The World Bank Report No: ISR15101

Implementation Status & Results EU Natura 2000 Integration Project (P111205)

Operation Name: EU Natura 2000 Integration Project (P111205) Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 7 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 22-Jun-2014 Country: Croatia Approval FY: 2011

Public Disclosure Authorized Product Line:IBRD/IDA Region: EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Implementing Agency(ies): Key Dates Board Approval Date 10-Feb-2011 Original Closing Date 30-Apr-2016 Planned Mid Term Review Date 11-Nov-2013 Last Archived ISR Date 22-Dec-2013 Public Disclosure Copy Effectiveness Date 19-May-2011 Revised Closing Date 30-Apr-2016 Actual Mid Term Review Date 09-Nov-2013

Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The development objectives of the proposed project are to: (i) help support Park and County Public Institutions to implement Natura2000 objectives in investment programs; (ii) strengthen capacity for EU-compliant reporting and biodiversity monitoring; and (iii) introduce programs that involve a wide group of stakeholders in Natura 2000 network management. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project?

Public Disclosure Authorized Yes No

Component(s)

Component Name Component Cost Ecological Network Investments 15.01 Ecological Network Data Systems 6.33 Ecological Network Capacity Building 4.96

Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Public Disclosure Authorized Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate

Implementation Status Overview Project implementation performance continues to be satisfactory. Since the mid-term review held in November 2013, the project has made good progress under all three components

Public Disclosure Copy and is on track in achieving Project Development Objective to help support Parks and County Public Institutions for nature protection to implement Natura 2000 objectives in investment programs; strengthen capacity for EU-compliant reporting and biodiversity monitoring; and introduce programs that involve a wide group of stakeholders in Natura 2000 network management.

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Activities under the Ecological Network Investments component are progressing well. Out of 35 investments, fifteen are completed, four are underway, two are in tendering procedure, and five are being prepared for procurement procedure. The investments include infrastructure such as visitor centers and educational/hike trails in the national and nature parks and protected areas under the responsibility of county public institutions (CPIs) for nature protection. They are aimed to demonstrate how the investments, including educational and interpretative materials, can support the goal of maintaining favorable conservation status at Natura 2000 sites as defined by the European Union Habitats Directives. Capacity building is also provided to develop investments for the Structural Funds. Out of 17 nature protection project proposals in the pipeline, three projects worth EUR 15 million were applied for funding from Regional Competitiveness Operational Programme (visitor centers in Krka and Northern national parks and geo information centre in nature park). In mid-May 2014, three boats for marine parks have been procured, delivered and used for patrol and monitoring purposes in the three marine parks.

Progress of the Ecological Network Data Systems component is significant after some previous delays. Contracts for the two main activities Habitat Mapping and Field Research and Laboratory Processing for Collecting New Inventory Data, have been contracted. All of the required IT equipment has been procured and the implementation of the Nature Protection Information System (NPIS) web portal is contracted. Work on the identification of species and habitats is underway and historical and scientific data gathered from literature and museum collections is being entered into the the data base of State Institute for Nature Protection (SINP). The procurement for the conversion of NATURA 2000 border Public Disclosure Copy maps from 1:25000 to 1:5000 scale is underway and should be awarded by September 2014.

Ecological Network Capacity Building component is progressing well. It consists of a number of interventions that are focused to help build capacity for better cohesion and integration of the protected ares. The public awareness campaign is expected to commence in September 2014. The pilot protected area boundary delineation activity will be conducted in the Papuk nature park. Proposal for agri-environment measures for Natura 2000 sites have been drafted with the aim to better integrate public and local communities as well as farmers in the management of Natura 2000. Activities related to Parks Volunteer Program will start in July 2014.

Locations Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Croatia Not Entered Nacionalni Park

Croatia Not Entered Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Istarska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Karlovacka Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Medimurska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija

Public Disclosure Copy Croatia Not Entered Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija

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Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Croatia Not Entered Varazdinska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Zadarska Zupanij

Croatia Not Entered Zagrebacka Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija

Croatia Not Entered Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia Not Entered National Park

Public Disclosure Copy Croatia Not Entered Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered National Park

Croatia Not Entered National Park

Croatia Not Entered National Park

Croatia Not Entered Velebit Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Kopacki Rit Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Papuk Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Telascica Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Ucka Nature Park

Croatia Not Entered Vransko Jezero Nature Park

Results

Project Development Objective Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Progress made in increasing annual capital Percentage Value 0.00 25.62 12.00 and other investment expenditure across the Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Parks estate Comments year 2010 Public Disclosure Copy 110.867.238 HRK

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Extent of Croatia covered by an accurate Percentage Value 2.40 2.40 60.00 habitat map at 1:25,000 scale Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments 2.4% of country Consultant has been engaged Indicator is realistic and will to produce a map of terrestrial be achieved by project end. habitats in the form of a spatial database with mapped habitat types. Number of project-promoted programs in Number Value 0.00 1.00 4.00 operation that actively involve stakeholders Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 with Natura 2000 Comments Project-promoted programs Indicator is realistic and will include Training, Public be achieved by project end. Public Disclosure Copy Awareness, Volunteering and Agri-environment measures. All programs (except forthe Public Awareness Campaign) are contracted with the activities ongoing. The park volunteer program was contracted in May 2014. Proposal for AE measures and calculations for nature protection is delivered and Training Needs Assessment has been revised and approved. Questionnaire for farmers willing to participate in the AE programme is prepared and interviews will start in July 2014. To date, 34 workshops/training events were organized. Public Awareness Campaign will commence in fall 2014.

Intermediate Results Indicators Public Disclosure Copy

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Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Number of nature protection projectapplications Number Value 0.00 17.00 30.00 made to EU Structural Funds andaccepted in Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 the funding pipeline Comments 0 projects accepted. 17 projects proposal are in Projects accepted. pipeline for financial period 2014-2020. Out of these 17 proposals , three are accepted for financing by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. Number of National/Nature parks actively Number Value 0.00 19.00 19.00 Public Disclosure Copy monitoring their management effectiveness Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments 0 parks using the METT Fully met. METT End target fully met. questionnaire translated and tested in 3 pilot parks. METT methodology presented to all parties. METT introduced as a part of standard yearly planning and reporting obligations of parks starting from 2013. Proportion of visitors to Parks who complete Percentage Value 0.00 2.00 5.00 response forms Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments Major progress will be seen Indicator is realistic and will after design and interpretation be achieved by project end. plans are delivered in the locations/sub-projects funded during the period 2014-2015. Number of 50 x 50 km grids surveyed for Number Value 0.00 0.00 54.00 nationally threatened (CR, EN, VU) species Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments Contract signed in May 2014 Indicator is realistic and will and progress of KPI reporting be achieved by project end. expected by 2015. Percent of Croatian Red Book species re- Percentage Value 0.00 10.00 40.00 assessed based on new field survey data Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments Application of IUCN criteria to End of Project Target is update status of threatened realistic and will be achieved species. after finalization of field

Public Disclosure Copy survey.

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Awareness of Natura 2000 Ecological Network Percentage Value 3.00 5.48 20.00 among people living in and around designated Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 sites Comments % of respondents in highest According to research of the ≥20 level of awareness out of 4 Natura 2000 public above or equal to percentage levels queries awareness undertaken by the of sample SINP, about 5% of people were aware of the term. Farmers trained in agrienvironment measures Number Value 0.00 0.00 300.00 relevant to Natura 2000 purposes Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments Training Needs Assessment Indicator is realistic and will has been prepared and be achieved by project end. Public Disclosure Copy approved by the implementing Ministry. First trainings expected in late 2014. Number of protected area staff trained to work Number Value 0.00 0.00 40.00 with volunteers Date 19-May-2011 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments The start of the training Indicator is realistic and will program is planned for be achieved by project end. September 2014. Integration of existing biodiversity databases to Text Value Stage achieved at scoping In development Full Data Exchange with SGA communicate & exchange data with SGA portal. Portal in linewith EU INSPIRE Directive Date 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments Contract for implementation of Nature Protection Information System web portal and protected areas management system (PAMS) signed in April 2014. The work on integration and upgrade of existing databases is expected to be completed by April 2015. Forest users trained Number Value 0.00 0.00 15.00 Date 26-Oct-2012 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Comments This is newly added core This training will be carried Indicator will be achieved by indicator as per the out through the AE project end. requirement and agreement Programme training to start in with the client. September 2014. Value Public Disclosure Copy Forest users trained - Female Number 0.00 0.00 5.00 Sub Type Date 26-Oct-2012 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016

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Breakdown Comments First training expected in September 2014 within the AE Programme. Forest users trained - Ethnic minority/ Number Value 0.00 0.00 15.00 indigenous people Sub Type Date 26-Oct-2012 29-May-2014 30-Apr-2016 Breakdown Comments n/a n/a n/a

Data on Financial Performance (as of 08-May-2014)

Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date Public Disclosure Copy P111205 IBRD-80210 Effective 10-Feb-2011 22-Feb-2011 19-May-2011 30-Apr-2016 30-Apr-2016

Disbursements (in Millions) Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P111205 IBRD-80210 Effective USD 28.80 28.80 0.00 11.41 16.86 40.00

Disbursement Graph

Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation None.

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Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date.

Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy

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