with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United ......Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. The NDA will also be supported in assessing and mapping the financial landscape for REDD+,

with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

22 January 2018 | Strategic Framework

READINESS AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT

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PAGE 1 OF 21 | Ver. 15 June 2017

Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal

SECTION 1: SUMMARY

1. Country submitting the proposal

Country name:Equatorial Guinea

Name of institution representing National Designated Authority (NDA) or Focal Point: Dirección General de Medio Ambiente, Ministerio de Bosques y Medio Ambiente

Name of NDA/Focal Point: Mr.Gabriel NGUA

Position: Director General de Medio Ambiente;Autoridad Nacional (NDA) ante el Fondo Verde

Telephone:(+240) 222 273 970/ (+240) 222 270 560

Email:[email protected]

Full office address:Edificio de las Naciones Unidas Malabo II MALABO

2. Date of initial submission

30/04/2017

3. Last date of resubmission

21/12/2017

4. Which entity will implement the Readiness and Preparatory Support project?

National Designated Authority Accredited EntityDelivery Partner

Name of institution:Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO)

Name of official: Olman Serrano Position: FAO representative in Equatorial Guinea

Telephone:+240 222 055 416 Email: [email protected]

Full Office address:Edificio de las Naciones Unidas Malabo II MALABO

5. Title of the Readiness support proposal

Preparatory support to the NDA of Equatorial Guinea to engage with the GCF in early phases of REDD (NMFS and FREL/FRL)

6. Type of Readiness support sought

Please select one option below (one box or circle)

Readiness

o Establishing and strengthening national designated authorities or focal points o Strategic frameworks, including the preparation of country programmes o Support for accreditation and accredited direct access entities

Adaptation Planning

mailto:[email protected]


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7. Brief summary of the request

The INDC of Equatorial Guinea includes the implementation of REDD+ as one of the priorities for climate change mitigation, and as such, Equatorial Guinea is interested in engaging with the GCF in REDD+ early phases. Equatorial Guinea has made important progress in REDD+ in a relatively short time and it is currently engaged in the finalization of its national REDD+ strategy and the development of its REDD+ investment plan. While the country is making good progress with REDD+ strategic documents, there are some elements of REDD+ readiness required by UNFCCC decisions that are still to be developed due to lack adequate financial support. This GCF readiness support will support Equatorial Guinea to advance its national REDD+ readiness process, specifically through technical assistance to (i) design and develop a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) in support of Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+ and (ii) to develop its national Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL/FRL). These activities will contribute to reinforce the capacity for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) to generate reliable forest resource information for national forest policies, planning and sustainable development, and to produce greenhouse gas (GHG) estimates for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. The NDA will also be supported in assessing and mapping the financial landscape for REDD+, particularly for the implementation of the National REDD+ Investment Plan, which is foreseen to be finalized in early 2018. The proposed activities will set the foundations for the development the GCF country programme on the forest and land-use sector.

8. Total requested amount and currency

USD600 000

9. Anticipated duration 12 months

9. Is the country receiving other Readiness and Preparatory Support related to the GCF?

Coordination mechanisms

Yes No

Equatorial Guinea is submitting a parallel GFC Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal, which focus on strengthening the capacities of the National Designated Authority (NDA) and supporting the formulation a GCF country programme, aiming to enable the effective participation of Equatorial Guinea in the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It is considered proposal #1. The proposal #1(GFC engagement) will support in establishing the overall country framework for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), while this proposal (#2-REDD+) focuses on REDD+, as one of the national priority actions to respond to the challenge of climate change (see also Section 3 and INDC). The two proposals were conceived as one single initiative that had to be split for administrative reasons. In order to avoid any possible overlap and reinforce synergies between the proposal #1 y #2:

• The NDA and FAO will ensure maximum coordination of activities, and establish interactions between activities (ex. consultation processes; feedback from REDD+ perspective to the formulation of the GCF country programme). The GCF Focal point and FAO representative in Equatorial Guinea will be responsible of the overall supervision of both projects.

• National experts and project personnel involved in both GCF readiness will be in practice part of the same team, which will hold regular coordination meetings, that will facilitate coordination and information exchange on planning and on implementation of activities

• FAO is the Accredited for both projects, which will help in establishing coordination.


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SECTION 2: LOGICAL FRAMEWORK Please complete the table below by including proposed outcomes, baseline situations, the targets for implementation period, and the activities to be undertaken, including key outputs or deliverables. Please add rows for additional outcomes as needed.For further guidance on completing the table, please refer to the guidebook “Accessing the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme”, including specific Outcomes to select from.

OUTCOMES BASELINE TARGET ACTIVITIES

Please include at least one specific deliverable output for each activity, and the timeframe (month number) in which it will be delivered to GCF.

1. Country capacity strengthened

1.1 NDA/focal point lead effective coordination mechanism

0 1 2 0 1 2 1.1.1. Funding will be used to reinforce the capacities of the NDA’s team so that it can effectively fulfil its role of coordinating, developing and monitoring the GCF country’s programme, specifically in the forestry and land-use sector. Technical support and capacity development to the NDA will aim at:

i. raising awareness about REDD+ developments under the GCF; ii. developing capacities on MRV for REDD+; iii. improving understanding of the data that could be generated by the NFMS and how it can be

useful for the NDA in developing the GCF country programme, as well as for assessing and monitoring GCF project proposals in the forestry and land-use sector (ex. for monitoring and measuring the mitigation impact of GCF REDD+ projects);

iv. enhancing active engagement of the NDA in the design and development of the NFMS and FREL/FRL so as to portray specific needs in the framework of the GCF country programme.

This activity will contribute to the overall developing and strengthening of country capacities and institutionalization of the national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) with focus on the forest and land use sector.

1.4 Monitoring, oversight and streamlining of climate finance

0 1 2 0 1 2 1.1.2. Assessing and mapping of REDD+ financial landscape and potential future opportunities.

2. Stakeholders engaged in consultative processes

2.1 Stakeholders engaged in consultative processes related to the development of an action plan for the NFMS (including the design of the NFI), and the national FREL/FREL for REDD+ reporting to UNFCCC.

0 1 2 0 1 2 2.1.1 Undertake an inclusive consultation process with the multiple national stakeholders with interest in data on forests and trees and their multiple functions, including climate change mitigation and adaptation. Stakeholders may include groups in government, research, and society (local communities, civil society and private sector), women and men, indigenous people and diverse ethnic groups, as well as stakeholders outside the forestry and land-use sector.


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The expected output is a consensus on the scope and objectives of the national forest monitoring system and its elements, and on the development of the FREL/FRL. The consensus will reflect the needs and concerns of different parties and meet national information needs, as well as international reporting requirements. Wide and inclusive planning and design processes for the NFMS and FREL/FRL are key for sustainability and to pave the way for a more comprehensive usage of the information generated for multiple purposes, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as sustainable development.

4. Access to finance

4.1. REDD+ enabling environment enhanced, so as to facilitate the development of GCF REDD+ projects that contribute to reduce emissions and to low‐emission and climate resilient development pathways

0 1 2 0 1 2 i. Design and planning of the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)in support of REDD+

measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), including:

• study to assess existing technical gaps on MRV and institutional roles and responsibilities, as well as strengths and weakness of key institutions with a responsibility related to MRV. Ultimately, the study will make a proposal for capacity development needs, institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms for REDD+ MRV, feeding into the NFMS/MRV roadmap.

• development of a NFMS/MRV action plan (or road map) to construct the NFMS elements for REDD+ MRV; i.e. Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS); National Forest Inventory (NFI); and REDD+ reporting maintaining consistency with AFOLU greenhouse gas inventory (GHGI).

• participatory design of a multi-purpose National Forest Inventory (NFI)

• capacity development on MRV for REDD+, linking with other reporting process under the UNFCCC that include the national communication and the biennial update report (BUR) for the AFOLU sector.

• development of long‐lasting technical and functional capacities at national level on the different elements of NFMS.

ii. Development of a FREL/FRL for Equatorial Guinea, which will be the benchmark for assessing country’s

performance in implementing REDD+ activities and it will then be used to measure the country’s emission reductions as a result of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy.

5. Private sector mobilization

5.2 Enabling environment for crowd-ing-in private sector investments at

0 1 2 0 1 2 5.2.1 Organize of specific consultations targeted to private sector in Equatorial Guinea, at different scales (large, medium, small private sector) and from different sectors, aiming to get their views on (i) Mitigation actions with highest potential in terms of both, reduction of emissions and

http://www.fao.org/capacity-development/resources/practical-tools/capacity-assessment/en/


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national, regional and international levels exists

engagement of private sector, and (ii) Barriers and opportunities for enhancing active engagement of the private sector in REDD+/Forestry and land-use sustainable low-emission initiatives. .

5.2.2 Study on the development of an enabling environment needed to enhance private (or private-

public) investments in REDD+ in Equatorial Guinea, including governance aspects, which results on a draft strategy to engage the private sector on forestry and land-use sector activities contributing to CC adaptation/mitigation.


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SECTION 3: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please explain how this grant will help deliver on the country’s readiness needs as identified above and build on institutions, processes or existing work already underway in the country. Please refer to the Guidebook for more specific information on completing this section. BACKGROUND and JUSTIFICATION Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Parties agreed to collectively aim to slow, halt and reverse forest cover and carbon loss, in accordance with national circumstances and in a consistent manner with the ultimate objective of the Convention. In that regard, Parties to the Convention adopted several decisions on this matter aiming to set the foundations for a global initiative to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, considering the role of conservation, sustainable Forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (known as REDD+). Equatorial Guinea is signatory country of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 2000 and has made important progress in REDD+ in a relatively short time. The country is currently engaged in the finalization of its national REDD+ strategy and the development of its REDD+ investment plan. Equatorial Guinea’s efforts on REDD+ are aligned with its INDC and the country’s willingness to be part of the global response to climate change and to efficiently engage with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Despite ongoing country progress, some components of REDD+ readiness are still to be fulfilled as requested by decisions taken by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC; specifically a national forest reference emission level (FREL) and a robust and transparent national forest monitoring system (NFMS) capable of meeting MRV requirements. The proposal of preparation for the REDD+ (R-PP) of Equatorial Guinea, which was finalised in 2014, includes:

3. a preliminary work plan for the development of a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS), as well as the principles and the institutional framework. 4. an analysis of the relevant national circumstances, principles and goals to be considered in the development of the FREL/FRL, as well as initial ideas for its design, and a preliminary

work plan. However, foreseen subsequent steps for the full development of the FREL/FRL and the roadmap for the NFMS have not been undertaken due to lack of funding. In the frame of the current technical support of FAO provided through CAFI funding, Equatorial Guinea has recently made significant progress towards setting up robust and transparent methods to map deforestation and degradation, which will serve as the basis for the development of the main activity data for the historical period 2004-2014, and important step forward for the construction of the FREL/FRL and the development of the NFMS. This GCF readiness will be a key timely support in maintaining and advancing REDD+ readiness efforts in Equatorial Guinea, in recognition that REDD‐plus offers a cross‐cutting approach to reduce emissions and contribute to low‐emission and climate resilient development pathways, while simultaneously generating local benefits, which in some cases could assist with adaptation to climate change The readiness and preparatory (R&P)support will enhance the required enabling conditions in the context of results-based payments for REDD+ through the development of the NFMS and the FREL/FRL.The country’s NFMS system is a long-standing need for the forest sector as well as for REDD+, but not only. The NFMS will facilitate an informed decision-making to transform the way in which the forests and wider land-use in Equatorial Guinea are managed and conserved, so as to promote a low-carbon development path that significantly contribute to the overall sustainable development of Equatorial Guinea. The availability and access to updated and reliable information will also facilitate the engagement of the private sector, as well as the planning of climate change adaptation activities. More specifically, the NFMS will facilitate the monitoring and measuring of the mitigation impact of REDD+ projects to be developed under the GCF country programme.


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The project will also asses the financial landscape for future REDD+ implementation, and undertake studies aiming at engaging the private sector in forestry and land-use sector low-emission initiatives.This R&P support will respond to the GCF impact area of reduced emissions from land use, deforestation, forest degradation, and sustainable forest management and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks The R&P project will be gender responsive, and will address gender equality (despite not being a main objective). In Equatorial Guinea, women are the current principal stakeholders in rural areas and as such, they play a major role in agriculture, forestry and other land uses. However, compared to men, women have limited access to resources such as land, credit, or information, which put them under a particular vulnerable situation to climate change and undermine their capacity to adapt to it.Women are therefore crucial actors in forestry and land-use sector, as well as on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and will be specifically considered and targeted in the consultative processes planned in the project, so that their specific needs, priorities, knowledge and concerns are considered in the development of the NFMS and FREL/FRL. NFMS and FREL/FRL related activities will be guided by experiences and lessons learnt in other countries, as well as by FAO’s guidelines and technical documents such as: “Technical considerations for Forest Reference Emission Level and/or Forest Reference Level construction for REDD+ under the UNFCCC”,“Emerging approaches to Forest Reference Emission Levels and Forest Reference Levels for REDD+”;“National Forest Monitoring Systems for REDD+ MRV”, “Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring” and “FAO’s work to enhance coun‐tries’ capacity to report to the UNFCCC - Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use”, and “REDD+ under the UNFCCC – From Reference Levels to Results Reporting”. At its core, FAO’s NFMS country support is designed to enhance transparency and promote inclusive national REDD+ processes with government ownership. Capacity development principles underpinning the FAO NFMS strategy include:

• Target ownership of government partners.

• Build on and iteratively improve available capacities: One of the key principles of the UNFCCC REDD+ framework is to build on existing capacities, programmes and initiatives in the country, region, and/or at the international level for implementation of an NFMS , noting that a simple but complete NFMS is a good point of departure for iterative continuous improvements.

• Serve multiple purposes beyond REDD+ and UNFCCC submissions, and consider forests as part of a wider landscape.

• Adapt the approach to the country circumstances

• Develop functional capacities alongside technical support

• Draw on a variety of approaches: Next to in-country work, methods for remotely supported capacity development include use of e-learning material, collaboration with country-based personnel, use of inter-thematic working groups and webinars, and South-South exchanges or exchanges with developed countries.

On the basis of these principles, FAO delivers technical support to countries in their efforts to construct the necessary NFMS elements for REDD+ MRV through the development of technical and functional capacities in SLMS, NFI and REDD+ reporting consistent with national greenhouse gas inventory GHGI estimation methods for the AFOLU sector.In addition to REDD+, the NFMS will support the generation of reliable forest resource information for national forest policies, planning and sustainable development, of particularly relevance for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the forest and land-use sectors.

http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4847e.pdf









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SECTION 4: BUDGET, PROCUREMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND DISBURSEMENT

4.1. Budget Plan

Please provide a breakdown of cost estimates and implementation schedule analysed according to the activities suggested in Section 2. Please feel free to replicate this table on Excel spreadsheet if needed.

OUTCOMES

(same as in section 2)

ACTIVITIES

(same as in section 2)

TOTAL COST

(per activity)

COST CATEGORIES EXPENDITURE AND IMPLEMENTATION

SCHEDULE

Consultants Travel Workshops/ Trainings

Others

6m 12m 18m 24m Salaries Profession

als1

Expendable equip.

Non Exp. Equipment

GoE Support

Costs

1.Country capacity strengthened

1.1 NDA/focal point lead effective

coordination mechanism

11,570 5,000 2,000 4,570 (~5

persons-days)

1.4 Monitoring, oversight and

streamlining of climate finance Already

Budgeted

2.Stakeholders engaged in consultative process

2.1 Stakeholders engaged in

consultative processes related to the

development of an action plan for

44,000 8,000 25,3332 10,667

1 To be noted that the positions financed under this proposal are exclusively composed of project positions and consultancy positions, no FAO continuing regular programme staff cost are charged to

the proposal. The budgeted costs in this column correspond to approximately 110 days of work, tentatively distributed as follows: NFMS and NFI expert (35 days, outcome 4), SLMS expert (15 days, outcome 4), FREL/FRL expert (20 days, outcome 4), GHGi and reporting expert (27 days, outcome 4), and REDD-FLEGT expert (13 days, supporting outcome 1 and 5). Daily honorarium of project professional positions range from USD448 to USD914. This initial distribution of experts and days may be adjusted in order to address the needs of the country and the GFC readiness programme, in alignment with Readiness Framework Agreement. While project consultants will be based in the country during project implementation, the professionals budgeted under this column will provide punctual in-country and remote support so as to ensure maximum compliance with international technical standards and requirements, as well as to build on lessons learnt from other countries.

2 Travel costs (transport and daily subsistence allowance (DSA)) are related to consultations with stakeholders, including Government staff, and travel of project team. Two consultations are

foreseen to define the scope, objectives and roadmap of the NFMS, 4 consultations for the design of the NFI and validation of methodology and field manual, 2 consultations related to the REDD+ reporting system. Consultations will be organised both, in the Continent region and the Islands region.


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the NFMS and the nationalFREL/FREL

for REDD+ reporting to UNFCCC.


4.1. REDD+ enabling environment

enhanced,so as to facilitate the

development of GCF REDD+projects

thatcontribute to reduce emissions

and to low‐emission and climate

resilient development pathways

445,561 279,848 37,5003 65,000 45,840 (~97

person/days)

3,000 8,000 6,373

5.Private sector mobilization

5.2 Enabling environment for

crowding-in private sector

investments at national, regional and

international levels exists

27,824 15,000 3,000 4,000 5,824 (~8

person/day)

0 0 0

CONTINGENCY (UP TO 5% OF TOTAL ACTIVITIES)

0

PROJECT MANAGEMENT COSTS

16,500 12,000 4,500

SUB-TO TAL 545,455 314,848 70,833 81,667 56,234 3,000 8,000 10,873

DELIVERY PARTNER FEE (UP TO 10%)

54,545 54,545

TOTAL 600,000 314,848 70,833 81,667 56,234 3,000 8,000 10,873 54,545

3 Travel costs (tickets and DSA) are related to assignment travel and missions to Equatorial Guinea of the project international experts: International consultant on NFMS (1 assignment travel),

International consultant on NFI (1 assignment travel), International consultant on SLMS (1 assignment travel), International consultant on REDD+ reporting/GHGi (1 assignment travel), International expert on NFI (2 missions), international expert on FREL/FRL (2 mission); in country travels of international experts in the two regions; and study trip of 3 key national experts to FAO HQ. The planned travels and mission may be adjusted as per evolving needs of the project and the GCF readiness programme.


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PAGE 10 OF 21 | Ver. 15 June 2017

4.2. Procurement Plan

For goods, services, and consultancies to be procured, please list the items, descriptions in relation to the activities in section 2, estimated cost, procurement method, relevant threshold, and the estimated dates. Please include the procurement plan for at least the first tranche of disbursement requested below. Also, please feel free to replicate this table on Excel spreadsheet if needed.

ITEM ITEM DESCRIPTION ESTIMATED COST (US $)

PROCUREMENT METHOD

THRESHOLDS (Min-Max monetary value for which indicated procurement

method must be used)

ESTIMATED START DATE

PROJECTED CONTRACTING

DATE

Goods and Non-Consulting Services

Expendable equipment

Copies of the field manual and cards for the National Forest Inventory

USD3,000 “Competitive Award”: competitive solicitation process resulting in receipt of at least three Responsive Offers

USD2,500 – USD4,000 9th month 10th month

Non expendable equipment

IT equipment USD8,000 USD7,000- USD10,000 1st month of the project

3rd month of the project

GoE General Operating Expenses USD10,873

As per FAO’s rules, regulations and procedures, as set out in FAO’s Manual Section 502 “Procurement of Goods, Works and Services”

USD8,000- USD11,000 Through duration of theproject

Through duration of theproject

SUB-TOTAL (US $) USD21,873

Consultancy Services4

International consultant on NFMS (6 months) USD59,660 Open Selection process as per FAO’s procedures, which will involve a Vacancy

Daily honoraria range from USD300toUSD450, corresponding to Category B of International

1st month of the project


International consultant on NFI (6 months) USD59,660 1st month of

the project 3rd month of

the project

4 These consultants will be based in the country during project implementation and their planned assignment. They will be supported by international experts (budgeted under salaries professionals in the table in section 4.1) through punctual in-country and remote support so as to ensure maximum compliance with international technical standards and requirements, as well as to build on lessons learnt from other countries.


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PAGE 11 OF 21 | Ver. 15 June 2017

International consultant on SLMS and FREL/FRL (11 months)

USD96,527 announcement with terms of reference cleared by relevant technical department, the screening of candidates (minimum of 3) and interview process.

Consultants, as defined by the Organization



Consultants on private sector USD15,000 3rd month of

the project 5th month of

the project

International consultant on REDD+ reporting/GHGi (4 months)

USD22,000

Daily honoraria range around USD250 as per Consultants of Technical Cooperation between Developing Countries


5th month of the project

National consultant- NMS and NFI USD20,000

Monthly honoraria range from USD1 000 to USD2,500 as per UN salary scale for national personnel



National. Consultant- SLMS and FREL/FRL USD14,000 1st month of

the project 3rd month of

the project

National consultant to support consultative processes USD8,000 3rd month of


the project

National consultant REDD+ reporting/GHGi USD8,000 3rd month of


the project

Administrative assistant USD12,000 Monthly honoraria range from USD550 to US1 500 as per UN salary scale for national personnel



SUB-TOTAL (US $) USD314,848

TOTAL COST (US $) USD336,721


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PAGE 12 OF 21 | Ver. 15 June 2017

4.3. Disbursement schedule

Disbursement requests will be submitted in accordance with the requirements and timing set out in Clause 4 of the Framework Readiness and Preparatory Support Grant Agreement between the Green Climate Fund and FAO.

4.4. Additional information This R&P support will be complementary to current and foreseen REDD+ funds for Equatorial Guinea. The past and current + sources of REDD+ funding for the country are the following:

• The Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) through COMIFAC supported Equatorial Guinea in the development of its R-PP as well as to exchange experiences with other countries in the Congo Basin (2012-2014).

• PREREDD+: Subregional project supported by GEF to develop institutional capacities on REDD+ and regional coordination (2011- 2017)

• The Central African Forest Initiative is supporting the finalisation of the REDD+ National Strategy and the National REDD+ Investment Plan (2017-2018)

• Equatorial Guinea is not among the priority countries that will be supported by UN-REDD 2018-2020, nor the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank.


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PAGE 13 OF 21 | ver. 20 March 2017

SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

5.1 IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS 5.1.1 Institutional framework and coordination The project will be lead by the Government of Equatorial Guinea, who will exercise the full control over the entire NFMS and FREL/FRL development process FAO has been nominated by Equatorial Guinea as delivery partner for this specific readiness and preparatory support, providing technical assistance and capacity development. As per NDA’s letter dated 28 of September 2016, the Government of Guinea requests FAO to provide technical support for the development of proposals to support the activities foreseen in its INDCs, as well as the activities related to REDD+. 5.1.2. Strategy, management and operational support The project will be led by the Government of Equatorial Guinea (who is the ultimate beneficiary), with the technical and operational support of the FAO, as delivery partner, through the FAO’s representation in the country (Malabo), the FAO Subregional Office for Central Africa (Libreville), the FAO Regional Office and its technical team (Accra) and the headquarters of the organisation (Rome). In this way, the project will benefit from the technical and implementation capacities of the FAO at national, regional and international levels. The responsible technical unit shall be the Forestry Department, which will provide technical assistancein close collaboration with other FAO departments, particularly the climate change department, ensuring cross-sectoral expertise as needed. A project team based in Malabo with international and national consultants, entirely dedicated to the execution of the project and to support to national counterparts will be established during the course of the project, additional technical assistance is foreseen through short missions of experts in specific technical subjects (ex.. NFMS, SLMS, FREL/FRL, NFI). FAO will ensure possible synergies with other countries, in relation to GCF experience and REDD+ processes, as well to the development of NFMS and FREL/FRL, by facilitating south-south exchanges when possible. FAO, as delivery partner, will implement the activities directly, based on its standards and procedures, and may also establish agreements with institutions and NGOs with consolidated experience on the ground for the implementation of some activities (e.g. communication). The implementation strategy and methodology may be adapted and modified during the implementation of the project, taking into account the aspects or needs that may arise. On a day-to-day basis, the project will be implemented by the project team under the direct supervision of the budget holder (BH), and the technical supervision of the lead technical officer (LTO). While the lead technical officer ensures compliance with the FAO technical standards, the budget holder (BH) is responsible for the project funds and budget. For this project, the BH will be the FAO Representative in Equatorial Guinea and will be responsible for:

• ensuring the appropriate use of resources for the implementation of the activities based on the budget, the project document and the work plan, and that FAO standards and procedures are followed;

• avoiding the inappropriate or unjustified use of resources; • approving work plans from a financial perspective; • approving payments based on the work plan and original budget; • confirming the availability of funds and authorising commitments and payments on behalf of the FAO, within the limits of his

authority; • ensuring that all authorised commitments and payments:

- are based on the project document, work plans and other relevant documents; - respect the budgetary, financial and administrative standards of the FAO; - are duly and promptly reflected in the project accounts;

• supervising the activities and outcomes based on the project document and the budget; The BH will rely on his office personnel and the project team to carry out his functions. Besides, the FAO will create a task force which will integrate all the FAO experts involved in the project, both at the headquarters, at the subregional office and in the country office. The task force will be presided over by the budget holder (BH), together with the lead technical officer. The task force is a management and consulting body composed of FAO staff members with the authority and technical knowledge required to ensure efficient technical, operational and administrative management of the project. Finally, the FAO headquarters will provide administrative support and supervision on issues such as purchasing goods internationally and presenting reports.


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5.1.3. Stakeholders and beneficiaries

The project will be implemented under the leadership of the NDA and his team, under the Ministry of Forests and environment, andin close collaboration other involvedMinistries. The R&S project will be imlemented throught a transparent, participative and inclusive consultative process, which aims to engage all stakeholders. Previous process, such as the development of the R-PP, showed the need to ensure a strong involvement of rural communities (R-PP, 2014). The key stakeholders and direct beneficiaries have been preliminary identified as follow:

• NDA’s team and other Government staff and institutions, whose capacities and means will be strenghthened to faciltate access to GCF and reinforce country’s efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

• Stakeholders, including civil society, local/indigenous communities, national Ministry and institutions dealing with gender equality, women groups, private sector, academia and research institutions, who will be consulted through the process of developing the FREL/FRL and the NFMS, and related scope and objectives.

• Overall, the country and the world, who will benefit from Equatorial Guinea’s efforts to address climate change. The activities has been presented in different stakeholders consultation, such as the meeting of the REDD+ national coordination (CNREDD+) on 23 and 24 February; and the workshop on gender aspect of FAO project in Equatorial Guinea on 13 and 14 March 2017 with 22 participants (17 women, 5 men) from the Ministries, NGOs, and UN agencies. Once the project is approved, the implementation strategy includes an intensive consultation process so as to reflect the views, needs and expectations of all stakeholders in the developing of the NFMS and FREL/FRL. 5.1.4. Government contribution

Equatorial Guinea will lead the project, specifically trough the NDA, and will make the following contributions (in kind) to the project: • formal nominiation of NDA/FP, and update as needed

• allocation of sufficient time, means and resources to the NDA/FP and its team to lead the collaboration and relationshiop with GCF, as well to establish the appropiate instiutional structures and coordination mechanisms

• human resources and support from all relevant government institutions, directly or indirectly related with NFMS and MRV, REDD+ , international reporting, national census and statistics;

• physical installations and logistical and operational means to support the implementation of the project; • information, data, cartography, and prior studies relevant to the activities of the project; • hosting and manteinance of database; • appointment of national technicians to parcipate in training activities and in consultation processes; • customs management and entry of international experts to the country.

5.1.5. Grivance mechanisms

Within the framework of this project, the FAO shall facilitate the resolution and/or clarification of any concern directly linked to the implementation of the project that the beneficiaries and the involved stakeholders may have in relation to possible violations of the social and environmental commitments of the FAO. In this sense, if necessary, all the involved groups may present complaints and claims related to the project to the Representation of the FAO in the country, or through the project team, according to the criteria of eligibility that apply to all the FAO programmes and projects . If a notice of receipt of the claim is not received within 7 days, the complaint or concern must be sent to the FAO’s regiona l office in Africa [email protected] In those cases in which the claim could not be resolved through the project team, the FAO office in Equatorial Guinea or the Regional Office, the project beneficiaries may send a complaint to the FAO Office of the Inspector General, who shall carry out an independent investigation. The procedure for the claims is detailed at http://www.fao.org/aud/ . Email: [email protected] .


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5.2 RISK EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT

Risk evaluation and management are essential during the planning and implementation of the project in order to achieve the desired outcomes. This section identifies the risks which could jeopardise the attainment of the project’s desired outcomes and describes how to proceed in order to avoid them, where possible, and, if not, how to manage them and reduce their effects on the project. The potential risks that the project could face are:

• Limited institutional coordination and/or limited time by key officials to devote to the project the workplan will clarify roles and responsibilities, so as to clarify the timeframe and capacities required for succesfull implementation of the project.

• Delays related to strengthening technical capacities in the country, especially in complex technical aspects such as NFMS and FREL/FRL different capacity development options will be put in place, including on the job training and exchange visits to address complex issues.

• Delays linked to the need to provide enough time and space for consultation processes, especially in the case of conflicts linked to a lack of understanding of technical aspects, excessively high expectations, or conflicts of interest in the choice of the climate change actions consultations and workshops will be organised seeking synergies with other ongoing process, so as to get the maximum of each gathering and use efficiently the time and resources. In case of more difficult discussions, targeted sessions will be organised with facilitation experts.

• Limited representation of civil societyincluding local communities in the consultation process targeted meetings may be organised, considering time restrictions, interests and expectations of civil society representatives..

• Social and/or political instability mitigation measures will be put in place as required. In the context of Guinea, the environmental risks for this R&P proposal are deemed to be limited. The main social risks are related to the limited involvement and participation of both women and indigenous peoples, and other minority stakeholders. Measures will be taken to facilitate active involvement and meaningful participation, which will involve single sex consulations (see “Environmental and Social risk Management Plan” in annex 1). The project will manage the risks listed above by identifying them in detail, addressing and mitigating them throughout the project cycle. 5.3 SUSTAINABILITY OF THE OUTOMES 5.3.1. Environmental sustainability

The R&P proposal Equatorial Guinea’sis in line with the country efforts to contribute to the global response to climate change, and promote a low-emission and climate-resilient development, so as to enhance environmental sustainability. All activities will be implemented under that principle, and environmental safeguards will be considered when planning and/or carrying out all activities.. 5.3.2. Gender equality

As a result of the oil economy and infrastructure in recent years, rural women are the principal stakeholders in agriculture and in the rural economy of Equatorial Guinea, Women represent around 80% of the country’s agricultural workforce, and carry the main burden of agricultural activities. The lack of technical information and practically inexistent efficient production technologies cause very low productivity levels. Significant gender inequalities limit their living conditions (FAO, unpublished). In this context, women play a fundamental role in rural areas, and, therefore, in any action related to agriculture, forestry or other land-uses in rural areas. As outlined in output 2.3, the specific needs, priorities, and concerns of women and men will be taken into account and supported during the implementation of this R&P proposal. The active and meaningful participation of women in the consultation and decision-making processes will be promoted (through single sex consultations and flexible meeting time to accommodate women busy schedules associated with their productive, reproductive and community roles) to ensure equitable participation between men and women, so that both benefit from the outcomes of the project. The NFMS design will seek to generate gender dissagregated data, and to provide information of interest to each sex, when possible.


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5.3.3. Indigenous peoples Currently, the majority of the native population of Equatorial Guinea is of Bantu origin. The ethnic majority is Fang, which is indigenous to the mainland, but in the present day is also dominant on the island of Bioko due to significant migration. The minority ethnic groups are :

- Beyele (pygmies): They were the first inhabitants of Equatorial Guinea. In the present day, they only exist in small groups in the equatorial jungle, mainly located in the area of Ayamiken, on the border with Cameroon (R-PP, 2014). The pygmies have strong ties to the forest as hunter-gatherers and through the medicinal use of forest products.

- Bubi, considered the first inhabitants of the island of Bioko. - Annobonese, inhabitants of the island of Annabon. - Ndowe, who inhabit the majority of the coast in the Mainland Region (Coastal) of Equatorial Guinea. - Bisio, native to Cameroon and small in number. - Fernandino and creoles, descendants of Liberians and Sierra Leoneans who came to work on the plantations of the island of

Bioko. The development of the NFMS may affect all ethnic groups in the country, including the minority ones, and may be of particularl interest to forest dependent groups. The native populations with the closest ties to the forest, such as Beyeles, will be the most interested in the information that wil be generated by the NFMS, and will be mostvulnerable to any action performed on their lands or in the forests, which they depend on. As such, favourable settings will be supported to promote the inclusion of indigenous and ethnic minorities in the design of the NFMS and the NFI. In particular, the establishment of mechanisms for the effective involvement of Beyele communities (as indigenous peoples) will be facilitated, as well as a specific mapping of their communities, interests and concerns. If there is a direct effect or link with matters relating to indigenous peoples, the FAO will comply with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which refer to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). The FAO will facilitate the direct and effective participation of all stakeholders (see oucome 2). Any activity, especially at the national level, must be ratified by the affected government and the relevant authority, which may influence the level and possibilities of cooperation with indigenous peoples at any time. Nevertheless, given the function of the FAO as a neutral forum, and taking into account its commitment to universal human rights, special emphasis will be placed on dialogue as a method for common understanding. 5.3.4. Human rights-based approaches (HRBA) The Constitution of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea guarantees the right to work and, implicitly, the right to adequate food through the recognition of other human rights, as detailed as follows: Article 26.1: “Work is a right and a social duty […]. The State promotes the economic and social conditions to eradicate poverty and misery and to ensure that the citizens of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea have equitable opportunities for a useful occupation which prevents them from being beset by need.” Likewise, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea has been a State Party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights since 1987, by means of adhesion. The project will indirectaly contribute to the progressive realisation of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security (see FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food ), to the extent that the NFMS may provide data on the contribtion of forests to food security, as well as to enhance agriculture productivity. When applicable, the project will promote decent rural employment in agriculture and in rural areas , considering the possibility of establishing synergies with the youth employment support project of the Government of Equatorial Guinea with UNDP. In line with the FAO commitments of responsibility towards beneficiary populations, the project:

• Promotes the participation of all interested parties, including the most vulnerable minority groups (see outcome 2). • Provides mechanisms so that the communities can present their opinions and complaints regarding the project activities

The Regional Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is based in Yaoundé and is an active member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) with whom the FAO collaborates closely on issues of human rights and gender. 5.3.5. Development of abilities The development of capacities (of all stakeholders, public and private) is an integral and crucial part of the project activities and essential to achieve the desired outcomes and ensure their sustainability.The project has asignificant component related to thedevelopment of national capacities, which is a central element in all phases of REDD+.


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Other relevant information 5.4 ALLIGNMENT AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES In line with its commitment towards the environment and the protection of biodiversity, Equatorial Guinea is signatory country of various international conventions; for example, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1997, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2000, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. Equatorial Guinea has been associated with the UN-REDD programme since May 2014, and is part of the collaborative Partnership CAFI: Central African Forest Initiative (www.cafi.org) since September 2015. Equatorial Guinea is also part of regional initiatives with regard to forest management and REDD+, among others the Commission of Central African Forests (COMIFAC) with its convergence plan for the harmonisation of forest policies. Furthermore, it is a member of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), which is dedicated to the protection and sustainable management of the forests of the Congo basin. At the national level, the country’s development strategy is based on the “Horizon 2020 Economic and Social Development Plan ― Prosperity for all”, whose purposes include economic diversification (currently based on fossil fuels) and improvement of living conditions. The Plan defines four sectors as poles of diversification of the economy until the year 2020: energy and mines, fishery and aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism and financial services, all for the greater aim of the “Equatorial Guinea ecological model”. All these sectors are related to the 8 GCF impact areas. The support from the GCF would be very timely, as it can play a catalytic role in facilitating that the foreseen diversification of the economy seeks low-emission sustainable development pathways. Accessing the GCF can positively influence the development options that the country is currently choosing, so that in the long term, Equatorial Guinea reduces its current economic dependency on fossil fuels and promote a low-emission and climate-resilient development. The project would contribute to FAO’s strategic Objective 2 “Increase and improve provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner”. Specifically to Output 2.1.2 “Integrated and multi‐sectoral approaches for ecosystem valuation, management and restoration are identified, assessed, disseminated and their adoption by stakeholders is facilitated” and Output 2.4.3 Capacity development support is provided to institutions at national and regional levels to plan for and conduct data collection, analyses, application and dissemination. The project will contribute as well as to United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2014-2017 “Strategic Area 3: Sustainable environment”. In the framework of the GCF, the project will respond to the GCF impact area of reduced emissions from land use, deforestation, forest degradation, and sustainable forest management and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. 5.5 FAO COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE • As per NDA’s letter dated September 2016, Equatorial Guinea has nominated FAO as delivery partner for the delivery of specific

R&P support in accordance with the provision of R&P Support Framework Agreement signed between FAO and the GCF in November 2016.

• Specifically, Equatorial Guinea has expressed its appreciation to FAO’s support in climate change mitigation and REDD+, and has requested additional technical assistance for strengthening its engagement with the GCF.

• FAO has an established presence and collaboration in Equatorial Guinea, where it supports different technical assistance projects related to the agriculture, forestry, food security, fishery, poultry, etc.

• The Organisation’s broad mandate, which covers multiple disciplines and sectors (agricultural crops, livestock, forest management, fisheries, climate change, management of natural resources, legal and policy frameworks, etc.), shall allow the provision of a holistic and multi-sectorial support on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the forestry and land-use sector,, and benefit from the advice of technical experts from different technical areas. Additionally, FAO is one of the few UN agencies with a gender equality policy, implying gender equality is central to FAO’s mandate and work, hence its technical gender team, will provide the necessary support to ensure gender is fully mainstreamed in the project.

• FAO has renowned experience in developing and reinforcing countries’ technical capacities, particularly considering institutional needs, as well as in promoting and facilitating dialogue, consultation and consensus processes with multiple stakeholders.

http://www.cafi.org/


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• The technical support that FAO shall provide to Equatorial Guinea through the implementation of this R&P support will provide continuity to the collaboration that started in 2012 for supporting the REDD+ country process. This R&P support will build upon previous REDD+ projects such as “National monitoring and MRV systems with a regional focus on the countries of the Congo Basin” -UTF/CAC/001/CAC- (financed by the Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) of the African Development Bank (AfDB), through the Central African Forest Commission-COMIFAC); and the ongoing CAFI project “Development of the National REDD+ Investment Plan in Equatorial Guinea” - UNJP/EQG/001/UNJ.

• As an agency of implementation of the UN-REDD+ programme (UNJP/GLO/386/UNJ and UNJP/GLO/795/UNJ), FAO has accumulated considerable experience in the development of the countries’ technical capacities to move forward in their REDD+ processes, particularly on NFMS and FREL/FRL. The FAO can facilitate the exchange of experiences and the south-south cooperation between Equatorial Guinea and other countries actively involved in REDD+.

• FAO has also large experience in supporting climate change adaptation (e.g. Mitigation of Climate change in Agriculture (MICCA) programme; Adapting irrigation to climate change (AICCA) project ), and in Climate smart agriculture (CSA). Additional information on FAO’s work on climate change is available here: http://www.fao.org/climate-change/en/

• The FAO has an office in the country with a capacity of local implementation that shall facilitate the attainment of the outcomes of the project.

http://www.fao.org/climate-change/en/


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Annex 1. Environmental and Social Risk Management Plan

Risk identified

Risk Classification Risk Description

in the project Mitigation Action (s)

Progress on

mitigation action

Indicators

8. Gender equality Low

There is a low risk that the project will reinforce gender-based discrimination and/or exclude women from decision-making processes related to the development of the NFMS and the FREL/FRL, and hence fail to address thedistinct needs, priorities and realities of women and men.

Consultations foreseen under outcome 2 willbegender responsive (including single sex consultations). Capacity development activities will encourage women participation.

• Number of single sex consultations, and number of women in consultative processes

• Number of women participating in capacity development activities.

• NFMS design considers women specific needs for information, as well as the generation of f gender disaggregated data.

9. Indigenous peoples and

cultural heritage Moderate

The project area is considered the whole country, given that the institutional support, the country programme and the concept note to be developed given that the NFMS and FREL/FRL might have a national scale. Some small (nomadic) groups of Beyele pygmies are believed to leave in the equatorial jungle, mainly in the border between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. The project will make specific efforts to actively involve indigenous peoples in the consultations and will take into account and apply FPIC. Indigenous peoples will be also involved to ensure that their knowledge, skills and views are reflected in the design of the NFMS.

See activities under outcome 2.

• Number of consultations and activities engaging indigenous peoples

• Criteria related to FPIC included in selection processes of GCF projects


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Annex 2. Gantt chart

OUTCOMES ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLE

Anticipated Duration: 12 months

Monthly Implementation Plan of Activities

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1.Country capacity strengthened

1.1 NDA/focal point lead effective

coordination mechanism

• 1 Travel report of NDA’s experts to international REDD+ events /workshop, or exchanges with other countries5

• Minutes of 2 in country training sessions on MRV for REDD+, NFMS data and its potential use, and REDD+ under GCF.

• Participation of NDA’s personnel on the technical meetings and consultations to design and develop the NFMS and FREL/FRL

1.4 Monitoring, oversight and

streamlining of climate finance • REDD+ financial landscape map elaborated, and

regularly updated

2.Stakeholders engaged in consultative process

2.1 Stakeholders engaged in

consultative processes related to the

development of an action plan for the

NFMS and the national FREL/FREL for

REDD+ reporting to UNFCCC.

• Document reflecting consensus of multiple national stakeholders on the scope and objectives of the NFMS and its elements, and on the development of the FREL/FRL


4.1. REDD+ enabling environment

enhanced, so as to facilitate the

development of GCF REDD+ projects

that contribute to reduce emissions

and to low‐emission and climate

resilient development pathways

• Study on MRV gaps and institutional roles and responsibilities

• NFMS/MRV action plan (or road map)

• Document describing the design of a NFI

• Reports of the training sessions on MRV for REDD and reporting process under the UNFCCC

• Submitted FREL/FRL for Equatorial Guinea

5 The specific event, either in the region or with other Spanish speaking countries, is still to be identified. It may be a study trip to a specific REDD+ country. The purpose is to increase NDA´s knowledge on how REDD+ is integrated in the overall climate change national strategy in other countries; type of REDD+ projects that could be supported through GFC, REDD+ process in more advanced countries and the main challenges to be addressed, etc. The NDA will be better positioned to promote, assess and prioritise REDD+ projects in the framework of GCF.


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5.Private sector mobilization

5.2 Enabling environment for crowding-

in private sector investments at

national, regional and international

levels exists

• Minutes of the 2 consultations with private sector

• Study on the development of an enabling environment needed to enhance private investments in REDD+

Documents

with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United ......Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. The NDA will also be supported in assessing and mapping the financial landscape for REDD+,