REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN NATIONAL SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND OF TAJIKISTAN ADDITIONAL FINANCING - SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESILIENCE STRENGTHENING PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) Draft for Negotiations April 2025 1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Recipient will implement the Additional Financing (AF) - Tajikistan Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Program (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Finance and the National Social Investment Fund of Tajikistan (NSIFT) as set out in the Original and Additional Loan Agreements (the Agreements). The International Development Association (Association), has agreed to provide the original financing and additional financing for the Project, as set out in Agreements. This ESCP supersedes previous versions of the ESCP for the Project and shall apply both to the original and the additional financing for the Project referred to above. 2. The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and this Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), in a manner acceptable to the Association. The ESCP is a part of the Agreements. Unless otherwise defined in this ESCP, capitalized terms used in this ESCP have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreements. 3. Without limitation to the foregoing, this ESCP sets out material measures and actions that the Recipient shall carry out or cause to be carried out, including, as applicable, their respective timeframes; institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements; and grievance management. The ESCP also sets out the environmental and social (E&S) documents that shall be prepared or updated, consulted, disclosed and implemented under the Project, consistent with the ESSs, in form and substance acceptable to the Association. Said E&S documents may be revised from time to time with prior written agreement by the Association. As provided for under the referred Agreements, the Recipient shall ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP. 4. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP will be revised from time to time, if necessary, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes or unforeseen circumstances or in response to Project performance. In such circumstances, the Association and the Recipient agree to update the ESCP to reflect these changes through an exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Director of NSIFT specified in the Agreements. The Recipient shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 5. The subsection on “Indicators for Implementation Readiness” below identifies the actions and measures to be monitored to assess Project readiness to begin implementation in accordance with this ESCP. Nevertheless, all actions and measures in this ESCP shall be implemented as set out in the “Timeframe” column below irrespective of whether they are listed in the referred subsection. 2 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND CAPACITY SUPPORT A ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Maintain throughout Project NSIFT Implementation Funding from the a. Maintain a PIU with qualified staff and resources to support management of environmental, budget of Project social, health and safety (E&S) risks and impacts of the Project including one full time Environmental and Social (E&S) specialist, one fulltime Social Accountability/Gender/ GRM in NSIFT Dushanbe office, supported by regional E&S staff in each regional office (Khatlon and GBAO). B CAPACITY BUILDING PLAN/MEASURES Prior to the commencement of NSIFT CAs part of project launch activities, conduct ESF training in Tashkent and targeted project regions works and thereafter throughout for the following audiences: Project implementation. Responsible staff involved in the project. The PIU staff Regional staffs of involved in the project Contractors and site supervisors Main topics: 1.Environmental and Social Framework. 2. Labor management procedures, including Handling workers’ and beneficiaries’ Grievances. 3.Prevention and response to potential cases of GBV/SEA/SH and application of Codes of Conduct. 4. E&S risk management including OHS/EHS 5. Community health and safety including SEA/SH Require Contractors to deliver training of contracted workers and subcontractor’s workers to raise awareness about their rights and obligations and OHS risks and the requirements consistent with Project LMP (including workers’ Code of Conduct) which will be embedded to the Contractor’s ESMP, emergency prevention, preparedness, and response arrangements MONITORING AND REPORTING C REGULAR REPORTING Semi-annual NSIFT 3 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (E&S) performance of the Project. The reports shall include: • Status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP. • Summary of stakeholder engagement activities carried out as per the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. • Complaints submitted to the grievance mechanism(s), the grievance log, and progress made in resolving them. • E&S performance of contractors and subcontractors as reported through regular contractors’ and supervision firms’ reports. • Number and status of resolution of incidents and accidents reported under action E below. D CONTRACTORS’ REGULAR REPORTS Submit the reports to the NSIFT Association upon request Require contractors and supervising firms to provide regular monitoring reports on E&S performance in accordance with the metrics specified in the respective bidding documents and contracts and submit such reports to the Association. E INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Notify the Association no later than NSIFT Notify the Association of any incident or accident relating to the project which has, or is likely to 48 hours after learning of the have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or incident or accident. Provide workers, including those resulting in death or significant injury to workers or the public; acts of available details upon request. violence, discrimination or protest; unforeseen impacts to cultural heritage or biodiversity resources; pollution of the environment; dam failure; forced or child labor; displacement without Provide review report and due process (forced eviction); allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse (SEA), or sexual Corrective Action Plan to the harassment (SH); or disease outbreaks. Provide available details of the incident or accident to the Association no later than 10 days Association upon request. following the submission of the initial notice, unless a different Arrange for an appropriate review of the incident or accident to establish its immediate, underlying timeframe is agreed to in writing by and root causes. Prepare, agree with the Association, and implement a Corrective Action Plan that the Association. sets out the measures and actions to be taken to address the incident or accident and prevent its recurrence. 4 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENTS AND/OR PLANS 1. The original ESMF is dated April NSIFT 15, 2019, approved and disclosed 1. Update the existing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to on April 16, 2019. The ESMF will be identify/confirm and assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project. updated to include AF activities and will be disclosed, consulted and 2. Require subproject entities, with the support of NSIFT Social Specialist, Environmental Specialist, approved within 2 months from Regional Environmental and Social Safeguards Consultants to prepare and implement the Effective date. subproject Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), as set out in the ESMF. 2. Prepare the subproject ESMPs and incorporate the ESMPs as part of the respective bidding documents for the respective subprojects prior to the carrying out of subproject that requires the preparation of such ESMP. Once finalized, implement the respective ESMP throughout Project implementation. 1.2 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS As part of the preparation of NSIFT Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including, inter alia, the Labor Management procurement documents and Procedures, and code of conduct, into the E&S specifications of the procurement documents and respective contracts. contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and Supervise contractors throughout supervising firms comply and that they require their subcontractors to comply with the E&S Project implementation. Copies of specifications of their respective contracts. Provide copies of the relevant contracts with relevant contracts provided to the contractors/subcontractors and supervision firms to the Association. Association upon request. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES The original LMP is dated April 15, NSIFT Update existing Labor Management Plan in consistent with ESS2 as per Tajik national labor laws to 2019, approved and disclosed on guide working conditions as mitigation measures of labor related risks for the Project. The LMP will April 16, 2019. The LMP will be include, inter alia, provisions on working conditions, management of workers relationships, updated to include AF activities and occupational health and safety (including personal protective equipment, and emergency will be disclosed, consulted and preparedness and response), code of conduct (including relating to SEA and SH), forced labor, child approved no later than 2 months labor, grievance arrangements for Project workers, and applicable requirements for contractors, after the Effective date of the AF. subcontractors, and supervising firms. Ensure that all contractors for civil works are also in full compliance with all provisions of the LMP. 5 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 2.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN The original LMP is dated April 15, NSIFT 2019, approved and disclosed on Update and implement an OHS Management Plan to assess and manage the OHS risks and impacts April 16, 2019. The LMP will be The Contractor and with AF project activities. updated to include AF activities and subcontractors will be disclosed, consulted and Ensure that contractors and subcontractors identify measures for OHS risk management based on a approved no later than 2 months thorough assessment of site-specific hazards and develop, adopt, implement, and update after the Effective date of the AF. periodically, as required, the Contractors OHS plans consistent with the Project LMP and ESIA/ESMP in the manner acceptable to the Bank and in compliance with the requirements of ESS2 and national legislation of Tajikistan. Ensure that contractors and subcontractors have designated staff responsible for the implementation of OHS measures. 2.3 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Operate existing grievance NSIFT mechanism prior to engaging Development and operate existing grievance mechanism for Project workers, as described in the Project workers and thereafter The Contractor and LMP and consistent with ESS2. maintain and operate it throughout subcontractors Project implementation. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN As per updated ESMF NSIFT Develop, update and implement a Waste Management Plan (WMP), as part of the ESMP prepared for the Project, to manage hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, consistent with ESS3. The Contractor and subcontractors 3.2 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT As per updated ESMF NSIFT Incorporate resource efficiency and pollution prevention and management measures in the ESMP to be prepared under action 1.1 above. The Contractor and subcontractors ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY As per updated ESMF NSIFT Incorporate measures to manage traffic and road safety risks as required in the updated ESMP to be prepared under action 1.1 above. The Contractor and subcontractors 4.2 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY As per updated ESMF NSIFT 6 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY Assess and manage specific risks and impacts to the community arising from Project activities, such The Contractor and as infrastructure design and equipment design and safety, safety of services, traffic and road safety, subcontractors community exposure to health issues, management and safety of hazardous materials, erosion, landslide, exposure to contaminants, emergency preparedness and response, O&M issues include mitigation measures in the ESMPs to be prepared in accordance with the ESIA, in line with ESS4 and in a manner acceptable to the World Bank. 4.3 SEA AND SH RISKS As per updated ESMF NSIFT Develop and implement SEA/SH prevention and response measures, proportionate to the risks of the SEA/SH risk of the Project, including availability of a list of services for victims of SEA/SH, The Contractor and adoption of the code of conduct by all workers, and adequate treatment of SEA/SH grievances in subcontractors the Project level GRM, as reflected in the SEP and LMP. These measures shall also be included in the ESMPs to be developed under action 1.2 above. The PIU will ensure that contractors and subcontractors bidding documents provide requirements for GBV risks mitigation including signing of Code of Conduct for employees /workers/laborers. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 RESETTLEMENT FRAMEWORK AND PLANS 1. The original RPF is dated April 15, NSIFT 1. Update and implement the existing Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) including with AF 2019, approved and disclosed on activities, in a manner consistent with ESS5. April 16, 2019. The RPF will be updated to include AF activities and 2. When necessary prepare and implement a Resettlement Plan (RP) or a Livelihood Restoration will be disclosed, consulted and Plan (LRP) for the Project, consistent with ESS5. approved no later than 2 months with ESS5. after the Effective date of the AF. 3. Provide funding for the implementation of the RAPs in a timely manner. Ensure that RAPs are approved by the Bank and fully implemented before carrying out the associated activities, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. The Project will ensure monitoring and reporting on involuntary resettlement activities throughout Project implementation as part of regular reporting. 7 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 2. Prepare and implement the respective RP or LRP prior to carrying out the relevant works, including ensuring that before taking possession of the land and related assets, full compensation has been provided, and as applicable displaced people have been resettled and moving allowances have been provided. and that livelihood restoration measures have been implemented as needed. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 CHANCE FINDS Implement the procedures NSIFT Describe and implement the chance finds procedures, as part of the ESMF and subproject ESMPs of throughout Project the Project. implementation. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN Throughout Project NSIFT Implement the existing Stakeholder Engagement Plan including AF activities and related implementation stakeholders in project selected districts consistent with ESS5. Update and redisclose updated SEP, as needed, throughout Project implementation. 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM NSIFT No later than two months after AF Operate existing grievance mechanism, to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and Effectiveness grievances in relation to the Project, promptly and effectively, in a transparent manner that is culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all Project-affected parties, at no cost and without retribution, including concerns and grievances filed anonymously, in a manner consistent with ESS10. The grievance mechanism shall be equipped to receive, register, and facilitate the resolution of SEA/SH complaints, including through the referral of survivors to relevant gender-based violence service providers, all in a safe, confidential, and survivor-centered manner. INDICATORS FOR IMPLEMENTATION READINESS The following actions are indicators for implementation readiness: 8 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY i) Recruitment and training of E&S staff within Project Implementation Unit ii) Conduct ESF training in targeted project regions iii) Adopt Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), and corresponding Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) – (1.1) iv) Adopt Labor Management Procedures – (2.1) v) Establish Grievance Mechanism – (2.3, 10.2) vi) Adopt Gender Action and Monitoring Plan (GAP). – (4.3) vii) Adopt Resettlement Policy Framework – (5.1) vii) Adopt Stakeholder Engagement Plan – (10.1) 9