Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN | Argentina | Environment & Natural Resources Global Practice | Global Environment Project | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 10 | ARCHIVED on 25-Jun-2019 | ISR37420 | Implementing Agencies: ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, APN - Administracion de Parques Nacionales Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 07-Apr-2015 Effectiveness Date: 09-Nov-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 30-Nov-2018 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 07-Dec-2018 Original Closing Date: 30-Nov-2020 Revised Closing Date: 30-Nov-2020 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The objective of the project is to increase the protection of vulnerable natural areas and conserve biological diversity within the Gran Chaco Ecosystem and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine Ecosystems and, implement measures to enhance biodiversity resilience to climate change and protect forest carbon assets. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1: Core Protected Areas:(Cost $3.32 M) Component 2: Conservation Corridors in the Gran Chaco and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine Ecosystems:(Cost $1.87 M) Component 3: Collaboration for Corridors’ Conservation:(Cost $0.46 M) Component 4: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:(Cost $0.63 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions The Project implementation performance has improved after Project restructuring and is achieving considerable progress on the ground. It is advancing in the procurement of professional services, civil works and equipment acquisition to support the management of key protected areas and the surrounding landscapes (i.e. within the biodiversity Conservation Corridors). During the last months, the management plan of the Copo National Park has been completed, and those for the Patagonia and El Impenetrable National Parks are being developed. The process to hire a firm 6/25/2019 Page 1 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) to develop those for Pampa del Indio, Fuerte Esperanza, Loro Hablador, and Copo Provincial Park, as well as the Copo Multiple Uses Reserve is advanced. New field equipment was also purchased and distributed among the referred provincial protected areas, adding on equipment acquired previously (i.e. camera traps, navigation equipment, etc.). On the civil works front, significant progress (17%) has been achieved in the construction of houses for park rangers at the Patagonia Austral Inter-Jurisdictional Coastal Marine Park (PIMCPA). In the Patagonia National Park, the bidding process to contract the construction of civil works has been launched. The Project is also successfully fostering local participation in the implementation of conservation corridors and it is engaging with target beneficiaries. Sectorial plans for sustainable cattle ranching and beekeeping (including native bees) have been discussed with local stakeholders, as key components of the Chaco Humedo corridor strategic plan, which has been developed and formally presented to the Chaco Province authorities for their review and formal endorsement. Six sustainable development subprojects have been approved and are currently being implemented jointly with rural communities located in the Gran Chaco conservation corridors. In parallel, local capacities are being strengthened through the workshops on sustainable cattle ranching and beekeeping. An additional contribution of the Project has been the reactivation of the Federal System of Protected Areas, a space to coordinate efforts between provinces and national Government regarding public policy, planning and management of protected areas. To support this system’s operations, a knowledge product was finalized outlining the laws and regulations of Provincial protected areas; and a firm has been hired to create a public website to share information on existing protected areas across the country. Another noteworthy achievement of the Project is the strengthening of local capacities in provincial protected areas through national support. In December 2018 a training on protected areas management planning was provided to park rangers from almost all the Argentine Provinces. Lastly, the PIU has put in place a highly-detailed project management tool to keep track of progress on tasks, identify and anticipate potential delays to determine actions. Having a closer and more detailed look at project implementation, has demonstrated to help accelerate progress and strengthened PIU’s capacity on making informed decisions. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Moderate Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability Substantial Substantial Substantial Fiduciary Moderate Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Substantial Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Substantial Substantial Substantial Other -- -- -- Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes To increase the protection of vulnerable natural areas and conserve biological diversity within the IN00711078 ►Areas brought under enhanced biodiversity protection (ha) (Hectare(Ha), Custom) 6/25/2019 Page 2 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 318,519.00 440,044.00 882,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This is a proxy indicator that measures biodiversity protection as a result of the World Bank operation through formally converting an area into a protected area and establishing a functioning management system; or, improving the management effectiveness of an existing protected area. These improvements can be achieved through the development/update of the protected areas' management plans, the acquisition of equipment, and/or the construction of infrastructure, depending on local needs. The progress reported corresponds to the creation of and management improvements in two National Parks (El Impenetrable and Patagonia); in addition to the management improvements in the Patagonia- Comments: Austral Coastal-Marine Park. Additionally, this indicator captures the area put under enhanced biodiversity protection through the implementation sustainable Development Subprojects and Demonstration Subprojects (32.896ha, as of March 18, 2019). Expected progress for the coming months are: management plan for the Copo National Park approved, and acquisition of some equipment for the Provincial Parks in the Chaco Province. IN00711136 ►People in forest&adjacent community with monetary/non-monetary benefit from forest (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 150.00 1,200.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This indicator measures the number of local people that, as a result of the Project, have seen their livelihoods improved to some extent. This may cover both monetary income and non-monetary benefits, like improved and easier access to fuelwood as well as cultural and spiritual services. The baseline value is zero. In this case, the total number of beneficiaries reported correspond to people benefiting from sustainable Comments: development subprojects, as detailed below: - "Caminando hacia una ganaderia sustentable..." subproject: Total: 38; female: 16; ethnic: 0 beneficiaries - "Miel del Algarrobal" subproject: Total: 48; female: 19; ethnic: 48 beneficiaries - "Impulso a la meliponicultura" subproject: Total: 64; female: 31; ethnic: 37 beneficiaries IN00711137 People in forest and adjacent community with benefits from forest-female (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 66.00 600.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 IN00711138 People in forest&adj. commy with benefit from forest-Ethnic minority/indigenous (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 85.00 600.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 18-Mar-2019 30-Nov-2020 To implement measures to enhance biodiversity resilience to climate change IN00711079 ►Common Action Plan for corridors conservation between Federal and Provincial Authorities Adopted (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes 6/25/2019 Page 3 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Date 15-Sep-2015 07-Dec-2018 07-Dec-2018 30-Nov-2020 This indicator tracks the elaboration and formal approval of an Action Plan for the SiFAP (Protected Areas Comments: Federal System). To protect forest carbon assets IN00711080 ►Tons C eq. (aboveground) protected in Chaco forests (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 6,187,956.00 7,388,554.00 10,400,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 07-Dec-2018 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported corresponds to the forest carbon stocks protected through the creation of the El Impenetrable National Park. The implementation of the subprojects and improvements in the management Comments: of protected areas will also contribute to this indicator. The methodology to estimate these contributions in terms of carbon eq is being developed by the PIU. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1: Core Protected Areas IN00711139 ►1.1 Increase of forests under improved forms of protection and conservation (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 128,000.00 252,199.00 376,624.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This intermediate indicator contributes directly to the PDO Indicator 1; and the progress made so far corresponds to the creation and management improvements in the El Impenetrable National Park. As communicated by the PIU, expected progress for the coming months are: management plan for the Copo Comments: National Park approved, and the acquisition of some equipment for the Provincial Parks in Chaco Province. IN00711143 ►1.2 Increase of coastal, marine and steppe environments under improved forms of protection and conservation (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 157,623.00 211,234.00 279,000.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This intermediate indicator directly contributes to the PDO Indicator 1; and the progress made so far corresponds to the creation of the Patagonia National Park and the update of the management plan of the Comments: Patagonia-Austral Coastal-Marine Park (PIMCPA). IN00711146 ►1.4 Updated or Prepared Protected Areas- Management Plans that include climate change mitigation and adaptation measures (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 2.00 9.00 6/25/2019 Page 4 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The management plan finalized and reported is the one for the Patagonia-Austral Coastal-Marine Park. The El Copo National Park management plan was completed. Approval by ANP's Conservation Comments: Direction was completed by May 2019. Component 2: Conservation Corridors in the Gran Chaco and the Patagonian Steppe and Coastal-Marine E IN00711141 ►2.1 Framework for the implementation of Conservation Corridors endorsed by the Chaco and/or Santiago del Estero Provinces (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This indicator's target has been achieved in 2017 through the Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Plan for the Chaco province; and through the Land Zoning of Native Forests in the Santiago del Estero province. Comments: No further progress is expected. IN00711144 ►2.2 Rural Corridors Strategic Plans prepared/updated (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The strategic plan for the Humid Chaco corridor has been completed, but its approval by the Provincial and National authorities is pending. The strategic plan for the Dry Chaco corridor is under elaboration, and Comments: together with the Arid Patagonia Strategy are expected to be finalized by end of CY2019. IN00711145 ►2.3 Proposal to expand conservation corridors to at least one new province of the Chaco region developed (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 Collaborative work between the PIU and the Cordoba province is being developed. This indicator is Comments: expected to be accomplished in CY2020. Letter on Intent signed with Government actors May 2019. IN00711148 ►2.4 New areas outside protected areas managed as biodiversity-friendly (Hectare(Ha), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 32,896.00 30,222.00 226,376.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This indicator measures the implementation of subprojects in corridors. 1 Demonstration subproject and 6 Sustainable Development Surbprojects have been approved and are already under implementation. The methodology for this indicator changed as part of the restructuring of the project. Only land areas that Comments: were added as protected areas are counted. Not the total area affected. For example lands that were converted to cattle ranching will not be counted under the new methodology. Because of this, the hectarage dropped from March to May 2019. IN00711150 ►2.5 Demonstration subprojects completed (Number, Custom) 6/25/2019 Page 5 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 One demonstration subproject has been approved and is under implementation. However, this indicator Comments: tracks subprojects finalization, which is expected by CY2020. IN00711151 ►2.6 Sustainable Development Subprojects Completed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 17.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 20-Nov-2020 6 Sustainable Development subprojects have been approved by authorities. However, the indicator tracks Comments: finalized subprojects. All of them are expected to be finalized during CY2020. Component 3: Collaboration for Corridors’ Conservation IN00711142 ►3.1 Provinces from the Project area that adhere to a unified and functional Information system related to conservation corridors (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The procurement process to hire a firm to develop the informational system is in process. This indicator will indicate progress gradually as the provinces submit/entry information to the system throughout CY Comments: 2019. IN00711152 ►3.8 Analytical and knowledge products that contribute to strategic planning and the promotion of conservation corridors within the framework of SIFAP (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 This indicator would measure the number of predefined products generated: 1) Analysis of the Provincial Systems of Protected Areas; 2) Financing mechanisms for conservation; 3) Analysis of conservation gaps nationwide. Comments: The Analysis of the Provincial Systems of Protected Areas has been completed. The procurement process to hire the consultancy on the "Financing mechanisms for conservation" is being developed. As of May 2019, the TOR is with the Bank team for Non Objection. IN00711153 ►3.9 Protected areas staff trained by the Project on protected areas management planning and effectiveness evaluation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 145.00 145.00 200.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 Progress made so far corresponds to training of protected areas staff on strategic planning. To date: 110 Comments: staff were trained on Strategic Planning for Park Guards. 6/25/2019 Page 6 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) 35 provincial technicall staff were trained on protected areas management planning and management effectiveness assessment methodologies. No change since March 2019. Component 4: Management, Monitoring and Evaluation IN00711140 ►4.1. Direct project beneficiaries (number), of which female (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 372.00 611.00 930.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported captures beneficiaries from training and regional workshops held on: fire management, camera trapping survey methodology and technics, strategic planning and native bee- keeping, protected areas management and management effectiveness assessment. Additionally, beneficiaries of the 6 sustainable development subprojects and the demonstration subproject are captured Comments: under this indicator. The field does not permit the entry of two amounts. For May 2018, there were 611 participants, of which 35% or 217 of the 611, were female. IN00711147 ►4.4 Participants in consultation activities during project implementation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 456.00 607.00 300.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 The progress reported exceeds the target, corresponding to consultation activities held during the elaboration process of the Participatory Indigenous Plan for the El Impenetrable National Park, in addition to the ones held by the evaluation and supervision committees for the subprojects, and the ones held for Comments: the elaboration/update of the management plans of the protected areas (Copo National Park). More consultation activities are expected over the remaining project timeframe, and will be tracked gradually. IN00711149 ►4.5 Beneficiaries that feel project investments reflected their needs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 24.00 70.00 Date 15-Sep-2015 18-Mar-2019 15-May-2019 30-Nov-2020 SiFAP Training (years 2 and 3): 145 of the 611 that received training were given a survey on the project. Comments: Of those 611, 145 reported that they were satisfied with the benefits from the project. Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P114294 TF-A0233 Effective USD 6.29 6.29 0.00 2.44 3.85 39% 6/25/2019 Page 7 of 8 Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Rural Corridors and Biodiversity (P114294) Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P114294 TF-A0233 Effective 26-May-2015 12-Jun-2015 09-Nov-2015 30-Nov-2020 30-Nov-2020 Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 14-Sep-2018 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 6/25/2019 Page 8 of 8