Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Report Number: ICRR0024383 1. Project Data Project ID Project Name P128887 IFLMP Country Practice Area(Lead) Congo, Democratic Republic of Environment, Natural Resources & the Blue Economy L/C/TF Number(s) Closing Date (Original) Total Project Cost (USD) TF-16869,TF-A5081 31-Dec-2022 70,320,502.62 Bank Approval Date Closing Date (Actual) 24-Jun-2014 31-May-2024 IBRD/IDA (USD) Grants (USD) Original Commitment 64,147,383.00 64,147,383.00 Revised Commitment 64,113,845.09 64,113,845.09 Actual 64,113,845.09 64,113,845.09 Prepared by Reviewed by ICR Review Coordinator Group Shashidhara Laxman Fernando Manibog Avjeet Singh IEGSD (Unit 4) Kolavalli P160182_TBL Project ID Project Name P160182 IFLMP (GEF AF) ( P160182 ) L/C/TF Number(s) Closing Date (Original) Total Project Cost (USD) 6206657.53 Bank Approval Date Closing Date (Actual) Page 1 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) 07-Jun-2019 IBRD/IDA (USD) Grants (USD) Original Commitment 0.00 6,210,046.00 Revised Commitment 0.00 6,210,046.00 Actual 0.00 6,206,657.53 P162837_TBL Project ID Project Name P162837 PIREDD Mai Ndombe under CAFI ( P162837 ) L/C/TF Number(s) Closing Date (Original) Total Project Cost (USD) 0 Bank Approval Date Closing Date (Actual) 28-Jun-2017 IBRD/IDA (USD) Grants (USD) Original Commitment 0.00 0.00 Revised Commitment 0.00 0.00 Actual 0.00 0.00 2. Project Objectives and Components DEVOBJ_TBL a. Objectives The Project Development Objective (PDO) was to test new approaches to improve community livelihoods and forested landscape management, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in selected areas. For this review, the PDO is parsed into three subobjectives: Subobjective 1: to test new approaches to improve community livelihoods in selected areas Subobjective 2: to test new approaches to improve forested landscape management in selected areas, and Page 2 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Subobjective 3: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in selected areas b. Were the project objectives/key associated outcome targets revised during implementation? Yes Did the Board approve the revised objectives/key associated outcome targets? Yes Date of Board Approval c. Will a split evaluation be undertaken? No d. Components The project had four components: Component 1: Integrated REDD+ Projects in the Mai Ndombe Province (Approved: US$46.13 million, of which appraised amount US$14.2 million and Additional Financing US$31.93 million; Actual: US$46.13 million) This component aimed to cover a large territorial entity to apply the reduction of emissions in a systematic manner, including by piloting a coherent and coordinated territorial approach to combat deforestation. The activities included, i) supporting the development and implementation of coherent development policies in the project zone, ii) building the capacity of three ministries in charge of village land (Agriculture, Environment/Forest, and Rural Development) to provide decentralized technical services, iii) financing investments, such as road repairs, iv) supporting joint efforts to establish land-use plans, v) supporting the implementation of land use plans, vi) financing contracts or making results based payments to maintain project linked efforts and implement natural resource management plans. Component 2: Facilitation of Private Sector Activities to Reduce Fuel Wood Emissions (Appraised: US$8 million; Actual: US$8 million) This component aimed to address urban biomass energy needs from the supply and demand sides. The activities included i) supporting agroforestry investments through matching grants and ii) financing activities aimed at improving the performance of cookstove technology available in DRC, supporting the scaling up of cookstove businesses and supporting sector development. Component 3: Promote Small-scale Agroforestry Systems to Reduce Land-use Emissions (Appraised: US$10.5 million; Actual: US$10.5 million) This component aimed to promote agroforestry and innovative production systems as both an alternative to slash-and-burn agriculture and a sources of sustainable firewood. The activity included provision of technical assistance directly to smallholder farmers, farmer communities, and women’s organizations. Page 3 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Component 4: Knowledge Management and Program Coordination (Approved: US$5.73, of which appraised amount US$4.2 million and Additional Financing US$1.53 million; Actual: US$5.73 million) This component provided the operating costs for implementing the project, knowledge management, and dissemination of lessons learned. e. Comments on Project Cost, Financing, Borrower Contribution, and Dates Project cost The total approved cost was US$70.36 million (Appraised: US$36.90 million + AF: US$33.46 million), and the actual cost was US$70.36 million. Financing The project was funded by three sources: a grant of US$36.9 million from Forest Investment Program, a program of the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF); US$27.25 million from Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI); and US$6.21 million from Global Environment Facility (GEF) Borrower contribution The borrower was not expected to contribute. Dates The project was approved on June 24, 2014 and became effective in April 29, 2015. Mid-Term Review was conducted in February 2018. The project was originally scheduled to close in December 31, 2022, and it closed in May 31, 2024. Additional Financing (AF) and Restructurings June 2017: AF to scale up integrated REDD+ model to a larger area (the entire Mai-Ndombe province) through additional financing from CAFI. April 2019: AF to implement new activities aimed at enhancing project's contributions to biodiversity and conservation through additional financing from GEF. It entailed only changes to institutional arrangements. December 2020: To expand the scope of the Partnership Agreement to include GEF AF activities to ensure more efficient and cost effective implementation through DIA. August 2022: restructuring to allow for the full utilization of CAFI AF approved in 2017. It entailed i) changes to the allocated amounts, ii) extension of project closing date, and iii) revisions to RF. Revisions to Results Framework (RF) Targets for the three PDO indicators were revised upwards during the two additional financings: Page 4 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887)  GHG emission reductions (and removals) generated under the project: from 3,250,000 tons to 11,500,000 tons  People in forest and adjacent communities with monetary/monetary benefit from forest: from 120,000 beneficiaries to 260,000 beneficiaries  Land area where sustainable land management practices were adopted as a result of project: from 105,000 has to 368,000 ha Intermediate indicators: the targets for several were revised. Split Evaluation As the revisions to the RF and additional financing made the project more ambitious, a split evaluation will not be conducted. 3. Relevance of Objectives Rationale Country Context Although the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was endowed with the world’s second-largest contiguous tropical rainforest, abundant agricultural and mineral resources including fertile land, and hydroelectric potential, the living conditions of its population did not reflect the potential. At the time of appraisal, 63.4 percent of the population lived in extreme poverty, 71 percent were food insecure, and 57 percent lacked basic health services (ICR, para 1). Forests critically contributed to livelihoods of about 40 million people by providing them with food, household energy, medicine, building materials and cash income. The country was also beginning to face significant threats from commercial agriculture and mineral exploration and mining (PAD, paras 7 and 8). Its deforestation rates were below global average, but its loss of absolute forest cover placed it among the top ten (ICR, para 2). The primary drivers of deforestation -- concentrated around large cities and densely populated pockets -- were subsistence activities, particularly slash-and-burn agriculture and timber harvesting for fuel wood and charcoal (ICR, para 2). Country Strategy The PDO was consistent with the National Strategy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) that the DRC adopted in 2012. The strategy aimed to stabilize the forest cover on two-thirds of the country’s land by 2030 (ICR, para 2). The PDO was also consistent with DRC’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper of 2011 as it sought to protect the environment and sustain the fight against climate change (PAD, para 35). The PDO remains consistent with DRC’s 2022-26 National Adaptation Plan, the revised Nationally Determined Contribution, and its 2030 commitment to restore 8 million hectares (ha) of degraded land (ICR, para 20 and 21). World Bank Strategy The PDO aligned with two pillars of the 2013-2016 Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) of the World Bank by contributing to employment creation and increasing competitiveness and strengthening resilience of rural Page 5 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) communities (PAD, para 35). The PDO remains relevant to Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY22-26 of the World Bank for DRC as it supports the overall objective to address drivers of fragility and conflict in the DRC by improving livelihoods and land use governance (ICR, para 20). Additionally, it is relevant to recommendations of the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (IFC 2022) and Country Climate and Development Report to reduce pressures on DRC’s forests (ICR, para 20). Level at which the PDO is pitched The PDO was pitched at outcome levels, as it sought to improve livelihoods and forested landscape management and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission from forest degradation. The first part of the PDO “to test new approaches,” however, was unneccessary as the project did not test the approaches against certain benchmarks or compare outcomes with that of other approaches. Summary: DRC is endowed with tropical rainforests and abundant agricultural and mineral resources including fertile land, but nearly two-thirds of the population lived in extreme poverty with high levels of food insecurity. The forests were also under pressure from people who depended on them for their livelihood, food, household energy, and cash income. The country aimed to stabilize forest cover and protect the environment. The PDO to improve livelihoods and landscape management and thereby limit forest degradation to reduce GHG emissions was substantially relevant to the country’s strategies and World Bank’s plans to support the country in improving its livelihoods and land governance. Rating Relevance TBL Rating Substantial 4. Achievement of Objectives (Efficacy) EFFICACY_TBL OBJECTIVE 1 Objective To test new approaches to improve community livelihoods in selected areas Rationale Theory of Change The retrospectively articulated ToC in ICR (para 5) and expected outcomes of activities identified in PAD (Annex 2, para 4) broadly state that investing in integrated REDD+ activities (designed to implement results based payments to communities/countries for reducing emissions when they reduce deforestation), supporting private sector activities that sustainably use forests, and supporting communities to establish small agroforestry systems would improve community livelihoods and forested landscape management, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. In more detail, project activities/inputs, such as i) supporting territorial development planning along with incentive based payment for sustainable land use, ii) supporting private enterprises to sustainably produce Page 6 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) charcoal and make improved cookstoves available, and iii) offering farmers and communities technical assistance to initiate agro-forestry systems, producing project outputs, such as, i) performance based incentive mechanisms established, ii) agro-forestry projects that receive technical support, and iii) number of ICS produced and distributed, would lead to outcomes, such as increased livelihood benefits to forest communities, sustainable management of forested landscapes, and reduced emission of GHG. The ToC was plausible. The key assumptions that needed to be held for short term outcomes were, i) performance-based payments would offer adequate incentives to communities to implement their plans and adopt sustainable management practices, and ii) support to private enterprises would be adequate to demonstrate the viability of sustainable practices, such as improved ways to produce charcoal. Outputs  Performance based incentives and investment mechanisms were in place with 89 percent of chiefdoms, falling behind the target of 93 percent  2 community subprojects were registered as REDD+ subprojects, meeting the target of 2 Outcomes  248,500 people in forest and adjacent communities received monetary or non-monetary benefits from forests, nearly meeting the target of 260,000  Of them, 84,024 were female, falling short of the target of 115,000  Of them, 1,616 belonged to ethnic minorities or indigenous communities, falling short of the target of 15,000 Other outcomes reported  2,596 new permanent jobs created The key indicator to measure the achievement of this objective is the number of people receiving monetary and non-monetary benefits from forests. It measures the extent to which local people have benefited from livelihood improvements as a result of project interventions. It included direct beneficiaries of activities under component 1 and 3, including payments from PES and additional benefits households generated (through sales and consumption) from goods produced with techniques and means acquired from the project (Clarified by the project team in exchanges on February 21, 2025). The indicator suggests that the project nearly met the target of 260,000 people receiving benefits as 248,500 obtained increased monetary or non-monetary benefits from forest through project activities. Household surveys commissioned showed the household revenues had increased to various degrees in different areas (from 8 percent 63 percent) from the pre-project period, to exceed the 5 percent originally assume in the PAD (ICR, para 24). In qualitative interviews, the beneficiaries attributed the livelihood improvements to project investments (ICR, para 25). The new approaches the project implemented were to help communities develop plans and offer them incentives to implement them through a payment for environmental services (PES). The project supported the establishment of Local Development Committees (LDCs) and helped them participatorily develop land use Page 7 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) plans. In 89 percent of the chiefdoms, which overlapped with LDCs, the project established PES to reward the communities for developing sustainable agroforestry. According to the ICR, a 2024 household survey commissioned by the PIU showed that that 7 out of 10 households in the PIREDD Mai-Ndombe area and in Kongo Central had adopted agroforestry practices, compared to 3 out of 10 before the project started. The project created jobs and increased the sale of agricultural produce by beneficiary families. Project activities resulted in 2,596 new permanent jobs (para 25). A survey showed that the households had decreased the share of agricultural production they consumed; they used the additional income from sales to pay for children’s education and improvements to their houses (para 25). The project nearly reached the targeted number of people that would receive monetary or non-monetary benefits from project activities. Surveys also showed that household revenues of beneficiaries had increased to various degrees during the project, which they attributed to project activities. Whether the project-driven benefits were significant enough to motivate the households to abandon their unsustainable ways of benefiting from forests is not clear. The efficacy with which the objective is reached is rated Substantial but with moderate shortcomings, given the lack of clarity regarding the nature and significance of the benefit stream. Rating Substantial OBJECTIVE 2 Objective To test new approaches to improve forested landscape management in selected areas Rationale ToC The ToC for the achievement of Objective One also applies here. Outputs  Achieved a score of 28 (based on the number of new approaches implemented, the number of years over which they were implemented, and the number of years of satisfactory implementation) in designing and implementing new approaches, exceeding the target of 8  25,117 ha of new agroforestry plantations received technical support from the project, falling behind the target of 35,000 ha  Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) score for Tumba Lediima Natural resources was 43 percent, falling short of the target of 55 percent.  286,781 individuals participated in consultation activities during project implementation, exceeding the target of 90,000  Of them, 86,034 were female, exceeding the target of 30,000 Page 8 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887)  40,970 farmers from the targeted villages adopted an improved agroforestry technology promoted by the project, exceeding the target of 36,875  Of them, 11,593 were female, almost achieving the target 12,000 Outcomes  376,565 ha were brought under sustainable land management practices, exceeding the target of 368,000 ha The key indicator of improvements in forested landscape management was the area brought under sustainable management practices. The area exceeded the target. A 2024 household survey showed that 7 out of 10 households in the PIREDD or the integrated project area, had adopted agroforestry practices, compared to 3 out of 10 before the project (ICR, para 27). The beneficiaries interviewed stated that the project had taught them that cultivating in degraded lands is possible and many reported having partially or fully shifting their agricultural production to savannas (ICR, para 27). The new approaches implemented were i) sustainable agroforestry in savannas, to discourage cultivation in forests and to produce charcoal sustainably, ii) agro-forestry in degraded forests to discourage new forest degradation, and iii) forest regenerated through exclosures and firebreaks (ICR, para 26). The project offered matching grants to support sustainable charcoal production and gave technical support and equipment to individuals and communities to introduce agroforestry practices. An area larger than the target was brought under sustainable land management practices. The outcome could be attributed to project activities. There is evidence of farmers adopting the agro-forestry practices recommended by the project. The efficacy with which the objective was achieved is rated Substantial. Rating Substantial OBJECTIVE 3 Objective To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in selected areas Rationale ToC The ToC for the achievement of Objective One also applies here. Outputs  Improved cookstoves (ICS) were produced, as planned  80,625 ICS were produced and distributed, exceeding the target of 70,000 Page 9 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887)  The level of organization of the sector was scored at 5, falling behind the target score of 7 (The indicator is a score of capabilities that reflects on whether the sector is organized nationally with sustainable funding and its level of engagement with consumers.)  2,355,309 metric tons (MT) of biomass was produced in a sustainable manner, exceeding the target of 2,100,000 MT Outcomes  29,494,168 MT of GHG emission reductions (and removals) were generated under the project, exceeding the target of 11,500,000 tons The estimated contribution of project to emission reductions were more than two and a half times the target. The emissions were reduced through i) avoided deforestation as a result of sustainable land use activities, ii) carbon removals generated from afforestation and reforestation, and iii) production and distribution of ICS (ICR, para 28). The project exceeded the target in making ICS available and producing biomass sustainably. Whether the use of ICS, an important intervention to reduce emissions, would be sustained is critical. An informal survey of beneficiaries suggested that they are likely to continue using and purchasing ICS because they reduce costs. In another survey, respondents highlighted the disadvantages which included their high costs and limited lifetime of some of the models (ICR, para 28). The ex-post analysis which considered private benefits as well as fuel savings, assumed gradual retirement of ICS, beginning with 25 percent in the third year, 38 percent in the fourth year, and 28 percent in the fifth, and 9 percent in the sixth (ICR, Annex 4, para 13). The project contributed to reducing and/or removing GHG emissions to a greater extent than targeted. The sources of reduction were project activities that increased the use of sustainable practices, introduced improved stoves and increased sustainable biomass production. The efficacy with which the objective is achieved is rated Substantial. Rating Substantial OVERALL EFF TBL OBJ_TBL OVERALL EFFICACY Rationale The ToC stated that supporting REDD+ activities and private sector initiatives that sustainably use forests and helping communities establish agroforestry systems would lead to improved livelihoods and forest management, thereby also leading to reduced GHG emissions. Livelihoods in terms of number of people that benefited from forests increased from project efforts. The efficacy with which the project achieved objective one was rated substantial with moderate shortcomings because it is not clear whether the benefit stream is significant enough to influence how the communities exploited forests. Improved landscape management in terms of area that was under sustainable management practices also increased from project efforts that helped communities develop management plans and offered incentives to implement them. The efficacy with Page 10 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) which the second objective was achieved was rated substantial. The achievement of the first two objectives, in addition to making improved cooking stoves available, enabled the project to reduce emissions at levels significantly higher than targeted. The overall efficacy in achieving the project objective is rated Substantial. Overall Efficacy Rating Substantial 5. Efficiency The ex-ante analysis did not estimate an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR). It estimated that the project would yield a Net Present Value (NPV) of US$45.9 million and a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.45, applying a 5 percent discount rate over 15 years with a carbon value of US$1/tCO2e. The PAD noted that even if the carbon benefits generated by the project were not considered, the project is likely to lead to positive economic outcomes (para 100). The testing of economic feasibility of individual project components yielded positive returns. For example, the analysis found that the component supporting the introduction of ICS would be economically viable as a separate component, even if benefits are purely based on private net benefits, excluding carbon related benefits (PAD, para 102). The ex-post analysis compared with and without project scenarios to quantify the incremental net benefits, and it accounted for all costs associated with the project including the additional financings. Repeating ex-ante analysis using the same parameters (5 percent discount rate over 15 years with a carbon value of US$1/tCO2e) while incorporating some additional benefit streams generated a NPV of US$216.4 million, a BCR of 4.91, and an EIRR of 71 percent (ICR, para 31). Extending the analysis to 20 years, the NPV rose to US$290.7 million with a BCR of 6.26. With a higher shadow price of carbon at US$35 per tCO2e and growing at 2.25 percent annually, the NPV increased to US$1 billion with BCR of 19.18. Some factors influenced the outcomes. DRC’s poor transport infrastructure and remoteness of project locations increased costs and complexity of implementing and monitoring activities. Limited digitalization of transactions between banks also delayed PES transfers (ICR, para 44). Covid restrictions delayed project activities (para 46). The ex-post analysis of benefits from the project indicated an NPV and a BCR significantly higher than forecasted; the EIRR was significantly higher than cost of capital at 71 percent but without an ex-ante estimate to compare with. The implementation was delayed by nearly two years. The efficiency of implementing the project is rated substantial with moderate shortcomings. Efficiency Rating Substantial Page 11 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) a. If available, enter the Economic Rate of Return (ERR) and/or Financial Rate of Return (FRR) at appraisal and the re-estimated value at evaluation: Rate Available? Point value (%) *Coverage/Scope (%) 0 Appraisal 0  Not Applicable 100.00 ICR Estimate  71.00  Not Applicable * Refers to percent of total project cost for which ERR/FRR was calculated. 6. Outcome The PDO to improve livelihoods and management of forested landscape along with reducing GHG emissions was substantially relevant to DRC where forest degradation resulted from the population’s dependence on forests for livelihoods. The efficacy in achieving the objective was rated substantial (with shortcomings) as the project improved forest-based livelihood opportunities and the management of forested landscapes. The achievements, along with promotion of the use of ICS, contributed to reducing/removing GHGs. The efficiency with which the project was implemented was also rated substantial (with shortcomings) as the estimated NPV and BCR were higher than forecasted and the EIRR was higher than cost of capital although implementation was delayed by two years. The outcome of the project is rated Satisfactory. a. Outcome Rating Satisfactory 7. Risk to Development Outcome The ICR identifies several risks to development outcomes from systemic challenges and structural weaknesses (para 57). Weak agroforestry value chains: Weakly developed agroforestry value chains may not enable households to maintain their revenues from agroforestry activities once PES payments are discontinued. Limited local technical capacity: Without local government commitment and adequate incentives for civil servants, households may not receive technical assistance to maintain their agroforestry activities. Fragile security situation: The situation in Mai-Ndombe province could trigger conflicts forcing beneficiaries to abandon their land and regress to less sustainable practices. Incomplete training in natural regeneration and charcoal production techniques: The implementing organization was not able to complete the training before project closure. Traditional techniques were still being practiced in some areas. Page 12 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Limited technical and financial resources for maintenance: Limited maintenance of roads, bridges, berths and ferryboat may erode the benefits from improved evacuation of agricultural produce and reduced travel time achieved through the project. 8. Assessment of Bank Performance a. Quality-at-Entry The project was designed with the objective of improving community livelihoods and forested landscape management and reducing GHG emissions, which could help DRC meet its environmental commitments. The activities/components supported communities to develop and implement landscape plans, supported private enterprises to sustainably use forest resources, and aided communities to practice agroforestry, which could be expected to achieve the project objectives. The concepts employed were based on lessons learned from operations in the DRC, in a post-conflict environment, in forestry, and in natural resource development in Africa. The project made robust implementation arrangements, by giving the responsibility to the Forest Investment plan coordination unit set up by the government (ICR para 54). Several partners, including seven NGOs rooted in the project area, were brought in as implementing partners. The M&E system was adequate, with appropriate PDO indicators to measure the outcomes and adequate intermediate indicators to monitor progress and test links in the ToC. As the project design could achieve objectives that were aligned with country strategies, and the implementation arrangements and the M&E system were appropriate, the Quality-at-entry is rated satisfactory. Quality-at-Entry Rating Satisfactory b. Quality of supervision The bank provided adequate supervision through its missions, 20 in all. The Bank team proactively introduced measures to strengthen financial management to address fiduciary transgressions related to cash flow (ICR, para 55). Although three different leaders headed the project team over the ten-year implementation period, the bank provided uninterrupted support as the transition between them was smooth. The Bank team also organized a safeguards mission and requested the PIU to prepare an action plan. As the Bank team provided adequate supervision and intervened proactively to address issues, quality of supervision is rated Satisfactory. Page 13 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Beginning the project with a suitable design, M&E framework, and implementation plan, the team was able to proactively address issues as they emerged. The overall Bank Performance is also rated Satisfactory. Quality of Supervision Rating Satisfactory Overall Bank Performance Rating Satisfactory 9. M&E Design, Implementation, & Utilization a. M&E Design The M&E framework was adequate to measure the outcomes, monitor project activities and test the links in the ToC. The PDO indicators were appropriate and measurable. However, the PDO indicator on “People in forest and adjacent communities with monetary/non-monetary benefit from forests,” to measure improved livelihood would have been better if it had measured the benefits rather than just the number that benefited (ICR, para 48). The Results Framework had ten intermediate indicators. Seven of them measured intermediate outcomes, or responses of individuals and institutions to project outputs delivered. Only three measured project outputs or activities (subprojects registered as REDD+ subprojects, technical support to agroforestry plantations, and individuals consulted during implementation). The RF could have benefited from more intermediate indicators. For example, something as important as payouts from PES were not tracked. The ICR notes that the PIU tracked important outcomes outside the RF (para 48). b. M&E Implementation The project employed appropriate approaches to track progress, modifying them as required (ICR, para 49). For example, to track emission reductions, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the Bank agreed to rely on land use monitoring data and the Ex-Ante Carbon Balance Tool (EX-Act) model instead of relying on payout information from Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA), which was approved as a separate project. The data collected were verified by experts from the Delegated Implementing Agency (DIA) and the PIU (ICR, para 50). c. M&E Utilization The data collected through the system informed the payments for environmental service, an important aspect of the project, and the restructurings that included additional financing and revisions to RF (ICR, para 50). Overall, the system was adequate to monitor and evaluate, although at least one of the PDO indicators could have been better specified and more intermediate indicators could have been included. The Page 14 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) system was implemented as designed and it informed implementation of critical aspects of the project. With minor shortcomings, the M&E quality is rated Substantial. M&E Quality Rating Substantial 10. Other Issues a. Safeguards Assessed as a category B project, it triggered Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01, Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04, Forests OP/BP 4.36, Pest Management OP 4.09, Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11, IPs OP/BP 4.10, and Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12. The project developed an Environmental and Social Management Framework, an Integrated Pest Management Plan, and a Cultural Resources Management Framework. The project implemented its activities with no major environmental and social (E&S) issues. The PIU submitted quarterly E&S monitoring reports detailing the implementation of E&S safeguards and an E&S closure report. The project recorded and reported 16 incidents, mainly traffic accidents, through the E&S Incident Response Toolkit and closed them properly. Drawing on this experience, the following FOREST program developed a code of conduct for driving and a checklist tool to mitigate the risk of accidents. Furthermore, the project operated a Grievance Redress Mechanism based on the one developed at the national level for the REDD+ process. It received a total of 232 complaints, all of which it resolved to the satisfaction of complainants. The project complied with all the triggered safeguards policies, and the safeguard performance of the project was rated Moderately Satisfactory at closure (ICR, para 53). b. Fiduciary Compliance At project closure, construction involved in some of the largest contracts, such as that of berth was 50 percent complete due to insecurity and high-water levels (ICR, para 53). The PIU received a commitment from provincial authorities to invest part of their ERPA share to complete the construction. This action was appropriately closed in line with the Bank’s fiduciary management guidance to avoid post-project reputation risk. The project’s FM and procurement were both rated Moderately Satisfactory. c. Unintended impacts (Positive or Negative) --- d. Other Mobilization of private finance Page 15 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) Matching grants to private investors in agroforestry plantations mobilized US$4.03 million of private funds. The model has been adopted to scale up mobilization of private funds for agro-forestry in Forest and Savanna Restoration Investment Program (ICR, para 37). The seven firms that received support to produce and distribute ICS invested US$186,165 of their own resources. 11. Ratings Reason for Ratings ICR IEG Disagreements/Comment Outcome Satisfactory Satisfactory Bank Performance Satisfactory Satisfactory Quality of M&E Substantial Substantial Quality of ICR --- Substantial 12. Lessons The ICR offered four lessons, which have been synthesized into the following two. Investing in the development of agricultural value chains, particularly of perennial crops, has the potential to improve the prospects of communities securing revenues in the long-term from their agroforestry investments. While Improved Forested Landscape Management Program invested in infrastructure aimed at facilitating the evacuation of agricultural produce, more could have been done to strengthen the value chain to reduce the risks of revenue losses after the incentive-based payments of the project came to an end (ICR, para 59). The integrated REDD+ programs of Plateau and Mai-Ndombe showed that five years were insufficient for establishing plantings and generating revenues; projects need to be longer to stabilize returns to investments (ICR, para 61). Projects need to develop new carbon market mechanisms to encourage communities to reduce emissions, as One-off REDD+ payments have limited impact. The project succeeded in Mai-Ndombe largely due to the Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA), which was put in place as a separate project, providing an avenue to reward the emission reductions in the project. There is need to foster long-term revenue sources such as carbon credits or other market or results- based payments to fund forest management and incentivize sustainable land use practices. 13. Assessment Recommended? No 14. Comments on Quality of ICR Page 16 of 17 Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review IFLMP (P128887) The report comprehensively covers the planning, restructuring, implementation, and outcomes of the project. It uses information from the M&E system and surveys and impact assessments conducted at the end of the project. The information is presented in considerable detail. The approach taken to assess the outcomes and to attribute them to project activities is reasonable. The report candidly notes deficiencies and identifies meaningful lessons. The writing is detailed with considerable information presented in footnotes. The quality of ICR is rated Substantial. a. Quality of ICR Rating Substantial Page 17 of 17