FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Report No: ICR00020
IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETION AND RESULTS REPORT
(IDA Credit 6312-ET / TF0A9048)
ON A
IDA CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF SDR 70.6 MILLION (US$ 100 MILLION EQUIVALENT)
AND A
MDTF GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF US$ 31 MILLION
TO THE
FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
FOR THE
ETHIOPIA RESILIENT LANDSCAPES AND LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
January 8, 2025
Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy
Eastern And Southern Africa
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
(Exchange Rate Effective {Jun 24, 2024})
Currency Unit = Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
SDR 0.759361 = US$1
US$ 1.316900 = SDR 1
FISCAL YEAR
July 8 -July 7
Regional Vice President: Victoria Kwakwa
Country Director: Maryam Salim
Regional Director: Iain G. Shuker
For Official Use Only
Practice Manager: Paul Jonathan Martin
Task Team Leader (s): Nigel Ross Hughes, Million Alemayehu Gizaw
ICR Main Contributors: Michael Carroll, Shewakena Aytenfisu Abab
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
BCR Borrower Completion Report
BCR Benefit Cost Ratio
CA Conservation Agriculture
CALM Climate Action through Landscape Management Project
CBPWDG Community Based Participatory Watershed Development Guidelines
CDM Crop Development and Management
CF Community Facilitator
CGIAR Consortium Group for International Agriculture Research
CIG Common Interest Group
CIS Climate Information Service
CPF Country Partnership Framework
CRGE Climate Resilient Green Economy
CSA Climate Smart Agriculture
CWMUP Community Watershed Management and Use Plan
CWT Community Watershed Team
For Official Use Only
CWUCS Community Watershed User Cooperative Society
DA Development Agent
EFA Economic and Financial Analysis
EPA Environmental Protection Authority
ESIF Ethiopia Strategic Investment Framework
ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework
ESRM Environmental and Social Risk Management
FDRE Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
FGDs Focus Group Discussions
FM Financial Management
FP Focal Person
FTCs Farmer Training Centers
GAC Global Affairs Canada
GEMS Geo Enabling Monitoring Supervision
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GII Geospatial Information Institute
GIS Geographic Information system
GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Development Agency)
GoE Government of Ethiopia
GPS Global positioning system
GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism
HH Household
IDA International Development Association
IGA Income Generating Activity
INSA Information Network Security Agency
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
IPM Integrated Pest Management
IR Intermediate Result
IRR Internal Rate of Return
ISFM Integrated Soil Fertility Management
JISM Joint Implementation Support Mission
KGRC Kebele Grievance Redress Committee
KIIs Key Informant Interviews
KLAUCs Kebele Land Administration and Use Committees
KMIS Knowledge Management Information System
KWT Kebele Watershed Team
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MDTF Multi-Donor Trust Fund
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MTR Mid Term Review
MUP Management and Use Plan
MWS Micro Watershed
MYDP Multi Year Development Plan
NPCU National Project Coordination Unit
For Official Use Only
NPV Net Present Values
NRLAIS National Rural Land Administration Information System
PAD Project Appraisal Document
PCU Project Coordination Unit
PDO Project Development Objective
PIM Project Implementation Manual
QGIS Quantum Geographic Information System
RBM Result Based Management
REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation
RFIs Result Framework Indicators
RLLP Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project
RPCU Regional Project Coordination Unit
RPF Resettlement Policy Framework
RSC Regional Steering Committee
RTC Regional Technical Committee
SA Social Assessment
SC Steering Committee
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
SHG Self Help Groups
SLM Sustainable Land Management
SLMP-I Sustainable Land Management Project Phase 1
SLMP-II Sustainable Land Management Project Phase 2
SLWM Sustainable Land and Water Management
SWC Soil and Water Conservation
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
TC Technical Committee
ToC Theory of Change
ToR Terms of Reference
UAVs Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
VLD Voluntary Land Donation
WGS World Geodetic System
WICs Woreda Information Centers
WLRC Water and Land Resources Centre
WSC Woreda Steering Committee
WTC Woreda Technical Committee
WUA Water Users Association
For Official Use Only
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DATA SHEET ................................................................................................................................................. i
I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................1
II. OUTCOME .................................................................................................................................................4
III. KEY FACTORS AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME ..................................................................... 14
IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME .............................. 15
V. LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... 19
ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS ........................................................................................ 21
ANNEX 2. BANK LENDING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT/SUPERVISION ....................................................... 31
................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
ANNEX 3. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT ......................................................................................................... 33
ANNEX 4. EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................................ 34
For Official Use Only
ANNEX 5. BORROWER, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS ................................. 42
ANNEX 6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (IF ANY) ................................................................................................... 43
ANNEX 7. TECHNICAL ANNEX ............................................................................................................................ 44
The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
DATA SHEET
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BASIC DATA
Product Information
Operation ID Operation Name
P163383 Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project
Product Operation Short Name
Investment Project Financing (IPF) ET-Resilient Landscapes
Operation Status Approval Fiscal Year
Closed 2019
For Official Use Only
Original EA Category Current EA Category
Partial Assessment (B) (Restructuring Data Sheet - 25 Oct
Partial Assessment (B) (Approval package - 30 Jul 2018)
2023)
CLIENTS
Borrower/Recipient Implementing Agency
Ministry of Finance Ministry of Agriculture
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
Original Development Objective (Approved as part of Approval Package on 30-Jul-2018)
To improve climate resilience, land productivity and carbon storage, and increase access to diversified livelihood
activities in selected rural watersheds.
Current Development Objective (Approved as part of Additional Financing Package Seq No 2 on 02-May-2020)
To improve climate resilience, land productivity and carbon storage, and increase access to diversified livelihood
activities in selected rural watersheds.
s
s
s
s
s
s
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FINANCING
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The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
Financing Source Original Amount (US$) Revised Amount (US$) Actual Disbursed (US$)
World Bank Financing 100,000,000.00 100,000,000.00 96,156,404.84
IDA-63120 100,000,000.00 100,000,000.00 96,156,404.84
World Bank Administered 27,658,000.00 27,658,000.00
27,658,000.00
Financing
TF-A9048 27,658,000.00 27,658,000.00 27,658,000.00
Non-World Bank Financing 10,000,000.00 10,000,000.00 2,664,756.53
Borrower/Recipient 10,000,000.00 10,000,000.00 2,664,756.53
Total 137,658,000.00 137,658,000.00 126,479,161.37
RESTRUCTURING AND/OR ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Amount Disbursed
Date(s) Type Key Revisions
(US$M)
02-May-2020 Manual 25.59 • Additional Financing
• Results
25-Oct-2023 Portal 108.47
For Official Use Only
• Institutional Arrangement
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KEY DATES
Key Events Planned Date Actual Date
Concept Review 05-Jun-2017 05-Jun-2017
Decision Review 13-Jun-2018 13-Jun-2018
Authorize Negotiations 25-Jul-2018 19-Jun-2018
Approval 30-Jul-2018 30-Jul-2018
Signing 31-Oct-2018 07-Dec-2018
Effectiveness 14-Dec-2018 18-Apr-2019
ICR/NCO 06-Jan-2025 --
Additional Financing Sequence.02 Not Applicable 02-May-2020
Restructuring Sequence.01 Not Applicable 25-Oct-2023
Mid-Term Review No. 01 24-Dec-2021 05-Nov-2021
Operation Closing/Cancellation 07-Jul-2024 07-Jul-2024
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
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RATINGS SUMMARY
Outcome Bank Performance M&E Quality
Satisfactory Satisfactory Substantial
ISR RATINGS
Actual Disbursements
No. Date ISR Archived DO Rating IP Rating
(US$M)
01 26-Nov-2018 Satisfactory Satisfactory 0.00
02 28-May-2019 Satisfactory Satisfactory 3.11
03 17-Dec-2019 Satisfactory Satisfactory 18.01
04 30-Jun-2020 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 35.05
For Official Use Only
05 05-Jan-2021 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 48.23
06 24-Jun-2021 Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 52.99
07 21-Dec-2021 Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 65.60
08 22-Jun-2022 Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory 73.58
09 20-Jan-2023 Satisfactory Satisfactory 92.34
10 20-Jun-2023 Satisfactory Satisfactory 94.93
11 22-Dec-2023 Satisfactory Satisfactory 118.47
12 28-Jun-2024 Satisfactory Satisfactory 123.81
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SECTORS AND THEMES
Sectors
Adaptation Mitigation
Major Sector Sector %
Co-benefits (%) Co-benefits (%)
FY17 - Agricultural Extension,
FY17 - Agriculture, Research, and Other Support 11 22 66
Fishing and Forestry Activities
FY17 - Forestry 48 42 51
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The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
FY17 - Other Agriculture, Fishing and
20 0 0
Forestry
FY17 - Public Administration -
15 32 23
Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry
FY17 - Industry, Trade FY17 - Agricultural markets,
6 54 0
and Services commercialization and agri-business
Themes
Major Theme Theme (Level 2) Theme (Level 3) %
FY17 - Adaptation 31
FY17 - Climate change
FY17 - Mitigation 35
FY17 - Environment and
FY17 - Energy FY17 - Energy Efficiency 74
Natural Resource
Management FY17 - Landscape
80
FY17 - Renewable Natural Resources Management
Asset Management FY17 - Watershed
80
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Management
FY17 - Agriculture
FY17 - Finance FY17 - Finance for Development 74
Finance
FY17 - Human
Development and FY17 - Gender 74
Gender
FY17 - Land
FY17 - Urban and Rural Administration and 35
FY17 - Rural Development Management
Development
FY17 - Rural Markets 74
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The World Bank
Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
ADM STAFF
Role At Approval At ICR
Practice Manager Magda Lovei Paul Jonathan Martin
Regional Director Iain G. Shuker
Global Director Karin Erika Kemper Valerie Hickey
Practice Group Vice President Juergen Voegele
Country Director Carolyn Turk Maryam Salim
Regional Vice President Hafez M. H. Ghanem Victoria Kwakwa
ADM Responsible Team Leader Paul Jonathan Martin Nigel Ross Hughes
Co-Team Leader(s) Million Alemayehu Gizaw Million Alemayehu Gizaw
ICR Main Contributor Michael Carroll and Shewakena Aytenfisu Abab
I. PROJECT CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
A. CONTEXT AT APPRAISAL
For Official Use Only
Context
1. Ethiopia is a large, land-locked, and diverse country. Located in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia covers an area of 1.1
million km2 - about the size of France and Spain combined. With an estimated population of over 100 million, out of which
80.5 percent are rural, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country is a land of diverse
nationalities and peoples, and its biophysical environment includes a variety of ecosystems, with significant differences in
climate, soil properties, vegetation types, agriculture potential, biodiversity, and water resources. The natural resource base
remains the foundation for most livelihoods and is subject to considerable environmental and climate risks.
2. Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries but has achieved substantial progress in economic, social, and
human development over the past decade. With a per capita income of US$660 (2016), Ethiopia remains the 15th poorest
country in the world. Nonetheless, growth has averaged nearly 11 percent per year since 2004 and extreme poverty fell from
55 percent in 2000 to 26.7 percent in 2016, which is one of the most impressive poverty reduction results recorded
internationally (within Sub- Saharan Africa, only Uganda reduced poverty faster). Low levels of inequality have largely been
maintained. Yet vulnerability to revert to poverty remains high, especially for those engaged in rural livelihoods depending
on rain-fed agriculture.
3. The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has embarked on a structural transformation of the economy and society. GoE
has completed its first phase of the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP-I) (2010– 2015), which set a long-term goal for
Ethiopia to become a middle-income country by 2025, with a growth rate of at least 11 percent per year during the plan
period. Through the second phase of the GTP Ethiopia put a strong emphasis on structural transformation, industrialization,
urbanization, and export promotion. Public infrastructure investment has been at the center of the country’s economic
strategy, and Ethiopia has been able to achieve a substantial expansion of energy, road, railway, and telecom infrastructure,
financed by domestic and external public borrowing. Recent announcements indicate the GoE’s renewed commitment to
improving the private sector investment climate. Public investments in basic service provision, such as education and health,
have contributed to poverty reduction, as did the introduction of rural safety nets. GTP-II continues the Government’s
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
commitment that women and youth benefit from and participate in the overall economic, political, and decision-making
processes in Ethiopia.
4. Alignment with higher-level objectives. At appraisal, the project was aligned with the World Bank Group (WBG)
Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Ethiopia for the Period FY 17-21 as a government flagship program addressing the
CPF’s resilience pillar, with a funding commitment from IDA-18 of US$100 million. It was expected to leverage and scale up
support to the SLM Program while also contributing to the climate, forest, water, energy, and land tenure targets included
in the GTP-II and CRGE Strategy, as well as the Home-Grown Economic Reform (HGER). The targets for natural resource
management set out in GTP-II include an additional 19 million hectares to be treated with physical soil and water
conservation structures, an increase in national forest coverage from 15 to 20 percent, and the provision of landholding
certificates to more than 7 million households. To help meet these goals, and to bring the benefits of the SLM Program to
additional rural communities affected by land degradation, the RLLP scaled up the successes of SLM interventions and
complement these achievements with innovations aimed at sustaining project benefits.
5. In addition to the GTP-II and the CRGE Strategy, this transformative approach was designed to contribute to a
number of other national strategies, including Ethiopia’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution ((INDC), submitted
to the UNFCCC in 2017), the Climate Resilience Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry (2015), the National Adaptation Plan to
Address Climate Change (2017), the Ethiopia Strategic Investment Framework for SLM (ESIF), the National Forest Sector
Strategy and National REDD+ Strategy, as well as the sectoral strategies for energy, water, and agriculture, including
agriculture, forestry, water resources, and energy. These key strategy documents emphasized the lack of secure tenure rights
For Official Use Only
creates a dis-incentive for beneficiaries to undertake productive investments and adopt sustainable management practices.
Theory of Change (Results Chain)
6. The Project Appraisal Document (PAD, Report No. PAD2484) did not present a Theory of Change (ToC) as this was
not a requirement at the time. Figure 1 presents the project’s ToC, formulated ex-post from the project context, higher-level
objectives, outcomes, components, and activities described in the PAD.
FIGURE 1.EX-POST DEVELOPED THEORY OF CHANGE BASED ON PAD.
heor o hange thiopia esilient andscapes and ivelihoods ro ect
c vi es utputs hort to medium outcomes ong term utcomes
Increased land area under
Component 1
SLM prac ces
Project area showing an
increase in ND I LS I
corrected for climate
e ects
Reduced Net greenhouse
gas emissions
Component
ouseholds with increased
access to diversi ed
livelihood ac vi es
Component
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
Project Development Objectives (PDOs)
7. The Project Development Objective (PDO), as articulated in the Financing Agreement and PAD, was to improve
climate resilience, land productivity and carbon storage, and increase access to diversified livelihood activities in selected
rural watersheds.
Key Expected Outcomes and Outcome Indicators
8. he D ’s outcome statement was measured b the ollowing D -level Indicators:
a) PDO Indicator 1: Land area under sustainable landscape management practices.
1a. Land area restored or reforested/afforested (Ha)
1b. Land area with productivity enhancing practices applied (Ha)
b) PDO Indicator 2: Project area showing an increase in the NDVI correcting for climate effects (Percent)
c) PDO Indicator 3. Project area showing an increase in the Land Surface Water Index (LSWI) correcting for climate
effects (Percent)
d) PDO Indicator 4. Net greenhouse gas emissions (metric tons)
PDO-4a፡ Tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to be reduced or avoided
e) PDO Indicator 5. Households adopting diversified livelihood activities supported by the project (Number)
5a. Female-headed households adopting diversified livelihood activities supported by the project (Number)
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Components
9. RLLP was implemented through four integrated components, summarized below and described in detail in the
Technical Annex.
• Component 1. Green Infrastructure and Resilient Livelihoods (Total Cost at Approval: US$78.5 million, after first
structuring US$86 million, and Actual at project closing US$81.37 million) – supported the implementation of
Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) practices, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), and the promotion
of livelihood-diversifying IGAs.
• Component 2. Investing in Institutions and Information for Resilience (Total Cost at Approval: US$12.5 million, after
first structuring US$13 million and Actual at project closing US$19.84 million) – supported capacity building,
information modernization and policy development; and impact evaluation, knowledge management and
communication.
• Component 3. Rural Land Administration and Use (Total Cost at Approval: US$23 million, after first structuring
US$26 million and Actual at project closing US$12.25 million) – supported Second Level Land Certification (SLLC),
digitalization of land registries, and preparation of land use plans.
• Component 4. Project Management and Reporting (Total Cost at Approval: US$15 million, after first structuring
US$17 million and Actual at project closing US$12.54 million) – supported financial management, procurement,
environmental and social safeguards, as well as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and reporting.
10. The project area included a total of 170 major watersheds located in the Ethiopian Highlands, averaging
approximately 10,000 hectares each. Implementing a phased approach, the 45 watersheds supported under SLMP-I would
receive assistance to evolve from project-based support, including creation of CWUCSs and preparation of Watershed
Management and Use Plans (WMUPs). Support for the 90 SLMP-II watersheds would allow for the completion of their Multi-
Year Development Plans (MYDPs) for watershed restoration. An additional 17 new watersheds, prioritized for extent and
severity of land degradation, were selected for RLLP to receive assistance for the preparation of Multi-Year Development Plans
(MYDP), followed by investments in SLM interventions.
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
11. At appraisal, RLLP covered six regions (Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray)
targeting major watersheds covering 1,378,000 hectares of land. Through the implementation of the four components, RLLP
was expected to benefit 598,683 male-headed and 105,650 female-headed rural households. In addition, RLLP would benefit
other indirect beneficiaries, such as: (i) communities adjacent to project intervention areas adopting SLM and CSA practices
through demonstration effects, as observed under SLMP-II; (ii) private sector participants and end-consumers in value chains
targeted by the project; (iii) households outside project areas benefiting from the issuance of SLLCs capacity at woreda and
regional level; (iv) recipients of capacity building at all levels of government, as well as in national partner organizations; and
(v) downstream communities outside project areas benefiting from groundwater recharge, reduced flooding, and lower
sediment loads, as a result of SLM interventions.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES DURING IMPLEMENTATION (IF APPLICABLE)
Revised PDOs and Outcome Targets
12. The PDO remained without modifications throughout project implementation. However, the project underwent
two restructurings, which introduced important changes to key elements of the project, including additional financing (May
2020), and revision of indicators and targets, as well as reallocation of financing among components (October 2023).
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13. Whilst the number of watersheds remained unchanged, a government decision created a number of new regional
states by ‘splitting’ the regional state, formerly known at Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP to create four
separate regional administrations: Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia and Southwest Ethiopia. This required the establishment
of new regional PIUs (RPIU) during project implementation. Consequently, the nine regions supported comprised: Amhara,
Benishangul Gumuz, Central Ethiopia, Gambella, Oromia, Sidama, South Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia, and Tigray.
Revised PDO Indicators
14. N/A
Revised Components
15. N/A
Other Changes
17. As part of the first restructuring (May 2020, 12 months after effectiveness), 18 additional major watersheds
(identified for support with Canadian financing) also received assistance for the implementation of their respective MYDPs.
Consequently, the total number of major watersheds increased to 170.
Rationale for Changes and Their Implication on the Original Theory of Change
The changes introduced did not have any implication on the project’s Theory of Change.
II. OUTCOME
A. RELEVANCE OF PDO
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
Assessment of Relevance of PDOs and Rating
Rating: High
16. The PDO continues to be highly relevant to the WBG CPF for the Period FY18–FY22 at appraisal and at
completion, which has been extended to FY25. The PDO was also well aligned with the priorities of the GoE, both at
appraisal and completion (see paragraph 4 and 5 above). The project was expected to contribute to the achievement of the
objectives under Pillar Two: Enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerabilities - of the BG’s CPF while leveraging gender
and climate change-oriented cross-cutting aspects through dedicated interventions. It was also consistent with the WBG’s
twin goals; and its regional strategy for Africa; The PDO became even more relevant at completion, mainly because of its
consistency with major GoE ongoing strategies. RLLP relevance is demonstrated by the project’s contribution to the targets
related to climate, forest, water, energy, and land tenure defined by GoE strategy documents listed under paragraph 5
above. Moreover, agriculture continued to have a significant role in employment generation, food security, and rural
development in the country. The project is also well aligned with relevant SDGs.
17. RLLP builds on the success and lessons of the SLMP-I and SLMP-II projects which had been implemented from
2008 to 2018 with Bank and donor support. The lessons from these projects contributed to the relevance of the design and
implementation of the RLLP and the Climate Action through Landscape Management (CALM) Program for Results.
23. In conclusion, the pro ect’s purpose and implementation remained ull aligned with ma or government policies
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and strategies, relevant SDGs, as well as Bank and Partner policy frameworks. All RLLP interventions are found to be highly
relevant to the country’s policy priorities and strategies, in addition to being consistent with the needs and priorities of the
beneficiary communities.
B. ACHIEVEMENT OF PDOs (EFFICACY)
Assessment of Achievement of Each Objective/Outcome
Rating: Substantial
18. As the PDO was comprised of four distinct objectives, the achievement of project efficacy is assessed for each
of the individual objectives: (i) improved climate resilience, (ii) improved land productivity, (iii) improved carbon storage,
and (iv) increased access to diversified livelihood activities in selected rural watersheds. Generally, there is practical evidence
that SLM interventions in Ethiopia significantly enhance crop productivity and generate considerable financial returns for
farmers adopting land restoration and Climate Smart Agricultural practices. The present value of the benefits has been
estimated to be more than five times higher than the present value of the costs of investment in SLM measures (Tasew T.,
2023). This was further validated by the crop yield results obtained through the evaluation of CSA interventions by the
project.
19. RLLP project Results Framework was designed with nine PDO level indicators and 22 intermediate level
indicators. As detailed in the table provided in the Technical Annex, RLLP has made significant progress in achieving all its
key PDO and Intermediate indicators, especially on increasing the land area under SLM practices, adoption and
implementation of CSA practices and providing diversified livelihood opportunities to the beneficiaries, all relevant to the
achievement of the intended outcomes.
IMPROVED CLIMATE RESILIENCE
20. The CSA sub-component aimed at strengthening livelihoods & food security by improving the management &
use of natural resources & adopting appropriate technologies to produce agricultural commodities. It integrates the three
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Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (P163383) ICR DOCUMENT
dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) by jointly addressing food security,
ecosystems management and climate change challenges. Climate-smart technologies were implemented in RLLP
interventions watersheds within the framework of integrated landscape management approaches, meaning that all
interventions are implemented on previously restored degraded communal land, area closures, treated farmland &
rehabilitated gullies. Using this approach, a total of 121,232 ha (106.72% of end target) has been treated with CSA
technologies, mainly Conservation Agriculture (CA) (91,973.47 ha) & Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) (29,258
ha).
21. Building on the biophysical landscape restoration achieved through Sustainable Land and Water Management
(SLWM) practices, the project extended the CSA pilot under SLMP-II to a further 200 micro watersheds, providing support
for activity packages that addressed: (i) farm water and soil moisture management, through CA; (ii) ISFM; (iii) crop
development and management; and (iv) sustainable livestock production, through feed development and integrated agro-
silvo-pastoral practices.
22. Adoption Rates of the CSA Technologies: Surveys conducted in the RLLP intervention watersheds by the project
showed that beneficiaries had embraced a total of six CSA technologies, with CA, ISFM, AF 152, and CDM being the most
widely used technologies. Surveys also highlighted that most household heads perceived the positive role of the watershed
management/landscape approach promoted by the project in terms of climate change adaptation. The results on the
adoption of CSA indicated that 1,418 groups comprising of 42,189 households adopted at least one CSA practice/technology
on their farmland because of intensive demonstration, experience sharing & awareness training carried out by the project.
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These initiatives also helped to disseminate CSA practices to areas not supported by RLLP. Qualitative data from focus group
discussions (FGDs) discussants and key informants conducted as part of the Borrower Completion Report (BCR) confirmed
that household heads showed willingness to apply CSA practices due to perceived low costs, ease to manage, high price of
chemical fertilizers, low health risk to human and ease to prepare from local available materials. In terms of perceived
benefits, 89.7% of the sample households responded that CSA practices improved production, 80.4% responded that
incomes were increased and 69.25% responded the CSA practices improved soil fertility. However, households indicated
that the most influential barriers to adopting CSA technologies were lack of inputs, absence of training, and incomplete
package of CSA practices.
IMPROVED LAND PRODUCTIVITY
23. he pro ect’s Knowledge Management In ormation stem KMI reports has success ull achieved
1,436,697 ha of land treated with improved landscape management practices, achieving 92.25% of the target. Notably,
during the mid-term review (MTR), the project had recorded only a 13.7% achievement, equating to 158,813ha, which
highlights the significant progress made during the second half of the project.
24. The implementation of the package of proven SLM technologies contributed significantly not only to the project
outcome of reducing land degradation but also to the objective of improving land productivity . The most relevant
practices supported by the project include erosion control and water retention physical structures, combined with biological
measures; degraded hillside rehabilitation through community-managed area closures (banning on grazing of community
livestock), terracing, forest enrichment, communal pastureland improvement, gully rehabilitation, establishment of green
corridors, woodlots, and the enrichment of pastures and rangelands.
25. A combination of different proven SWC (physical and biological) measures appropriate to local agroecological
conditions were implemented on communal lands. KMIS information revealed that a total of 298,625 ha (105.70% of the
target) of degraded communal land has been treated through area closures, afforestation, gully treatment, and
pasture/grazing land improvement. Rehabilitation and stabilization of gullies represents one of the most successful
interventions supported by the project. By the end of the project period, a total of 7,731 ha (99.11%) of gully areas had been
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treated by implementing practices such as stone check dam construction, brushwood check dams and water collection
trenches) followed by biological revegetation (assisted natural regeneration or planting of forage and fruit species).
26. Practices implemented in degraded communal hillsides included area closures for assisted natural regeneration
and restrictions on free grazing, enrichment planting, soil fertility improvement and moisture retention in communal
areas and/or privately managed degraded bush and woodlands. The management practices within enclosures include
supporting local communities in the preparation and execution of Participatory Land Use Plans (PLUP), including cut-and-
carry arrangements for livestock feeding. At project closing, a total of 1,164 PLUPs including grass cut-and-carry
arrangements have been prepared and executed in the nine project regions.
27. ompl ing with the D de inition o ‘Green orridor G , the pro ect has implemented 2, 55 ha connecting
two or more fragments of forest patches or landscapes in seven project regions , representing 70% of the end target.
Corridors were achieved by planting suitable, preferably native tree species along rivers/streams and all-weather roads
connecting forest patches in selected watersheds.
28. The survey, Focal Group Discussions (FGD), and field observations conducted in sample micro-watersheds
(MWSs) within the nine regions revealed that soil erosion and water runoff were considerably reduced, resulting in clear
evidence of increased moisture retention and surface and groundwater availability . As per field observations and survey
responses in the nine regions, project interventions have resulted in realizable changes and a range of environmental
benefits, promoting more favorable conditions for plant growth and human well-being; increasing the diversity of plant and
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animal species in the project areas, enhancing the overall health and resilience of local ecosystems; improving land
productivity, enabling more efficient use of natural resources for agricultural and other purposes; led to better water
availability, ensuring adequate water supply for various needs such as irrigation, livestock, and domestic use. Specific
evidence of the results achieved was provided by the Biophysical Impact Evaluation (BIE) conducted during the last year of
the project (see para 36).
29. In addition, the project supported the construction of a significant number of water-related community
infrastructure, (see para 47), which also contributed to the objective of improved access and management of water
resources by beneficiary communities and households.
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SWC ACTIVITIES ON FARMLAND
30. Farmlands were treated using Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) measures covering an area of 280,820.55 ha,
of which 79,241.55ha were biological SWC measures. The household survey conducted as part of the BCR showed that, out
of a total of 3.226 household respondents, 3,141 or 97.37% (of which 792 were female-headed HH) replied that the level of
land rehabilitation improvement on their land holdings due to the intervention of the project, ranged from mild to major
rehabilitation. This suggests that much of their land is now covered with sustainable land management practices having a
significant effect on agricultural production, mainly by controlling soil erosion and increasing moisture availability.
31. In addition, moisture harvesting structures were implemented using community labor to collect and store
rainwater runoff. By project closing, an impressive 1,250,008 km of water collection trenches, 27,053 km of deep trenches,
1,588,243 micro basins and 207,194 eyebrow basins (EB) were constructed in eight project regions (excluding Tigray due to
the conflict-related restrictions). These structures helped to feed irrigation systems with harvested rainwater to improve
crop yields, diversify to higher value crops, increase food security, reduce the risk of flooding and enhance the quality of
water.
32. The project had planned to achieve a 50% increase in Land Surface Water Index (LSWI) correcting for climate
effects of the project area, while the achievement has been 70.54% (116.0% of the target). A technical evaluation of the
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impact of this indicator carried out by NPCU/MOA. This indicator provided the evidence-bases on how SLM practices related
to RLLP have contributed to soil moisture retention and availability in project supported areas.
33. The Biophysical Impact Evaluation conducted as part of the project provided clear evidence of the long-term
benefits of SLM practices. Results included in the August 2024 Draft Report from measurements of key parameters
conducted in a sample of 625 micro-watershed within 46 major watersheds showed: (i) a 54% reduction in overall soil losses
due to erosion (from 51.7 tons/ha in 2008 to 24.0 tons/ha in 2024); (ii) an 81% reduction in sediment export (4.3 tons/ha in
2008 down to 0.81 tons/ha in 2024); (iii) reduction in average gully volume from 8,566 m3 to 4,334 m3; and (iv) statistically
significant improvement in the Shannon vegetation diversity index from 1,46 to 2.74.
IMPROVED CARBON STORAGE
34. As a measure of increased carbon storage, the project planned to achieve a 50% increase of the project area in
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). At closing, RLLP had succeeded in reaching 77.35% of the project area. A
more comprehensive technical evaluation of this indicator carried out by the NPCU and MOA and an atlas were prepared
for all RLLP supported major watersheds, as part of the handover documentation. However, data obtained from household
survey conducted as part of the BCR, 87.57% of respondents reported changes in vegetation cover after project
implementation. FGDs conducted in MWSs across all project regions also confirmed the perception of increased vegetation
cover in the project supported micro-watersheds, as well as biodiversity enhancement and microclimate improvement as
response to SLM practices especially through application of afforestation/ reforestation activities.
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35. Originally planned to reduce net GHGs emissions by 965,000 tons per year, calculations using FAOs EXACT tool
estimate that the project achieved the reduction of 1,125,376 tons per year (116.6% of the target) and 4,215,375Tons
CO2eq (2325%) of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced or avoided. Field observations in sample MWSs across all regions
indicated that the RLLP project has promoted SLM and CSA practices that can contribute to reduction in GHG emissions.
This includes adoption of minimum tillage, forage cut and carry system, reforestation/afforestation, agroforestry practices
and area closures. The adoption of improved cookstoves also has a positive effect in reducing carbon emissions.
INCREASED ACCESS TO DIVERSIFIED LIVELIHOODS
36. To strengthen community resilience through livelihood diversification, support was provided for IGAs to all RLLP
watersheds, awarding grants to common interest groups (CIGs) for activities such as apiculture, poultry rearing, sheep and
goat fattening, vegetable and fruit farming, and the production and marketing of improved cook stoves which help reduce
pressure on watersheds’ natural resources. The RLLP further promoted CSA and livelihood diversification through stronger
engagement with the private sector, and providing support for value chain connections in 16 pilot watersheds in the form
of: (i) business plan development; (ii) storage facilities and small equipment for grading and processing; (iii) collaboration
with other value chain programs to facilitate market linkages; and (iv) development of contracts with cooperatives,
cooperative unions and other private sector partners.
37. The project aimed to support 211,350 households in adopting diversified livelihood activities (PDO-5) and
successfully surpassed this target by reaching 253,620 households, organized in 2,236 CIGs (IR-5), exceeding the target by
20%. By project closing, beneficiary households, including 36,986 female headed households, adopted diversified livelihood
activities supported by the project under the following categories of IGAs (IR6 and IR6a) (i) Off-farm (apiculture, shoat
fattening, and poultry production), (ii) On-farm (crop production, temperate and tropical fruits, root and tuber crops, coffee
seedling, spices, improved vegetable production, and vermi-culture), and (iii) Non-farm (bamboo processing, cook stove
production and marketing, petty trade, masonry, and milk processing).
CONNECTION TO VALUE CHAINS
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38. The project-initiated connections to value chain through piloting of selected woredas , where intensive training
for national, regional and pilot woredas’ project team was conducted, as well as identification of key commodities for
connection to value chain. The Central Ethiopia region was selected as a potential region for connection to value chains with
four commodities, namely potatoes, apples, eggs and barley. Similar to the Central Ethiopia region, cases of connection to
value chain were supported in selected locations of Sidama, Oromia and Amhara regions. In total, 5896 beneficiaries were
supported by connecting to value chain opportunities, reporting earnings of 125,978,033.00 Birr, representing an average
share of 21,367.00 Birr per individual.
RURAL LAND ADMINISTRATION AND USE (Component 3)
39. Systematic land registration in project watersheds contributed significantly to the achievement of all four PDO
outcomes outlined in paragraph 18 above. Land certification enhanced tenure security, which in turn encourages
landholders to invest in sustainable landscape management practices, reduces land disputes, improves access to credit, and
supports the adoption of sustainable agricultural land use practices. In order to achieve the issuance of land certificates,
Component 3 of the project supported the introduction of modern technologies and institutional strengthening initiatives,
including piloting drone aerial mapping, development of Mobile Application to automate the field level adjudication and
cadastral surveying and mapping, and the rollout of the National Rural Land Administration Information system (NRLIAS).
40. Participatory Local Level Land Use Planning: A total of 1192 (105% of the end target) was prepared, of which the
majority were being implemented by project closing. The development of local land use plans followed a participatory
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approach that incorporated both scientific methodologies and community involvement. This approach ensured a
comprehensive understanding of the land's potential, contributing to the achievement of outcomes related to land
productivity.
41. National Rural Land Administration Information System (NRLAIS): The project assessed the readiness of land
administration offices in nine regions for NRLAIS rollout, considering factors like office space, infrastructure, human
resources, and internet access. By midterm, the RLLP had facilitated NRLAIS implementation in 35 woredas. This number
rose significantly to 111 (100.9%) woredas by project end, with software installation, SLLC data cleaning and migration. 593
kebeles with almost 1.8 million parcels were migrated to the new system. This demonstrates a robust effort in ensuring that
land records are systematically integrated into NRLAIS, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of land
administration service delivery.
42. With respect to land tenure, the number of beneficiary farmers with a sense of tenure security increased
significantly, as an impressive over 1.24 million households (112.65% of the end target) in the project area received nearly
2.5 million SLLCs (103.86% of the end target), of which over 800,000 were women who received their landholding certificates
either individually or jointly with a man. Moreover, 34,000 landless youth (30% women) were issued with a SLLC or other
legal documentation to use communal landholdings in exchange for restoring the degraded land received. Land tenure
security through land certification incentivizes investment in SLM and climate actions by providing the necessary security
for long-term investments, enhancing climate resilience, reducing deforestation, facilitating sustainable and optimal land
use practices, and supporting vulnerable communities.
43. Through interviews with beneficiaries, the survey conducted as part of the Borrower Completion Report (BCR)
confirmed that land registration and certification has contributed to develop landholder confidence on the security of
land tenure on their land, which represents a major condition for sustainable and productive use enabled by a greater
willingness to invest into productive assets and infrastructure. Moreover, landholders also reported satisfaction with the
transparency of adjudication procedures and the participatory approach used in every step of the adjudication process.
Additional positive effects reported by the land titling efforts include (i) decrease in the number of land disputes, especially
for boundaries-related cases; (ii) increase in confidence to make land rentals; and (iii) increase in land tax recovery rates.
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44. In summary, RLLP objectives and components were well structured, clearly defined, practical, and feasible to be
achieved within the given time frame of the project. The clarity of the objectives was reflected in their alignment with
sustainable development goals, focusing on enhancing climate resilience, land productivity, and livelihood diversification.
Practicability was ensured through well-structured interventions like Sustainable Land Management practices, Conservation
Agriculture, and agroforestry, all of which are proven to be effective in similar contexts. The feasibility of the project design
was supported by robust institutional frameworks involving various stakeholders at different administrative levels, despite
some challenges such as staff turnover and inadequate involvement of zonal authorities.
Justification of Overall Efficacy Rating
45. The project almost fully achieved its objectives and rated as Substantial. The efficacy rating is justified by many
factors, including the overall achievement of PDO and intermediate indicators (averaging 96,4% and 97.7% of the intended
target, respectively), the satisfactory coverage and scope of interventions at the field level and the strategy applied to
sustainably sequence landscape stabilization techniques with livelihood improvement practices. RLLP supported spatially
focused interventions to promote environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth and contributed to
strengthening environmental governance both in institutions and communities engaged in promoting improved and
resilient livelihoods. Results achieved in terms of area coverage represent full compliance with expected short- and medium-
term outcomes. Relevant impact evaluation results provide robust evidence for the link between SLM practices (PDO
indicator) and climate resilience (PDO). These can be considered remarkable achievements, given the operational
restrictions experienced by the project in terms of inflation, security issues, and COVID-related restrictions. The failure to
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fully implement activities in the Tigray and Amhara regions due to civil unrest cannot be attributed to any shortcoming of
the project. Some watersheds in other regions were also impacted, including Oromia and Gambella.
C. EFFICIENCY
Assessment of Efficiency and Rating
Rating: Substantial
46. thiopia’s seeks to strengthen absorptive capacit , through M and interventions; adaptive capacit ,
through IGAs supporting diversification of livelihoods; and transformative capacity, through CSA practice linked to value
chains, and land administration, that provide a basis for more fundamental socioeconomic change. The project targets
landscape restoration, ecosystem services conservation, and agroforestry practices, covering nine Regional) and targeting
2,375 micro watersheds within 170 major watersheds with the total project area of 1,799,088 ha. The project disbursed
budget of 126.48 million USD, constituting 96.16 million USD from IDA, 27.66 million from MTDF and 2.66 million from
Government of Ethiopia. In the PAD, 45 watersheds where implementation had started during an earlier project
(Sustainable Land Management Program Phase I (SLMP-I) were referred to as "graduated watersheds". Only limited
benefits captured on those watersheds were attributed to RLLP. At Implementation Completion Report (ICR), it was clear
that more physical treatments and improvements were also made to the "Existing SLMP II" watersheds than assumed
during PAD. Benefit assumptions regarding the RLLP watersheds remain the same as in the PAD. At project closing, 136
watersheds are completed and attained watershed multiyear development plans (MYDP), while 34 watersheds have not
yet completed the MYDP.
47. The economic and financial analysis of this project had considered not only the financial impacts, but wider
impacts on the welfare and wellbeing of those beneficiaries of the project . In identifying the costs and benefits of a
project, it is important to conduct both the financial and economic benefits expected from the project and calculation Net-
Present Value (NPV), Benefit-Cost-Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). A financial discount rate of 12 % and an
economic discount rate of 5% for a period of 25 years are considered. The key efficiency indicators for the financial and
economic analysis at appraisal and completion of the project are presented in Annex 4. At appraisal, the project with
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additional financing estimated an Economic NPV of US$ 2,124 million (ETB 59.5 billion) with benefit cost ratio of 5.2. The
Economic IRR was 64% and the payback period was 4.3 years. When excluding the social value of carbon, the net economic
project return was US$ 1,383 million (ETB 39 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 3.8 and an EIRR of 36% and a payback
period of 6.4 years.
48. Comparing these values at project completion, excluding the social value of carbon, the net project return
estimated US$1,035 million (ETB 59.16 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 4.7 and an EIRR of 65% and a payback period
of 5 years. At project appraisal, the net project return without the impact on carbon balance and exclusion of land
transformation was US$ 654.4 million (ETB 18.32 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 2.9 and an EIRR of 22.6% with the
payback period of 8.7 years. At project completion, the net project return without the impact on carbon balance and
exclusion of land transformation is US$761 million (ETB 43.54 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 3.4 and an EIRR of 37%
with the payback period of 6.6 years. At appraisal, the overall financial NPV including the additional finance to the project
was estimated US$479 million (ETB 13.39 billion) with a Financial IRR of 35% and a benefit cost ratio of 2.6 and the payback
period was 6.5 years. Comparing these values at project completion, the project Financial Net Present Value (FNPV) is US$
398 million (ETB 22.6 billion) with a Financial IRR of 61 % and a benefit cost ratio of 3.13.
49. In addition to the direct incremental net benefits, incremental benefits from reduced GHG emissions are
included using F ’s X-Ante Carbon Balance Tool (EX-ACT) model plus an estimate due to the reduced emissions from
distributing 300,000 efficient cookstoves. The project’s impact on G G emissions is estimated at .9 million t CO -eq
over the 25-year period (1.4 million tonne CO2-eq/year). Of this 3.6 milliontCO2-eq (0.1 million tCO2-eq per year) is from
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improved cookstoves. As per World Bank guidelines, the economic value of reduced GHG emissions is calculated using the
social cost of carbon starting at US$ 51 per tonne CO2-eq and increasing to USD 78 per tonne over 25 years. The guideline
also suggests a high value scenario at USD 102 per tonne CO2-eq, which increases the value of reduced GHG emissions to
USD 2180 million. Because no transactions of carbon credits are planned to reach direct beneficiaries, the financial value
of carbon is set to zero.
50. Several factors are identified as driving the 25% decrease in ENPV excluding social value of carbon. Firstly, the
US$ to Ethiopia Birr exchange rate increased from 28 to 57 leading to a considerable reduction in ENPV . Secondly, the
ENPV increased because the land transformation area increased from 43,000 to 69,897 ha. However, ENPV decreased
overall because - at appraisal – land transformation benefits were based only on forest plantations, while at closing a more
conservative consideration included greening with less profitable woodland, bush and shrubland. Thirdly, the ENPV
increased because - at closing – the targeted project area was larger, and more benefits were attributed to watersheds
with completed MYDP. Contrary to this, ENPV decreased somewhat because – at appraisal - several of the SLMP
watersheds were classified as RLLP and had originally been attributed higher benefits.
51. In general, based on the sum of expected incremental benefits both in financial analysis and the two economic
scenarios analysis, the overall project and efficiency is rated as Substantial , implying that the project was financially and
economically viable
D. JUSTIFICATION OF OVERALL OUTCOME RATING
Rating: Satisfactory
52. The overall outcome rating is based on the High rating allocated to the Relevance of the PDO, the Substantial
Efficacy of reaching intended results and outcomes, and the Substantial Efficiency achieved by the project, which was within
reasonable limits of error to the estimates made at appraisal. The significance of the PDO and the achieved outcomes is further
demonstrated by the decision of the GoE to pursue the further expansion and upscaling of RLLP interventions through the
ongoing RLLP-2 (with financing from the Green Climate Fund – GCF) and CALM PforR operations.
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E. OTHER OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS (IF ANY)
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
53. Community infrastructure included water harvesting technology, potable water supply schemes and feeder
road construction, Contributing for the project outcomes (Outcomes 1-3). According to the BCR, the end target
achievement of these technologies is 398 (56.30%), 736 (93.69%) and 447 (59.79%) of water harvesting technologies,
potable water supply schemes and feeder roads, implemented respectively in eight project regions. Besides the above,
additional water harvesting technologies served the community in project regions include 3 community ponds, 91 HH
ponds, 183 springs capped /developed, 267 hand-dug wells, 86 roof-water harvesting techniques, 95 culverts and 17
fords.
54. Regarding the supply of seedlings for the various interventions in SLM, CSA and diversification of
livelihoods, the project financed the establishment and operation of nurseries in all regions. According to the KMIS
report, from 2019 to 2024, the nurseries produced and distributed a total of 126,933,036 seedlings, including
68,422,456 seedlings of different tree species, 2,830,118 of fruit tree seedlings, 7,994,404 of coffee seedlings,
2,154,634 of bamboo seedlings, 34,260,445 of grass splits or cuttings) and 11,270,979 of forage seedlings.
55. All land-based and community-based outcomes were supported by the implementation of Component 2
(Investing in Institutions and Information for Resilience). The project addressed the overall technical and institutional
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requirements for the effective provision of support services to watershed-level interventions, by providing adequate
financing for training, technical assistance and capacity building at the local level, as well as supporting a
comprehensive set of knowledge management and dissemination initiatives. This component provided training and
technical assistance at all levels to build government capacity for planning and implementing SLWM interventions. As
a result, a number of technical manuals and policy instruments were developed at the national level (details provided
in the Institutional Strengthening section below and Annex).
56. A significant feature of the project was the focus on developing local capacities at woreda, kebele and
community level. This included support for: (i) Community Facilitators (CFs) at kebele level; (ii) accountants to support
Woreda Offices of Agriculture and Natural Resources (WoANRs); (iii) establishment of Community Watershed User
Cooperative Societies (CWUCSs), highly relevant to project sustainability, and subsequent preparation of specific
management and use plans (CWMUP); (iv) construction and operation of 125 Woreda Information Centers (WICs)
equipped with computers, data storage devices, projectors/TV, and furniture (at closing 118 WICs are fully functional
and being used by stakeholders across the 9 regions); and (iv) targeted assistance for specific technical needs, such as
community monitoring of surface and groundwater, piloting access to -weather information, and training in cadaster
development and land registration.
57. A total of 2083 CWUCSs have been established, representing 94.55 % of the total target of 2203 CWUCSs.
Of these, 1574 (71.45% of the end target) have prepared the required Management and Use Plans (MUPs). The
regions of Central Ethiopia, Gambella, Sidama, South Ethiopia and Southwest Ethiopia achieved 100% of their target.
Conversely, continued support is needed in Tigray and Amhara regions, where a relatively low number of CWMUP have
been prepared.
58. The project also piloted new technologies for information modernization at the local level, including
electronic tablets for gathering and reporting on geospatial information, and use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs
– or drones) for the acquisition of aerial photographs and production of orthophotos, which serve as a base map for
the land registration and certification activities. Support for policy development under this component focused on: (i)
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the development and application of a regulatory framework for CWUCSs; and (ii) strengthening the land administration
system.
Gender
59. Gender considerations have been a priority in RLLP design, as demonstrated by the inclusion of sub
indicators for female beneficiaries for all major indicators in the Results Framework . Similarly, this approach was
adopted by the Project’s Monitoring Information System at local levels and consolidated at the national level. In all
cases, the reporting on sub indicators suggest that the proportion of female beneficiaries was highly relevant,
particularly regarding the issuance of secondary land certificates. A significant benchmark is that women in the project
areas gained equal land tenure security compared to men through second level land certificates, thus promoting
gender equity and empowering women in land management decisions. However, the information provided by the
survey conducted as part of the BCR suggests a statistically significant difference in satisfaction levels between MHH
and FHH regarding the RLLP intervention. The results suggest that while the RLLP intervention has provided benefits to
both male and female-headed households, it disproportionately favored males in terms of satisfaction. This appears to
raise questions about the inclusivity and effectiveness of the activities implemented.
Institutional Strengthening
60. To effectively achieve attitudinal and behavioral changes towards the project induced activities, training
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was provided to project-implementing parties of all levels. As described in the PIM, a significant number of training
sessions were undertaken for different project implementing stakeholders including the end users. In most cases,
training has been provided by sector experts and external consultants. Theoretical training supported with
demonstrations, including farmers field days, exposure and exchange visits and printed media (like magazines,
signposts, brochures, leaflets, posters, and newsletters) were the mechanisms through which such trainings were
delivered. The training was delivered for each level of implementation at federal, regional, woreda and kebele levels.
The printing media for the ultimate users were produced in local languages. RLLP made use of a variety of media and
communication tools tailored to different audiences. In terms of policy instruments, several highly relevant manuals
and legal documents were prepared under RLLP, as described in the Technical Annex.
61. Moreover, capacity building training has also been provided on adoption and use of (i) web based SLM-
KMIS usage system, (ii) tablet based geo-enabling system, and (iii) geo-enabling for monitoring and supervision
(GEMS). The GEMS implementations training has been given to regional specialists and zonal project focal persons on
usage of tablet-based Kobo Toolbox system for data collection and data manipulation. Such training was also cascaded
down to woreda focal coordinators, development agents (DA), community facilitators, and Technical Committee (TC)
members with the support and supervision of regional and federal experts.
62. In general, findings of the BCR indicate that across the regions and the respective project woredas,
appropriate capacity building training has been given on relevant project implementation issues such as
establishment and management of CWUCS, land restoration, livelihood diversification, land administration and use,
land certification, monitoring and evaluation and environmental and social safeguard preparation and management.
Stakeholders of all levels such as regional specialists, Zonal project focal persons, woreda project coordinators, WSCs,
WTCs, and selected members of CWT, KWT, KGC, CF, and DA took part in capacity building training.
Mobilizing Private Sector Financing
63. In the context of the improved livelihood outcome, RLLP promoted livelihood diversification through
stronger engagement with the private sector, including establishing collaboration with other Value Chain initiatives,
and conducting a comprehensive Market Assessment (see further details in Technical Annex). In addition, direct
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support was provided to organized farmers in 16 pilot watersheds described previously for value chain connections in
the form of financial assistance for: (i) business plan development; (ii) storage facilities and small equipment for grading
and processing; (iii) collaboration with other value chain programs to facilitate market linkages; and (iv) development
of contracts with cooperatives, cooperative unions and other private sector partners. Relevant activities aimed at
mobilizing private sector engagement are described in the Technical Annex,
Poverty Reduction and Shared Prosperity
64. All RLLP activities were targeted to poor rural households living in degraded watersheds. The integrated
approach followed by the project, incorporating CSA and IGA in SLM-treated areas, represents a valid strategy to
eventually achieve sustainable poverty reduction through improved livelihoods. Numerous examples of this
assumption have been identified and documented, particularly in households that initially received SLM support from
SLMP-I and SLMP-II, further consolidated by specific interventions during RLLP.
65. By focusing on providing resources and opportunities to women and youth, RLLP not only empowered
these groups but also contributed significantly to achieving the project's broader objectives and indicators . This
inclusive approach ensured that the benefits of the project were equitably distributed, promoting sustainable
development and resilience within the community.
Other Unintended Outcomes and Impacts
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74. A specific project intervention closely linked to poverty reduction was the support to landless youth. The
level of landlessness in the country has faced major problems due to lack of economic opportunities for most poor
rural youths which drives them to put high pressure on the natural capital to support their livelihoods that leads to
severe land degradation threatening the resilience of rural livelihoods in many ways. Specifically, RLLP assisted over
34,000 poor rural youth (of which 10,000 were female) in the transfer of rehabilitated communal lands in exchange for
their effort towards land restoration. This included identification of suitable communal land, consultation of the
community for relevant decision to be made to reduce the environmental social risks, surveying of the communal lands,
organizing the landless youths in groups, and issuance of land certificates.
III. KEY FACTORS AFFECTED IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOME
A. KEY FACTORS DURING PREPARATION
66. RLLP preparation was considerably facilitated by the operational experience and lessons learned for the
predecessor projects (SLMP-I and SLMP-II). Largely due to this, project components were coherent, and objectives were
realistic, while beneficiaries, stakeholders, and implementation arrangements were adequately identified. In addition,
appropriate mitigation measures to perceived risks were identified, such as the recruitment of fiduciary staff at the regional
level. Despite the incorporation of key additional activities, the experience gained with SLMP-II ensured that implementation
readiness was not a limiting factor.
67. However, as described in other sections of this report, the overall implementation outcomes were affected by
distinct factors associated with preparation, including (a) the limited information on the actual degree of coverage achieved
in individual SLMP-I watersheds, influencing the ‘completeness’ assumption (reduced support allocated by RLLP to SLMP-I
and SLMP 2 watersheds) which guided the initial implementation strategy of RLLP.
B. KEY FACTORS DURING IMPLEMENTATION
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68. Project implementation was challenged by major external factors like COVID-19 Pandemic, conflict and security-
related restrictions, and inflated cost of inputs and equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted effective mobility for
regional and federal project staff including partners that reduced micro-watershed level monitoring and support, affected
implementation momentum, restricted technical monitoring and support plan, delayed delivery of capacity building activities
and reduced the functionality of monitoring platforms. The Royal Norwegian Embassy additional finance support to MoA,
intensive virtual communications and social distancing-based technical support were mitigation measures during the
pandemic period.
69. Security restrictions and the civil war considerably affected RLLP implementation, mostly in Tigray and Amhara
regions, but also in parts of western Oromia and Gambella. M&E information shows that Tigray had a good start during the
inception period, however due to the widespread conflict that lasted from November 2020 to November 2022, project
implementation not only was interrupted (Tigray showed the least progress in all performance indicators) but physical and
biological SWC structures on farmland and infrastructure such as the Woreda Information Centers (WIC) were destroyed or
severely damaged. More specifically, 342 micro-watersheds within 34 major watersheds were unable to fully implement
project interventions, NRLAIS was not functional in Tigray due to war-related damage till December 2023, while the looting
and damage of documents, furniture, and ICT equipment affected 32 of the WIC financed by the project in Tigray (14), Oromia
(5) and Amhara (13), including the six WICs established in GAC-supported watersheds.
70. In addition, high inflation and foreign exchange restrictions during the life of the project also affected project
implementation, mainly regarding the purchase of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, hand tools, etc.) and equipment (tillage
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machinery, motorcycles for local staff and DAs, etc.), both local and imported.
IV. BANK PERFORMANCE, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME
A. QUALITY OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E)
Rating: Substantial
M&E Design
71. The M&E system designed during preparation and described in the PAD was expected to reflect input-output,
processes, and outcome monitoring, as well as monitoring of targets established for the indicators included in the Results
Framework. M E system design and implementation, particularly at the local level (“below woreda” including the mid -
term review were adequately budgeted as part of project management costs, while ambitious impact evaluations of CSA,
biophysical and livelihoods, were planned to be conducted and used to reinforce and help build evidence on the impacts of
improved land management.
M&E Implementation
72. As a result of the timeliness and decentralized AWPB planning, data collection system employed, technical and
fiduciary data generated in each micro-watershed was effectively consolidated into management and progress reports,
instrumental for the analysis of project implementation by the RPCUs, NPCU, and Bank team, the latter mainly to inform
ten supervision missions and the mid-term review conducted in 2021.
M&E Utilization
73. The adoption of improved monitoring and reporting tools, combined with the comprehensive training provided
to local staff in woredas, kebeles and communities was instrumental to having access to a reliable Monitoring System,
allowing for improved project planning and management by regional and central coordinators and authorities, as well as
results-based advice and guidance by the Bank’s team.
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Justification of Overall Rating of Quality of M&E
74. Learning from the weakness of the SLMP-II M&E system and ke assumptions around “graduated watersheds”,
as designed, the M&E system of RLLP incorporated substantial improvements and clarity of assumptions to ensure timely
and accurate project monitoring at the local level (Woreda and Kebele/watershed ). In the PAD, 45 watersheds where
implementation had started during an earlier project (Sustainable Land Management Program Phase I (SLMP-I)) were
referred to as "graduated watersheds". This assumption created challenges in attributing benefits and assessing the extent
of physical treatments and improvements made in SLMP I and SLMP II supported major watersheds. While the PAD assumed
limited additional benefits for graduated watersheds, the Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs) after the mid-
term indicated that more physical treatments and improvements were made to the "Existing SLMP II" major watersheds
than initially assumed. This contention regarding the assumption of benefits and the extent of improvements was later
clarified and incorporated in the M&E system during implementation. Hence, through the establishment of 4735 platforms,
of which 2375 functioned at community level, and almost 2000 at the kebele level, the M&E system provided an effective
tool for the project to plan, budget, and monitor project implementation at all levels. Furthermore, the information provided
by the M&E system at project closing allowed for a reliable and satisfactory assessment of project outputs and results.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND FIDUCIARY COMPLIANCE
75. At RLLP closure, the overall environmental and social compliance rating was Satisfactory, based on the following
achievements, further described in the Technical Annex:
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• RLLP was classified as Category B and built on lessons learned through the implementation of the SLM Program,
including the Bank-financed SLMP-I and SLMP-II.
• The project complied with the triggered safeguards policies and with relevant national policy and legislations through
preparing, implementing, and monitoring the RLLP safeguards instruments in an inclusive and participatory manner.
All instruments were translated into local languages, including Amharic, Afan Oromo, Sidamo Afo, and Tigrigna, and
distributed to the respective woredas.
• A comprehensive gender analysis of the project was also conducted, leading to the preparation and implementation
of appropriate mainstreaming guidelines.
• The safeguards system established during the RLLP implementation period (2019 to 2024) has laid the foundation for
E&S risk management for the second RLLP (P174385), including a comprehensive set of activities involving
institutional arrangements, stakeholder engagement and support for vulnerable groups.
• Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): A GRM was established and operated, with a total of 6,051 Grievance Redress
Committees (GRC) in the implementing kebeles, resolving all 2,293 registered cases.
• E&S screening and instruments: Site-specific instruments (ESMPs) were prepared, cleared, implemented, and
monitored for sub-projects. A total of 7,565 sub-projects were screened, with 4,793 ESMPs developed and
implemented.
76. No major non-compliance cases were reported during the project closing mission, though some delayed E&S
activities were recorded, including the submission of the compiled report on the implementation status of the E&S audit
corrective action plan. These issues will be addressed under RLLP II, under implementation.
Financial Management (FM)
77. The overall FM rating at closing was Moderately Satisfactory (MS), and the FM risk rating was Substantial (S). The
last FM implementation supervision assessed that (i overall, the project’s financial management arrangements and their
implementation was assessed as adequate; (ii) compliance with the legal covenants related to financial management was
overall satisfactory, and (iii) commendable efforts from the client side in taking actions on the PAD and supervision missions
FM action plans. The assessment concluded that the FM system in place provided reasonable assurance that the Bank
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proceeds were being used for the intended purposes and that the reports that were being produced by the system were
reliable for monitoring the project throughout the project’s lifetime. Overall, the project disbursed 100% of the allocations
and documented them in full; IFRs were mostly submitted on time; timely and up-to-date recording of project accounts and
transactions were noted; full staff positions were maintained towards the end of the project; refresher trainings were provided
to the staff; frequent supportive supervisions were conducted at the lower implementations the NPCU; the project customized
the project charts of accounts to accommodate the GCF APR reporting requirements to ensure GCF reporting as RLLP II co-
financing; and the project could close the accounts in an orderly despite challenges.
78. Despite the overall positive FM performance outlook, some challenges have persisted over the project life
including delays in AWPB preparation, approval, and notification to lower implementing entities; variations in the project
working budgets and government proclaimed budgets; low budget utilization; poor quality and coverage of internal audit
review oversight; manual accounting system at some implementing woredas; gaps in fixed assets management (fixed assets
not timely updated at some of the lower implementations), gaps in IFR quality; delay in taking action on audit
recommendations; lower counterpart contribution compared to initial design; and impact of conflict situations on FM
implementation.
Procurement Management (PM)
79. he pro ect’s procurement per ormance rating is Moderatel atis actor . The implementing agencies established
and maintained the agreed procurement arrangement and capacity at all levels including at federal, regional and woreda level.
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Besides, the client in collaboration with the World Bank procurement team provided training to procurement and technical
staff during the implementation of the project. As a result, adequate capacity has been maintained to enable effective
implementation of procurement at all levels of implementation.
80. As per the information in STEP, 669 procurement activities with an aggregate estimated cost of USD 46 million
were planned during the project lifetime. Of these, close to 40% of the procurement activities were planned and implemented
using open competitive procedures. This is acceptable considering the nature of the project that involves small value
procurement activities sourced from the local market using proportionally simple procurement methods. Though there are
risk of activities that are not captured in STEP system, the project is one of the first few projects that has tried to capture in
STEP all procurement activities, including those small value procurement activities implemented at local level. Close to 20% of
the planned procurement activities (32% in value terms) were cancelled after the procurement activities had been cleared by
the Bank showing the limitation in preparing and implementing realistic procurement plans. Related to this, the client
cancelled major consultancy activities associated Bio-physical impact evaluation, climate smart agriculture productivity
evaluation and Bamboo for Landscape Restoration and Livelihood Diversification which were part of the original project design
and planned and cleared in STEP. Some of these activities were cancelled after the selection process had advanced to contract
signing stage, undermining the credibility of the procurement process in the ministry.
81. During the life of the project, the procurement team carried out 3 rounds of post procurement reviews. In addition,
the client sponsored a consulting firm and carried out independent procurement audits. In all the reviews and the audit, there
were no cases involving risk of fraud and corruption though minor inconsistencies were observed during procurement
processing and contract management. Besides, the Bank is not aware of any procurement complaint that was not satisfactorily
resolved. However, it is noted that the last independent procurement audit was not carried out due to delays in initiating the
selection process. As per the information in STEP, there are procurement activities that are under contract implementation
and procurement processing which is mostly related to limitations in updating the procurement information in STEP. Thus, the
client has been urged to update the procurement information and upload all relevant procurement documents in STEP during
the grace period.
C. BANK PERFORMANCE
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Quality at Entry
82. Supported by the experience acquired in implementing the previous SLM project, as well as other relevant projects
such as the NE MAP Project in Nigeria, India’s Karnataka atershed Project and Rwanda’s Land usbandry Project, RLLP
identification, preparation and appraisal adequately addressed all technical, financial, institutional and fiduciary aspects
required to achieve the expanded and ambitious development outcomes of RLLP. The project's design was well-grounded in
the Theory of Change (ToC), with outcomes and outputs consistently aligned with the anticipated results, facilitated by the
continuity of key staff in the NPCU and RPCUs, as well as the design of an improved, highly decentralized M&E system.
83. In hindsight, one minor weakness of project design was the stated intention of providing a mechanism and
supporting elements to allow watersheds to “graduate” rom pro ect-based assistance and continue sustainable
management of restored landscapes through normal government mechanisms. This approach was revised during
implementation, replacing the concept of watershed “graduation” with “completion”, thus acknowledging that once SLM
interventions have adequately addressed all factors of land degradation, continued project-related support to households will
most likely be required to attain the ultimate goal of improved productivity and livelihoods.
Quality of Supervision
84. A total of 10 Joint Independent Supervisions Missions (JISM) were conducted by Bank staff and consultants, mostly
based in the Bank office in Addis Abeba. Mission Aide Memoires and ISRs were timely, comprehensive and candid, providing
For Official Use Only
a useful tool for Bank management oversight and country dialogue. The Mid-Term Review was carried out as planned and,
considering the findings and recommendations of the review, the Bank team proactively pursued the restructuring of the
Results Framework, as well as necessary adjustments to the original budgets and institutional arrangements.
85. RLLP was implemented with five AWBP approved for operation based on the thorough review and No Objection
from the Bank and the respective steering committees at Federal, Regional and Woreda levels . The same Bank team was
also responsible for supervising RLLP-II implementation since 2022 for 24 months in PROGREEN targeted watersheds and for
12 months in GCF financed watersheds. Moreover, on top of RLLP and RLLP-II planning and implementation, the project
managed key activities of SLMP-II completion. This considerable set of overlapping tasks, combined with the contributions
made by the Bank team on project-related technical matters beyond supervision responsibilities (CSA, green corridors, private
sector engagement, adoption of IT-based M&E tools, NDVI and LSWI instruments, etc.) provide ample justification for the
considerably high annual supervision budget, supported by Bank-executed Trust Funds, as recorded in the system for RLLP.
86. ne aspect which was not adequatel addressed b the Bank’s supervision was the implementation o three
separate but linked impact evaluations, namely biophysical impact at landscape level, livelihood impacts at the household
level and CSA impact at the plot level. These evaluations were referenced in the PAD, and originally planned to be conducted
through different stakeholders, i.e., WLRC of Addis Ababa University, a consortium of CGIAR agencies and the Environment
and Climate Research Centre of EDRI, and the Bank’s Gender Lab, respectively. owever, due to a combination of
implementation and procurement delays, WLRC and CGIAR participation did not materialize, and the biophysical and CSA
impact evaluations were conducted by the NPCU and finalized shortly after project closing. The livelihood outcome at the
household level impact evaluation was impacted by security restrictions which rendered a considerable number of sample
field sites off limits for data collection. This study produced contradictory preliminary results which suggest the need for the
Bank team and the Gender Lab to jointly review the appropriateness of the methodology utilized. This process was underway
at the time of ICR preparation.
87. In addition, an advanced community-based biophysical monitoring was also adopted by taking Sidama region as a
pilot using advanced trail cameras to monitor water quality, stream flow and precipitation. The required data with the support
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of trial cameras and installed rain gauges has been collected, organized and shared with the Bank M&E Team in order to
incorporate these results in the overall impact evaluation framework.
Justification of Overall Rating of Bank Performance
88. verall, the World Bank’s per ormance is rated atis actor . Minor shortcomings identified at inception and Mid-
Term Review were adequately mitigated by the orld Bank’s support during implementation. All technical and fiduciary
requirements were fully achieved in a proactive manner, contributing to both supporting project implementation and
enhancing the orld Bank’s dialogue with sectoral counterparts and stakeholders.
D. RISK TO DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME
89. Project preparation identified several risk factors to project success and outcome and possible mitigation
measures. Although the project did not conduct systematic and regular assessments of risks, relevant mitigation measures for
these pre-identified risks were adequately taken into consideration, while emerging risks such as the security situation in
certain project areas were appropriately reflected in periodic revisions to project implementation plans.
90. Results from project implementation highlighted several features which underscore and mitigate the overall risk
of not sustaining project outcomes. These include the level of adoption of SLM practices by beneficiaries, and the fact that
most of the interventions to reduce land degradation were implemented by beneficiary communities represents a clear
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indication that watershed rehabilitation practices can be maintained and expanded with limited public funding, provided that
the local support structures developed by RLLP are not discontinued. In addition, decisions made by communities organized
into Cooperative Societies to enact bylaws to enforce certain practices such as area closures and grazing bans are evidence of
community empowerment and the acceptance and adoption of key conservation practices by watershed households. Most
importantly, the support provided by the project to enhance utilization of natural resources and increase farm productivity in
stabilized areas has resulted in tangible livelihood improvements, which provide the most compelling incentive for beneficiary
communities to sustain their commitment to a holistic approach to watershed management. However, this expected outcome
cannot be solely supported by community commitments, without further strengthening and public support. Public policies
and interventions at the national and regional levels must provide the necessary assistance to address systemic issues which
could challenge project outcomes, including the alignment/mainstreaming of extension services with conservation-based
production systems; promotion of SLM-oriented governance structures, such as the CWMCS; development of incentives to
establish livestock production systems that incorporate SLM practices (area closures, cut-and-carry, forage production in
gullies and CSA rotations, etc.); and reduction of overgrazing in fragile communal areas.
91. The agreement reached, as part of the final supervision, for MoA to prepare a detailed Sustainability Plan,
combined with the World Bank’s decision to support GoE’s efforts to further consolidate and expand the RLLP success through
the implementation of the RLLP-2 and CALM operations, should also be instrumental in addressing the abovementioned risks
and ensuring the necessary continuity for long-term impact and sustainability of project outcomes. The NPCU/MoA has
completed the necessary documents, including atlases of major watersheds, to be handed over to government and CWUCSs
by January 7, 2025. Such agreement materialized in early December during a CALM supervision mission, in which MoA formally
presented to the Bank a detailed watershed Handover Plan, which included a schedule for gradual transfer of 170 RLLP-assisted
watersheds to regional & local governments, complemented by valuable area-specific justification in terms of number of
beneficiaries, as well as NDVI & LSWI values for each of the RLLP micro-watersheds, reflecting a detailed sustainability plan.
V. LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
92. A strategic lesson from SLMP-I and SLMP-II reflected in the design and implementation of RLLP is the need to
provide reasonable time to achieve the stabilization of degraded areas, complemented by mechanisms and supporting
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elements to allow watershed communities to evolve from project-based assistance and adopt/consolidate sustainable
management of restored landscapes through government programs. In this respect, the establishment of Community
Watershed User Cooperatives Societies (CWUCS) should be instrumental to sustaining participatory watershed management
when project-based support ends, provided they are established early in the life of the project to ensure adequate capacity
building and governance.
93. In the design of any NRM project, security of land ownership or user rights represents a key factor for strengthening
community incentives for investment in and maintenance of SLM interventions. Consequently, where such a condition is not
part of the project baseline, consideration should be given to include a land certification component in project design, ideally
mainstreamed with existing government programs.
94. Highly decentralized SLM implementation is a major factor of project success. As such, projects require a well-
designed M&E system, ideally with the necessary platforms and tools to for primary data to be generated at the beneficiary
level, while ensuring that the overall system is focused on results-based and spatial information, and not only activity-based
reporting. In addition to identifying indicators to be measured, detailed indicator protocols need to be developed that provide
specific procedures and frequency/uniformity for indicator data collection.
95. Important technical lessons include: (a) area closures to limit free grazing for erosion control should be
complemented by fodder production to better support enclosed livestock management practices (as discussed under outputs
regarding gully rehabilitation and backyard livestock farming); (b) SLM initiatives need to take into consideration the livestock
For Official Use Only
population in the micro-watershed in relation to the carrying capacity of the area; (c) to achieve the effective exit strategy of
a treated micro-watershed, systemic issues such as the overall capacity building of the extension systems and community-
based organizations should be addressed; and (d) adoption of improvement land productivity practices, well adapted to
climate variability through soil and water management, combined with support for livelihood improvements linked to value
chains, represent the most appropriate approach to reinforce incentives for the maintenance of investments in SLM practices.
96. Fiduciary lessons regarding the overall support to the SLM Program highlight the importance of (a) aligning project
budgeting systems with the GoE budget calendar; (b) including the costs of environmental mitigation measures in subproject
designs; and (c) providing adequate resources to upgrade planning, budgeting, and monitoring of inputs and outputs that are
essential for decentralized operations. As such, the appointment of regional accountants as ‘mobile accountants’ in regions
where significant number of project watersheds exist has contributed to improve financial reporting at decentralized levels,
while assigning a project internal auditor at the federal level can improve/address internal control weaknesses.
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ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK AND KEY OUTPUTS
@#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@icrresultframework#doctemplate
A. RESULTS FRAMEWORK
PDO Indicators by Outcomes
Improve climate resilience and land productivity
Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
406,000.00 Aug/2018 1,568,000.00 Jul/2024 1,446,409.92 Jul/2024
Comments on achieving targets PDO-1a should read "Land area restored or reforested/afforested (Ha)". The result recorded in November 2019
Land area under sustainable has been corrected, as achievements for this sub-indicator can only be recorded for areas restored, reforested,
landscape management practices or afforested as part of completed MYDPs. At project completion, 91 out of 125 major watersheds completed
(Hectare(Ha)) their MYDPs under RLLP. PDO-1b should read "Land area with productivity enhancing practices applied (Ha).";
The figures indicated relate to this definition of PDO-1b The minor text errors in PDO-1a and 1b occurred during
processing of the Additional Financing (AF).
Land area under sustainable 113,000.00 Aug/2018 193,754.00 Jul/2024 244,619.00 Jul/2024
landscape management
practices (Hectare(Ha))
Land area under sustainable 6,000.00 Aug/2018 113,600.00 Jul/2024 108,106.00 Jul/2024
landscape management
practices (Hectare(Ha))
Project area showing an increase in 0.00 Aug/2018 50.00 Jul/2024 77.35 Jul/2024
NDVI correcting for climate effects Comments on achieving targets This indicator was updated at Midterm and End.
(Percentage)
Project area showing an increase in 0.00 Aug/2018 50.00 Jul/2024 70.54 Jul/2024
LSWI correcting for climate effects Comments on achieving targets This indicator was updated at Midterm and End.
(Percentage)
Improve carbon storage
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Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
0.00 Aug/2018 -965,000.00 Jul/2024 -1,125,376 Jul/2024
Net greenhouse gas emissions
Comments on achieving targets This indicator updated at Midterm and End.
(Tones/year)
4a. Expected tons of carbon 0.00 3,096,380.00 4,215,375.00
dioxide equivalent to be
reduced or avoided Metric ton
(tCO2eq) (Metric ton)
Increase access to diversified livelihood activities
Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
Households adopting diversified 0.00 Aug/2018 211,350.00 Jul/2024 253,620 Jul/2024
livelihood activities supported by the Comments on achieving targets This indicator measured by survey conducted at Midterm and End.
project (Number)
Female-headed households 0.00 37,000.00 36,986.00
participating in diversified
livelihood activities supported
by the project (Number)
Intermediate Indicators by Components
Green Infrastructure and Resilient Livelihoods
Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
IR 1. Share of target beneficiaries 0.00 Aug/2018 65.00 Jul/2024 89.30 May/2022
with rating ‘Satisfied’ or above on Comments on achieving targets This indicator updated with survey conducted at mid-term and close.
project interventions (aspects:
livelihoods, environmental benefits,
others) (Percentage)
IR 1a. Share of target women 0.00 65.00 84.80
beneficiaries with rating
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‘Satisfied’ or above on project
interventions (Percentage)
IR 2. Targeted major watersheds with 0.00 Aug/2018 125.00 Jul/2024 91.00 Jun/2024
Multi-Year Development Plan 100% Comments on achieving targets It was anticipated that most of SLMP-2 watersheds will have fully implemented their MYDPs
implemented (Number) by Midterm.
IR 2a. Targeted major 90.00 125.00 125.00
watersheds with Multi-Year
Development Plan approved
(Number)
0.00 Aug/2018 43,500.00 Jul/2024 47,300.00 Jun/2024
IR 3. Area enclosure as a result of the
project (Hectare(Ha)) Comments on achieving targets Area enclosures prevent uncontrolled grazing, and can included as an activity in MYDPs.
IR 4. Land users adopting sustainable 0.00 Aug/2018 506,000.00 Jul/2024 181,310.00 May/2022
land management practices as a Comments on achieving targets This indicator is to be measured based on a survey conducted at Midterm and End. Results
result of the project (Number) previously reported were corrected to zero, as the survey has not yet been conducted.
IR 4a. Women land users 0.00 276,000.00 68,356.00
adopting sustainable land
management practices as a
result of the project
(Number)
IR 4b. Female headed 0.00 47,300.00 15,771.00
households adopting
sustainable land management
practices as a result of the
project (Number)
IR 5. Functional Common-Interest 0.00 Aug/2018 2,628.00 Jul/2024 2,240.00 Jun/2024
Groups (CIGs) established or
supported. (Number)
IR 6. People participating in income- 0.00 Aug/2018 382,800.00 Jul/2024 389,289.00 Jun/2024
generating activities supported by Comments on achieving targets Data for this indicator is collected as part of project reporting. The methodology and
the project (Number) frequency of reporting have been corrected accordingly.
IR 6a. Women participating in 0.00 210,800.00 170,116.00
income generating activities
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supported by the project
(Number)
Investing in Institutions and Information for Resilience
Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
IR 7. Community atershed Users’ 0.00 Aug/2018 2,203.00 Jul/2024 2,065.00 Jul/2024
Cooperative Societies established and
strengthened (Number)
IR 7a. Community Watershed 0.00 2,203.00 1,575.00
Users’ Cooperative Societies
(CWUCSs) with Watershed
Management and Use Plan
(Number)
IR 8. Woreda information centers 0.00 Aug/2018 126.00 Jul/2024 118.00 Jul/2024
being effectively used by project Comments on achieving targets This indicator updated based on the BCR.
stakeholders (Number)
IR 14. Number of direct beneficiaries 0.00 Apr/2022 3,539,490.00 Jul/2024 3,468,700.00 Jul/2024
(Number)
IR14a. Number of indirect 0.00 21,168,512.00 21,062,669.00
beneficiaries (Number)
(Number)
IR 15. Number of males and females 0.00 Apr/2022 1,019,405.00 Jul/2024 1,387,537.00 Jul/2024
made aware of climate threats and
related appropriate responses
(Number)
IR 15a. Number of females 0.00 Apr/2022 560,656.00 Jul/2024 815,524.00 Jul/2024
made aware of climate threats
and related appropriate
responses (Number)
Rural Land Administration and Use
Indicator Name Baseline Closing Period (Original) Closing Period (Current) Actual Achieved at Completion
Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year Result Month/Year
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IR 9. Parcels of land surveyed and 1,776,000.00 Aug/2018 4,100,000.00 Jul/2024 4,205,153.00 Jul/2024
mapped for certification (Number)
IR 10. Second level land certificates 1,776,000.00 Aug/2018 2,400,000.00 Jul/2024 2,492,615.00 Jul/2024
issued as a result of the project Comments on achieving targets The baseline for this indicator supposed to be zero.
(Number)
IR 11. Households who have received 438,000.00 Aug/2018 1,098,500.00 Jul/2024 1,237,468.00 Jul/2024
second level land holding certificates
(Number)
IR 11a. Women who have 300,000.00 795,375.00 828,904.00
received second level land
holding certificates
individually or jointly with a
man (Number)
IR 12. Landless youth who are 14,000.00 Aug/2018 34,000.00 Jul/2024 34,090.00 Jun/2024
members of groups who have been
issued a second level certificate or
other legal documentation to use
communal land holdings in exchange
for restoring land (Number)
IR 12a. Female landless youth 4,200.00 10,200.00 10,664.00
who are members of groups
who have been issued a
second level certificate or
other legal documentation to
use communal land holdings
in exchange for restoring land
(Number)
IR 13. Woredas with functioning land 0.00 Aug/2018 110.00 Jul/2024 111.00 Jul/2024
administration information systems
(Number)
IR 16. Participatory Local Land Use 545.00 Apr/2022 1,141.00 Jul/2024 1,192.00 Jul/2024
Plans (PLUP) local level participatory
land use plans prepared at kebele
level within the project intervention
areas (Number) (Number)
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B. KEY OUTPUTS
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Improve climate resilience and land productivity
1. Land area under sustainable landscape management practices
PDO Indicators 2. Project area showing an increase in NDVI correcting for climate effects
3. Project area showing an increase in LSWI correcting for climate effects
1. Area closures on communal degraded land
2. Physical treatment of gully
3. Existing Community Forest Management
4. Afforestation / reforestation of degraded-land
5. Bamboo development on degraded-land
Key Outputs
6. Forest Degradation Reduction Measures
(linked to the achievement of the PDO Outcome)
7. Enrichment of degraded pasture and range land /grazing land
management
8. Physical SWC on Hilly Farmland
9. Physical SWC on unhilly farmland
10. Farm water and Soil Moisture Management
Improve carbon storage
PDO Indicators 4. Net greenhouse gas emissions
1.
Key Outputs 2.
(linked to the achievement of the PDO Outcome) 3.
4.
Increase access to diversified livelihood activities
5. Households adopting diversified livelihood activities supported by the
PDO Indicators
project
1. Cook stove production and marketing (SHG managed)
Key Outputs 2. SHG based apiculture promotion
(linked to the achievement of the PDO Outcome) 3. SHG based poultry promotion
4. SHG based sheep and goat fattening
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5. SHG based fishery promotion
6. SHG based sericulture promotion
7. Vermiculture/vermicomposting (SHG managed)
8. SHG based milk processing
9. Improved vegetable production (SHG managed)
10. SHG based bomboo processing
11. SHG managed processing, packaging and marketing fodder
12. Cook stove production and marketing (HH managed)
13. Apiculture promotion (HH managed)
14. Poultry production (HH managed)
15. Sheep and goat fattening (HH managed)
16. Fishery promotion (HH managed)
17. Sericulture promotion (HH managed)
18. Vermiculture/vermicomposting (HH managed)
19. HH managed milk processing
20. Temperate fruit planting and production (eg. Apple)
21. Tropical fruit planting and production (eg. Mango, Orange, etc.)
22. Root and tuber crop production (Enset, etc)
23. Improved vegetable production (HH managed)
24. Coffee planting and production
25. HH managed Processing, packaging and marketing fodder
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Project Management and Reporting
Intermediate Results Indicators
1.
Key Outputs 2.
(linked to the achievement of the Component) 3.
4.
Rural Land Administration and Use
20. IR 9. Parcels of land surveyed and mapped for certification
21. IR 10. Second level land certificates issued as a result of the project
22. IR 11. Households who have received second level land holding certificates
24. IR 12. Landless youth who are members of groups who have been issued a
second level certificate or other legal documentation to use communal land
Intermediate Results Indicators
holdings in exchange for restoring land
26. IR 13. Woredas with functioning land administration information systems
27. IR 16. Participatory Local Land Use Plans (PLUP) local level participatory
land use plans prepared at kebele level within the project intervention areas
(Number)
1.
Key Outputs 2.
(linked to the achievement of the Component) 3.
4.
Investing in Institutions and Information for Resilience
1 . IR 7. Community atershed Users’ Cooperative Societies established and
strengthened
Intermediate Results Indicators 15. IR 8. Woreda information centers being effectively used by project
stakeholders
16. IR 14. Number of direct beneficiaries
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18. IR 15. Number of males and females made aware of climate threats and
related appropriate responses
1.
Key Outputs 2.
(linked to the achievement of the Component) 3.
4.
Green Infrastructure and Resilient Livelihoods
. IR 1. Share of target beneficiaries with rating ‘Satisfied’ or above on project
interventions (aspects: livelihoods, environmental benefits, others)
4. IR 2. Targeted major watersheds with Multi-Year Development Plan 100%
implemented
6. IR 3. Area enclosure as a result of the project
Intermediate Results Indicators
7. IR 4. Land users adopting sustainable land management practices as a result
of the project
10. IR 5. Functional Common-Interest Groups (CIGs) established or supported.
11. IR 6. People participating in income-generating activities supported by the
project
1.
Key Outputs 2.
(linked to the achievement of the Component) 3.
4.
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ANNEX 2. BANK LENDING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT/SUPERVISION
A. TASK TEAM MEMBERS
Name Role
Shewakena Aytenfisu Abab Team Member (Land Administration)
Etsubdink Tesfaye Mengesha Team Member (Team Assistant)
Addis Bekele Simie Team Member (Social Developemnt)
Grazia Atanasio Team Member (Communication)
Esther Bea Team Member (Program Assistant)
Sisay Hailemariam Team Member (Landscape Management)
Rebeka Amha Woldegiorgies Team Member (Private Sector)
Herbert Francisco Curry Arceo Team Member (Livelihood)
Daniel C. Monchuk Team Member (M&E and Geospatial)
Ahmed Alkadir Mohammed Team Member (Livelihood)
Simon Croxton Team Member (Climate Smart Agriculture)
Christine Mocheche Makori Team Member (Legal Council)
Team Member (Knwledge Mangement and
Zena Afework Demissie
Communication)
@#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@icrannexstafftime#doctemplate
B. STAFF TIME & COST
Staff Time & Cost
Stage of Project Cycle
No. of Staff Weeks US$ (including travel and consultant costs)
Preparation
FY17 1.410 1,606.02
FY18 36.310 334,627.14
FY19 18.570 87,835.61
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FY20 0.000 1.11
Total 56.29 424,069.88
Supervision/ICR
FY19 62.429 987,327.94
FY20 156.457 1,422,196.80
FY21 93.817 872,226.78
FY22 111.218 801,373.44
FY23 98.852 676,201.15
FY24 89.234 766,671.55
FY25 5.092 25,742.36
Total 617.10 5,551,740.02
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ANNEX 3. PROJECT COST BY COMPONENT
Component Amount at Approval (US$M) Actual at Project Closing (US$M)1
Green Infrastructure and Resilient
86.0 81,372,744
Livelihoods
Investing in Institutions and
13.0 19,841,103
Information for Resilience
Rural Land Administration and Use 26.0 12,246,523
Project Management and Reporting 17.0 12,538,485
1
Note that the expenditures have counterpart contribution of US$2.18 million at project closes.
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ANNEX 4. EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
This annex contains the detailed components of the Economic and Financial Analysis (EFA) of the Implementation
Completion Report (ICR) for the Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (RLLP). The Excel model from the
PDO and the additional finance (AF) is used to conduct the EFA. The project objective and design remain the same: to
improve climate resilience, land productivity and carbon storage and increase access to diversified livelihood activities in
selected rural watersheds. The activities included the same package of activities identified under the project appraisal with
an emphasis on increasing access to diversified livelihood activities and improving land tenure for women.
The project seeks to strengthen absorptive capacity, through Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Climate Smart
Agriculture (CSA) interventions. It enhances the adaptive capacity through Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) that
support diversification of livelihoods; and transformative capacity, through CSA practice in connection with value chains,
and land certification, that provide a basis for more fundamental socioeconomic change. The restoration of fragile
landscape will result in livelihood improvement, landscape restoration, ecosystem services conservation, and agroforestry
practices. At ICR, the watersheds have a mixture of both cropland and non-cropland uses with the total project area of
1799088 ha and disbursed budget of 123.3 million USD, constituting 92.9 million USD from IDA, 27.7 million from MTDF
and 2.7 million from Government of Ethiopia.
During ICR the following definitions have been aligned with actual implementation and slightly differs from PAD+AF
analysis. In the PAD, 45 watersheds where implementation had started during an earlier project (Sustainable Land
Management Program (SLMP)) were referred to as "graduated watersheds". Only limited benefits captured on those
watersheds were attributed to RLLP. At ICR, it was clear that more physical treatments and improvements were also made
to the "Existing SLMP" watersheds than assumed during PAD. Benefit assumptions regarding the RLLP watersheds remain
the same as in the PAD. At the ICR, 136 watersheds are completed and attained watershed Multiyear Development Plan
(MYDP), while 34 watersheds have not yet completed the MYDP. Note that a gradual increase in productivity is assumed
to take 7 years. Some of these years are also attributed to the earlier SLMP project - not to the RLLP.
Table 1: Watersheds components related to interventions and analysis
Analysis Watersheds Avoided future Increased crop Increased
crop yield loss yields livestock
productivity
PAD+AF Existing SLMP Yes No No
RLLP Yes Yes (7 years) Yes
ICR Existing SLMP Yes Yes (3 years) Yes
RLLP Yes Yes (7 years) Yes
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Methodology
A cost benefit model is used to assess the ex-ante efficiency of the project investment. The project investment cost of
123.3 million USD is disbursed at the project completion. To ensure a consistent timeframe and discount rate, the annual
benefit and cost flows are developed for a 25-year period, with a financial discount rate of 12 % and an economic discount
rate of 5%. In addition, recurring costs in the years after project has ended are estimated to be 2.5% of initial costs. Annual
adoption rate of 5% and maximum adaptation rate of 75% are considered.
Some benefits are captured for all project components – directly or indirectly. Incremental net benefits are estimated for
farmers, avoided erosion on non-cropland, and agri-businesses targeted in the project (Component 1). Project investments
strengthening institutions, land administration, and project management (Components 2-4) are necessary to achieve the
net benefits quantified in Component 1 and are therefore included in the EFA. Project activities in Component 1 include
enabling community plans for land restoration and watershed management. The plans include physical soil conservation
as well as biological conservation techniques. Beneficiary farmers are targeted to adopt climate smart agriculture practices,
it results in to diversify their income generating activities and adopt energy efficient stoves and lights. The benefits captured
through these interventions are enabled by strengthening institutions, policies, and information flow through Component
2. It is also necessary to strengthen participatory land use planning and secure tenure rights for beneficiaries through
Component 3. This enabled them to adopt new production practices and continue operating sustainably after project
implementation is completed. In addition, the following incremental net benefit flows are quantified in the analysis: (a)
direct net benefits and avoided soil erosion accruing to crop producers, livestock producers, forest plantations, green
corridors, natural forests, and other non-cropland (bush, shrub and grassland), and (b) direct benefits from promoting
energy efficiency, and global value of impact on carbon balance.
Project interventions are expected to lead to improved crop and livestock gross margins providing there is long-term
maintenance. At ICR, the project yield, variable cost and prices changes on crops, livestock, and non-cropland are
considered. The project activities help to avoid yield losses caused by soil erosion. This avoided yield loss is valued based
on the gross margin data on different land uses. To establish the linkage between reductions in soil erosion with the project
activities, a Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), adapted to Ethiopian conditions, was used in the original analysis to model
soil loss associated with each of the technologies implemented. Moreover, the NPV/US$/year/household,
NPV/US$/year/beneficiary, and the share of national poverty line were calculated using the 2011 National Poverty Line,
2018 amount = US$ 162 /person/year. 2011 Food Poverty Line, 2018 amount = US$ 85 /person/year. 2016 GDP = million
US$ 72,374 as reference.
Considerable net benefits are captured by land transformation from bare land, bush land and grassland cover to forest
cover, green corridors and agro-forestry. The increase the transformed land area by 69897 ha from 43,000 ha in the
PAD+AF. At ICR, a total of 28,000 ha is transformed to reforestation, and close to 20,900 ha to woodland/plantation forest,
and the remaining to green corridors, vegetation or agro-forestry.
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Results
The economic and financial analysis of this project had considered not only the financial impacts, but wider impacts on
the welfare and wellbeing of those beneficiaries of the project. In identifying the costs and benefits of a project, it is
important to conduct both the financial and economic benefits expected from the project and calculation Net-Present
Value (NPV), Benefit-Cost-Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). A financial discount rate of 12 % and an economic
discount rate of 5% for a period of 25 years is considered. The key efficiency indicators for the financial and economic
analysis at appraisal and completion of the project are presented in Table 2 below showing key efficiency indicators of the
EFA. At appraisal, the project with additional financing estimated an Economic NPV of US$ 2,124 million (ETB 59.5 billion)
with benefit cost ratio of 5.2. The Economic IRR was 64% and the payback period was 4.3 years. When excluding the social
value of carbon, the net economic project return was US$ 1,383 million (ETB 39 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 3.8 and
an EIRR of 36% and a payback period of 6.4 years. Comparing these values at project completion, excluding the social value
of carbon, the net project return estimated US$1,035 million (ETB 59.16 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 4.7 and an EIRR
of 65% and the payback period is 5 years. At project appraisal, the net project return without the impact on carbon balance
and exclusion of land transformation was US$ 654.4 million (ETB 18.32 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 2.9 and an EIRR
of 22.6% with a payback period of 8.7 years.
Table 2: Economic and Financial Analysis – Key Efficiency Indicators
PAD+AF 2019 ICR-2024
Economic
Economic Analysis, Analysis,
Economic excluding GHG and Economic excluding GHG
Analysis, Financial land Analysis, Financial and land
Analysis Basis excluding GHG Analysis transformation excluding GHG Analysis transformation
Net Present Value (NPV),
million US$ 1,383 479 654 1,035 398 761
Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) 3.8 2.6 3.0 4.7 3.1 3.4
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 36% 35% 23% 65% 61% 37%
Payback Period 6.4 Years 6.5 Years 8.7 Years 5.1 Years 5.2 Years 6.6 Years
NPV, US$/ha 819.12 283.39 387.58 575.11 221.35 423.14
NPV, US$/year 55,323,488 19,140,477 26,177,538 41,387,106 15,929,344 30,450,611
NPV, US$/year/ha 33 11 16 23 9 17
NPV, US$/year/household 78 27 37 30 11 22
NPV, US$/year/beneficiary 16 5 7 6 2 4
Share of National Poverty
Line 20% 7% 9% 7% 3% 5%
At project completion, the net project return without the impact on carbon balance and exclusion of land transformation
is US$761 million (ETB 43.54 billion) with a benefit cost ratio of 3.4 and an EIRR of 37% with the payback period of 6.6 years.
At appraisal, the overall financial NPV including the additional finance to the project was estimated US$479 million (ETB
13.39 billion) with a Financial IRR of 35% and a benefit cost ratio of 2.6 and the payback period was 6.5 years. Comparing
these values at project completion, the project FNPV is US$ 398 million (ETB 22.6 billion) with a Financial IRR of 61 % and a
benefit cost ratio of 3.13. At project completion, the annual benefit and cost flows are established for crop, livestock,
avoided erosion on non-cropland, and improved cook stoves.
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In addition to the direct incremental net benefits, the pro ect’s impact on Greenhouse Gas GHG emissions is estimated
using the Ex-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) plus an estimate due to the reduced emissions from distributing 300,000
efficient cookstove. The economic value of the project on the carbon balance is estimated from activities in the project.
The project’s impact on G G emissions is estimated at .9 million tCO -eq over the 25-year period (1.4 million tonne CO2-
eq/year). Of this 3.6 milliontCO2-eq (0.1 million tCO2-eq per year) is from improved cookstoves. As per World Bank
guidelines, the economic value of reduced GHG emissions is calculated using the social cost of carbon starting at US$ 51
per tonne CO2-eq and increasing to USD 78 per tonne over 25 years. The guideline also suggests a high value scenario at
USD 102 per tonne CO2-eq, which increases the value of reduced GHG emissions to USD 2180 million. Because no
transactions of carbon credits are planned to reach direct beneficiaries, the financial value of carbon is set to zero. The
value of reduced GHG emissions with different scenarios considering the carbon market price, and the world bank low and
high social price of carbon is presented in Table 3.
Table 3: Value of reduced GHG emissions
Net Present Value, million US$ (25-year) Market Price World Bank Low Social World Bank High Social
US$ 8.3 /tCO2-eq Price of Carbon Price of Carbon
constant US$ 51-78/tCO2-eq US$ 102-158/tCO2-eq
Improved cook stoves (300k stoves. Incl. avoided
CO2-emissions) 90 198 320
Carbon Balance (EX-ACT) 133 1,091 2,180
Total Value of Reduced GHG emissions 223 1,289 2,500
There are several factors that contributed to the 25% decrease in ENPV excluding social value of carbon. The US$ to
Ethiopia exchange rate increased from 28 to 57, resulting in significant reductions in ENPV. A decrease in ENPV is also
attributed to land transformation, as land transformation benefits were based only on forest plantation at appraisal, while
at closing the greening of less profitable woodland, bush and shrubland were taken into consideration. At appraisal, several
SLMP watersheds were classified as RLLLP and attributed higher benefits, which reduced ENPV somewhat. However, at
closing the ENPV increased due to the larger targeted project area, and more benefits were attributed to watersheds that
completed MYDP as well as the land transformation area increased from 43000 to 69897 ha. To illustrate the plausible
cases or reasons for change in NPV (Figure 1) and IRR values (Figure 2) in the economic analysis at appraisal and completion,
and relative impact are presented in Table 4.
Table 4: Cases or Reasons for changes in NPV and IRR
Case Case Change in NPV, Change IRR
NPV million in IRR
million US$
US$
At Appraisal PAD + AF 2019 Economic Analysis, no GHG, 1,383 1,383 36.1% 36.1%
Change 1 Increased foreign exchange rate -806 577 -14.2% 21.9%
Change 2 ICR budget and disbursement schedule 3 581 2.7% 24.6%
Change 3 No new CSRPs -3 577 -0.1% 24.5%
Change 4 Increased project area. reclass from RLLP to existing SLMP. 62 640 12.3% 36.8%
Change 5 Increased in land transformation area. 327 966 38.3% 75.1%
Change 6 LUC changes beyond just land transformation area 76 1,042 0.0% N/A
Change 7 Land transformation: 40% forest plantation, 30% woodland -532 510 -44.1% 31.0%
plantation and 30% bush and shrub land (greening)
Change 8 Include more benefits on existing SLMP watersheds. 525 1,035 33.6% 64.5%
At Completion ICR Economic Analysis, no GHG 1,035 1,035 64.5% 64.5%
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Change in Net Present Value, million US$
1, 00
1, 00 1,
1, 00
7 1,0
1,000 7
Increase
00
00 Decrease
0
00 Total
00
0
Change 1 Change Change Change 7 RLLP ICR
RLLP AF Change Change Change Change
Figure 1: Change in Net Present Value (NPV)
Change in Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
0.0% . % 0.0%
70.0% . % . %
0.0%
0.0%
Increase
0.0% .1% 1 . %
0.0% Decrease
.7% .1%
0.0% 0.1% Total
1 . %
10.0%
0.0%
Change 1 Change Change Change 7 RLLP ICR
RLLP AF Change Change Change Change
Figure 2: Change in Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
In economic terms, the incremental increase in project returns due to additional financing is US$ 1035 million
measured in net present value over a 25-year period (discount rate is 5%). The EIRR increases by 29 %-points at project
completion. The annual net benefit flows for the project are presented in Table 5 and demonstrated with different component
in Figure 4. In general, based on the sum of expected incremental benefits both in financial analysis and the two economic
scenarios analysis, the overall project profitability and efficiency is substantial. It implies that the project is viable financially
and economically.
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ICR Economic Analysis - Estimated Annual Flow of Benefits and Costs
200
Social Value of Carbon
150
Other Benefits
100
million USD
Livestock Benefit
50
Non-cropland Benefit due to avoided soil
0 erosion
Non-cropland Benefit without soil
-50 erosion
Crop Benefit due to avoided soil erosion
-100
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 Crop Benefit without avoided soil
erosion
Year
Figure 3: ICR Economic Analysis: Estimated annual flow of benefits and costs
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Table 5: Economic Analysis: Estimated Annual flow of benefits and costs
Year Incremental Project Variable Incremental Net Discounted Incremental Net
Benefit Costs Costs Benefits Benefits
1 12 -19 -1 -8 -8
2 25 -41 -2 -19 -17
3 37 -25 -4 8 7
4 46 -31 -4 10 8
5 44 -34 -5 5 4
6 65 -10 -6 50 37
7 76 -4 -7 65 46
8 86 -4 -8 75 51
9 96 -4 -8 84 54
10 99 -4 -9 86 53
11 117 -4 -10 103 60
12 124 -4 -10 109 61
13 130 -4 -11 116 61
14 137 -4 -11 122 62
15 137 -4 -11 122 59
16 146 -4 -11 131 60
17 147 -4 -11 132 58
18 148 -4 -11 133 55
19 149 -4 -11 134 53
20 143 -4 -11 128 48
21 151 -4 -11 136 49
22 152 -4 -11 137 47
23 153 -4 -11 138 45
24 154 -4 -11 139 43
25 148 -4 -11 133 39
Total 2,725 -237 -220 2,268 1,035
Total
(discounted) 1,317 -174 -109 1,035
EBCR @ 5%, 25 yrs 4.66
ENPV @ 5%, 25 yrs 1,035
EIRR @
25 yrs 64.5%
Payback
Year 5.1 Years
Sensitivity analysis
We conducted a sensitivity analysis by considering switching values and elasticities. The result show that the estimated
ENPV is more sensitive to changes in assumptions compared to during the PAD analysis. This is primarily due to the lower
ENPV more conservative estimate of net benefits from non-cropland areas. At closing, livestock assumptions drive project
results more. A switching values analysis is reported in Table 6, where each assumption is changed until the base case ENPV
turns zero (i.e. a break-even analysis). On top of the list, a 27% decrease in livestock yields or 43% increase in variable
livestock costs could reduce ENPV to zero. Adoption rate would have to fall from 75% to 9% for the project to break even.
The large changes required to turn the ENPV zero in the switching values analysis does not reveal how sensitive results are
at the margin. Thus, an alternative sensitivity analysis, which is elasticities are considered. The elasticities of key
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assumptions and sensitivity analysis of economic efficiency presented in Table 7. The result show that a 1% increase in
livestock yields can lead to a 3.7% increase in ENPV, and a 1% increase in the discount rate can also lead to a 0.7% decrease
in estimated ENPV. Similarly, a 1% increase in non-cropland yields increases ENPV by 0.7%. Other variables with significant
impact on project returns include adoption rates, and the variable livestock costs.
Table 6: Sensitivity Analysis of Economic Efficiency - Switching Values
Base Case Switching % change from
Rank Assumptions Unit Assumption Value Base Case
1 W/P Yield Sensitivity Factor, Livestock % of yield 0% -27% 27%
1. 2W/P Variable Cost Sensitivity Factor, Livestock % of price 0% 43% 43%
ltr/animal/year or
3 Yield net of losses, Bull fattening, W/P animal/year 1.00 47% 53%
4 Farm Gate Variable Cost, Bull fattening, W/P ETB/animal/year 7,345.14 12,284.47 67%
% of WO/P
5 W/P share of WO/P animals per farm heads/farm 1.00 29% 71%
6 Adoption rate - annual % of area 5% 1% 85%
7 Adoption rate - Max % of area 75% 9% 87%
ltr/animal/year or
8 Yield net of losses, Milk production, local breed, W/P animal/year 332.00 35.03 89%
2. 9Efficiency of stove to be deployed % 20% 1% 96%
10 W/P Yield Sensitivity Factor, Non-cropland % of yield 0% -146% 146%
Note: WO/P = Without Project (Baseline); W/P = With Project.
Switching value is the assumption value that causes the Base Case ENPV to turn zero (Break-even point).
Exchange rate: 1 US$ = ETB 57
3. Table 7: Sensitivity Analysis of Economic Efficiency - Elasticities
Base Case ENPV
Rank Assumptions Unit Assumption elasticity
1 W/P Yield Sensitivity Factor, Livestock % of yield 0% 3.7
2 W/P Variable Cost Sensitivity Factor, Livestock % of price 0% -2.3
3 Farm Gate Variable Cost, Bull fattening, W/P ETB/animal/year 7,345.14 -1.5
ltr/animal/year or
4 Yield net of losses, Milk production, local breed, W/P animal/year 332.00 1.1
5 Discount Rate % per year 5% -0.7
6 W/P Yield Sensitivity Factor, Non-cropland % of yield 0% 0.7
7 Farm Gate Variable Cost, Milk production, local breed, W/P ETB/animal/year 3,209 -0.6
8 W/P Yield Sensitivity Factor, Crops % of yield 0% 0.6
9 Adoption rate - Max % of area 75% 0.6
ltr/animal/year or
10 Yield net of losses, Sheep rearing, W/P animal/year 2.30 0.6
Note: WO/P = Without Project (Baseline); W/P = With Project.
Elasticity is measured as the %-change in Base Case ENPV with a 1% change in one assumption at a time.
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ANNEX 5. BORROWER, CO-FINANCIER AND OTHER PARTNER/STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS
Borrower’s comments
The Borrower has confirmed that their previous comments have been thoroughly addressed and that the achievement of
the project objectives is well reflected in the final ICR. Additionally, the Borrower has committed to extracting lessons
learned from the report to enhance the effective implementation of RLLP II.
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ANNEX 6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (IF ANY)
Constenla-Villoslada et al (2022) Large-scale land restoration improved drought resilience in Ethiopia’s degraded
watersheds. Published in Nature Sustainability
World Bank (2013). Ethiopia Sustainable Land Management Project II (SLMP-II). Project Appraisal Document. October 29,
2013.
World Bank (2014a). Ethiopia Sustainable Land Management Project (SLMP-I). Implementation Completion and Results
Report. Report No. ICR3074. March 24, 2014.
World Bank (2014b) Social Value of Carbon in project appraisal. Guidance notes to the World Bank Group staff.
Washington, DC, July 2014.
World Bank (2015a). Technical Note on Discounting Costs and Benefits in Economic Analysis of World Bank Projects.
Washington, DC.
World Bank (2015b). Ethiopia Poverty Assessment 2014. Report No. AUS6744. January.
World Bank (2017). Assessment of Livestock Impact on NRM Interventions of SLMP-II and Recommendations for the
Design of Resilient Landscape Livelihood Project (RLLP). Ethiopian Sustainable Land Management Project II (SLMP-II). Final
Report. December.
World Bank (2018). Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (RLLP). Project Appraisal Document. PAD2484.
July 9, 2018.
World Bank (2019). Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (RLLP) Additional Financing. Concept
Memorandum. Draft October 18, 2019.
World Bank (2023) Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (RLLP), Implementation Status & Results Report,
June 2023
FDRE (2024), Ethiopia Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project (RLLP), Borrower Completion Report, Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
World Bank (2024), 2024 Guidance Note on Shadow Price of Carbon in Economic Analysis
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ANNEX 7. TECHNICAL ANNEX
Building on lessons learnt through implementation of the SLM Program, RLLP was designed to complement core
investments in biophysical watershed restoration with a set of associated activities supporting sustainable livelihoods in
restored landscapes through support for Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), diversified Income Generating Activities (IGAs),
connections to value chains, and improved land tenure.
The project area included a total of 170 major watersheds located in the Ethiopian Highlands, averaging approximately
10,000 hectares each. Implementing a phased approach, the 45 watersheds supported under SLMP-I received assistance to
evolve from project-based support, including creation of CWUCSs and preparation of Watershed Management and Use Plans
(WMUPs). Support for the 90 SLMP-II watersheds allowed for the completion of their Multi-Year Development Plans (MYDPs)
for watershed restoration. An additional 17 new watersheds, prioritized for extent and severity of land degradation, were
selected for RLLP to receive assistance for the preparation of MYDPs, followed by investments in SLM interventions.
At appraisal, RLLP covered six regions (Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray) targeting major
watersheds covering 1,378,000 hectares of land. Through the implementation of the four components, RLLP was expected
to benefit 598,683 male-headed and 105,650 female-headed rural households. In addition, RLLP would benefit other indirect
beneficiaries, such as: (i) communities adjacent to project intervention areas adopting SLM and CSA practices through
demonstration effects, as observed under SLMP-II; (ii) private sector participants and end-consumers in value chains
targeted by the project; (iii) households outside project areas benefiting from the creation of land certification capacity at
woreda and regional level; (iv) recipients of capacity building at all levels of government, as well as in national partner
organizations; and (v) downstream communities outside project areas benefiting from groundwater recharge, reduced
flooding, and lower sediment loads, as a result of SLM interventions.
Project Components
Component 1. Green Infrastructure and Resilient Livelihoods (Total: US$78.5 million of which US$65 million (SDR45.9
million equivalent) from IDA, US$8.5 million from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund - MDTF; and US$5 million from GoE). This
component supported the restoration of degraded landscapes in selected watersheds to build resilient livelihoods on this
newly productive foundation through three sub-components, supporting: (i) the implementation of Sustainable Land and
Water Management (SLWM) practices in line with MYDPs in all 152 major watersheds (ii) the adoption of CSA practices in
200 restored micro-watersheds selected from SLMP-I and SLMP-II intervention watersheds; and (iii) the promotion of
livelihood-diversifying income generating activities (IGAs) in all RLLP watersheds, and support for development of linkages
to value chains in 16 pilot watersheds.
Component 2. Investing in Institutions and Information for Resilience (Total: US$12.5 million of which US$6 million
(SDR4.2 million equivalent) from IDA, and US$6.5 million from MDTF). This component was expected to build capacity for
the promotion and management of SLWM practices and improved information for better decision-making in the project
area, mainly through (i) capacity building, information modernization and policy development at central, regional and local
levels; and (ii) impact evaluation, knowledge management and communication.
Component 3. Rural Land Administration and Use (Total: US$23 million of which US$20 million (SDR14.1 million
equivalent) from IDA, and US$3 million from MDTF). This component was designed to strengthen the rural land
administration system by providing security of tenure to smallholder farmers in RLLP watersheds through Second Level
Landholding Certification (SLLC) as an incentive to increase the adoption of SLM technologies and practices as well as
granting communal land certificates in exchange for land restoration to targeted landless youth. This component also
extended the on-going local-level participatory land-use planning instrument at kebele level within RLLP watersheds,
supporting the rollout of the National Rural Land Administration Information System (NRLAIS) in RLLP woredas.
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Component 4. Project Management and Reporting (Total: US$15 million of which US$9 million (SDR6.4 million
equivalent) from IDA, US$1 million from MDTF, and US$5 million from GoE). This component was expected to ensure
effective implementation and reporting on project activities by financing the operational costs of the National PCU in MoA
and the Regional PCUs in the Bureaus of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These PCUs were responsible for carrying out
all fiduciary aspects of project implementation including financial management, procurement, environmental and social
safeguards, as well as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and reporting.
Project Relevance
RLLP is well aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) by enhancing rural
livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, improved land productivity, and diversified income activities, addressing
poverty directly. The project is also aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting sustainable agriculture, improving soil
fertility, and encouraging climate-smart practices to ensure food security. It emphasizes gender inclusiveness in line with
SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by involving women and vulnerable groups in decision-making and project activities. The RLLP also
addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing climate resilience through sustainable land management and climate-
smart agricultural practices. Reforestation, soil, and water conservation activities support SDG 15 (Life on Land) by
promoting sustainable use of ecosystems and preventing land degradation.
At the policy level, RLLP is designed based on the framework of ESIF and supports the effort to achieve the objectives of
the ESIF. ESIF is a national level strategy planning framework that guides the prioritization, planning and implementation
of SLM with the aim of addressing the interlinked problem of poverty, vulnerability and land degradation at the community
level.
GOE has initiated the Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative to protect the country from the adverse effects of
climate change and to build a green economy that will help contribute to its ambition of reaching middle-income status
before 2025. Specifically, RLLP is fully linked to the first two pillar of this strategy - Pillar 1: Agriculture: Improving crop and
livestock production practices for higher food security and farmer income while reducing emissions; and Pillar 2: Forestry:
Protecting and re-establishing forests for their economic and ecosystem services, including as carbon stocks.
The project also contributed to a number of other national strategies and plans, including the Climate Resilience Strategy
for Agriculture and Forestry (2015), the National Adaptation Plan to Address Climate Change (2017), the emerging National
Forest Sector Strategy and National REDD+ Strategy, as well as the 10-year sector strategies for energy, water, and
agriculture (2021-2030). The project leverages and scales up support to the MoA SLM Program while also contributing for
implementation of the agriculture, climate, forest, water, energy, land tenure, gender & social inclusion targets in the ten
years’ perspective plan ( 0 1-2030). The land certification and land use planning process supported by RLLP were carried
out based on and in line with the relevant provisions of the Federal Rural Land Administration and use Proclamation
No.456/2005.
Project Efficacy
RLLP project Results Framework was designed with nine PDO level indicators and 22 intermediate level indicators. RLLP
has made significant progress in achieving all its key PDO and Intermediate indicators, especially on increasing the land
area under SLM practices, adoption and implementation of CSA practices and providing diversified livelihood opportunities
to the beneficiaries.
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices
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Conservation Agriculture (CA): three interconnected practices to accomplish sustainable and economic intensification of
agricultural systems were promoted: minimal soil disturbance (minimum/zero tillage), mulching/permanent soil cover, and
crop rotations. Improved water and soil moisture management by increased water infiltration and reduced evaporation
from the soil surface, along with corresponding reduction in runoff and soil erosion, are two of the primary advantages of
CA in the watershed. It lessens soil runoff and erosion, traps carbon, boosts agricultural productivity, lowers the need for
farm labor, and enhances soil quality. M&E data indicated that that 91,973.47 ha. of land were treated by conservation
agriculture technology while 153 road water harvesting structures were constructed during the five years of the project
period.
Crop Development and Management (CDM): aimed at increasing productivity and lessen crop vulnerability to external
stress such as climate change through access to better performing crops (drought and diseases resistance varieties), as well
as adopting and managing high value crops (cereals, pulses, vegetables and fruit). For this, the project supported the
purchase and distribution of 5,592 qt. of seeds, including high value cereal crops, pulse crops vegetables.
Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM): practices such as composting (bio-slurry, recycled organic materials & vermi-
compost), agroforestry, legume intercropping, green manuring & lime application for acidic soil treatment were
implemented. Project interventions covered 18,798 ha, 2,771 ha and 7,689 ha of land area were treated by agroforestry
practices, legume intercropping and green manuring/cover crops, respectively. Additionally, 1,241,064 m3 of improved
compost and 62,981m3 of vermi-compost were prepared and applied by farmers to farmland. Additionally, 773 Qt of lime
were used to treat acidic soils. {additional information on lime results will be added to the DM version}
Forage Development & Livestock Management: this CSA technology involved producing high quality and quantity forage in
communal land, pastures and along farm boundaries, gullies and back yards. Project monitoring reports indicated that
2,145,129.92 qt. of high quality & quantity forage were produced. Complementing this, a total of 5,024 HH were provided
training to improve skills on feed management & utilization.
Institutional Strengthening
In terms of policy instruments, several highly relevant manuals and legal documents were prepared under RLLP, including:
• The CBPWDG was updated. The 2021/22 budget year RLLP planning was prepared based on the updated version.
• The nursery management and planting material preparation guideline was prepared, and 700 copies were printed
and circulated to all project regions, zones and woredas. As a result, RLLP Nursery management and seed
production planning was standardized
• In collaboration with GIZ-SURED, nursery business model guidelines were prepared, and six nurseries were selected
in six regions for piloting based on the guideline. In collaboration with the Rural Job Opportunity Creation
Directorate of MoA, applicability assessment of nursery business guideline was conducted in selected five pilot
nurseries. The business plan developed for three nurseries (Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella and Sidama) and user
groups were legally organized and certified. Part of the nurseries will be handed over to the user groups as part of
the Sustainability Plan being developed by the NPCU.
• Using World Bank executed funding, an international consulting firm in collaboration with different stakeholders
at national and regional levels, prepared the Guideline for Green Corridors establishment, including action plan for
20 selected pilot major watersheds.
• Similarly, by recruiting an individual consultant, a Guideline for “Managing Biodiversity for increased benefits from
Landscape Investments: Identifying opportunities for enhanced use of Native Species in the
Afforestation/Reforestation programs in Ethiopia” was developed.
• Complementing the Development, Management and Utilization of Community Watersheds Proclamation (No.
1223/2020), a management and use plan guideline for treated SLMP watershed was prepared and adopted. This
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guideline was applied in micro-watersheds that fulfill completeness criteria (2019 micro watersheds of SLMP-II and
all micro watersheds of SLMP-I).
• An operational manual for GIS and remote sensing-based watershed management was developed, aimed at
building capacity on spatial data management by regional and woreda experts.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems’ Operational Agreement draft version document was prepared with participation of
other stakeholders, including the Ethiopian Geospatial Information Institute (GII) and the Information Network
Security Agency (INSA).
• In collaboration with WB specialists, a spatial model was developed that can compute PDO-2 and PDO-3 in the
cloud for all intervention watersheds. As a result, the mid-term progress for the indicators were tracked in line with
PDO-1 indicator achievements.
• In line with PDO-1 requirements, a data collection and common framework format was developed for micro
watersheds completeness. With this common understanding, 220 completed micro watershed data was collected,
and field verification was conducted in 39 micro watersheds.
Synergies with other projects/programs: To improve integration and efficiency of implementation, collaboration was
established with other projects, particularly working in the land sector; RELIA, GIZ-SURED, GIZ-S2RAI and CALM. Major
areas of collaboration were NRLAIS, SLLC, LLPUP, capacity building and monitoring. Specific collaboration is detailed in the
Technical Annex.
• RLLP used orthophoto and satellite image procured by other projects (SLMP, REILA, LIFT, and GIZ-S2RAI)
integrating with regional governments
• Established eight model woreda for RLAS (Rural Land Administration System) with participation of all
projects
• Memorandum of understanding with REILIA and GIZ-S2RAI in Benishangul Gumuz to work on SLLC and
NRLAIS
• Action plan-based agreement with GIZ-S2RAI project in availing of satellite image for three Woredas in
Gambella region
• GIZ-S2RAI financial and technical support in the recruitment of the consultant to pilot the use of tablets for
cadastral surveying
Collaboration in capacity development, field level operation, monitoring and evaluation of participatory local level land use
plans with GIZ-SURED and overall connection and alignment with CALM.
Private Sector Development
Relevant activities aimed at mobilizing private sector engagement included:
• Collaboration with other VC programs: work initiated by the WB team explored collaboration with other VC
programs to complement/facilitate market linkages e.g., meetings were conducted with WB AGP, USDA Feed Enhancement
for Ethiopian Development (FEED) Project, FINTRAC (USAID’s Feed the Future , GRAD with CARE, ATA, GIZ SURED, IFC,
DoTerra etc. and 1 private firms. As a result, there were different interests but IFC’s client (Luna showed the first
commitment and GIZ SURED proposed another firm (Raya Horti) in a similar area. In addition, collaboration with the firm
DoTerra was established, resulting in an MoU prepared & signed, and initial work started in Tigray but interrupted due to
the security situation.
• Market Assessment for business plan development: WB, GIZ-SURED and Tigray RPCU conducted a market
assessment for the firms Luna and Raya Horti (at private sector and community levels) as a guiding/on the job
learning document for NPCU’s further engagement with firms. A workshop was organized by NPCU to share the
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findings in the presence of the firms, all national and regional leads to practically guide on how they can
identify/work with firms, tools they can use/customize and on next steps to follow with firms.
• Establish Livelihoods Task Force in monitoring and supporting Livelihood/ VC works activities: NPCU
identified/organized a total of 49 (7 per region) multi-sectoral task force members from the 7 RLLP Regions.
• Capacity Building: NPCU and GIZ SURED organized federal level training to 29 (3 female) participants on VC
development and analysis. The participants were regional livelihood diversification and value chains taskforce
members from Amhara, B. Gumuz, Gambella, SNNP and Tigray. Training was also given at regional and woreda
level. Participants gained knowledge and skills on VC selection criteria, VC mapping, upgrading, business model
assessment and results monitoring and measurement.
• Selection of 20 pilot woreda and corresponding VC commodities: NPCU prepared a list of criteria and selected
woredas and commodities based on the capacity building training provided. It included supply side assessment,
and some regions started working on investment plan based on this.
• Rapid assessment tool: this was done to assess the needs and requirements of supermarkets in Addis Ababa
focusing on agricultural commodities such as honey, fruits, and vegetables.
Environmental and Social Safeguards
RLLP was built on lessons learned through the implementation of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Program,
including the Bank-financed Sustainable Land Management Project-I (SLMP-I) and SLMP-II. The RLLP was classified as
category ‘B’ and triggered the following safeguard policies: Environmental Assessment (OP/BP .01 , Natural abitats
(OP/BP 4.04), Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09), Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10), Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11),
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12), Forests (OP/BP 4.36), and Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37).
The project complied with the triggered safeguards policies as well as with relevant national policy and legal frameworks
through preparing, implementing, and monitoring the RLLP safeguards instruments in an inclusive and participatory
manner. The instruments included the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement Policy
Framework (RPF), and Social Assessment (SA) including the Social Development Plan (SDP), and Pest Management Plan
(PMP), which were disclosed on June 11, 2018. Additionally, Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines (GMG) were prepared,
implemented and monitored. These instruments were translated into local languages, including Amharic, Oromiffa, Sidagna,
and Tigrigna, and distributed to the respective woredas.
A comprehensive gender analysis of the project was also conducted, leading to the preparation and implementation of
appropriate mainstreaming guidelines. Safeguards and gender awareness training and capacity-building activities were
carried out at all administrative levels. Also, the gender mainstreaming impact assessment evaluated the impact of RLLP
interventions (including GMG and GAP) on female-headed households, married women, and female youth, resulting in the
preparation and implementation of an audit corrective action plan to address identified gaps. Further, an Environmental
and Social Audit for RLLP reviewed the project’s E S safeguards performance, where an audit corrective action plan was
developed and implemented to address identified gaps. In addition, site-specific safeguards instruments, such as
Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), for community subprojects, including small-scale civil works, were
prepared to avoid or mitigate negative impacts.
The safeguards system established during the RLLP implementation period (2019 to 2024) has laid the foundation for E&S
risk management for the second RLLP (P174385). The RLLP E&S safeguards management system included (a) institutional
arrangements: A multi-level government structure spanning from the local to federal levels ensured the implementation
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and monitoring of the environmental and social safeguards instruments prepared for the project, along with the flow of
safeguards information. This included E&S safeguards specialists (2) at the federal level, E&S officers (12) at the regional
level, and E&S focal persons assigned at the zonal and woreda levels; (b) stakeholder engagement: active participation from
relevant stakeholders at all administrative levels, and local communities, with 652,459 community members (including
223,764 females) consulted on various issues. Additionally, training sessions were provided for a total of 124,781 experts
(including 47,563 females) on E&S safeguards management activities; (c) support for vulnerable groups: Assistance was
provided to 20,090 vulnerable individuals (including 6,464 females) through the issuance of second-level certificates and
other legal documentation for sustainable land use, including communal land holdings, and common interest groups (CIG)
and individual-based income-generating activities. Temporary jobs were also created for 18,866 jobless youth (including
6,980 females) in central nursery sites; (d) Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): A GRM was established and operated,
with a total of 6,051 Grievance Redress Committees (GRC) in the implementing kebeles, resolving all 2,293 registered cases.
The common grievance cases were IGA beneficiary targeting, late incentive payment, high demand for CSA input, and
demand for community infrastructure; (e) E&S screening and instruments: Site-specific instruments (ESMPs) were prepared,
cleared, implemented, and monitored for sub-projects. A total of 7,565 sub-projects were screened, with 4,793 ESMPs
developed and implemented.
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