Inception Workshop Report of GEF-6 Project: « CONSERVATION and SUSTAINABLE USE of BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY in the NORTH-WESTERN LANDSCAPE (BOENY REGION)- MADAGASCAR»

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Inception workshop report of GEF-6 Project: « CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE NORTH-WESTERN LANDSCAPE (BOENY REGION)- MADAGASCAR»

20 September 2019, Hotel Les roches rouges Mahajanga

List of Acronyms AMI : Antrema MIray PA : Protected Areas CI : Conservation International CMK : Complexe Mahavavy Kinkony CRGIZC : Comité Régionale de la Gestion Intégrée des Zones Côtières CTD : Collectivité territoriale Décentralisée DELC : Development and Environmental Law Center DGDD : Direction Générale du Développement Durable DGRNE : Direction de la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles renouvelables et des Ecosystèmes DIDDD : Direction d’Intégration de la Démarche du Développement Durable DIREDD : Direction Interrégionale de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable DRAEP : Direction Régionale de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche DRAHTP : Direction Régionale de l’Aménagement du Territoire, de l’Habitat et des Travaux Publics ESFM : Environmental and Social Framework Management FAPBM : Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar FEM : Fonds pour l’Environnement Mondial GEF : Global Environment Facility M&E : Monitoring and Evaluation MEDD : Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable METT : Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Tools MMZ : Marambitsy Miaro Zavaboary MNHM : Muée National d’Histoire Naturelle MNP : Madagascar National Park PAG : Plan d’Aménagement et de Gestion PGES : Plan de Gestion Environnemental et Social PRODOC : Project Document SAC : Schéma d’Aménagement Communal SRAT : Schéma Régional d’Aménagement du Territoire STD : Service Technique Déconcentré

SUMMARY

List of Acronyms ...... 2 SUMMARY ...... 3 List of tables ...... 3 Introduction ...... 4 1. Workshop proceedings ...... 5 1.1 Official speeches ...... 5 1.2 Presentation of participants ...... 5 1.3 Synthesis of the series of presentations and discussions ...... 6 1.2 Closing ...... 9 2. Next steps ...... 9 3. Recommendations ...... 9 Conclusion ...... 10 ANNEXE : Agenda of the workshop ...... 11

List of tables Table 1 : Profile of participants ______5 Table 2: Respective roles of stakeholders ______9

Introduction

Following the four preparatory workshops and the approval of the PRODOC by the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in April 2019, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in partnership with Conservation International-Madagascar organized the official inception workshop of the GEF-6 project in Mahajanga on 20 September 2019. This project is funded by GEF for a period of three years. The objective of the project is to strengthen the long-term conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The two components are: - Component 1: Strengthen the management and sustainable financing of five protected areas (PAs) to reduce threats to natural resources and contribute to the resilience of the Northwest landscape (Boeny region). - Component 2: Support the sustainable use of biodiversity by local communities around targeted PAs to strengthen PA protection efforts and improve community well-being

The objective of the inception workshop was to assist the project team and other project stakeholders to understand and take ownership of the project objectives and results; Three outcomes are expected from the workshop: 1. Participants have a good understanding of the project strategy with the objective, components, expected results, intermediate results and targets; 2. Participants have a good understanding of how to implement and execute project management; 3. Participants have a good understanding of the Environmental and Social Management Framework. This report is divided into three parts. - The workshop proceedings - The next steps - The recommendations

1. Workshop proceedings 1.1 Official speeches The Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Mahajanga started the series of speeches. The content of his speech consists in thanking the participants. He also expressed his best wishes for the project. The next speaker is the Representative of Conservation International-Madagascar. She gave a brief overview of the project and explained the institution's role in coordinating funding. As for the Director of the Management of Renewable Natural resources and Ecosystems, she presented the contexts and justifications of the project The Chief of Boeny Region concluded the speeches by mentioning that the implementation of this project will be a privilege for the Boeny Region and will contribute to the fulfilment of one of the presidential promises: the 10th promise on the protection of natural resources. He hopes that the project can effectively contribute to the implementation of the Regional Development Plan and the various municipal plans. He also opened the workshop. 1.2 Presentation of participants The attendance sheet indicated that 54 participants attended the workshop, 23 women and 31 men. The 24 entities represented can be grouped according to the table below. Table 1 : Profile of participants

Entités Effectif Project Management Conservation International - Madagascar 09 Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Fund management 02 Biodiversité de Madagascar (FAPBM) Direction de la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles 03 renouvelables et des Ecosystème (DGRNE) Direction Générale du Développement Durable 01 (DGDD) Ministry of Environment Direction de l’Intégration de la Démarche du and Sustainable Use 02 Développement Durable (DIDDD) (MEDD) Service Communication 01 Direction Inter-Régionale de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (DIREDD) Boeny - 07 Betsiboka MaNP Ankarafantsika 01 MNP Soalala 02 MNP Siège (Tana) 01 Protected Area Managers DELC (AP Bombetoka – Belemboka) 03 Asity (CMK) 03 MNHN (Antrema) 02 Durell 01 Antrema Miray (AMI) 01

Entités Effectif Representative of local Marambitsy Miaro ny Zavaboary (MMZ) 01 communities Région 01 Representative of local Prefecture 01 administrative authorities (CTD) Districts 02 Communes 05 Direction Régionale de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage 01 et de la Pêche (DRAEP) Representative technical services (STD) Direction Régionale de l’Aménagement du Territoire, de l’Habitat et des Travaux Publics 01 (DRAHTP) Comité Régional de la Gestion Intégrée des 01 Others Zones côtières (CRGIZC) Air Communication 02 Consultant Consultant 01 Total 55

According to this table, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has the largest number of participants (14). This is followed by protected area managers (13), the project Management, Conservation International (09) and local administrative authorities (09). The other entities were also represented (1 or 2 participants/entity). 1.3 Synthesis of the presentations and discussions This section includes - Presentation of the programme, objectives and expected results of the workshop by the consultant; The Project Management Unit made various presentations - Presentation of the context and the steps being followed, the National Project Director - Presentation of the project's logical framework: general objective, two components, barriers and challenges to be faced, considering the PND, the SRAT, the SAC and existing Protect Areas’ Management Plans. - Discussion o Mayor of Katsepy: He asked more explanation about the Steering Committee? o Responseof the DNP: the designation of the Steering committee members will take place at the start of the project in October. A letter requesting the designation of the members of the Steering Committee will be sent to the entities concerned, who will propose their members and alternates. o Monitoring and Evaluation Manager: How the objectives and baselines were formulated o Response from Ando (CI) : They were formulated from data collected in the field during the "PPG" phase o Participant: Is it possible to purchase rolling stock?

o Response from Michèle (CI): It is not planned, unless there may be a rigorous/consequent justification o Livelihood Manager: How were food insecurity indicators identified? o Response from Ando (CI): They are based on studies carried out by FAO o Representative of DGDD: (1) Request for clarification on the sustainable financing of PAs and (2) the problem of immigrants, (3) improvement of value chains and (4) accounting on the valuation of PAs o Response from Michèle (CI) and Gérard (FAPBM) : § (1): The role of the financing manager is to invest the capital in the stock market, to generate interest rates, which will then be used to finance the five PAs annually (after 2 years). However, project funding for the first two years is already planned. § (2): The Region and the prefecture have been working on the problem of immigrant since March 2019. There is an action plan on this subject in the Development Regional Plan. This issue was already raised during the last workshop. This will be part of the tasks of the Steering Committee and the collaboration between the Region and DIREDD. § (3): The activities of the PAs were already integrated into the SRAT and the SAC. In addition, the priorities of each PA were considered in the project, while considering the realities on the ground. 4 PAs currently have Social and Environmental Management Plan o Representative of the Communication Department (MEDD): How were the project activities designed? o Response from Michèle (CI): They were designed based on each PA's Management Plan and based on discussions during the consultation workshops. o Mayor of Katsepy: The needs of PA riparian populations must be considered by PA managers in this project. o Response from Michèle (CI): Their needs have already been considered by managers in the PA management Plan. There is also the Environmental and Social Management Plan. o MNP Tana: He noted that PA managers are not owners. They remain managers. All stakeholders are responsible. o M. Roger Edmond: (4) The valuation of ecosystem services (different from the Payment for Environmental Service) is already applied in the PAs that established the Management Plan. o The National Director of the Project specified that the particularity of this project is the existence of 2 components, one of which is specifically dedicated to the well- being of local populations - Presentation of the institutional arrangement and reporting requirements (technical and financial) with the establishment of the Project management Unit and the steering committee - Presentation on the environmental and social management framework, based on GEF minimum standards, current CI policies and international best practices: o Policy 7: Accountability and grievance mechanisms, o Policy 8 : Gender mainstreaming, o Policy 9 : Stakeholder engagement,

- Discussion o Representative of DGDD: (1) If complaints are submitted by affected persons, what action should be taken? (2) Note on the members of the steering committee and the management unit: there is redundancy of responsibility

o Response from Michèle (CI): Complaints related to the project only will be considered and processed. An action plan on accountability and grievance mechanisms has already been developed to process and resolve complaints received in a timely manner. Complaint management guidelines will be proposed by the PMU. o There is no redundancy of responsibility since the representatives of the DGRNRE, CI, DIDDD, FAPBM within the Steering Committee are different from the members of the management unit. o Mayor of Katsepy : Requests further clarification on how the steering committee operates at regional level o The Boeny Region and DIREDD represent stakeholders at regional level in the steering committee. o Mme Bodo: request for clarification on the role of the focal point in the implementation of the project o The focal point within DGRNRE, DIDDD and FAPBM will work with the Project Management Unit

- Presentation of the main activities, including o Reminder of the project objective o Outcomes o Respective activities for each result of the two components o Environmental and social management framework (ESFM)

- Presentation of the main lines of the results monitoring plan, composed of 12 indicators o Indicator a: Protected area in the northwestern part of Madagascar, o Indicator b: Number of PAs with management efficiency (improved METT), o Indicator c: Number of PAs with improved sustainable funding, o Indicator d: Number and percentage of regional and local plans that consider PA objectives and are consistent with management objectives, o Indicator e: Number of households directly benefiting from sustainable production initiatives related to PAs, o Indicator 2111 : Food security index, o Indicator S1.1.: Number of conflicts and reported complaints related to the grievance mechanism and project responsibilities, o Indicator S1.2: Percentage of conflicts and reported complaints about project responsibilities and the complaint management mechanism that have been addressed o Indicator S2.1: Number of men and women who participated in the various project activities (meeting, workshop, consultation, etc.) o Indicator S2.2: Number of men and women beneficiaries of the project o Indicator S23: Number of strategies, plans and policies resulting from the project that consider the gender aspect - Discussion o All exchanges were focused on indicators for greater accuracy. - Presentation of the members of the Project Management Unit) and their respective responsibilities, o National Director of the Project (DGRNE) : Ms. Hanitra Lalaina RANDRIANASOLO o Technical Coordinator (CI) : Ms.Michèle ANDRIANARISATA o Focal Point (DGRNE) : Mr. Hiary RANDRIANIZAHANA o Monitoring & Evaluation Manager (CI): Ms. Dina RANOROMBOLATIANA o Livelihood Manager (CI) : Ms. Soloarisoa RANOROMALALA o Grants & contract Manager (CI) : Ms. Fanja KOMPE o Finance Manager (CI) : Ms. Holinirina HANITRINIAINA

o Focal Point (DIDDD): Mr. Jean Charles Randriamiarinjato o Focal Point (FAPBM) : Mr. Ranto Randriantsoa - Presentation of the budget, by the Finance Manager. This was a reminder of the budget that was designed and presented in the ProDoc 1.2 Closing This speech was delivered by the Representative of the Prefecture. He congratulated and thanked all the participants, who were very active in the discussions during the workshop. Before concluding, he extended his best wishes to all the stakeholders in the project.

2. Next steps The respective roles of the project stakeholders over the next three months are summarized in the table below.

Table 2 : Respective roles of stakeholders

Entities Activities • Finalization of the Work Plan and Budget Year 1 • Finalization of the technical proposal • Preparation of the necessary documents before signing the Executing partners grant contracts • Signing of grant contracts • Review of expectations and responsibilities • Implementation of activities according to the Work Plan • Nomination of members of the GEF-6 Project Steering Committee Steering committee • First meeting of the Steering Committee • Validation of Work Plan and Budget Year 1 • Preparation of the procedures manual • Development of the M&E plan with data collection tools • Preparation of grant contracts and the necessary tools Project Management Unit • Review and update of plans under CI safeguards, such as the gender mainstreaming plan, stakeholder engagement plan, accountability and grievance mechanism CI-GEF • Training on GEF and CI policy/procedures • Training on GEF financing conditions: 1) Financial management 2) Prohibited practices 3) Reporting 4) Procurement 5) Guarantees and gender 6) Project grievance mechanism

3. Recommendations Based on the discussions during the workshop, the experiences of collaboration with partners in the field and to ensure the success of the project, the following recommendations are made:

At the beginning of the project: organize training for managers of the PAs and the relevant MEDD Directorates (DIREDD, DGRNE, DIDDD, DGDDD, etc.) on o The financing conditions of the GEF, o The procedure manual (including release and management of funds) o The results monitoring plan o Define the deadlines (date, monitoring and evaluation period, etc.) for the various stages and submit reports to stakeholders; o Define, together with the partners, the objectives at the end of the project for indicators d, e, S 1.1, S 1.2, S 2.1 and S 2.3.

During the project implementation, - Plan and organize punctual and/or periodic support after the training sessions, to avoid deviation or to support, if necessary, the resolution of difficult problems; - Strengthen e-mail exchanges with telephone communications to remind the various stages of the project and to avoid and/or at least reduce delays in the submission of reports; - Involve the MEDD Communication Department for any event on the project.

At the end of the project, - Plan the organization of a workshop to share and possibly scale up good practices or for future projects; - Involve the MEDD Communication Department in this event. Conclusion

At the end of this report, we found that the discussions after each series of presentations were rich and fruitful. Recommendations were made to develop or implement the project "Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the landscape of the North-West Boeny Region - Madagascar". However, much effort is needed to complete the project.

ANNEXE : Agenda of the workshop