and the West Bank in particular is considered the earliest spot where human civilization started. The above-mentioned archaeological sites and historical buildings, specifically in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho are considered the most important potential for the Palestinian tourism industry. In spite of the achieved investment in the field of tourism, the Palestinian tourism needs to be further developed. In addition to the historic sites, the territories of the West Bank have the most exceptional aesthetic and typographical features in Palestine. Impacts Generally, all infrastructure projects improve the environmental awareness of the people as the project implementation is enhancing the people to work seriously to keep the environment clean. To a certain extent, pavement of access roads may encourage tourism to this particular place. The other assessed projects may not have any impact on tourism resources, as the physical construction are very limited. Safety and Occupational Health Existing Condition It is apparent that waterborne pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and viruses currently pose a major health problem for Gaza strip . The health status of the residents of refugee camps and municipalities indicates strongly that the environment remains a source of disease. Only 5% of the water supplied for drinking purposes in the Gaza Strip satisfies WHO guidelines. The water from most of the springs in the West Bank is contaminated with coliform bacteria, particularly with fecal coliform. Its quality ranges between 'hard' to 'very hard' and may need softening to reduce the effects of excessive use of detergents. The poor wastewater collection, conveyance, storage, in combination with improper solid waste disposal and inadequate drinking water supply and distribution has led to increased health risks associated with mosquitoes, large flies, rats, and other vectors. Stagnant pools of waste water and\or storm water enhance mosquito breeding and large fly populations. These stagnant pools include areas such as the sludge ditches within refugee camps, low-lying points filled with a mix of storm water overflow, and improper dumping grounds of household liquid waste. Public health risks are also related to risks generated by different project activities during the construction any or the operation phase of the project. Those may include risk of accidents by transportation facilities or construction equipment, noise generated by construction facilities or operating generators, and dust pollution. 47 Impacts During the construction phase, the impact of PNG Phase IV project components depends mainly on the sector of the proposed activity. Negative impacts on workers’ health may arise due to the exposure to noise, high temperature, dust, and work accidents. These impacts could be characterized as local, direct, short-term and mostly insignificant. Implementation of small scale sewage and water projects may not solve the water quality problems in terms of salinity and TDS, but, would locally provide better water supply and sanitation services for the community under consideration. These services include more reliable water supply and health disposal of wastewater. This will indirectly cause lower incidence of disease, lower infant mortality, and an overall longer life span. The improvements on the level of services would decrease the risk associated to groundwater pollution, thus reducing the spread of pathogenic infectious diseases. Proper wastewater collection, conveyance, and storage will reduce health risks associated with mosquitoes, large flies, rats, and other vectors. Road pavement projects will reduce dust generated by moving vehicles on unpaved roads but may increase other vehicles emissions due to potential increase in traffic over paved roads. It would also increase the accidents risk due to increased speed. These impacts can be easily mitigated through traffic regulations and monitoring. 48 Annex 4: Summary of Public Consultations Below is the agenda of the public consultations meetings. Agenda  Registration  Opening Speech  PNGO IV overview: - Grants’ component - Sector Development component - Environmental and Social Management Framework/ Environment and Social Impact Assessment ESMF  Discussion Minutes of the Consultative Workshop on the Design of the Additional Funding for the PNGOIV, and the Environment and Social Plan 1. West Bank- Jeruslaem and South Area: Date: Thursday, March 28, 2013 Venue: NGO Development Center (NDC), Al-Ram Time: 09:00 – 10:30 a.m. Audience: Palestinian NGOs in Jerusalem and Southern Area: Attached is a list of participants. For NDC: Mr. Ghassan Kassabreh, Ms. Jamila Saheliah, Ms. Areej Dueibis, Ms. Suhad Makhlouf, Mr. Saed Quzmar, and Ms. Basima Basheer. Minutes of the Meeting: Participants were welcomed and introduced. NDC team gave an overview About the new World Bank Project (Additional Financing) . Whereas the current PNGOIV funded by the World Bank and the French Agency is approaching its end, the World Bank expressed its interest in the additional financing. This meeting is held to discuss the basics, objectives, and drafting of the project, in order to come up with the design, period, components, and sub-components, as well as the environment and social evaluation of the project. After the introduction, there was a Power Point presentation about the proposed project, as well as presenting the Environment and Social Management Framework/ Environment and Social Impact Assessment. Discussion: The Discussion of the NGOs focused on the following themes:  Palestinian Wild Life Society: 49 NDC team was thanked for the support given to the society through the partnership grant with the municipalities. The team received an invitation to visit the society. Questions and Discussion: 1. What are the four Umbrella Networks? 2. Can NGOs communicate and outreach with each other and apply for different grants directly to NDC, or through the networks? 3. There is a big emphasis on environment, what is the direction of this management? What are the sustainability concepts for these projects? Does it have a strategic framework within the direction of the World Bank? For example, landfill for waste has environmental impact, and there were problems with official entities about this matter recently. 4. Through our experience with Culture and Heritage, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MOTA) must be a partner in the projects, in order to avoid problems. Is work going to be in marginalized areas and not in main cities? Answers: 1. Umbrella Networks: Networks (General Association for societies and organizations, the National Commission, Non-Government Organization Network) Most organizations are members in a Umbrella Network. 2. It is possible for any organization which is not a member in the umbrella network to benefit from the grants offered by NDC. Further, it can communicate directly with the Center. However, part of the job will be through the network. 3. Environment Management: The talk is about the projects which will be funded by the Center. It is important to have a plan to manage any impact resulting from these projects. Most projects do not have environmental impacts. However, there are some projects which have environmental impact such as agricultural projects. Further, NDC assists NGOs on how to manage the environment plan. 4. In general, NDC encourages NGOs to coordinate with relevant ministries, particularly in this project. Coordination and cooperation has a great impact on the nature and implementation of the project. It is necessary to coordinate and cooperate with local councils and not only with government ministries and departments. Further, it is important to coordinate with and engage the private sector in this project. Regarding environment, culture, and heritage, coordination shall be conducted with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in projects that have environmental impact. It is worth mentioning that projects which will be implemented have relatively little impact, and not huge ones, like building dams. 5. Focus will be on marginalized areas. Therefore, the poverty map and cash transfer program at the Ministry of Social Affairs will be used, in order to target the most marginalized and poor categories.  Psychological and Social Counseling Center for Women: Question: What are the priorities for this project? Does it depend on priorities for each sector? Consortium is a good and fruitful approach (For example, we target Arab Al-Rashaydeh in Hebron, so we work with women, deal with the anemia problem, and other health problems. On the economic side, in relation to poverty, need to manage economic resources, and work with the disabled). Does this mean targeting a specific community by more than one organization, in order to provide comprehensive service? 50 Answer: Yes, this is what the new project strives to achieve, which is targeting a certain geographical area by several organizations which provide different services that are needed by the area. Also, it targets several categories within one community. This means provision of integrated services which meet the needs of beneficiaries, as well as maximize the anticipated impact of the project for the benefited categories. This is the direction of the World Bank in the current project, where different organizations can work together through joint coordination, to provide complete and quality services. This is an opportunity to work in areas and sectors which need to be worked on.  Psychological and Social Counseling Center for Women: Question: I see that South of Hebron, and southeast of Bethlehem are marginalized. This also applies to the northern area as evident from the field work and data from the Palestinian Central Census Bureau. We have noticed through our field work that Musafer Yatta village has comprehensive needs. Is this different for some organizations which work in a professional manner? Answer: We appreciate this intervention and its content, and reiterate that work will be done in an integrated and complete manner throughout the project. Several and different services will be provided to the same community. This will maximize the anticipated impact, in addition to focus on the poorest areas to ensure provision of services to community which have priority and real needs.  Al-Ribheiah Society: Suggestion: I suggest that the CV “profile� of the organization and success stories be taken into consideration. A consortium is not always a positive thing, because disputes might occur sometimes. Question: Is it possible to implement projects that have economic revenue for the organization to ensure its sustainability? Question: Will the NGO become under the umbrella of NGOs if it signs the Code of Ethics? Answer: The projects to be implemented are service project to serve the categories of society, i.e. provide them with these services (poor, marginalized category). The project is not an investment type for the organization. It is also a good note that a certain project might serve a category better than a consortium. The concept of the consortium is that work is done jointly by more than one organization which has different specializations and provides various services. This will maximize the impact on the benefited categories by encouraging team work. This is the intent of the World Bank in the additional funding project. Answer: Umbrella networks were given this name, because they include a large number of organizations. Further, signing the Code of Ethics does not necessarily mean joining these networks. There are procedures to join the networks. We encourage this, because joining the networks opens larger horizons for the organization such as technical assistance.  Women Studies Center: 51 Question about criteria: Are any activities related to training and workshops not acceptable. Answer: The intent is not to accept any project that has training conferences, and grants as its core and only activity. It is natural that any project will involve training and workshops. This is acceptable within the activities of the project.  Qader Organization: Question: There are previous experiences which needed sustainability and continuation like work with disabled people. So, is submission of investment projects (to guarantee continuation) acceptable? We have worked with municipalities which opened centers, and simple investment projects were opened to operate the centers. Is this possible? Example: Denmo-meter project in Yatta village. Answer: It is a good idea, but we reiterate that the new project is based on delivering services to the poorest categories and who are in dire need. This is the focus of the project. However, the concept of projects which have financial revenue is another subject. It is possible for the organization to apply for a grant, and then the proposal will be studied if it includes this type of activities.  Psychological and Social Counseling Center for Women: Question: What is the nature of coordination with ministries? Answer: Coordination shall be made with the concerned ministry which is relevant to the service provided by the project. Some projects focus on youth, agriculture, or health. This depends on the nature of the project. We have previously worked with some ministries. For example, we have coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs in the project of battered women (victims of violence) because it is the relevant ministry. This project funds Non-Government Organizations and not municipalities or ministries. However, cooperation is very important, as well as coordination with municipalities and local councils because they work with the local community.  Beit Aulaa Club Question: Is it possible to benefit from the Additional Financing in Complementary Funding? Is it also possible to target the same categories which have been targeted by the PNGOIV? Answer: This is a new project named Additional Financing from the World Bank. It has been explained that the project does not fund completing an existing project or retroactive costs.  Qader Organization: Strategic Framework: Must the project be under a strategic framework for umbrellas? Also, each organization has a strategic plan. We might have a strategic objective which does not comply with the plan and objectives of the network. How can we put things in parallel? Answer: Part of the thinking process and indirect coordination is to know the basic plans of the organization and how far they are compatible with the national plan. The strategic framework is 52 general guidelines, which strives for stronger NGOs, good relations, and improve quality of services. They are general objectives and not detailed ones. Therefore, it is difficult for this framework not be compatible with the strategic direction of NGOs. Therefore, we encourage organizations to review the strategic framework of the networks, which will be distributed later. It will be launched on 11/04. Regarding the national plan, it serves the interests of all. It is not likely to have an organization which has different direction from it. The objective is to be under the strategic framework, and not to work according to funders.  Burj Al-Laqlaq Question: Is it possible to communicate and reach out after this session. Answer: we are in a preparatory phase. In August, we will announce the projects in local press and by other means. Usually, orientation sessions will be conducted to assist organizations to apply. The sessions will take place before the announcement, in order to help organizations and familiarize them with the submission process of proposals.  Hayat Bareiah (Wild Life) Society We have not received anything from the portal for a while? Invitation to the team to visit the organization? Answer: Al-Masader portal is under update. There is a change from one server to another. Shortly, we will work again on it. The nature of work implies that some of the team works in the office, and others work in the field. We confirm the importance to communicate with organizations. Thanks for your attendance ___________________________________________ 2. West Bank- Ramallah and North Area: Date: Thursday, March 28, 2013 Venue: NGO Development Center (NDC), Al-Ram Time: 12:00 – 13:30 a.m. Audience: Palestinian NGOs in Ramallah and Northern Area: Attached is a list of participants. For NDC: Mr. Ghassan Kassabreh, Ms. Jamila Saheliah, Ms. Areej Dueibis, Ms. Suhad Makhlouf, and Mr. Saed Quzmar. Minutes of the Meeting: 53 Participants were welcomed and introduced. NDC team gave an overview about the new World Bank Project (Additional Financing). Whereas the current PNGOIV funded by the World Bank and the French Agency is approaching its end, the World Bank expressed its interest in additional financing. This meeting is held to discuss the basics, objectives, and drafting of the project, in order to come up with the design, period, components, and sub-components, as well as the environment and social evaluation of the project. After the introduction, there was a Power Point presentation about the proposed project, as well as presenting the Environment and Social Management Framework/ Environment and Social Impact Assessment. Then, a presentation was made by the Ministry of Social Affairs about the Cash Transfer Program as follows: - There is a National Database that contains 150,000 poor families - There are 300 Researchers at the Ministry to visit families and update information. There is a form which addresses all requirements and conditions of the family. - A new form has been developed which takes into consideration any agricultural resources that can be invested, in order to boost the income of poor families, as well as other variable of the family. - The Ministry of Social Affairs is keen to open the door for partnerships in the development field with NDC and Palestinian NGOs, and enable them to have access to information available at the Ministry. - We worked towards strengthening the relationship with the Palestinian Central Census Bureau, and called to work with all - The Ministry is very interested to sustain communications with NDC and NGOs operating in the social services field. - The Ministry strives to reach all poor and disabled people without exception. We try to reach 20% of those who falls within the error margin (errors of exclusion and inclusion), and not listed in the system of the Ministry. An amount between NIS 250- 600 is paid in cash every 3 months for (senior, disabled, and women). Discussion: The Discussion of the NGOs focused on the following themes:  Elia NGOS: Question: Will NGOs participating in the workshop be the only beneficiaries from the program, or will other NGOs benefit from it as well? Answer: This is a consultative process with current partners and other NGOs which have experience in providing social services to the poor and marginalized people. The purpose is to present ideas and concepts to design and draft the project, and to specify the geographical areas which are in dire need, in addition to determine the direction and mechanisms of work. The grant will be announced later in the press and in other locations. 54 Question: Are there services for the elderly people, or is there a possibility for this provision, because there is lack of work in this particular area Answer: Out of the 23 NGOs we currently work with in the PNGOIV, we worked with 3 NGOs which focus on elderly people. This reflects our interest to provide services for this category. Accordingly, we may target this category in the new project  Biara NGO: Question: Will the valleys (Aghwar) be targeted? Are you going to work with CBOs? Answer: The valleys are within the geographical areas which have been chosen to work with in the new program. Focus will be on women, youth, elderly, and disabled people. Further, focus will be to work with grass root NGOs in these projects, provided that they are officially registered. Consortiums will give them the opportunity to participate with bigger NGOs to manage projects.  Palestinian Red Crescent Society Question: In case there is an NGO which does not meet the criteria to receive funding, is it possible for such NGO to be part of the consortium partnering NGOs, and under the management of a major and big NGO? Answer: There are basic criteria (such as officially registered by the Ministry of Interior), which must be met in order to accept the NGO. It will not be acceptable to give a grant to an NGO which does not meet such basic criteria. However, implementation of the project shall be based on a Consortium that includes more than one NGO which participate in implementation. Such NGOs will vary in terms of size, scale, and roles. However, they will be medium-size NGOs. Therefore, there is no minimum amount or budget for each NGO in the consortium. There is only a ceiling for the budget allocated to each NGO, which is a minimum of $150.000, and a maximum of 500.00 for the whole consortium.  Beit Al-Musinin (Aged People House) Society: Question about funding: Is it possible for an NGO which obtained funding from NDC PNGOIV to submit within a consortium to obtain a grant? 55 Answer: Each NGO which meets the criteria and conditions to be accepted, shall have the right to apply for a grant within the new project. However, the organization shall not submit more than one application.  Palestinian Red Crescent Society: Question: How can the Red Crescent be approved? Does each department of the society represent an organization? Or is it considered as a big organization which includes sub-departments, where it will be dealt with as a consortium? Answer: The Red Crescent is a big organization. Currently, there is no idea about how to deal with it. Any proposal submitted by the society or by any other organization of the same size and department shall be studied. Later, a session shall be convened to introduce the project, and mechanisms of submission for the project, to enable them apply with clear understanding  Women Affairs Technical Committee: Can we as a committee which includes 7 organizations within our framework apply as a consortium? Answer: Each organization listed under the consortium will be dealt with as an independent NGO from each other, because it has its own registration. These organizations form with their different specialization a consortium that can submit a proposal.  Women Development Society: Question: How can we overcome the salaries problem in this project, particularly given there is a scarcity of funding and there is no Core Funding? Answer: NDC team will give guidance on how to prepare the project’s budget mainly to define the main budget line items and the eligible costs to include. Pyarla NGO: Question: How far is the overlap between NDC and other institutions, such as OCHA? 56 Answer: NDC works with NGOs directly through various grants in the Center. NDC has a clear policy and mechanism regarding grants.  Palestinian Red Crescent Society: Question: Red Crescent is a big organization which has branches. Is it possible to submit a project in the West Bank and another one in Gaza strip? i.e. work with a geographical dimension in the same project? Answer: It was explained that there will be projects to be implemented in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as projects to be implemented in Gaza. What is meant by geographical area in the project is that focus will be on a specific geographical area, where work will be implemented by a consortium or a collation of NGOs. This will maximize the impact; meet different needs of the community by providing different services which are really needed. For example, Al-Mashariq area in Nablus governorate is a geographical area which includes specific number of villages in the same vicinity. Further, it is difficult for an organization to implement a project in the West Bank and Gaza which are geographically separated with the budget allocated for each organization in the consortium.  Women Union Society: Question: Women Union has several institutions under its framework, such as Andaleeb College, Aytam “Orphanage�, but they all have one license, which is the Union Society. Answer: They will be dealt with as one society because its official registration at the ministry indicates so. This also applies to the Patients’ Friends Society in Jenin which has several organizations under it, but they are all under the umbrella of the society, and have one official license “registration�.  Elia Organization for Youth: Question: Is there any emergency financial aid in this project? Answer: There is no emergency cash aid. The project consists of grants granted to organizations which will implement the project, as well as activities and services for the targeted areas and categories.  Health Work Committees Union: 57 Question: Is it possible to employ a person and invest in him through the technical assistance program? Answer: In the new project, technical assistance will have several levels and without duplication. Focus will be on capacity building for the organization in administrative and financial areas, and other needs of the organization as explained in the presentation which has been made.  Qader Organization: Question: What is meant by the concept of social services for the marginalized people, and what is the definition of this concept? Is it possible to provide services to multiple categories simultaneously (merge categories)? Answer: Definition of the concept and nature of services provided to beneficiaries will be done later of course. This shall be in accordance with the projects which will be implemented, as well as determining geographical areas and benefited categories. Merging is what the current project is doing now. As we explained, work shall be done in a specific geographical area, which will be targeted by several services that meet the needs of the area and the targeted categories. This means that partnering organizations complement each other’s work in providing services in order to achieve good and real impact and results on the ground, which is what is unique about the current project.  Elia Organization: Question: Is it possible to merge several organizations in order to provide and improve one service to the same category? For example, a youth organization working with the aged in Jerusalem? Answer: There are no specific sectors in this project. However, there is diversity in services and sectors, which enriches the project, improves the anticipated results, and gives it a tangible importance. 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 West Banks’ Workshops 65 3. Gaza: First Group - Questions/comments Raised by NGOs Results of the Consultative Workshop on the Design of the PNGOIV-AF Date: Thursday, March 28, 2013 Venue: NGO Development Center (NDC) – Gaza Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. The workshop was opened by the Program Manager – Gaza Mr. Alaa’ Al-Ghalayini who welcomed and introduced the audience who represented NGOs and Mayors. There was a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the PNGOIV-AF financed by the World Bank. Another presentation was made on the Environment and Social Management Framework/ Environment and Social Impact Assessment. Discussion focused on the following questions: Bayader NGOs: - Are there any problems or limitations on dealing with municipalities? Answer: is NO - Do big NGOs have better and higher chances to obtain such project? Particularly that there are few big NGOs, while there is huge number of small NGOs, which reduces their chances to win the project? Answer: – It all depends on the proposal submitted and the need for the suggested project) - Opportunities to obtain funding were reduced after the war on Gaza. This has weakened the budget of NGOs, particularly that Donors implemented their projects by themselves only. Donors used NGOs in order to obtain list of beneficiaries, and gave NGOs small amounts as administrative expenses? Answer: Will look into this issue - Are there successful projects for partnerships with municipalities during the past years? Answer: Yes: NGO + Khuza’ municipality Palestinian Development and Environment Protection NGOs: - Is it possible for the project to be one NGO implementing the project in partnership with the municipality? Answer: (Minimum two NGOs, and may add a municipality) - Will the grant be divided equally among the partnering NGOs? Answer: (No. It shall be according to the submitted budget and the nature of activities for each NGO). 66 Female Graduates NGO: - Partnership with a municipality to construct a building, which will be owned by the municipality, where the NGO will not benefit from it after the completion of the project? Answer: (The objective of the NGO and the Municipality is to serve people). - Are there criteria for partnership with the municipality, such as work with Nusayrat or Gaza Municipality? - Answer: (No specific Criteria). Cancer Patients Friends: - Is it possible to repeat a previous project? Answer: (It depends on the Need – Is there a need for such project or not) - When the criterion to select NGOs is based on budgets, then NGOs which provide medicine below 600 thousand will not be considered. Answer (This shall be taken into consideration). Youth without Borders Forum: - Will work on parts of the needs specified in the strategic plan of the municipality? Answer (This will strengthen the project) - How work will be done with partners from the financial aspect? Answer (There will be a general and comprehensive budget for the project, and other budgets for each NGO, as well as detailed work plans for each NGO) - Regarding the criteria to select NGOs, Is it required to submit budgets since the establishment of the NGO, or just for a specific period? Answer (Usually, it is required to submit expenditures for the last three years) - NDC targeted big and medium size NGOs in the past. The situation is different now. Are you going to use the same and previous criteria in the selection of project Answer: NDC usually have different criteria for different types of grants. It all depends on the criteria that NDC will publish. As It had said before, the additional finance will target small and medium projects - A project which involve partnership among five NGOs, how the leading or the responsible NGO will be selected? Answer: (There will be no leading NGO. Each NGO will have a role, and will organize its work in accordance with its role in the work plan. From administrative point of view, a contact person will be assigned to follow up with NDC when invitations or instructions are sent, so that he will disseminate them to partnering NGOs) Um Al-Naser Agriculture NGOs: - If the project is for children and women, and a partnership is made with a kindergarten - Answer (Kindergarten must be officially registered and an affiliate of the NGO). - In case the area has only one NGO, how it can have a partnership? - Answer (It is possible to work with other NGOs outside the area, but have experience in the nature of the required intervention). 67 Community Media Centre: - Will each partnering NGO receive funds on its own bank account or funds will be transferred to the bank account of the main partner? - Answer (Each NGO shall have a bank account for the project) - Are there considerations for areas such as a refugee camp or a city? Answer (certain tools shall be used in needs assessment and targeting areas such as report of the Census Bureau, poverty maps, Mechanism of providing cash and financial assistance by the Ministry of Social Affairs). - Is the selection criteria of NGOs will be according to budgets? particularly that there are NGOs which have a budget of 50 thousand, while the Union has 250 thousand. Answer: (This subject will be studied, but the most important thing is the previous experience of the NGO in handling and managing funds). - How the NGO will benefit from training and technical assistance? Answer: (Training by Program Officer on procurement, financial and administrative issues related to the grant of the World Bank, as well as technical assistance on the Code of Ethics). Balsam Community Rehabilitation NGO: - Does NDC have a relationship in the selection of partners? - Answer: (The NGO has the choice to select its partners, NDC has no relationship in this regard) - Partnering NGOs must have similar objectives and nature of work - Answer: (Not necessarily, but their work shall be related to serve the targeted category) - This an initial meeting for consultation, when is the next meeting? - Answer: (It will be announced in the newspapers, and will be large to present the program. However, the meeting today is to help NDC finalize the project). Cultural Forum for Youth - What are the criteria for the projects which will obtain funding? - Answer: (compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant. The submitted project must have clear objectives, clear work plan, and logical budgets...). 68 4. Second Group: Questions Raised by Municipalities: Al-Fakhari Municipality: - The strategic work plan of the municipality has been developed in participation with the local community, based on the needs of the municipality and the community. The concept of the project and partnership with the municipality is good. - Answer: (Partnership between NGOs and the municipality increases the percentage of success for the project when there is harmony and agreement with the strategic plan). - Targeted categories for the partnering NGOs are different? - Answer: (Work will focus on one specific category such as disabled child, or family of a disabled child)> - How the communication process will proceed after this session? - Answer: (This workshop shall be followed with other workshops. Once implementation starts, an announcement will be posted in the press, and a large-scale workshop will be organized) Al-Masdar Municipality: - Is it possible to have a partnership between the municipality and sports clubs Answer: (yes, if it is officially registered). Al-Shoukah Municipality: - Municipalities will not have a share in the budget of the project? - Answer: Yes, because the municipality will benefit from grant of the Municipalities Fund which is funded by the World Bank. Um Al-Naser Municipality: - There are NGOs which have a legal character, has activities and role in the society, but not registered. Can such NGOs partner with a municipality? - Answer: (The NGO must be officially registered and has a legal character). - How many projects are anticipated to obtain funding? - Answer: (The value of the grant is 5 million. The share of Gaze might be 1.2 million US Dollars. Number of project will depend on the nature of budgets for submitted projects. 69 70 Gazas’ Workshop 71