The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Romania | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing (IPF) | FY 2023 | Seq No: 3 | Archived on 19-Jun-2024 | ISR00723 Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests 1. OBJECTIVE 1.1 Development Objective Original Development Objective (Approved as part of Approval package on 29-Mar-2023) The Project Development Objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity of selected public entities to monitor pollution from agriculture, and to transfer knowledge on agricultural pollution reduction for adoption by participating farmers. Has the Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No 2. COMPONENTS Name Modernization of Public Institutions in Charge of Pollution Control:(Cost 36,780,000.00) Knowledge-Sharing, Awareness, and Information/Innovation Transfer for Participating Farmers:(Cost 21,200,000.00) Project Management:(Cost 5,620,000.00) 3. OVERALL RATINGS Name Previous Current Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate 4. KEY ISSUES & STATUS Jun 19, 2024 Page 1 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) 4.1 Implementation Status and Key Decisions RAPID seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of selected public entities to monitor pollution from agriculture, and to facilitate transfer of knowledge and adoption of agricultural pollution reduction practices by participating farmers. The project supports the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MEWF), the National Administration "Romanian Waters” (ANAR), the National Phytosanitary Authority (NFA), and the Directorate of Land Improvements and Land Fund (LILF) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in monitoring and reduce pollution from agriculture. The project was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on March 30, 2023; the loan was signed on April 6, 2023 and RAPID entered effectiveness on December 13, 2023. The Parliament has adopted the law no. 332/November 7, 2023, published on the Official Gazette no. 1022 of November 9, 2023, ratifying the Loan Agreement. Progress has been recorded with regards to the preparation of ToRs for the various project activities. Consultations with farmer’s organizations and relevant stakeholders for the Grants Manual for an initiative that will finance the upgrade/modernization of existing farms for demonstration purposes are anticipated to be organized during July - September 2024. 5. SYSTEMATIC OPERATIONS RISK-RATING TOOL Rating at Approval Last Approved Rating Risk Category Approval Package - ISR Seq. 02 - 19 Dec Proposed Rating 30 Mar 2023 2023 Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Moderate Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Moderate Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Moderate Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate Jun 19, 2024 Page 2 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) 6. RESULTS 6.1 PDO Indicators by PDO Outcomes Institutional capacity to monitor and report on agricultural pollution is established Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 Comments on This indicator tracks the share of annual reports produced by the selected public entities achieving targets meeting defined criteria: reports are based on digitalized and integrated data system, compliant with national or EU requirements (with improved reliability, traceabilit, or integration). - Evaluation reports produced by MEWF (NRRP-DG) meet defined criteria (in line with reporting requirements, integrated, digitalized, and traceable) - Reports produced by ANAR laboratories meet defined criteria (compliant with WFD 2000/60/EC requirements, integrated, digitalized and traceable) - Reports produced by NFA meet defined criteria Reporting by public entities (compliant with EU Reg. 2017/625 and Directive 676/91/EEC requirements, integrated, meeting defined criteria digitalized and traceable) - Reports produced by LILF meet defined criteria (compliant with EU (Percentage) Reg. 2017/625 and Directive 676/91/EEC requirements, integrated, digitalized and traceable) Note: Much of the current reporting is done through pen and paper (with no digital tool rather than Excel sheets, prone to human errors) and lacks integration with other databases and traceability of data inputs. The project will enhance institutional capacity by supporting the development of various monitoring and reporting IT/software tools and deploying relevant monitoring equipment for each of the institutions (NRRP-DG, ANAR, NFA, LILF) and should thus lead to improved capacity to report (which will be tracked and assessed based on the digitalization/reliability/traceability/integration criteria mentioned above). 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 Jun 19, 2024 Page 3 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) Reports by MEWF Comments on This indicator tracks the share of evaluation reports produced by MEWF (NRRP-DG) meeting meeting defined achieving targets defined criteria: reports are based on a digitalized and integrated data system, in line with criteria (Percentage) reporting requirements (with improved reliability, traceability, or integration). 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 80.00 Jun/2028 Reports produced by Comments on This indicator tracks the share of reports produced by ANAR laboratories meeting defined ANAR meeting defined achieving targets criteria: reports are based on a digitalized and integrated data system, compliant with WFD criteria (Percentage) 2000/60/EC requirements (with improved reliability, traceability, or integration). 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 80.00 Jun/2028 Reports produced by Comments on This indicator tracks the share of reports produced by NFA meeting defined criteria: reports NFA meeting defined achieving targets are based on a digitalized and integrated data system, compliant with EU Reg. 2017/625 and criteria (Percentage) Directive 676/91/EEC requirements (with improved reliability, traceability, or integration). 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 Reports produced by Comments on This indicator tracks the share of reports produced by LILF meeting defined criteria: reports LILF meeting defined achieving targets are based on a digitalized and integrated data system, compliant with EU Reg. 2017/625 and criteria (Percentage) Directive 676/91/EEC requirements (with improved reliability, traceability, or integration). Agricultural pollution reduction practices adopted by participating farmers thru knowledge transfer Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 50.00 Jun/2028 Participating farmers Comments on The indicator measures, the share of participating farmers adopting improved agricultural adopting agricultural achieving targets pollution reduction practices because of modernization of farms, trainings and farmer pollution reduction practices discussion groups of KTNs (a total of 8,000 farmers are expected to benefit from this project; as a result of the project out of them, 50% are targeted to adopt agricultural pollution reduction practices as a result (Percentage) of the project). Adoption refers to change of practice or change in the use of a technology promoted or introduced by the project. Participating farmers 0.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 adopting agricultural Comments on The indicator measures, the share of participating female farmers adopting improved pollution reduction achieving targets agricultural pollution reduction practices (because of modernization of farms, trainings and Jun 19, 2024 Page 4 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) practices as a result of farmer discussion groups of KTNs) out of the total participating farmers adopting such the project - female practices (i.e. a total of 4,000 farmers are expected to adopt agricultural pollution reduction (Percentage) practices as a result of the projec, out of which 35% women). Adoption refers to change of practice or change in the use of a technology promoted or introduced by the project. 6.2 Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Modernization of Public Institutions in Charge of Pollution Control Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year NRRP’s agriculture waste 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 250,000,000.00 Jun/2028 management component Comments on This indicator tracks the NRRP’s agriculture waste management component financing financing mobilized by MEWF achieving targets mobilized (EUR) by MEWF with support by the project. Financing mobilized is defined as with support by the project NRRP funds that are contracted by MEWF’s NRRP-DG (Number) ANAR staff have obtained 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 100.00 Jun/2028 skills to use the equipment Comments on This indicator tracks the share of targeted ANAR staff who complete the training for provided by the project achieving targets obtaining the skills to use the equipment for monitoring and reporting on the quality of (Percentage) surface and groundwater NFA staff have obtained skills 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 100.00 Jun/2028 to use the equipment Comments on This indicator tracks the share of targeted NFA staff who complete the training for obtaining provided by the project achieving targets the skills to use the equipment for monitoring pesticide use (Percentage) No platform is Jun/2023 No platform is 30-Nov-2023 Platform is in Jun/2028 Software platform to trace in place in place place and pesticides and pollutants is operational developed and is operational Comments on The software platform will target integrated collection, processing, analyzing, mapping, and (Text) achieving targets reporting of data to ensure traceability of pesticides and pollutants. The software platform Jun 19, 2024 Page 5 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) will draw from MARD’s various interfaces with other entities and their existing databases: the software will also record data on emissions (e.g., ammonia, nitrogen oxides etc.) and include data modelling in order to generate and transmit inter-institutional reports. Knowledge-Sharing, Awareness, and Information/Innovation Transfer for Participating Farmers Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Demonstration farms that 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 70.00 Jun/2028 function as training sites are Comments on Measures the number of farms that have been modernized to become role-model farms. created (Number) achieving targets Share of demonstration 0.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 farms that function as Comments on Measures the number of female-led farms that have been modernized to become role- training sites are achieving targets model farms. created (female-led farms) (Percentage) 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 8.00 Jun/2028 Regions with established and Comments on Measures the number of regions across the country with project established and functioning functioning KTNs (Number) achieving targets KTNs for advisory services and knowledge transfer to prevent and reduce agricultural pollution for participating farmers. Farmer Discussion Groups on 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 400.00 Jun/2028 knowledge transfer to Comments on Measures the number of Farmer Discussion Groups on knowledge transfer to prevent and prevent and reduce achieving targets reduce agricultural pollution that are established and operational. agricultural pollution are set- up and operational (Number) Share of women 0.00 0.00 35.00 participating in Comments on Share of women participating in knowledge networks, trainings, and consultations knowledge networks, achieving targets trainings, and Jun 19, 2024 Page 6 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) consultations (Percentage) 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 30000.00 Jun/2028 Comments on The indicator measures, in hectares, the land area for which new and/or improved achieving targets sustainable landscape management practices have been introduced. Land is the terrestrial biologically productive system comprising soil, vegetation, and the associated ecological and Land area under sustainable hydrological processes; Adoption refers to change of practice or change in the use of a landscape management technology promoted or introduced by the prject; Sustainable landscape management (SLM) practices (Hectare(Ha)) practices refers to a combination of at least two technologies and approaches to increase land quality and restore degraded lands for example, agronomic, vegetative, structural, and management measures that, applied as a combination, increase the connectivity between protected areas, forest land, rangeland, and agriculture land. Agricultural pollution 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 12.00 Jun/2028 reduction and knowledge Comments on This refers to workshops and conferences organized during the lifetime of the project to sharing events organized achieving targets share knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices to prevent and reduce pollution. (Number) 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 Beneficiaries satisfied with Comments on This indicator tracks the share of participating farmers under sub-components 2.1 and 2.2 project-supported services achieving targets expressing satisfaction with the newly adopted practices, on the basis of environmental (Percentage) protection. Beneficiaries satisfied 0.00 0.00 0.00 80.00 with project-supported Comments on This indicator tracks the share of participating farmers under sub-components 2.1 and 2.2 services - female achieving targets expressing satisfaction with the newly adopted practices, on the basis of environmental (Percentage) protection. Beneficiaries reporting 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 80.00 Jun/2028 effective engagement Comments on Share of project beneficiaries under sub-components 2.1 and 2.2 who report that the project processes established by the achieving targets has established effective engagement processes. Beneficiaries are participating farmers in project (Percentage) the KTNs and the farmer discussion groups established. 0.00 0.00 80.00 Jun 19, 2024 Page 7 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) Beneficiaries reporting Comments on Share of female project beneficiaries under sub-components 2.1 and 2.2 who report that the effective engagement achieving targets project has established effective engagement processes. Beneficiaries are participating processes established female farmers in the KTNs and the farmer discussion groups established. by the project - female (Percentage) 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 Content on climate smart Comments on This indicator tracks the share of content related to climate smart agriculture, climate agriculture, climate achieving targets mitigation, adaptation and practices for emissions reductions from agriculture integrated in mitigation, adaptation and training materials and programs for KTNs and FDGs developed under sub-component 2.2. practices for emissions The KTNs and their training programs will function as a hub for advisory services, reductions from agriculture contributing to peer-to-peer learning and practical demonstrations within the farming integrated in training communities, ensuring knowledge transfer on climate-smart agriculture techniques and materials and programs for practices. Climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience will be encompassed within the KTNs and FDGs training materials encouraging reducing GHG emissions, modernization, innovation. The (Percentage) farmer discussion group topics would also include practices for emissions reductions from agriculture, building resilience to climate change, and developing more resilience practices. Content on climate smart 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 31-May-2024 0.00 31-May-2024 80.00 Jun/2028 agriculture, climate Comments on This indicator tracks the share of content related to climate smart agriculture, climate mitigation, adaptation and achieving targets mitigation, adaptation and practices for emissions reductions from agriculture integrated in practices for emissions the awareness campaign under subcomponent 2.3. reductions from agriculture integrated in the awareness campaign (Percentage) Grants mobilized for 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 CSA/GHG emission Comments on This indicator tracks the share of grants (financing allocation) under Subcomponent 2.1 reduction/adaptation achieving targets allocated to CSA/GHG emission reduction/adaptation measures for demonstrating role measures (Percentage) model farms and promoting innovation. Project Management Indicator Name Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Jun 19, 2024 Page 8 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Grievances registered related 0.00 Jun/2023 0.00 30-Nov-2023 80.00 Jun/2028 to delivery of project benefits Comments on Percentage of the grievances submitted to the GRM established by the project that are that are addressed achieving targets addressed following the mechanism’s procedures. (Percentage) Jun 19, 2024 Page 9 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) 7. DATA ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 7.1 Cumulative Disbursements 7.2 Disbursements (by loan) Loan/Credit/TF Status Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed IBRD-95050 Effective 63.60 63.60 0.00 0.21 63.39 0.33% 7.3 Key Dates (by loan) Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Signing Effectiveness Orig. Closing Rev. Closing IBRD-95050 Effective 30-Mar-2023 06-Apr-2023 13-Dec-2023 30-Jun-2028 30-Jun-2028 8. KEY DATES Jun 19, 2024 Page 10 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) (P179786) Key Events Planned Actual Approval 30-Mar-2023 30-Mar-2023 Effectiveness 13-Dec-2023 13-Dec-2023 Mid-Term Review No. 01 31-Oct-2025 Operation Closing/Cancellation 30-Jun-2028 9. RESTRUCTURING HISTORY 10. ASSOCIATED OPERATION(S) There are no associated operations Jun 19, 2024 Page 11 of 11