Kazakhstan: GEF and PROGREEN Resilient Landscapes Restoration Projects (P171577 and P179008) Implementation Support Mission October 14-18, 2024 Aide Memoire I. INTRODUCTION 1. A World Bank (the Bank) team1 carried out an implementation support mission of the Kazakhstan GEF and PROGREEN Resilient Landscapes Restoration Projects2, financed with US$ 4.3 million Global Environment Facility grant and US$ 2 million grant, respectively, during October 14-18, 2024. 2. The objective of the mission was to review the progress made on the project activities in the GEF project since Mid Term Review mission in November 2023, covering results framework indicators, the following six-month work plan for GEF and PROGREEN projects, environmental and social (E&S) compliance performance in both projects, and discuss any outstanding implementation issues. Mission wrap-up meeting was held on October 17, 2024, with the Deputy Chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Mr. Yerlan Kutpanbayev. The Bank team expresses its continued appreciation for the cooperation extended by the FWC officials, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), forest users, farmer beneficiaries, and hospitality shown by local forest management organizations’ officials in Kyzylorda oblasts during the field visits on October 14-16, 2024. II. KEY MISSION FINDINGS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS 3. General. The mission noted satisfactory projects’ implementation progress and confirmed the overall “Satisfactoryâ€? rating for both projects in achieving the Project Development Objective (PDO) and on the Implementation Progress. Table 1: Project Overview Project Data Total project cost (GEF Grant) USD 4.34 million Total Disbursement as of October 21, 2024 USD 4.24 million Percent Disbursed 97.5 % Closing date September 3, 2025 Bank Approval Date June 14, 2021 Effectiveness Date July 1, 2021 Project Data Total project cost (PROGREEN Grant) USD 2.0 million Total Disbursement as of October 21, 2024 USD 0.12 million Percent Disbursed 6.0 % Closing date July 31, 2026 Bank Approval Date June 14, 2023 Effectiveness Date May 17, 2024 1 Mission members included Talimjan Urazov (Sr. Agriculture Specialist, co-Task Team Leader); Leela Raina (Environment Economist, co-Task Team Leader); Alexander Borovkov (Senior Forest Consultant); Zhuldyz Zhurumbetova (Senior Environmental Specialist). Administrative support was provided by Olga Besedina (Program Assistant). 2 Kazakhstan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project is a part of the joint WB-FAO Resilient Agroforestry and Rangeland Project financed by the Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes under the seventh replenishment of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (DSL GEF-7). 1 Official Use 4. Implementation progress. The mission was pleased to see that most activities under the GEF project has been successfully completed and some activities are close to completion. Disbursement reached 97.5% with only final payments for some contracts pending. The mission discussed implementation progress for all activities; the detailed review with technical recommendations is given in Annex 1. It was also noted that the start-up phase of the PROGREEN project activities was completed and preparation of bidding documents is at an advanced stage. 5. Demonstration plots for agro-forestry practices. The team visited demonstration plots for agroforestry practices in Kyzylorda region. The mission was pleased to see that all planned works for 2024 have been completed as scheduled and the area covered with plantation in each plot reached 3 ha out of 5 ha total. Beneficiary farmers indicated strong interest in testing proposed agroforestry techniques and they were satisfied with yields and economic benefits. Some beneficiaries expressed their intention to invest their own resources to expand the pilot plot size. Agroforestry practices showcased the success of pear, apple, pumpkins, melons and watermelons in high salinity soils. A learning event/conference to showcase success of demo plots, present cost benefit analysis of agroforestry practices will be scheduled for 2025. 6. Establishment of a forest nursery in the territory of the Kazalinsk Forestry and Wildlife State Enterprise (SE). The mission visited the nursery in Kazalinsk, construction across 33.5 ha of which was completed recently this year as planned. This was the most expensive activity in the project, and the mission was pleased to see that construction was fully completed with compliance to technical requirements particularly with regards to the drip irrigation system, water reservoir, canteen, office, and restroom in a turn-key format. At the moment the legal procedure to transfer the nursery on the balance sheet of the Kazalinsk Forestry and Wildlife SE is ongoing, the mission was also informed that the budget for maintenance and staffing of the nursery is already available in the local budget and the nursery is expected to become fully operational by end of November 2024. Cost savings were achieved from construction of modular buildings and a charge removal from environmental fees. The first sowing in the nursery is planned in November 2024 and the first seedlings should be ready for planting on the Dry Aral Seabed in 2026 planting season. 55,000 saplings are being produced annually which help supply seedlings to Dry Aral Seabed and near and around Kyzylorda city, supporting implementation of the presidential commitment to plant 2 billion seedlings by 2025. Nursery is anticipated to employ 40 seasonal workers and around 5-6 people in the office. PIU was encouraged to hire more women in the nursery to reach targets mentioned in the gender action plan. 7. Protective planting around Kyzylorda city on an area of 3,000 ha. The mission visited protective planting site around Kyzylorda city. Following completion of the main planting in 2023 additional works to add more than 1 million seedlings were completed in spring 2024. This additional planting allowed to boost survival to 51%, from 32% in 2023, which is an excellent result given harsh climatic conditions and lack of irrigation infrastructure. A total of 3.6 million seedlings are planted and 1.3 million was replaced in spring 2024. Some additional maintenance is planned in 2025 upon completion of which the area will be registered as the area covered with saxaul forest. Plantation is supporting reduction in salinity and dust storms. 8. Unrecorded forests inventory. 333,000 ha have been mapped in the inventory for unrecorded forests. The mission visited sample forest area in Kyzylorda oblast that was previously unrecorded but identified as a forest covered area during the inventory works. The mission was informed that in total about 76,000 ha in Kyzylorda oblast is being transferred to become the state forest fund land. This recognizes 76,000 ha (10,000 ha in Shieli; 26,000 ha in Syr Darya; 40,000 Jalagash) as forests and warrants a forest management plan, which will be funded by the state budget. Necessary forest management plans for those plots have been completed and official decrees of local authorities are pending. This reclassification will 2 Official Use also contribute towards the presidential target of increasing forest cover by 900,000 ha by 2029. Those plots were state reserve land previously and were not used by farmers for livestock grazing, hence the transfer will not trigger any of E&S policies. However, even after the transfer it will be possible to use those plots for grazing after purchase of the so called “forest ticketsâ€? in case some farmers want to use it. Inventory works are expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2024. The mission agreed that it would be good to have a final presentation from the contractor company (Lesproject LLP) closer to the end of November 2024. 9. Gene Bank. A draft legal charter for the gene bank has been submitted to the Forestry Wildlife Committee, and approval is pending. 10. Procurement of machinery for forestry organizations. The Mission team inspected machinery which was procured with the project funds by Kazalinsk forestry enterprise including truck tractors, sowing machine, sprinkler, vehicle for personnel, etc. This machinery helps to increase nursery efficiency and boost productivity. The full list of the machinery procured is given in the Annex 1 below. 11. PROGREEN activities. The legal agreement for the PROGREEN grant became effective on May 17, 2024, after some delay related to the signing procedures. The project team completed start-up activities including opening the special account and finalizing the project Operation Manual and the procurement plan. The bidding documents for the design works of all activities are being prepared and expected to be completed in a few weeks. Implementation of all activities should not take more than one calendar year, so the project is expected to be completed on time by July 2026 in spite of the initial delays. Reporting for PROGREEN project to follow same template as GEF, setup M&E system with focal points. 12. Monitoring and Evaluation. Project progress report template was shared on 5 December 2023, link of which is made available in Annex 4. Meeting with PIU was held on 12 September 2024 to review a preliminary draft of the progress report. Mission meeting discussed the revised draft of the report, and it was decided that in the interest of time, two progress reports will be submitted. The midterm review progress report covering period July 2021- December 2023 will be submitted latest by 30 November 2024. The progress report covering period December 2023 - December 2024 will be submitted by 15 December as a first draft and by 15 January 2025 as the final version. PIU was encouraged to use the template recently reshared on 20 September 2024 and start preparing for the completion report of the GEF project which will cover the entire project period and uses the same format template. 13. Project Management. PIU was urged to boost capacity on communications, as per the knowledge management activities and reporting. 14. GHG sequestration indicator. Mission meetings held with FAO verified the assumptions for Ex- ACT modelling tool used for calculating the GHG sequestration indicator, in line with methodology at PAD stage. Expert and PIU team defined the project area to have a warm temperate climate with dry moisture and sandy soils. The Project duration was set as four years, with a 16-year capitalization phase as per IPCC AR6 GWP-100 values. The reference soil organic carbon stock reference value is 2.25 Mg/ha (Tier 2) in line with saxaul seeds (N. Thevs et al 2013)3. Preliminary estimates based on the following activities result in: -1,190,617 tCO2eq from 3000 ha afforestation/reforestation; - 1,019 tCO2 eq from 9 ha conversion to agroforestry including use of inputs; - 267 tons of CO2 eq from demo plots on grasslands; -1,014,626 tCO2 eq from 76,000 ha brought under forest management plans and +183 tco2eq from inputs such as fertilizer used on demo plots. As a result, preliminary results find that the total mitigation potential is -2,206,286 3 Thevs, Bucherer, Buras, 2013. Spatial distribution and carbon stock of the Saxaul vegetation of the winter-cold deserts of Middle Asia, Journal of Arid Environments. Available here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196312002716#section-cited-by 3 Official Use tCO2 during the 20-year post-project period. FY21 year value will be input as CO2 eq for each year for the results framework as per table below. This estimate will be further refined with detailed estimates of yield of respective crops accrued in agroforestry plots. FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 4 tCO2eq -24,514.28 -49,028.57 -73,542.85 -98,057.13 -122,571.42 15. Gender. PIU has agreed to include progress under the gender action plan as per PAD Annex 5 and Annex 3 below, include women in the stakeholder engagement plan, labor management plan and has assigned responsibility to monitor and report progress on gender to the E&S specialist. Mission team met with Aigul – a female forestry engineer in Kazalinsk, who shared that salary of forest engineers is at parity for women, however in the enterprise she works in only 10% of personnel are women. She recommended to build more nurseries to boost female participation in the forestry sector. The Mission discussed the opportunity to profile Ms Kuikova Raushan Kuanyshbaevna, who is a female manager of the farm ‘Shabar Bekbolat’ and is one of the six beneficiaries receiving support for the agroforestry plots. The mission team will follow up with questionnaire to profile Raushan; a ToR to conduct a gender-sensitive analysis for the saxaul value chain using FAO framework5, and assess how best to engage women and wives on the farm and off-farm activities, including jam and dairy initiatives. 16. Procurement. It was agreed with the PIU that STEP/Contract management data will be updated for the GEF project activities to reflect the actual status of contracts and all supporting documents will be uploaded in respective roadmap sections for post-review contracts. Based on the updated STEP information the procurement post-review is planned to be conducted by December 2024. The PIU was also advised to publish a general procurement notice (GPN) in STEP and start the procurement processes for the PROGREEN project according to the updated procurement plan. 17. Financial Management (FM). Financial Management (FM) arrangements continue to be adequate and acceptable to the Bank. The Project is in compliance with FM conditions of the grant agreement, including in general timely submission of the Interim Unaudited Financial Reports (IFRs) and annual audited financial statements. The latest audit report for 2023 was submitted on time and accepted by the Bank. It was disclosed on the official website of the Implementing Agency. It was agreed that the audit for 2024 will be combined with the final audit and submitted to the Bank by the closing date, that is September 30, 2025. The process for selection of auditors will start in December 2024. 18. Communication and knowledge dissemination. Mission discussed the need to accelerate and record activities as detailed under Annex 5 of the PAD. The Mission team has shared a waiver form for media which is required for dissemination of materials. This is also made available in Russian in Annex 4. The mission recommended PIU to include to the midterm project report the information about the Whatsapp group showcasing number of members and some examples of how forest users are sharing information, as well as information on knowledge sharing in the RESILAND retreat and Central Asia Climate Change Conferences. Mission agreed to create maps, documentation and drone videos for the forests brought under the forest management plan, and before and after videos for the saxaul plantations. PIU was encouraged to send information and videos to relevant representatives of the country attending COP29 and to be showcased at the Kazakhstan Pavilion at COP29. 4 Preliminary estimate based on Ex-ACT tool estimation conducted on 18 October 2024, led by Erda Celer, expert, FAO. 5 FAO. 2016. Developing gender-sensitive value chains – A guiding framework. Rome and Safa Barraza, A. and Berthelin, L. 2022. Climate resilience and disaster risk analysis for gender-sensitive value chains: A guidance note. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0051en 4 Official Use 19. Environmental and Social. The environmental and social risk rating for the Project remains Moderate. An Environmental and Social Specialist is in place to oversee the implementation of ESF documentation. During the mission, the team visited three demonstration plots around Kyzylorda (15 ha); saxaul plantations near Kyzylorda city (3000 ha); and the forest nursery within the Kazaly State Institution in the Kyzylorda region (33.5 ha). The mission observed the use of water-saving technologies (drip irrigation) at the saxaul plantation plots, meeting the ESS3 requirement for more efficient resource use. No environmental, social, health, and safety (ESHS) non-compliance issues were recorded since the last mission or observed during this mission. However, the team noted some gaps in the preparation of site- specific ESMPs/checklist-based ESMPs proportionate to the subproject risks as guided by the ESMF, including the need for regular quality progress reports on the environmental and social performance of the Project in accordance with the shared template. The mission team reminded that site-specific ESMPs or ESMP checklists must be developed and effectively implemented for each site where works are being performed or planned. ESF capacity building training was provided to the PIU’s E&S Specialist, covering the implementation of ESCP, the E&S screening process of subprojects, the preparation of site-specific environmental and social management plans, and E&S progress reporting. The Bank team recommends that the PIU focuses on the following aspects for both the GEF and PROGREEN projects: a) Before issuing bidding documents for civil works, ensure that relevant site-specific (subproject) ESMPs or ESMP checklists (as outlined in the ESMF) are prepared and incorporated into the ESHS specifications of contracts for civil works or landscape restoration as part of all bidding documents and contracts. Selected contractors must comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts during implementation. b) Ensure regular consultations with stakeholders in accordance with the SEP and describe the availability and functioning of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). c) Implement regular monitoring activities to assess E&S impacts and risks, including labor risks, gender issues, environmental and occupational health and safety measures. d) Provide induction and refresher toolbox talks to contractors and other stakeholders on environmental, social, health, and safety topics, as well as on the proper implementation of the developed management plans (e.g., Waste Management Plan, Pest Management Plan, Labor Management Procedures, grievance redress mechanism, etc.). e) Submit regular reports on E&S performance as per ESCP. Please refer to Table 4 for additional mission recommendations and the agreed actions. NEXT STEPS AND AGREED ACTIONS Table 4. List of Agreed Actions and Timeline Actions Responsible Due Date Prepare and submit Mid Term Review Report covering the 1 PIU 30 November 2024 period of July 2021-December 2023 Draft by 15 December Prepare and submit Progress Report Review Report 2 PIU 2024 covering the period of December 2023- December 2024 Final by 15 Jan 2025 5 Official Use Present draft methodology for PDO indicator 1: identification of the most effective agroforestry practices 3 PIU 15 December 2025 using a community – centered approach based on cost benefit analysis of demonstration plots Prepare and submit a regular monitoring report on ESHS 4 Performance of the Project as part of Project Progress PIU 25 December 2024 Report covering October 2023 – December 2024 Share copies of the environmental/water intake permits obtained as per the national environmental laws and 5 PIU 25 November 2024 regulations for agroforestry and landscape restoration activities completed under Component 1. Prepare site-specific Pest Management Plan (PMP) for combating pests and diseases effectively and sustainably 6 PIU 15 November, 2024 for 3 agroforestry plots in Kyzylorda. And, for pilot projects on 6 farms in Zhambyl oblast, as necessary. Screen any proposed subproject in accordance with the ESMF; Before issuance of 7 Prepare, consult with relevant stakeholders and effectively PIU bidding documents for implement site-specific ESMPs/ESMP checklists for each civil works site where works planned to be commenced. GRM requires to be a standalone website/ mechanism 8 PIU 15 December 2024 versus on the state agency. Share needs assessment for range of support required to 9 FWC 15 December 2024 boost capacity for forest fire management in the country. Share online training for fire management which is 8 November 2024 10 WB available in Russian. (Link in Annex 5) Presentation for the inventory of unrecorded forests across 11 PIU 20 November 2024 the Dry Aral Sea Bed: 333,000 Ha 12 Questionnaire to profile Raushan, female beneficiary WB 15 December 2024 13 ToR for gender sensitive value chain assessment WB 15 January 2025 Reshare concept proposal for support on fire management, 14 WB 15 November 2025 nurseries and forestry sector with FWC Annexes: Annex 1 – Status of Individual Activities Annex 2 – Update from Agroforestry plots in Kyzylorda Annex 3 – World Bank Interview Photo and Film Consent License and Release No Compensation Sample Waiver in Russian. Annex 4 – Project Report Template Annex 5 – Link to online training for fire management which is available in Russian 6 Official Use Annex 1 GEF-7 Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project in Kazakhstan – Activity Implementation Progress For the period from June 25 to October 29, 2024 Component 1. Piloting community-centered approach on dryland agroforestry and landscape restoration 1.1 Creation of a forest nursery on the territory of the Kazaly State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife of the Kyzylorda region, 33.5 hectares (0.685 million USD). 1. The work on the forest nursery creation has been completed. The contractor, Yenbek LLP, has completed the work in full as per the contract concluded dated September 12, 2023 for the amount of 440.74 million KZT (957.7 thousand USD). Statements of conformance of the completed works have been received from the author’s supervision unit of Kazakhstan Ecology Development LLP and of the quality of construction and installation works from the technical supervision unit of Saraptama-2030 LLP. The facility commissioning act has been signed by the acceptance committee. Currently, the procedures for commissioning of the facility and transferring it to the balance of the Kazaly State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife are underway. 2. Special machinery and equipment were purchased for the forest nursery (KHTZ tractor, loader, trench digger) for a total amount of 58,552 thousand KZT (126.4 thousand USD). 3. To ensure that activities for growing planting material in the forest nursery are implemented, funds in the amount of 26,896,600 KZT were allocated from the regional budget of the Kyzylorda region to the Kazaly Forest Institution in October of this year for autumn soil cultivation, sanding and collection of saxaul seeds. 1.2 Creation of plantings around the city of Kyzylorda on an area of 3,000 hectares (0.698 million USD). 1. Works on the creation of protective plantings (soil preparation, planting) were carried out within the established agrotechnical deadlines (the third decade of March – the first decade of April) on an area of 3,000 hectares by the following forest institutions with which contracts were signed for a total amount of 293 million 115 thousand KZT: - Kyzylorda State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife – 97,705,006 KZT; - Shieli State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife – 97,705,006 KZT; - Syrdarya State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife – 48,491,632 KZT; - Zhalagash State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife – 49,213,388 KZT. Black saxaul seedlings in the amount of 3.6 million pcs from the forest nurseries of the Syrdarya, Shieli and Zhalagash Forest Institutions were planted. Starting from the first year after planting until 2025, annual agrotechnical care is planned: mechanized processing (cultivation) of row spacing, and from 2024 - complementing of forest crops by 25% manually. In the spring of 2024, the Shieli and Kyzylorda Forest Institutions carried out work to supplement forest crops of saxaul in the amount of 1.2 million pcs on an area of 3,000 hectares. In the summer-autumn period, mechanized care (cultivation) was carried out for plantings in certain areas (cultivation was not carried out in row spacing where natural self-seeding of saxaul was formed as a result of primary soil cultivation in order to prevent its destruction). 2. A contract was signed with the Kazgiproleskhoz KZ LLP, author of the project, for the provision of services for the supervision of the implementation of works on the creation of plantings around the city of Kyzylorda on an area of 3,000 hectares dated December 9, 2023 amounted to 4,067 thousand KZT, including in 2022 – 380 thousand KZT, in 2023 – 2,384 thousand KZT, in 2024 – 669 thousand KZT and in 2025 - 634 thousand KZT. 7 Official Use 3. The Kyzylorda Regional Territorial Inspectorate of Forestry and Wildlife established a commission for the acceptance of works on the creation of protective plantings on an area of 3,000 hectares, which included representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, forest institutions and the projected organization. 4. The WB mission noted the satisfactory condition of protective plantings. Following the autumn inventory of 2024, the average survival rate of forest crops was 50.1%, with the established planned survival rate of 30%. In total, 148 people were involved in forestry activities in 2024, of them 56 women. The work to supplement saxaul forest crops will continue in the spring of 2025. 1.3 Creation of three model plots in the green belt of the city of Kyzylorda to demonstrate innovative ways of conducting agroforestry on urban lands (0.12 million USD). 1. The work on the creation of 3 model agroforestry plots is carried out by farmers Zh. Amit (Zhanaidar Farm), S. Karamurzayev (Karakat Farm) and O. Esirkep (IE Ongar) in accordance with contractual agreements on the provision of subgrants in the amount of 18,600,000 KZT each. The volume of work in 2024 amounted to 2 hectares for each farmer. The following activities have been completed: Zhanaidar Farm (Plot 1): Soil cultivation in the coulisse spacing - 1.3 ha; Soil cultivation in the inter-coulisse spacing - 0.708 ha; Planting and care - 1.3 ha, including in the coulisse spacing: No. 1 apple tree - 144 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 2 plum - 144 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 3 cherry - 72 pcs, almond - 72 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 4 pear - 144 pcs (0.325 ha); Sowing of herbs in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 1 - 0.177 ha; Mowing and gathering of herbs in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 3 - 0.177 ha; Planting of and care for tomatoes in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 2 – 2,114 pcs (0.177 ha); Sowing of and care for melon seeds in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 4 - 0.177 ha, including: melons - 274 planting spots; pumpkins - 274 planting spots. Individual Entrepreneur Ongar (Plot 2) Soil cultivation in the coulisse spacing - 1.3 ha; Soil cultivation in the inter-coulisse spacing - 0.708 ha; Planting and care - 1.3 ha, including in the coulisse spacing: No. 1 apple tree - 144 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 2 oleaster – 72 pcs, buckthorn – 72 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 3 rosehip – 98 pcs, apple tree – 72 pcs, barberry – 98 pcs (0.325 ha); No. 4 apple tree – 72 pcs, currant – 196 pcs (0.325 ha); Planting of and care for tomatoes in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 1 – 2,114 pcs (0.177 ha); Sowing of herbs in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 3 – 0.177 ha; Karakat Farm (Plot 3) Soil cultivation in the coulisse spacing – 1.42 ha; Soil cultivation in the inter-coulisse spacing – 0.58 ha; Planting and care – 1.45 ha, including in the coulisse spacing: No. 1 apple tree - 160 pcs (0.362 ha); No. 2 oleaster – 80 pcs, buckthorn – 80 pcs (0.362 ha); No. 3 cherry – 80 pcs, almond – 80 pcs (0.362 ha); No. 4 – rosehip – 109 pcs, apple tree – 80 pcs, currant – 109 pcs (0.362 ha); Sowing of and care for melon seeds in the inter-coulisse spacing: No. 1 melons – 540 planting spots, pumpkins – 540 planting spots (0.193 ha); No. 3 watermelons – 540 planting spots, zucchini – 540 planting spots (0.193 ha); Sowing, mowing and gathering of herbs in the inter-coulisse spacing No. 2 - 0.193 ha. 2. During the agroforestry plot visits, the World Bank mission noted the satisfactory condition of the work performed and the interest of farmers. 8 Official Use In 2025, each farmer will have to create another 2 ha and continue agroforestry care and harvesting on the developed areas. 1.4 Creation of pilot projects on agroforestry in six farms engaged in long-term forest management in Zhambyl region (0.42 million USD). Works to create pilot projects for the implementation of agroforestry on a total area of 120 hectares in 6 farms are carried out by farmers Bakytkhan Baiturganov (Abylaikhan Farm), Raushan Kuikova (Shabar-Bekbolat Farm), Yerlan Botayev (Botai Farm), Zhetpisbay Aidarov (IE Zh. Aidarov), Maksat Shashubai (Shashubai Farm), Saken Atayev (Atai Farm) in accordance with contractual agreements on the provision of subgrants in the amount of 32,550,000 KZT each. During the reporting period, the farms carried out the following activities: Soil cultivation for planting of pasture-protective plantations of black saxaul with coulisses up to 12 m and inter- coulisse spacing up to 75.0 m; Soil cultivation for planting of sheltering plantations; Soil cultivation for sowing of reclamation and forage plantations; Planting of pasture-protective plantations of black saxaul and aftercare; Planting of sheltering plantations and aftercare; Soil cultivation for sowing of forage plantations in inter-coulisse spacing; Sowing of forage plantations in inter-coulisse spacing; Sowing of reclamation and forage plantations; Creation and care for barriers all around the plot; Construction of wells, purchase, delivery, and installation of 6 plastic water storage tanks, with a capacity of 25 m3 each; Purchase, delivery, and installation of irrigation pipes and pumps. 7. The World Bank mission did not visit these agroforestry plots this year, but last year it noted the satisfactory condition of the work performed and the interest of farmers. In 2025, farmers will continue work on supplementing of created plantations, planting and sowing of forage shrubs and agricultural crops, mechanized and manual care and watering of plantations and crops. 1.5 Technical equipment of forestry institutions of the Kyzylorda and Zhambyl regions for the conservation and reproduction of forests, as well as for the management and assistance to farms (model farms) in the management of agroforestry (0.5 million USD). As for the Kazaly and Koskuduk State Institutions for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife of the Kyzylorda and Zhambyl regions, 20 types of machinery and equipment in the amount of 57 units were purchased and delivered for a total of 211.9 million KZT (492.9 thousand USD). This activity has been completed. Component 2. Capacity building of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee (FWC) for integrated landscape management 2.1 Mapping of forest lands on the dried Aral Seabed (DAS) on an area of 300,000 ha (0.37 million USD). This activity has been excluded as it is being implemented as part of the project of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Kazakhstan. The released funds in the amount of 370 thousand USD were redistributed based on the World Bank’s approval dated March 31, 2023 from Sub-Component 2.1 of Component 2 ‘Mapping of forest lands on the dried Aral Seabed on an area of 300,000 hectares’ to Sub-Component 1.1 of Component 1 ‘Creation of a forest nursery on the territory of the Kazaly State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife of the Kyzylorda region, 33.5 hectares’. 2.2 Design and survey work for the selection of areas to create forest-reclamation plantations (saxaul plantings) on DAS on an area of 100,000 hectares (0.2 million USD). 9 Official Use This activity has been completed. The working project for the creation of forest-reclamation plantations on the dried Aral Seabed on an area of 100,000 hectares in 2023 was accepted by the Forestry and Wildlife Committee and transferred under the act of acceptance to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Management of the Kyzylorda region. This year, full-scale work on planting of saxaul began in these areas. 2.3 Assistance in fulfillment of international obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan to increase the area of forests by improving the quality of the forest fund - inventory of unaccounted forests on an area of 140,000 hectares with the preparation of Forest Management Plans on an area of 100,000 hectares (0.395 million USD). 1. To conduct an inventory of unaccounted forests in the Kyzylorda (60 thousand ha) and Turkestan regions (80 thousand ha) by category of lands that are not included in the forest fund, a contract was signed for the amount of 165.9 million KZT (385.8 thousand USD) with the Kazakh Forestry Enterprise dated June 27, 2022. The contract execution period is until December 31, 2024. Following the results of the field work in two regions, 768.8 thousand ha of unaccounted forests were identified that could potentially be transferred to the category of forests of the State Forest Fund or to the category of Private Forests after determining the ownership of the lands they grow on. In the Kyzylorda region, 500 thousand ha of such forests were identified, in the Turkestan region - 268.8 thousand ha. As of October 29, 2024, it is planned in the Kyzylorda region to transfer unaccounted forests growing on reserve lands to the State Forest Fund on a total area of 89,615 ha. In July 2024, the Akimat of the Aralsky rayon of the Kyzylorda region adopted a resolution regarding the transfer of 12,789 ha of unaccounted forests to the State Forest Fund. In October 2024, the Commission for the Transfer of Lands of Other Categories to the lands of the State Forest Fund in the Kyzylorda region supported the transfer of reserve lands with unaccounted forests to State Forest Fund on a total area of 76,826 ha, including the Zhalagash rayon - 40,000 ha, the Syrdarya rayon - 26,826 ha, the Shieli rayon - 10,000 ha. In the Turkestan region, the field inventory work was completed in 2024 as a result of which unaccounted forests were identified on an area of 268.8 thousand ha, of which 86.3 thousand ha are located on reserve lands. Work has been completed on processing field data, creating electronic digital maps, and compiling taxation descriptions. Letter No. 04-02-05/1434 dated October 24, 2024 was sent to the Akimat of the Turkestan region to consider transferring lands of other categories to the State Forest Fund. Despite the completion of the contract this year, the contractor assured the World Bank mission that all the obligations will be fulfilled by the year-end. The World Bank mission suggested that the contractor holds a preliminary presentation on this activity implementation before the completion of the contract in November 2024. 2.4 Creation of a genetic seed bank of forest trees that grow on arid lands and degraded landscapes. Purchase of refrigerators and other equipment; the city of Shchuchinsk (0.303 million USD). The activity has been completed. Currently, the management of the RSE ‘Republican Forest Breeding and Seed Center’ has amended its Charter to expand the scope of activities concerning the creation of a genetic seed bank of forest trees and submitted it to the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan for consideration. As soon as the Charter is agreed upon and approved by the State Property Committee, the budget for the maintenance of the genetic seed bank of forest trees will be considered. 2.5 Supporting the capacity of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee in the management of degraded landscapes (0.07 million USD). 10 Official Use This component provides for support and provision of necessary assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan on further finalization of related policies and legislation, depending on political priorities during the project implementation period. In this regard, the following has been done: 1) In order to provide services to improve the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘Flora’ and "On Making Amendments and Supplements to the Legal Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Flora’, a short -term consultant was engaged with whom a contract was signed for the work period from November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022 in the amount of 7,000 USD as agreed upon by the World Bank. The draft laws were adopted in January 2023, which made it possible to increase the effectiveness of measures aimed at ensuring environmental safety and neutralizing land degradation in Kazakhstan; 2) To provide services to prepare a strategy for the development of a forest cluster and improvement of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a short-term consultant was engaged with whom a contract was signed for the work period from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 in the amount of 7,000 USD; 3) To provide information support services in the media for the activities of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee in order to raise public awareness of the values of biodiversity and sustainable landscape management, a short-term consultant was engaged with whom a contract was signed for the period from March 10, 2023 to September 1, 2023 in the amount of 2,520 USD; 4) To provide support services for working projects of irrigation of forest nurseries during the comprehensive independent examination, a short-term consultant was engaged with whom a contract was signed for the period from May 10 to November 1, 2023 in the amount of 3,300 USD; 5) To provide services for the economic efficiency of silvicultural treatment activities carried out in the forest fund as part of the execution of the President’s Address to the People of Kazakhstan dated September 1, 2020, which provides for, by the end of 2025, planting of more than 2 billion trees in the forest fund and 15 million in settlements, a short-term consultant was engaged with whom a contract was signed for the work period from October 2, 2023 to September 30, 2024 in the amount of 9,600 USD; 6) This year, computer equipment in the amount of 5 sets was purchased as part of this activity for the reporting period for the Forestry and Wildlife Committee amounted to 1,953,408 KZT, as well as 5 sets of satellite phones (Thuraya) amounted to 1,965,000 KZT. 11 Official Use Annex 2. Update from Agroforestry plots in Kyzylorda Name Zhanaydar 2023: 2023: 5-6 employees Apple Canal irrigation- close to 1 ha Apricot water, 2 ha Pumpkin (10 ton/ha) Mineral fertilizer, 2 ha Watermelon (10 ton/ha) electric and diesel water Some herbs and grasses pump, tractor and land (1.3 ha on his own Good yield, sold on mower were bought with resources in vicinity to market funds. expand agroforestry) Survival rate : 90% Would like to trial pears. Owns 30-36 Ha and cultivates wheat, potatoes and cuts grass 2024: Employed 4 employees, for livestock. 1 ton of cucumber of whom 2 are women, 1 ton of potato of which one is his wife. 2024: 3 ton of watermelon Expanding with his own (doing well) resources on 5 ha 2 ton of melons (doing well) Cherries, almonds Apple trees were not productive only 3-4 per tree. 10% survival versus apricots with 30/40% survival rate Ongar 2023: 2023: Apple Further away from water 1 ha Plum sources. Bringing water 2 ha (in preparation) Zuchhini (1.2 ton/ ha), for irrigation from melon and watermelon. channels with water Owns 90 Ha Pumpkin (4 ton/ha) pump from Syr Darya Survival rate :60% river. Pest contamination for watermelon. Outside the project area, cultivating saxual, potatoes and tomatoes 2024: Apples: 90% survival rates pears: 95% survival rates Barberries coming from 5-6 Seasonal workers the mountain, survival employed, all men. rate are lower due to salinity. With climate change and temperature increases, salinity is on the rise. 12 Official Use Planting alpha alpha with own resources across 10 ha. Servit Karakat 2023: 2023: Apples, apricots, Constructing lake for 10 plums million tenge, fences, 6 ha Melons (20 ton/ha) and fishpond and house pumpkins (30 ton/ha) using own resources Owns total of 500Ha Cucumber, potato and tomato (4 ton/ha) 10 km canal Survival rate :80-85% 60 employees- 10 2024: Watermelons 68 women. ton Melons 48 ton Potatoes 4 tons per year 2024: 60 seasonal Pumpkins 22 ton workers of which 15 are Cucumbers, tomatoes. women and 5 permanent women. Use of organic fertilizers. 70% of seeds 100 cows 100 horses procured from Jana storage, fish pond, water Korgan, rest from storage (100,000 ton), Shymkent and Almaty fencing to protect from private nurseries. rabbits in winter Solar panels worth Sees benefits in 10,000 USD on the greening, legacy for house on the farm. children. Productivity has increased 50% in 2024 compared to 2023, largely due to improved water availability. Plans to expand on 2 ha with his own. 15 million tenge project resources, 30 million tenge of his own resources. Revenueâ€? ~2.5 million tenge per year, watermelons are most profitable. 13 Official Use Annex 3 Activity Implementation Progress PROGREEN KAZAKHSTAN RESILIENT LANDSCAPES RESTORATION PROJECT, For the period from May 17 to October 29, 2024 Component 1: Piloting Agroforestry Practices for Landscape Restoration (0.942 million USD) 1.1 Creation of 2 (two) model plots on the territory of farms located in the buffer zone of the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve to demonstrate innovative methods of agroforestry (including services for the development of design estimate documentation) (0.110 million USD) The Project Implementation Unit has developed procedures and criteria for selection of agroforestry plots. Turkestan Oblast Territorial Inspectorate of Forestry and Wildlife conducted the first stage of agroforestry plots selection. 1.2 Creation of 2 (two) model plots on the territory of farms located in the buffer zone of the Karatau Reserve to demonstrate innovative methods of agroforestry (including services for the development of design estimate documentation) (0.110 million USD). The Project Implementation Unit has developed procedures and criteria for selection of agroforestry plots. Turkestan Oblast Territorial Inspectorate of Forestry and Wildlife conducted the first stage of agroforestry plots selection. 1.3 Development of a fruit orchard at Sairam-Ugam Reserve (0.345 million USD) Procurement documentation for fencing and drip irrigation of the orchard is being prepared. 1.4 Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry (0.377 million USD) An estimate for the performance of work to replenish the range of tree species in the arboretum was prepared and sent for approval. Procurement documentation is being prepared for the improvement of the arboretum territory (installation of a path network and lighting). Component 2: Boosting Capacity for Biodiversity and Nature-Based Tourism (0.958 million USD) 2.1 Aksu Zhabagly State Natural Reserve (0.224 million USD) A preliminary inspection of the sites for the construction of an observation deck and other tourist infrastructure facilities was carried out. Procurement documentation is being prepared. Procurement documentation (Request for Quotations) for the acquisition of products for capacity building and technical support for biodiversity conservation, strengthening the scientific, informational and educational sphere of the reserve. 2.2 Karatau State Natural Reserve (0.434 million USD) A preliminary inspection of sites for the construction of a modular visitor center and other tourist infrastructure facilities was carried out. Procurement documentation is being prepared. Procurement documentation (Request for Quotations) for the acquisition of products for capacity building and technical support for biodiversity conservation, strengthening the scientific, informational and educational sphere of the reserve. 14 Official Use 2.3 Sairam-Ugam State National Nature Park (0.300 million USD) An inspection of the construction site of a stained-glass modular visitor center was carried out. Procurement documentation for the construction of the visitor center is being prepared Component 3: Project Management and Monitoring (0.10 million USD) Terms of Reference for Project Implementation Unit (PIU) consultants have been developed, which have been agreed with the World Bank. The PIU was established and began work on the implementation of the PROGREEN project. To ensure legal, systematic and regulated work of all interested structures and beneficiaries in the full-scale implementation of the PROGREEN project, the following has been done to date: 1) Grant Agreement PROGREEN â„–TF0C1608 for Kazakhstan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (the Project) between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has been signed and came into force on May 17, 2024, based on IBRD letter #24/147 as of May 17, 2024. The Project is included to the list of priority projects for attracting unrelated grants for 2024, approved by the order of the Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of December 22, 2023 # 275. 2) The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan sent to the Akimat of the Turkestan region a draft memorandum "On cooperation between the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife and the Akimat of the Turkestan region on the implementation of the PROGREEN Project (R179008) “Kazakhstan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Projectâ€?, which is under Akimat’s consideration. A request was al so sent for a candidate to be included in the conciliation commission for the implementation of the PROGREEN project. 3) Responsible persons at the local level have been appointed by the order of the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife (Heads of Turkestan Forestry and Wildlife Territorial Inspectorate, Aksu Zhabagly and Karatau State Natural Reserves, Sairam-Ugam State National Nature Park and Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry). 4) Procurement Plan has been developed and agreed with the World Bank. 5) The procedures for registration and inclusion of the Project in the STEP system for procurement procedures have been completed. Currently, draft procurement documentation for the Project is being developed. 15 Official Use Annex 4. World Bank Interview Photo and Film Consent License and Release No Compensation Sample Waiver in Russian. To be used for all media collected and reported for the project. Общее иÑ?пользование Ñ?редÑ?тв аудиовизуальной информации: СоглаÑ?ие, лицензиÑ? и оÑ?вобождение (без компенÑ?ации) Департамент внешних и корпоративных Ñ?вÑ?зей (ECR) Группы Ð’Ñ?емирного банка (ГВБ) Ñ?ообщил мне, что он желает запиÑ?ывать, иÑ?пользовать и публиковать мой голоÑ? и/или изображениÑ? на различных ноÑ?ителÑ?Ñ… на беÑ?Ñ?рочной оÑ?нове. ГВБ Ñ?ообщила мне, что она может делитьÑ?Ñ? моими изображениÑ?ми Ñ?о Ñ?воими агентами и другими аффилированными третьими лицами, которые также могут публиковать мои изображениÑ?. Ð?а оÑ?новании вышеизложенного Ñ?, [вÑ?тавить Ф.И.О.], наÑ?тоÑ?щим даю Ñ?оглаÑ?ие на запиÑ?ÑŒ и иÑ?пользование моего изображениÑ? (изображений) и голоÑ?а Международным банком реконÑ?трукции и развитиÑ? ("Группа Ð’Ñ?емирного банка"), его цеÑ?Ñ?ионариÑ?ми, лицензиатами, аффилированными лицами и правопреемниками или же от их имени, поÑ?редÑ?твом любых Ñ?редÑ?тв, включаÑ? без ограничениÑ? фотоÑ?ъемку, видеоÑ?ъемку и звукозапиÑ?ÑŒ ("ЗапиÑ?ÑŒ"). Я предоÑ?тавлÑ?ÑŽ Группе Ð’Ñ?емирного банка неиÑ?ключительную лицензию на копирование, изменение, раÑ?проÑ?транение копий, публичную демонÑ?трацию, публичное иÑ?полнение и/или иное иÑ?пользование вÑ?ей или чаÑ?ти ЗапиÑ?и (и любых производных от нее работ) в Ñ?вÑ?зи Ñ? Проектом (“Лицензированные виды иÑ?пользованиÑ?â€?) по вÑ?ему миру и на беÑ?Ñ?рочной оÑ?нове. Я также даю Ñ?оглаÑ?ие на Ñ?ублицензирование прав, предоÑ?тавленных в наÑ?тоÑ?щем документе, Группой Ð’Ñ?емирного банка цеÑ?Ñ?ионариÑ?м, агентам и конÑ?ультантам Группы Ð’Ñ?емирного банка. Я также предоÑ?тавлÑ?ÑŽ Группе Ð’Ñ?емирного банка право иÑ?пользовать мое изображение, образ и имÑ? и/или звук моего голоÑ?а в Ñ?вÑ?зи Ñ? Лицензированными видами иÑ?пользованиÑ? в печатной, цифровой, Ñ?лектронной или иной форме (формах), включаÑ? Ñ?оциальные Ñ?ети и любую другую форму (формы), Ñ?ущеÑ?твующую Ñ?ейчаÑ? или в будущем. Я отказываюÑ?ÑŒ от права проверÑ?Ñ‚ÑŒ или одобрÑ?Ñ‚ÑŒ любые такие виды иÑ?пользованиÑ?, в том чиÑ?ле без ограничений любые их изменениÑ?, адаптации или переводы. Ð?аÑ?тоÑ?щим Ñ? оÑ?вобождаю Группу Ð’Ñ?емирного банка от любых претензий, требований и оÑ?нований длÑ? иÑ?ка, которые Ñ? или мои наÑ?ледники, предÑ?тавители, иÑ?полнители, админиÑ?траторы или любые другие лица, дейÑ?твующие от моего имени или от имени моего имущеÑ?тва, имеют или могут иметь по причине наÑ?тоÑ?щего разрешениÑ?, будь то Ñ?ейчаÑ? или в будущем, в Ñ?вÑ?зи Ñ? Лицензированными видами иÑ?пользованиÑ?. __________________________________ ____________________________ ПодпиÑ?ÑŒ Дата __________________________________ Правомочие/правоÑ?поÑ?обноÑ?Ñ‚ÑŒ (еÑ?ли подпиÑ?ываетÑ?Ñ? уполномоченным предÑ?тавителем) СОГЛÐ?СИЕ РОДИТЕЛЯ/ОПЕКУÐ?Ð? (длÑ? учаÑ?тников в возраÑ?те до 18 лет): Ð?аÑ?тоÑ?щим Ñ? удоÑ?товерÑ?ÑŽ, что в качеÑ?тве родителÑ?/опекуна, неÑ?ущего юридичеÑ?кую ответÑ?твенноÑ?Ñ‚ÑŒ за вышеназванного учаÑ?тника, даю Ñ?вое Ñ?оглаÑ?ие и Ñ?оглашаюÑ?ÑŒ на предоÑ?тавление Ñ? его Ñ?тороны разрешениÑ? и оÑ?вобождениÑ?, указанных выше. ИмÑ? родителÑ?/опекуна: Дата: ПодпиÑ?ÑŒ родителÑ?/опекуна: 16 Official Use Annex 5. Project Progress Report Template To note the biannual report, mid-term report and completion report should follow the same report template. Link available here: For Microsoft Onedrive users: Project Report Template_GEF_KAZ_RESILAND_P171577_biannual.docx For Google drive users: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GOK1ftT1SMZ9XiA33C7Z9BRyHC7frxdP/edit?usp=sharing&oui d=104877556690341594084&rtpof=true&sd=true Annex 5. Link to online training for fire management which is available in Russian https://wbg.edcast.com/journey/ECL-f0d01534-9f47-4771-b9f5-4fe27a25d994 E-Learning Series: Integrated Forest Fire Management and Advanced Technologies "Lessons from Korea's Good Practices - Learn about the fundamentals of forest fire, integrated forest fire management and disruptive technologies for the prevention and suppression of forest fires" In this e-learning series on forest fire management, you will learn about the basic concepts and fundamentals of forest fire management, the different approaches for fire prevention and reduction, and the applications of disruptive technologies for forest fire management. This learning series will draw on the experiences of the Republic of Korea, and also on international best practices for fire management. Please scroll to Section 5 to access the Russian version of the course. – see screenshot below. 17 Official Use