1

GEF-6 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION FORM (PIF) PROJECT TYPE: FULL SIZED PROJECT

TYPE OF TRUST FUND: GEF TRUST FUND

For more information about GEF, visit TheGEF.org

PART I: PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Title: Addressing multiple threats to ecosystems, human health and livelihoods in west-central Tunisia

Country(ies): Tunisia GEF Project ID: TBD

GEF Agency(ies): UNDP GEF Agency Project ID: 5538

Other Executing

Partner(s):

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable

Development (MEDD); with Ministry of

Agriculture, Water and Fisheries Resources

(MARHP) and Ministry of Investment,

Development and International Cooperation

(MIDCI)

Submission Date: 25 July 2016

GEF Focal Area(s): Multi-Focal Area Project Duration (Months) 60

Integrated Approach

Pilot

IAP-Cities IAP-Commodities IAP-Food Security Corporate Program: SGP

Name of parent program: N/A Agency Fee ($) 639,905

A. INDICATIVE FOCAL AREA STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES

Objectives/Programs (Focal Areas, Integrated Approach Pilot, Corporate Programs) Trust

Fund

(in $)

GEF Project

Financing

Co-financing

Land Degradation – Objective LD-3: Integrated Landscapes: Reduce pressures on

natural resources from competing land uses in the wider landscape – Programme 4:

Scaling up SLM through the Landscape Approach

GEF-

TF

3,619,498 C1: 600,000

C2: 2,847,141

PMC 172,357

18,670,000

Biodiversity – Objective BD-1: Improve sustainability of protected area system –

Programme 1: Improving Financial Sustainability and Effective Management of the

National Ecological Infrastructure

GEF-

TF 1,599,460

C1: 200,000

C3: 1,345,814 PMC: 53,646

4,315,000

Biodiversity – Objective BD-4: Mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable

use into production landscapes and seascapes and sectors – Programme 9: 9.

Managing the Human-Biodiversity Interface

GEF-

TF 653,645

C1: 200,000

C3: 400,000

PMC: 53,645

4,065,000

Chemical and Waste – Objective CW-2: Reduce the prevalence of harmful chemicals

and waste and support the implementation of clean alternative technologies/substances

– Programme 3: Reduction and elimination of POPs

GEF-

TF

863,242 C4: 822,135

PMC: 41,107

4,000,000

Total Project Cost 6,735,845 31,050,000

B. INDICATIVE PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Project Objective: To enhance cross-sectoral integrated planning, financing, management and restoration of agro-silvo-pastoral landscapes and

protected areas, and concurrently reduce human and environmental health hazards from pollution with POPs in the vulnerable west-central region of

Tunisia.

Project

Components

Finan-

cing

Type

Project Outcomes Project Outputs Trust

Fund

(in $)

GEF

Project

Financing

Co-

financing

1.

Strengthening

legal,

regulatory and

institutional

frameworks

related to

natural resource

and ecosystem

management

TA 1.1 Increase in institutional

awareness and capacity at

the national level regarding

the need to enhance overall

coherence and effectiveness

across land and natural

resource sectors/ subsectors

Indicators/ targets: increase

in the UNDP Capacity

Scorecard (baseline tbd in

1.1 Institutional and regulatory framework

strengthened for cross-sectoral integrated

and sustainable land use at landscape level:

i) related national/ sub-national policy, legal

and regulatory frameworks reviewed and a

more effective and integrated framework

adopted; ii) institutional framework of MARHP

and MEDD reviewed and strengthened/

reformed to enhance coherence, service quality

and investments; iii) sustainable management

GEF-

TF

1,000,000

LD 600,000

BD 400,000

2,500,000

DGF/WB

NPFP

2

(DGF/WB

Comp 3:

Renforcement

du cadre

institutionnel et

juridique)

PPG)

1.2 Effective legal, policy

and institutional framework

in place at MARHP and

MEDD. Indicators/

targets:i) # of evident

misalignment across sub-

sector goals reduced; ii)

land use trade-off scenario

recommendations

integrated in the text of

new sub-sector strategies;

iii) legal and institutional

restructuring proposal

submitted to ministerial

cabinets of MARHP and/or

MEDD; iv) # of new codes

submitted to the cabinets of

MARHP and/or MEDD; v) # of land use management

plans with natural

resources and ecosystem

sustainability components/

considerations developed ;

vi) GEF-6 Programme 9 TT

+30%.

1.3 BD conservation & PA

management mainstreamed

into the MAHRT

restructuring overall

programming.

Indicators/targets: GEF-6

Programme 9 TT +30%.

1.4 Increased finance flow

to SLM and PAs as

measured by: Indicators/

targets: i) # of new

financing solutions

activated (5) ; ii) amount of

additional financing

mobilised for SLM (+30%);

iii) PA Finance Scorecard

(+30%)

of natural resources, land and forests, as well as

the conservation and sustainable use of

biodiversity and PA planning and management

mainstreamed into the reform.

1.2 Decision making tools developed to

inform sustainable landscape management

and mainstreaming across sectors: i) GIS-

based MRV system set up; ii) platform for

multi-stakeholder and inter-sector dialogue set

up; iii) first national inventory of land-based

resources developed; iv) economic valuations

(CBA or similar); v) Targeted (Trade-Off)

Scenario Analyses conducted for the mentioned

sectors/ subsectors.

1.3 New financing solutions for sustainable

natural resource / land management and

biodiversity/ PAs identified, mobilised, and

integrated within budgets of MARHP and

MEDD: i) Public Expenditure Review (PER)

conducted to: determine financing baselines for

SLM and BD/PA, identify opportunities to

realign budgets and enhance spending

effectiveness and efficiency; ii) assessment of

options for new sustainable revenue-generating

mechanisms for SLM and BD/PA; iii) key

recommendations emerging from PER and

financing mechanisms adopted and

operationalised.

2. Participatory

sustainable land

and forest

management

and restoration

in selected

landscapes of

the targeted

governorates

(DGF/WB

Comp 1:

Renforcer la

réhabilitation

et la gestion

intégrée des

paysages agro-

sylvo-

pastoraux)

(DGF/WB

Comp 2:

Développer les

TA/

INV

In 4 intervention sites to be

selected in the governorates

of Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid,

Kairouan and Gafsa:

2.1 Participatory SLM and

forest protection plans

implemented by

government and local actors

under co-management

regimes across 20,000 ha of

rangelands (incl. Alfa

Steppes) and 20,000 ha of

standing forests outside

PAs.

- Indicators/ targets: i) plots

across the 40,000 ha with

ground vegetation cover

and tree sapling density

improved by 50% (baseline

tbd in PPG);ii)

stabilisation of standing

2.1 Integrated landscape management plans

developed/promoted to merge socio-economic

development, poverty reduction, SLM/SFM,

biodiversity conservation, surface and ground

water management and climate change

resilience: i) regional multi-sector stakeholder

platforms set up to discuss and agree upon land

use plans and oversee implementation; ii)

priority land uses established across the

targeted landscapes, defined through

assessments of the status and potential of

agricultural, range and forest lands, stratified as

per tenure regime; iii) suitable areas for

restoration identified; iv) to enhance

implementation of land use plans, training and

extension services provided to relevant

stakeholders (regional agencies, extension

workers, private sector, local communities and

park rangers) on sustainable land use and on

co-management rights and responsibilities; v)

SLM and sustainable Alfa sourcing

mainstreamed into the business model/

procurement chain of the for Kasserine pulp

GEF-

TF

3,669,276

LD 2,847,141

CW 822,135

19,830,000

LD

15,980,000

DGF/WB

DGACTA/AFD

NPFP

DGACTA

OEP

CW

3,850,000

SNCPA

DGEQV

ANGED

3

chaines de

valeur agro-

sylvo-

pastorales)

forest area and density over

c. 20,000 ha (baseline to be

confirmed in PPG).

2.2. Restoration of forests,

ecosystem functions and

native vegetation through

active planting next to

standing forests.

- Indicators/ targets: 80%

project-end success rate of

native forest enrichment

planting in c. 20,000 ha

(baseline to be confirmed in

PPG).

2.3 Direct and indirect

socio-economic, health,

ecosystem service, water

quality, and gender benefits

to local communities and

stakeholders.

- Indicators (baselines and

targets tbd in PPG): i) # of

new and economically

viable agro-sylvo-pastoral

industries and value chains

developed; ii) # of women

with increased income; iii)

proportion of households

benefiting from ecosystem-

friendly IGAs; iv) changes

in income levels for

community households

attributable to project

interventions on ecosystem-

friendly IGAs; v) # of

businesses submitting

investments plans to PIF

and implementing them

- Indicators/targets: All 6

PCB transformers at the

plant safeguarded. Amount

and type of POPs reduced

or safeguarded in an

environmentally sound

manner. Total reduction of

UPOP emissions by 10 g-

TEQ/yr PCDD/F.

and paper plant (a key Alfa grass user).

2.2 Based on integrated landscape

management plans, community-based

management of pastoral and forest

ecosystems demonstrated: i) site-specific best-

practice rangeland and forest management and

restoration plans developed; ii) sustainable land

and silvo-pastoral resource co-management

agreements entered and implemented with local

stakeholders; iii) zoning plans developed and

ground demarcation of grazing and forest lands

conducted reflecting tenure regimes; iv) pilots

of land tenure change and related restructuring;

v) grazing set-asides and animal enclosures; vi)

production of supplementary green feedstock

and dry feedstock; vii) community based

prevention and containment mechanisms for

forest fires.

2.3 Restoration of degraded lands

operationalised: i) one or several seed banks/

plant nurseries dedicated to native pastoral &

tree species set up, to include development of a

legal and policy framework, designation of one

or several private management entities,

collection of native seeds/ plants from suitable

areas, multiplication and distribution for

ecosystem enrichment/ restoration; ii) degraded

rangelands with impoverished seed banks are

enriched with native pastoral species; iii)

assisted natural regeneration and planting of

native tree species is scaled-up, as appropriate

in suitable locations, building on existing

experience.

2.4 New livelihood and employment

opportunities in the target governorates and

sites created: i) new industries, value chains

and micro/small enterprises developed and

promoted focusing on sustainable use of agro-

forestry and non-timber forest products (esp.

rosemary, myrte, pine nuts, capres, mushrooms,

carob tree); ii) capacity development and

extension services for small businesses

development and cooperatives; iii) micro-

credits from a competitive Productivity and

Innovation Fund.

2.5 Reduction of POPs emissions to reduce

land and water contamination: i) Green

Chemistry approach piloted to minimise the

emission of UPOPs and other harmful

chemicals related to production processes at the

Kasserine pulp and paper plant; ii) action plan

to manage PCBs at the plant; iii) UPOP

emissions reduced from the burning of plastic

agricultural waste, particularly of pesticide

containers; iv) implementation of the national

waste management strategy promoted at the

regional level via trainings and outreach

materials, emphasising linkages between

chemicals (POPs) pollution and environmental

and human health hazards.

3. Conservation

and sustainable

use of key

biodiversity

sites in the

TA/

INV

In the above 4 intervention

sites in the targeted

governorates of Kasserine,

Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan and

3.1 Targeted PAs and staff are equipped and

context-specific management is operational:

i) biological and socio-economic data collected

on the status of biodiversity and natural

resources within the targeted PAs; ii) PA

GEF-

TF

1,745,814

All BD

7,250,000

DGF/WB

DGACTA/AFD

NPFP

DGEQV

4

targeted

governorates

Gafsa:

3.1 Biodiversity

conservation and

sustainable use as well as

PA planning and

management fully

mainstreamed into DGF/

World Bank and DGACTA/

AFD project activities

across the above c. 40,000

ha outside PAs.

- Indicators/ targets: GEF-6

TT Programme 9 + 30%.

3.2 Increased PA

management effectiveness

provides greater protection

to globally significant

habitats and species habitats

over c. 20,000 ha of PA

area.

- Indicators/ targets: METT

increases by 30% (baseline

tbd at PPG); good status

maintenance or positive

trends in suitable indicator

species (tbd in PPG).

boundaries demarcated using landmarks and

signage; iii) basic infrastructure and equipment

for transport, communication, surveillance and

monitoring provided and in place; iv) trainings

for PA management staff provided, including

on the landscape approach.

3.2 PA management tools are updated or

developed: i) 5-year management and

surveillance plans, financing plans, annual

work plans and budgets are developed with the

participation of relevant stakeholders, ii) plans

are aligned with the above sustainable land

management and co-management goals; iii)

support to implementation of PA management

plans is ensured by relevant ministries, within

their budgets and plans, for all PAs.

3.3 Biodiversity conservation and PA

management enhanced through adoption of

the landscape approach: i) Regular reviews of

DGF/WB and DGACTA/AFD project

interventions with guidance provided on

biodiversity and PAs; ii) options for habitat/PA

landscape corridors evaluated; iii) long-term

monitoring program for Tunisia’s PAs

established to include the effect of threats

reduction from integrated landscape

approaches.

3.4 Public-Private Partnerships for PA co-

management: i) opportunities for PPPs are

assessed; ii) partnership agreements created

between national PA authority and private

sector and/or local communities including in

the context of sustainable use co-management

schemes and related value chain creation.

Subtotal 6,415,090 29,580,000

Project Management Cost (PMC)1 GEF-

TF

320,755 LD 172,357

BD 107,291

CW 41,107

1,470,000 DGF/WB

DGACTA/AFD

SNCPA

Total Project Cost 6,735,845 31,050,000

C. INDICATIVE SOURCES OF CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY NAME AND BY TYPE, IF AVAILABLE Sources of Co-

financing Name of Co-financier

Type of Co-

financing Amount ($)

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP/ DGF / CRDAs): National

Programme for Forests and Pastoralism (FPNP) of the ESDP

Grant 2,500,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP/DGF) / World Bank: Co-

management of forest and pastoral ecosystems in Tunisia

Project

Grant 12,000,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP/DGACTA) / AFD: Natural

Resources Management in Vulnerable Rural Territories

Project

Grant 12,000,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP/DGACTA) Grant 100,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP/OEP) Grant 200,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MEDD/DGEQV): Budget as part of

the Economic and Social Development Plan (ESDP)

Grant 250,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (SNCPA): Environmental upgrade of

the SNCPA pulp and paper plant in Kasserine

Grant 3,000,000

1 Including Direct Project Costs if the Government of Tunisia requests direct project services from UNDP in support to NIM execution, tbd during PPG.

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Sources of Co-

financing Name of Co-financier

Type of Co-

financing Amount ($)

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia / GIZ (MEDD): Waste management

sectoral plans on waste management as support to regional

sustainable development plans

Grant 500,000

Recipient Government Government of Tunisia (MARHP): Extension and capacity

building activities for the agricultural sector in the region

Grant 500,000

Total Co-financing 31,050,000

D. INDICATIVE TRUST FUND RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF

FUNDS a)

GEF -

Agency

Trust

Fund

Country/

Regional/

Global

Focal Area Programming

of Funds

(in $)

GEF Project

Financing (a)

Agency

Fee (b)b)

Total

(c)=a+b

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Land Degradation N/A 3,619,498 343,852 3,963,350

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Biodiversity N/A 2,253,105 214,045 2,467,150

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Chemicals and Waste POPs 863,242 82,008 945,250

Total GEF Resources 6,735,845 639,905 7,375,750

E. PROJECT PREPARATION GRANT (PPG)

Is Project Preparation Grant requested? Yes No If no, skip item E.

PPG AMOUNT REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), TRUST FUND, COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS

GEF

Agency

Trust

Fund

Country/

Regional/Global Focal Area

Programming

of Funds

(in $)

PPG (a) Agency

Fee (b) Total

c = a + b

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Land Degradation 70,000 6,650 76,650

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Biodiversity 30,000 2,850 32,850

UNDP GEFTF Tunisia Chemicals and Waste 50,000 4,750 54,750

Total PPG Amount 150,000 14,250 164,250

F. PROJECT’S TARGET CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Provide the expected project targets as appropriate.

Corporate Results Replenishment Targets Project Targets

1. Maintain globally significant biodiversity

and the ecosystem goods and services that

it provides to society

Improved management of landscapes and

seascapes covering 300 million hectares

120,000 ha

2. Sustainable land management in

production systems (agriculture,

rangelands, and forest landscapes)

120 million hectares under sustainable land

management

80,000 ha

3. Increase in phase-out, disposal and

reduction of releases of POPs, ODS,

mercury and other chemicals of global

concern

Disposal of 80,000 tons of POPs (PCB, obsolete

pesticides)

The project impacts will be to

manage PCBs at the plant and

reduce emissions of UPOPs

(by 10 g-TEQ/yr PCDD/F)

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PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

1. Project Description.

1a) Global environmental problems in Tunisia and the target regions

1. Tunisia is a small north-south stretching elongated country in North Africa, wedged between Algeria in the west,

Libya in the east and the Mediterranean Sea. Covering a land area of 162,155 km², the country encompasses three agro-

climatic zones: 1) sub-humid mountainous areas in the north, 2) semi-arid steppes in central and south-eastern Tunisia,

and 3) arid and hyper-arid regions in the south/south-west forming a zone of mountains, plateaus, plains and finally the

Sahara desert.

2. With 11 million inhabitants, Tunisia has an upper middle income economy with an average per capita GDP of

$4,320 (2014). Poverty remains prevalent primarily as a rural phenomenon: about two-thirds of Tunisia's poor live in rural

areas. There is also a marked disparity in poverty among regions: the north-west and center-west have the highest

incidence of poverty. These regions are characterized by hilly terrain and by their distance from the more dynamic

economies of the eastern coastal cities. While these poorer regions harbour more than 70 % of the country’s forests and

rangeland resources, they are home to only 14 % of its human populations, which survive on an average daily income of

less than $1.60 per capita. The rural poor derive their incomes primarily from agricultural activities (own-farm activities

and agricultural wage labor), but commonly also earn income outside agriculture. Many rural poor also own land and

livestock, but their landholdings are small, rarely irrigated, due to water scarcity and lack of appropriate technologies and

have low productivity. 40 % of the poor rural livelihoods depend for their survival on forest and rangeland resources (such

as through livestock breeding, forestry, and the harvesting of non-timber forest products).

3. Tunisia has a total of 10-11 million ha of arable lands that are comprised of c. 5 million ha of agricultural lands

(most notably 1.6 mio ha of cereals and 1.6 mio ha of olive groves), c. 4-5 million ha of natural rangelands and c. 1

million ha of forest and maquis/garrigue scrublands. The main agricultural products of the country are wheat and barley,

olives, dates and citrus fruits for the plant sector and sheep for the animal sector. Agriculture contributes about 10 % to the

country’s GDP and employs about 15 % of the total labour force.

4. The 5-6 million ha (c. 35% of the national land area) of forest and pastoral ecosystems are of vital importance for

sustainable development in Tunisia. Even though they account for only about 2% of the country's GDP (2012) and 21 %

of agricultural GDP, they provide essential ecosystem services to the vast majority of rural communities (15 to 25% of

livestock food needs, 14% of household energy needs) and the entire country, through often unaccounted services in terms

of watershed protection and water supply in the north, and protection against wind erosion and the risk of desertification

in the south.

5. The forests of Tunisia comprise 368,000 ha of natural forests (incl. 200,000 ha Aleppo Pine), 311,080 ha of

plantation forests (incl. 161,221 ha of Aleppo Pine) and 336,788 ha of other forest types such as maquis/garrigue

scrublands. 95 % of these formations are state owned (forêts domaniales). The rangelands of Tunisia fall under an array of

tenure and management regimes: available figures indicate that c. 2.5 million ha are collective lands, c. 1.3 million ha are

private lands, and c. 1 million ha are state-owned “forest rangelands” (under oak, pine, thuya, maquis and garrigues); a

further c. 350,000-450,000 ha are Alfa (Stipa tenacissima, Poaceae) rangelands that are also mostly collective or state-

owned. Irrespective of land tenure, the majority (or all) of these rangelands legally fall under the forest management

regime (soumis au régime forestier).

6. Tunisia is part of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. It is home to 7,212 species, including 3749 terrestrial

animal and plant species, and 3463 species of marine and freshwater fauna and flora. This includes 165 plant taxa

endemic to Tunisia or the wider region, as well as c. 260 rare species – more than 200 species are listed in Tunisia’s Red

List.

7. Tunisia has 44 protected areas (17 national parks and 27 nature reserves), which together reach c. 6 % of the

country’s area. (see overview of PAs in Tunisia in Annex 2). The system of terrestrial protected areas is considered

representative. In contrast, the marine protected area estate is inadequately developed and expansion is a priority for the

future. The MARHP through the General Directorate for Forests (DGF) and the regional ministerial delegations

(Commissariats Régionaux au Développement Agricole, CRDA) oversees Tunisia’s PA system and its management and

financing. PAs (parks and reserves) are managed by a PA Manager who reports to the Chief of the Forest District in the

region, who in turn reports to the respective CRDA. Although these agencies are technically advanced and well-staffed, a

good number of PAs are not operationalised and PA management remains generally poor and under-financed. PAs and

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their wildlife and further natural resources are therefore exposed to rampant encroachment and exploitation, especially

since the 2010/2011 revolution that has led to a drop in governance and enforcement.

8. The central-western region targeted by the here-proposed project – besides being a national hotspot for land and

forest degradation – is at the same time home to a key subset of Tunisia’s terrestrial biological diversity. Ibero-North

African steppes such as the Alfa high steppes are rich in endemic species (e.g. close to 20% of the vascular plants in North

African steppes are endemic); further steppe types in the region are those with White Wormwood Artemisia herba-album,

Rhanterium suaveolens, Anthyllis henoniana, as well as halophytic steppes with Pomel Haloxylon schmittianum and H.

Scoparium. The region is also home to important forest remnants, especially on isolated mountains, including the best

remaining Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis forests in the country; some of these forest habitats are more akin to the ancestral

Alfa habitat where they include woody vegetation lost in those Alfa areas exposed to anthropogenic degradation.

9. The region also hosts a range of medicinal and aromatic plants including varieties of rosemary and Artemisia. In

terms of prominent animal species, the region is (or was) home to the Addax (Addax nasomaculatus CR), Cuvier's Gazelle

(Gazella cuvieri EN), Slender-horned Gazelle (Gazella leptoceros EN), Dorcas Gazelle (Gazella dorcas VU), Red-necked

Ostrich (the possibly critically endangered north-African subspecies Struthio camelus camelus), and the heavily hunted

Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata VU). Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah, EW) and Dama Gazelle (Nanger

dama CR) Addax (Addax nasomaculatus CR) were reintroduced to Bouhedma National Park in Sidi Bouzid (of which in

2015 c. 40 were left of the former but only 2 of the latter).

10. The main drivers of LD and BD loss in the region are habitat loss and fragmentation/degradation and lack of

connectivity between PA and fragile ecosystems driven by unsustainable agricultural and livestock production, and

pollution derived from agrochemicals and discharged pollutants from industrial processes into soil and water sources.

Additionally, although these ecosystems have close interlinkages in functions and are interdependent they remain poorly

managed with a lack of a coherent approach in place to landscape planning and management.

11. In the target region, while two PAs have been the focus of recent interventions (Chaambi NP in Kasserine – now an

insurgency hotspot; and Bouhedma NP on the border between Gafsa and Sidi Bouzid), all other PAs exist mainly on paper

and encroachment and over-exploitation abound. In addition the wide-ranging and worsening degradation of terrestrial

habitats not covered in the protected area system also affects biodiversity. The rangelands (including those dominated by

Alfa) with their threatened and/or endemic biodiversity are being degraded or converted. The areas of remaining natural

forests are exposed to over-exploitation, and the almost ubiquitous and poorly controlled grazing strongly reduces

undergrowth undermining natural regeneration and plant cover/diversity – leading to forest degradation. The outlook for

the region’s biodiversity is therefore dire and requires landscape-level interventions.

12. Threats to forests and rangelands cannot be addressed independently. Although highly fragile, semi-natural and

natural ecosystems, they are used for production purposes, hence present sustainability challenges if poorly managed.

Severe and increasing land degradation and desertification and related water scarcity are due partly to climate change and

related changes in precipitation and temperature regimes that are leading to a gradual aridification and northward

expansion of the Sahara desert. However, the principal drivers of this trend remain the unsustainable land use practices

and pollution by local communities and industries, such as bare-soil arboriculture, inadequate grazing regimes, excessive

livestock densities, or otherwise unsustainable extraction or conversion of the vegetative cover and chemical discharges

into soil and water sources.

13. Forests are affected by conversion and degradation caused by localised over-exploitation and especially

overgrazing: with the exception of areas set aside for natural regeneration and reforestation (including for 7 years after

fires) all forests are open to grazing – where deciduous forests and maquis are grazed throughout the year (with cattle

often left roaming over long periods) while conifer forests and garrigues are grazed from November to April [information

is not consistent]. Deforestation and fires affect a relatively small part of the forests, but may have substantial economic

costs. The economic value of all Tunisian forest goods and services was estimated based on two representative watersheds

(Siliana and Barbara) to a value of over $100 million (MA/DGF/FAO, 2013).

14. Rangelands are mainly affected by conversion into agricultural lands (34,000 ha per year) and by overgrazing or

other forms of overexploitation. Consequently, 37% of forest and pastoral areas of the country are in a deteriorated

condition, and 20% of rangelands have been cleared over the past 35 years. Moreover, these harmful processes, in

addition to poor farming practices in agricultural areas, expose the soil to degradation and erosion by wind and rain –

resulting in the loss of an estimated 13,000-23,000 ha of topsoil per year; estimates in 2010 indicated that about 47 % of

arable land in Tunisia is eroded.

8

15. Additionally, like many other developing and mid-income countries, Tunisia has a legacy of deficient management

of chemical pollutants from both household, and industrial sources with high environmental impacts linked to air and

water pollution, affecting human health, livehoods and ecosystem services such as drinking water and agriculture. A case

in point is the Kasserine pulp and chemical factory, explained below, located in the west-central region targeted by the

project.

16. The marginalised west-central region is a critical area for BD and ecosystem sustainability for the country which

clearly exemplifies the threats and problems identified. This region comprises the Governorates of Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid,

Kairouan and Gafsa and is subject to land and forest degradation and houses a key subset of Tunisia’s terrestrial biological

diversity. Poor land planning and unsustainable practices have had a severe impact on one of the country’s most

prominent and valuable ecosystems, the high steppes dominated by Alfa. Alfa Steppes are a naturally occurring

ecosystem, distributed primarily as a narrow belt in North Africa from Libya to Morocco, which today cover an area of

2,800,000 to 3,200,000 ha (the remains of c. 8,000,000 to 8,650,000 ha some decades ago: Algeria 4,000,000 ha, Morocco

2,200,000 ha, Tunisia 1,350,000 ha, Iberian Peninsula 600,000 ha, Libya 500,000 ha; noting that in the past Alfa habitats

contained woody species forming open forests, continuing degradation eliminated these and created the open steppe now

commonly associated with Alfa). Because of their extensive root systems, Alfa Steppes are considered one of the best

agents against land degradation and desertification and are therefore an asset of national and regional importance. Classed

as “rangelands under forest regime”, they have also for a long time provided a resource basis for local livelihoods and

socio-economic opportunities. Alfa is consumed by grazing livestock, and collected to serve as livestock substrate and

fodder or for sale as raw material towards the production of Alfa pulp/paper, a high-value product manufactured primarily

in one factory in Kasserine capital run by the government-owned Société Nationale de Cellulose et de Papier Alfa

(SNCPA). Populations used to sell the majority of collected Alfa to the paper factory, however this pattern has changed

because factory prices (150 Tunisian Dinar/Ton) are now lower than those paid by livestock breeders (200-250 TD/Ton),

creating conflicts between resource user and provider groups. Additionally, as explained below, this factory has created

high environmental impacts linked to air and water pollution, affecting human health and potentially contaminating

agriculture in the area. Alfa overexploitation from the different user groups as well as conversion into agricultural fields

has led to a continuing decline in Alfa density and total area under Alfa cover. A mere 350,000 to 450,000 ha remain in

Tunisia in often substantially fragmented and/or degraded patches. Today the land cover and land use pattern in the region

is a patchwork of private, collective or public agricultural lands (partly irrigated) and rangelands (Alfa Steppes)

interspersed with communities, orchards and remnants of (public) forests. A study (DGF/GIZ 2014) estimated the

economic value of goods and services provided by Alfa grass over the whole country and the costs of their degradation to

enable policy makers to take into account the actual value of these services in their decision making; the study estimated

the financial contribution of 450,000 ha of Alfa Steppes to 78 million TD / year.

17. The state-owned SNCPA paper/pulp and chemicals plant in Kasserine capital – which uses Alfa grass as a primary

material – produces normal paper destined for the local market, Alfa pulp primarily for export markets, as well as a range

of chemical products (hydrochloric acid, liquid soda and chlorine). The plant is one of the most important industry and

employment centres in the centre-west of the country, providing livelihoods for 6,000 families in the Kasserine, Gafsa,

Sidi Bouzid and Kairouan governorates. And yet, despite its socio-economic importance, the factory is an established

source of air, soil and water chemical pollution including most notably mercury and POPs including UPOPs

(Unintentionally-produced Persistent Organic Pollutants, e.g. dioxins/furans from operations and PCBs from

transformers) that have an environmental impact at the global level but also on the health of local populations and

ecosystems, namely surface and ground water resources. Paper plants are known to potentially cause mercury

contamination, and the Kasserine pant is the main source of mercury – it is estimated that it released 300 tonnes of

mercury over the 1960s-1990s period. Mercury is no longer directly released, since the plant modified its production

method, abandoning its mercury cell technology in 1998, but the legacy is still present on-site. There are also six PCB-

containing transformers on the site of the plant – three in service and three out of service. It is important to note that the

activity of chemical production has become relatively large in recent years at the SNCPA, as compared to the Alfa pulp-

based paper production process. Indeed, the SNCPA has been producing substantial amounts of elemental chlorine,

sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. The simultaneous production of chlorine and caustic soda could cause emissions

of significant amounts of PCDD / PCDF (dioxins and furans) depending on the type of electrodes used for the production

of chlorine. Even in case these emissions may no longer occur, there could be significant amount of remaining

concentration from past operations. Finally, it is important to note that such production processes are very energy-

intensive, which also represents an environmental dimension to take into account.

9

18. Moreover, chemical pollution related to agriculture has been documented. A recent assessment of the regional

potential in terms of agriculture2 showed the release of high levels of chlorine from the plant into water sources, leading to

high chlorine concentration and higher soil salinity, thus impacting both the soils in the valley as well as groundwater.

Chlorine level in soils is estimated between 92 and 114 mg/l and salinity level records have shown an important increase.

The pollution affecting water resources is especially relevant because the region is the main watershed/aquifer in the

country (“le château d’eau de la Tunisie”). Also, the SNCPA factory in Kasserine is surrounded by agricultural land

(Agrocombinat Oued Derb), by the plain of El Arish which contains an underflow and a large valley ("vallée

d’effondrement de Kasserine") which, together with the surface water network, represent a strategic water reservoir for the

country. Additionally, communities surrounding the plant in Kasserine are also exposed. Many feasibility studies on

improving the environmental performance / legacy in terms of chemical pollution have been conducted but few solutions

have been implemented despite the Government’s will to improve the sustainability of activities at the SNCPA factory –

due to the required investment for these solutions. The costs in terms for soil remediation are very high, as the plant has

been a major source of pollution. The overall remediation cost for the soil decontamination alone has been estimated at

about TD 36 Million ($16 million). The mercury dimension (additional support in the assessment of the decontamination

needs) of the past mercury-emitting production at the Kasserine plant is already addressed by another MSP which is

approved for implementation by UNIDO3 and will not be integrated in this MFA project.

19. Additional chemical pollution linked to agricultural is the related UPOPs emissions, having an impact on global

environment as well as on the health of local populations. While there is no general practice of burning agricultural waste

in the region, one of the concerns in terms of chemical pollution is the open burning of plastics, particularly of packages

of pesticides, by farmers. In terms of UPOPs, this is only an issue for chlorinated pesticides. A survey of agricultural

practices in the region conducted in 20124 outlined a common practice for managing plastic waste in the region, which

seems to be mostly through open burning and found that 68% of farmers regularly got rid of old pesticide plastic packings

by burning them. This uncontrolled combustion generates important emissions. In addition, 35% of respondents declared

also throwing the packings in nature or in the oueds, with other potential environmental impacts (though this is not direct

POPs pollution, since POPs pesticides are no longer used in Tunisia).

20. Reflecting on the above, improving the protection and management of forests and pastoral ecosystems (including

the critical Alfa Steppes), and the management of industrial and agrochemicals, whilst ensuring the sustainability of the

livelihood base of poor marginalized communities, has been declared a national priority. Such efforts are illustrated by the

new National Strategy for the Development and Sustainable Management of Forests and Rangelands 2015-2024 having

been adopted, presenting a new vision that acknowledges the linkages between conservation of forests and rangelands

with the socio-economic development of communities. Moreover, the new Agricultural Policy 2016-2020 currently under

development will incorporate a strategic axis to create an enabling environment to guide the practices of stakeholders

towards the sustainable management of natural resources and discourage agricultural practices leading to environmental

degradation. Additionally, there is awareness about the issues of chemical pollution which has grown over the past

decade with the country having signed and ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in

2001 and 2004, respectively, and also recently signed the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury. Lastly, the country is

making efforts to attain more sustainable and integrated use of natural resources as mandated through the variety of action

plans that have been developed to safeguard LD and BD, and water, such as the National Action Plan to Combat

Desertification (PAN-LCD), having been developed in 2000, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2009,

currently under revision, and the new Strategy for Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) 2016-2020 under preparation

which envisions the spatial planning of SWC at the watershed level rather than at the site level5. (Further analysis of legal

framework provided in Section 6, Consistency with National Priorities).

21. With the current status of LD, BD and water and soil quality and related health problems, urgent action is required.

National priorities to improve management of natural resources applies especially to the country’s central-western region,

which remains one of the most marginalised and highly vulnerable to increasing environmental degradation. Seeking

solutions for this region is also a political priority because it is here where the Arab Spring uprising began in 2010 – with

social unrest resurfacing again recently. Consequently, the project will target the region with the aim of improving the

2 MAREP-CRDA Kasserine - Etude de faisabilité de la deuxième phase du projet de développement agricole intégré du sud du gouvernorat de

Kasserine -Etude réalisée par AGRO-SERVICES en Octobre 2015. Pp 169-171. 3 https://www.thegef.org/gef/project_detail?projID=8000 4 Campagne Intensive de Vulgarisation sur l’utilisation et la gestion rationnelle des pesticides dans les gouvernorats de Nabeul, Monastir, Béja,

Sidi Bouzid et Gabè – ANGED, 2012. 5 For detailed discussion of national plans and policies refer to section 11.

10

management of the above mentioned fragile ecosystems whilst building the resilience and wellbeing of the vulnerable

human communities whose livelihoods depend on them for survival.

1b) Root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

22. The following root causes underpinning, and barriers to resolving, the above challenges prevail in Tunisia:

23. At national level, the legal framework (strategies, policies, laws, regulations) and institutional framework as well as

investments across subsectors responsible for land use and natural resources (MARHP and MEDD regarding agriculture,

pastoralism, livestock farming, forestry, water, soils, biodiversity) are generally poorly integrated and do not consider

reciprocal impacts on each other, leading to misaligned objective-setting and incentives and to counter-productive

interventions on the ground (e.g. to increase grazing livestock herds in an area with already degraded range and forest

lands, including through direct government support to breeders, subsequently leaving the government with the need to

restore degraded lands). Moreover the structure of the resulting sub-agencies and their mandates tend to be confusing and

overlapping in some aspects, and at the same time leave some important governance gaps – e.g. the MARHP DGF focuses

primarily on private (via OEP) and public via (via DGF) rangelands but is in practice virtually absent from the

management of collective rangelands. Additionally, BD conservation budgets are limited and often it is not clear what is

being spent on BD.

24. In addition a range of legal and regulatory planning tools are outdated (e.g. forestry code) or altogether missing

(e.g. pastoral code). The framework (legal system and institutional: personnel, mandate, decision-making capacity) also

do not allow for any co-management or outsourced management of natural resources, forests or protected areas between

the public sector and local or private stakeholders (indeed, the government-managed system has impeded a better

involvement of and ownership by such stakeholders and prevented a sharing of the responsibilities and benefits of natural

resource management).

25. Moreover, land tenure (private, collective, public) of agricultural, range and forest lands as well as the management

regimes applicable to each remain confusing and unresolved, which inter alia complicates integrated land use planning

and leads to difficulties in communicating rights and responsibilities to local stakeholders; in result collective lands

especially remain exposed to unsustainable exploitation. Also the institutional responsibilities in this context are not

altogether clear and leave governance gaps. And the spatial distribution of land tenure and applicable management

regimes is not available in a consistent and geographically explicit database that captures the data/ views of the different

relevant government sub-sectors. Tunisia’s Agricultural Land Agency has initiated work on collective agricultural lands,

legalising/issuing land titles for farmers under management rules but also returning lands to the state, yet the tenure

situation of collective range and forest lands remain untackled. A study on forest land tenure was conducted under a

REDD Readiness project but has not been taken further since a workshop in early 2016, and it is also unclear how the

REDD scheme could be linked to the sustainable use model promoted by DGF/World Bank.

26. One root cause of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in particular is linked to the fact that biodiversity

conservation efforts are almost exclusively articulated through the national system of protected areas that are exclusively

managed by the government. Government institutions charged with management remain weak with inefficient on-the-

ground presence. Lack of involvement by local communities living in adjacent lands have led to the latter overexploiting

resources through hunting, grazing and deforestation in an unsustainable way, often tapping on PA resources. There are

few sustainable value chains that local communities have access to for their livelihoods. PA governance and management

systems still tend to focus exclusively on site based PA, focusing on key biodiversity areas, and too limited in size to

conserve large home range animals or to enable connectivity of the broader ecosystems contained in the landscape.

27. In general, environmental matters have taken the backstage especially since social unrest led to the 2011 revolution

and many societal challenges have remained unresolved since. Environmental concerns may be reflected in high-level

commitments, however these do often not translate into tangible actions. A National Commission for Sustainable

Development created in 19936 has not been effective in bringing the environmental constraints of economic development

to the fore, and is currently defunct.

28. While the investment by government and its cooperation partners in the expansion and development of agriculture

and livestock management is considerable, the financing assigned for sustainability and environmental management –

such as for sustainable land and forest management, for biodiversity/PAs and for addressing harmful chemical pollution –

remains very limited. Interest in developing a Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme exists in the natural resource

6 Décrets n° 93-2061 du 11 octobre 1993, n° 94-2538 du 12 décembre 1994 et n° 95-1037 du 12 juin 1995.

11

sectors and studies have been conducted, however a resulting proposal to create a water tax was rejected/ withdrawn and

buyers potential are not identified at this stage.

29. At the regional and local community levels, the above challenges become more punctuated. The MARHP and

MEDD regional service centres (i.e. especially CRDAs) are relatively well-staffed and resourced where they relate to

mainstream agricultural production support, yet inadequately trained, resourced and incentivised with regard to

environmental sustainability and management issues. One salient exception to the latter is the existence of significant and

widespread soil and water conservation infrastructures and planting in the landscape; although this should help reduce

erosion and stabilise soils –unsustainable agricultural and grazing practices is still not sufficiently addressed, and

continues to be the root cause of land degradation. Infrastructure works are also mainly government-executed or financed.

An important barrier to a more sustainable management system is the absence of demarcation between range grounds and

forest lands. The same applies to the PAs, which have not yet been fully operationalised. PA sustainability remains

contingent on improved management capacities in addition to raised awareness on sustainable land and forest

management within multiple use zones and in the surrounding areas.

30. Local farmers and pastoralists lack the technical capacity and clear incentives to engage in more sustainable land

use practices and also lack knowledge of and access to more sustainable livelihood choices. Wherefore in the wake of the

2011 revolution illegal activities such as land grabbing, hunting and deforestation increased further accentuating land

degradation, the marginalization of poor communities also increased. In addition, past state-driven programmes have not

led to local community empowerment. The notion of sustainable co-management or private management of collective or

public lands, including of protected areas, continues to be absent. Involving communities in such management schemes is

a means to increase ownership of lands creating incentives for sustainable use. Urgent support must be provided through

strong extension services to prevent the severe degradation common both to state owned, communal and private lands.

31. A key final barrier to land use sustainability is also that the ground vegetation in some range and forest lands has

become so degraded that seed banks need to be restored. However only limited experience and infrastructure exists at

national level, with the regional and local levels lacking the means to improve land use sustainability.

32. With regard to chemical pollution, local farmers largely lack awareness of the environmental and health hazards

caused by the burning of agricultural and plastic waste and the contamination by non treated waste water into the ground

or drinking water sources. The CRDAs have not conducted any major targeted campaigns in this sense, and there is

inadequate agri-waste collection infrastructure. In contrast, significant awareness exists about the chemical pollution from

the SNCPA Kasserine pulp and paper plant and there have been many calls to clean up its operations. Assessments of

mercury stocks and emission reduction options are available or under development, but there is still insufficient data on

UPOPs in particular and inadequate incentives to implement the SNCPA environmental management plan, given that the

plant faces challenges to its economic viability – inter alia because of a reduced availability of Alfa grass raw material

and loss of markets. The government has reviewed the options for the future of this public plant, and decided that because

of its importance for employment in a region of social unrest (and armed insurgency) it will continue operations. The

barrier to concurrently investing into the clean-up is an issue of political and investment priority, which this project here

proposes to boost.

2) The baseline scenario expected for the anticipated project implementation period (2018-2022).

33. To address the above challenges and barriers, the Government of Tunisia and its partners plan to undertake the

following activities and investments over the coming years:

Sustainable Land and Forest Management and Protected Areas

34. With a focus on the 4 targeted governorates, the MARHP and CRDAs, under the National Programme for Forest

and Pastoralism, will implement activities for protecting forests against fire, soil and water conservation, integrated forest

and rangeland management, updating of forest management plans, reforestation, and for supporting the operationalization

and strengthening of PAs / biodiversity conservation. The baseline investment is estimated at $15,000,000.

35. Complementing these allocations, through national budgetary sources the AFD and WB will provide large loan

investments of $50 million and $100 million respectively, of which $26,243,000 (AFD) and $20,000,000 (WB) account as

baseline. Both the DGACTA/AFD and DGF/WB projects are primarily single-agency investment projects targeting

forests and rangelands in and adjacent to a number of existing and potential PA sites. The AFD activities will focus on

natural resource management, capacity development for territorial governance aimed at sustainable development water

12

and soil sustainable management, forest and rangeland co-management, and economic valuation and development of

natural resources. WB activities focus mainly on strengthening restoration and integrated management (co-management)

of agro-silvo-pastoral landscapes, developing agro-silvo-pastoral value chains, and strengthening the institutional and

legal framework to build these systems. However, the need to secure global environmental benefits such as through

biodiversity conservation is not clearly articulated wherefore the Government of Tunisia through MEDD has requested

dedicated support through the here-proposed project to add essential technical assistance, wider cross-sectoral

coordination and bench-marking to ensure that environmental objectives are fully achieved in these larger landscape

development projects.

36. In addition, baseline activities of the National Programme of the Office of Livestock and Pasture/MARHP

involving cactus and pastoral plantations to improve private rangelands over an area of 34,000 ha, amount to $850,000.

Baseline investment under the National Programme of DGACTA/MARHP for forestry and pastoral plantations are

estimated at $375,000. AFDB baseline investments under a poverty reduction project in the Governorate of Gafsa will

amount to $215,000 for pasture improvement and water and soil conservation works, and $390,000 to develop income-

generating activities for women and youth around Jebel Orbata National Park.

37. With regard to the MEDD, based on the current national budget of the DGEQV, the Government will invest

$250,000 for biodiversity management in the 4 targeted governorates. The DGEQV with the WB have been implementing

two GEF-funded projects focused on biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods: Oases Ecosystems and Livelihoods Project

on improving the sustainable management of natural resources and promoting the diversification of livelihoods in

traditional oases of southern Tunisia, including on the southern slopes of the NR Jebel Orbata, of which an estimated

$2,000,000 are considered baseline investment. And MENARID: Ecotourism and conservation of desert biodiversity

whose objectives include biodiversity conservation and desert lands sustainability in three national parks (Bouhedma in

Sidi Bouzid; Jbil; Dghoumes) and rural economic and livelihood diversification , of which $1,000,000 are considered

baseline investment.

Chemicals and waste management

38. Several ongoing programmes related to Chemicals and Waste funded by the GEF will continue in the first years of

implementation of this project.

39. Implemented by the government through support by different agencies in the region we can mention the following:

1- ANGED / MEDD / WB-GEF project implemented to reduce releases of dioxins, furans and PCBs in Tunisia, by

strengthening the country’s legal and institutional framework and by establishing sound and sustainable management

programs for improving management and final disposal of PCBs and of healthcare wastes to avoid related UPOPs

emissions, funded with a budget of $5,500,0007. This project address 65% of the initial stock of PCBs in Tunisia

(estimated at 1,700 tonnes), with Kasserine as part of the 17 Governorates that were inventoried; 2- WB-GEF project to

clean-up stockpiles of obsolete pesticides, including POPs, and introduce preventive measures that would ensure

sustainability of the operation by preventing the creation of new stockpiles, with $4,000,000 earmarked for Tunisia; 3-

UNEP-GEF regional project budgeted at $4.2 million aiming to build capacity and generate data on analysis of POPs in

air, water and maternal milk; assess existing analytical capacities and strengthen capacity for sustainable national POPs

monitoring; 4- UNIDO- GEF with a budget of $220,000 with the goal to update the National Implementation Plan for the

Stockholm Convention; 5- UNIDO-GEF with a budget of $600,000, undertaking the Minamata Initial Assessment, and

reinforcing laboratory capacity and supporting additional studies and awareness raising at the Kasserine pulp and paper

plant; 6- Finally, UNIDO-GEF estimated at $2,350,000, is exclusively focusing on the mercury heritage at the plant.

40. In terms of further baseline initiatives, the SNCPA has determined, through a series of assessments, that the

environmental upgrade of its Kasserine facility would cost c. $16 million. Although the financing is still being sought, the

social and economic importance of the plant for the region and the country make it plausible that part of the needs will be

covered over the duration of the present project and thus complement its activities. One should note as well that such

equipment investments will not be eligible for GEF funding itself, which can only be applied to complement these

activities. An estimated $3,000,000 are anticipated as co-financing, to be funded by the government-owned and already-

subsidised SNCPA.

41. On a broader spectrum of activities in the region, the Government of Tunisia (MEDD- Ministry of Regional

Development and Planning, Governorates) are being supported by GIZ and Swiss Cooperation to develop sectoral plans

7 http://www.anged.nat.tn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129&Itemid=220

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focusing on waste management as part of regional sustainable development strategies, they can help structure the overall

upgrade of regional regulations and planning aimed at limiting the potential impact of POPs emissions. This type of

analytical and policy support is estimated to represent $500,000.

42. Finally, extension activities as well as training and communication by the MARHP and ANGED, estimated at

$500,000 over the duration of the project, will provide support to agricultural practices in the region. Although difficult to

assess precisely in terms of finance over the duration of this project, these will obviously represent complementary

programmes to any activities engaging the agricultural sector on avoidance of open burning of plastic packages of

pesticides. (See Annex 5 for detailed information including programme, project, implementing entity and baseline).

3) Proposed alternative scenario (GEF focal area strategies)

43. To address the above-mentioned root causes and barriers in conjunction with the baseline scenario interventions,

the project will enhance cross-sectoral integrated planning, financing, management and restoration of agro-silvo-pastoral

landscapes and protected areas, while concurrently reducing human and environmental health hazards from pollution from

POPs in the vulnerable west-central region of Tunisia. The project will work on three integrated components, as follows:

Component 1: Strengthening legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks related to natural resource and ecosystem

management

44. This Component will deliver the following four Outcomes: 1.1 Increase in institutional awareness and capacity at

the national level regarding the need to enhance overall coherence and effectiveness across land and natural resource

sectors/ subsectors; 1.2 A comprehensive integrated legal, policy and institutional framework in place at MARHP and

MEDD enabling enhanced management interventions at all levels, with increased consistency and alignment of strategies,

action plans and investments across these different sectors/ subsectors; 1.3 Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use

as well as PA planning and management mainstreamed into the MAHRT restructuring and into the design, financing and

implementation of its overall programming, and; 1.4 New financing for sustainable natural resource / land management

and biodiversity / PAs.

45. To achieve this, the project and its partners will at national level work with MARHP and MEDD to strengthen

cross-sectoral land use planning, investments and implementation across the most relevant land and natural resource

sectors/ subsectors (farming, pastoralism, intensive livestock breeding, forestry, biodiversity conservation, and the

Kasserine pulp and paper plant as Alfa grass user) and thereby foster greater socio-economic and environmental

sustainability.

46. The project will first conduct a review of the related national/ sub-national policy, legal and regulatory frameworks,

identifying gaps and complementarities as well as conflicts and inconsistencies in current frameworks, and resolving these

through the adoption of a more effective and integrated framework. In doing so it will also fill already-identified missing

or outdated policy and legislation gaps (environmental code, forestry code, pastoralism code, soil and water code,

National Forests and Reforestation Plan, forest management plans), revise land tenure legislation and related application

rules, revise natural resource governance models, and develop a framework for co-management and valuation of pastoral

and forest resources by local communities.

47. In a consequential step, the project will then work to strengthen and/or transform the institutional framework of

relevant national agencies (MARHP, MEDD) to enhance coherence, service quality and investments. This will include i)

establishment and implementation of formal reorganization procedures; ii) an in-depth institutional analysis and definition

of the target organizational structure and the drafting of related organisational decrees and orders; and (iii)

strengthening/transformation of human, technical and material capacity of key institutions and their decentralized

services, including through detailed assessments of existing ands required human resource needs (qualifications,

competencies) and recruitment, promotion, and training plans. Appropriate mechanisms and procedures will be developed

and implemented to control the entire reorganization process and monitor its implementation and performance, such as

ensuring a smooth translation of these strategic objectives into action.

48. Under the above work streams, special attention will be given by the project to ensure that biodiversity

conservation, integrated landscape approaches, sustainable resource use considerations, and PA planning and management

are fully reflected in the restructuring of MAHRT and into the design, financing and implementation of its overall

programming.

14

49. The project will furthermore develop and set up a more comprehensive and state-of-the-art GIS-based MRV system

and platform at MARHP, to identify, inventorise, map and monitor land potential, land use (agriculture, range and forest

lands, PAs, etc.) and the state and vulnerability of natural resources, and to measure the impact of management

interventions. This will involve the preparation of a first complete national summary inventory of these land based

resources.

50. To better inform central cross-sectoral land use planning decisions, including those that fall under the above review

of the MARHP and MEDD policy and institutional frameworks, the project will conduct economic valuations (CBA or

similar) and especially Targeted (Trade-Off) Scenario Analyses for the above sectors/ subsectors and their goals, to

inform related land use trade-off recommendations.

51. Moreover the project will undertake a Public Expenditure Review (PER) of the MARHP and MEDD, covering the

budgets and realised expenditures for the natural resources sector and biodiversity, to determine the financing baseline,

enhance investment and disbursement effectiveness and efficiency, and concurrently identify opportunities for revenue

generation and realignment effectiveness.

52. Finally, the project will work towards identifying and mobilising new financing solutions, including revenue

generating mechanisms, for sustainable natural resource / land management and biodiversity/PAs in Tunisia. Budgets will

be realigned and spending effectiveness and efficiency of the MARHP and MEED will be enhanced in this respect,

through a comprehensive assessment of potential options, to include new revenue generating mechanisms and a better use

and realignment of existing resources emerging from a Public Expenditure Review, that will be conducted through the

project. Key recommendations will be adopted and operationalised.

Component 2: Participatory sustainable land and forest management and restoration in selected landscapes of the targeted

governorates

53. This Component will deliver the following three Outcomes, in 4 intervention sites to be selected in the

governorates of Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan and Gafsa8: 2.1 As contribution to Tunisia’s UNCCD voluntary target

on Land Degradation Neutrality: participatory sustainable land management and forest protection plans implemented by

government and local actors under co-management regimes across 20,000 ha of rangelands (incl. Alfa Steppes) and

20,000 ha of standing forests outside PAs; 2.2 Restoration of forests, ecosystem functions and native vegetation through

active planting next to standing forests; 2.3 Direct and indirect socio-economic, health, ecosystem service, water quality,

and gender benefits to local communities and stakeholders.

54. This component of the project seeks to improve the wellbeing of local communities through integrated landscape

management. This will result in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, SLM and SFM, biodiversity

conservation, sustainable surface and ground water management and climate change resilience. The project will begin by

conducting an assessment of the status (land use, conservation, productivity, degradation, etc.) of agricultural, range and

forest lands in the targeted regions, stratified as per tenure regime, to improve the knowledge base on these agro-sylvo-

pastorales resources. Information will enable to establish priority land uses for SLM and biodiversity conservation for the

landscape. Together with the trade-off analyses and recommendations delivered through national level work under

Component 1, this will provide baseline information for integrated landscape planning, help determine any required

changes in land use and of more appropriate management schemes, and help identify suitable areas for land restoration in

the targeted regions.

55. Several intensive week-long technical and management trainings will be provided to 400+ staff of relevant regional

and local stakeholders (CRDAs, municipalities and Groupes Multisectoriels de Partenariat [GMP]) which include

members from local communities, Agricultural Development Groups, local NGOs and private businesses, producers and

users of natural resources) to strengthen the implementation of management plans covering a range of issues relevant to

integrated land management: this will inter alia cover any institutional reforms of MARHP and MEDD, changes in tenure

regimes and their pilot application, as well as technical trainings on integrated landscape planning and best-practices in

8 Candidate sites from which these will be selected (all with PA area in ha, and Governorate/s): Bouhedma, 16,488 ha, Gafsa/Sidi Bou Sid; Jebel

Serj, 1,720 ha, Kairouan/Siliana; Jebel Mghilla, 16,249 ha, Kasserine/Sidi Bouzid; Jebel Zaghdoud, 1,792 ha, Kairouan; Jebel Orbata, 5,746 ha,

Gafsa; Jebel Touati, 961 ha, Kairouan; Jebel Rihana-Jebel Goulèbe, 2,000 ha, Sidi Bouzid. Further sites of potential interest – all in Kasserine –

with significant forest and rangeland/Alfa steppe remnants on ridges/mountains are: in South Kasserine; two ridges/mountains in Sbeitla area to

the north/northeast of Kasserine capital between Boulaaba and Sabibah; around Dawwar Sidi Musammad Bu al Qurun (Sbiba/Jedeliane area)

northwest of Sabibah; around Boughanem between Thala and Foussanem in N Kasserine.

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sustainable land and forest management, on native seed collection and propagation, community based prevention and

containment mechanisms for forest fires, and on co-management governance regimes.

56. The project will then, together with the GMPs, develop a series of integrated landscape management plans, merging

inter alia socio-economic and agricultural development, poverty reduction, sustainable land and forest management,

biodiversity conservation, surface and ground water management and climate change resilience.

57. With regard specifically to the targeted sites, the project will (working especially with and through DGF/WB and

DGACTA/AFD and their projects) conduct and accompany on-site interventions in pilot sites to demonstrate, on the basis

of regional integrated landscape planning, best-practice of rangeland and forest management based on community co-

management principles . The project will help implement site specific participatory sustainable land and silvo-pastoral

resource co-management agreements with communities and related local associations and cooperatives and involving the

GMPs, including developing zoning plans, ground demarcation of grazing and forest lands that reflect tenure regimes and

piloting changes in land tenure regimes; grazing set-asides and animal enclosures, planting and harvesting of

supplementary green feedstock and production of dry feedstock (sub-products from olives, acacia, etc.), enrichment

seeding with native pastoral species in degraded rangelands with impoverished seed banks. Additionally, assistance will

be provided in natural regeneration and planting of native tree species, as appropriate in suitable locations, building on

existing yet not scaled-up experiences. Lastly, the project will also focus on building forest fire prevention measures.

Activities will enable to control illegal land conversion, reduce livestock grazing impacts on ground vegetation, control

overexploitation of natural resources including Alfa grass, and protect/ restore native vegetation and ecosystem functions.

The resource co-management agreements will be signed for five years and accrue communities greater rights in resource

use whilst promoting their contribution to sustainable resource management and protection. Over the course of the project

evaluations will take place to assess if the model merits even further upscaling in Tunisia.

58. The project will furthermore work to catalyze new livelihood and employment opportunities in the target

governorates and sites, by supporting the development and promotion of new industries, value chains and micro/small

enterprises based on a sustainable use of agroforestry and non-timber forest products (mainly rosemary, pine nuts, capers,

mushrooms, Myrte Myrtus communis, Mastic Pistacia lentiscus, Carob Ceratonia siliqua), ensuring that the sustainable

resource use and biodiversity considerations are fully integrated into planning and activities. Sustainable livelihood

activities and small business / cooperative development will moreover be strengthened through community organising as

well as capacity development and extension services for business development, including through the strengthening of a

SME Business Support Service Platform (complementing existing national institutions such as APIA, APII and CEPEX

and regional development organisations such as ODNO and ODCO) and the availability of micro-credits to finance sylvo-

pastoral value-chain related investment plans through the creation of a competitive SME Productivity and Innovation

Fund.

59. To achieve more effective land restoration in severely degraded lands with depleted seed banks during the project’s

lifetime and especially over the longer term, the project will – in collaboration with OEP and a number of further agencies

underwriting the importance of this element (IRA, INAT, INRAT, BNG) – set up, furnish and operationalise one or

several seed banks / plant nurseries dedicated to native pastoral & tree species for enrichment seeding/planting. This will

entail also the development of a specific legal and policy framework, the search and designation of one or several private

management entities for these (as the preferred option) and the geo-referenced collection together with local people of

native seeds and/or plants from suitable areas including PAs, the multiplication of these seeds and plants in sufficient

quantities (including via contractual arrangements) and their distribution for use in ecosystem and biodiversity restoration

by the project and its MARHP partner agencies, etc. It will lead to the development of a catalogue with validated native

rangeland species, their distribution and their enrichment/reseeding potential in different ecological zones. All of this will

be underpinned by dedicated capacity training relating to this element to selected local people, government staff and any

private entity.

60. Additionally, to address chemical and waste contamination of the Kasserine Alfa pulp and paper plant, which is a

major threat to ecosystem sustainability and human health, technical support will be provided to develop long-term

solutions, as part of a pilot ‘Green Chemistry’ approach to minimize the emission of harmful chemicals and POPs related

to production processes, as well as its chemicals production unit. Broader lessons learnt and strategic options to further

minimise the impact of chemical/POPs emissions on the ecosystems and the health of the communities in the region will

result from these actions. This will be done in synergy with the analysis conducted on the mercury pollution related to the

plant, as these are obviously related areas.

61. Support the adoption of a waste management strategy at the regional level which emphasizes the linkages between

chemicals (POPs) pollution control and the long-term impact on the ecosystems and population of the region will be

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provided. Analyses are being conducted at the provincial levels on the waste management conditions and possible

strategies. The project will support these efforts and bring a specific technical dimension related to POPs emissions in the

context of the Stockholm Convention obligations, and will help highlight connections between both chemical pollution

abatement as well as ecosystems protection and socioeconomic developments. In that sense, it will support the application

of the synergistic approach of SDGs at the provincial level.

62. The project will equally work to ensure that the concepts of sustainable resource use and SLM are mainstreamed

into their business model and procurement chain, of the plant in Kasserine, especially now that the government has taken

a decision to maintain the plant because of its social importance and despite the concerns about its economic viability.

63. The project will conduct an assessment of the current situation regarding dioxin and furan emissions from the

various production activities and of the PCB content of its transformers and generally, of the emissions from the factory’s

processes, including from its chemicals production activities. This initial assessment will provide a detailed analysis of the

sources and quantity of 1. UPOPs emissions of the plant, both from its paper production but also its chemicals production

activities; and 2. The PCB quantities contained in the 3 operating transformers on the site as well as the 3 out of service.

These six potentially large transformers (considering the size and electricity needs of the plant) could contain a significant

quantity of PCBs, and it seems that, although inventoried, they have not been treated yet by the World Bank GEF project

on PCBs in the country. Assessment of possible pollution of the soil by PCBs will also be conducted. The UPOPs

emission analysis will complement the assessment conducted by UNIDO of the situation as it relates to mercury at the

Kasserine plant.

64. An action plan will be developed to reduce UPOPs emissions and manage PCBs, including safeguarding the stocks

of PCBs and providing estimated costs and possible financing options. Building on the initial assessments and on a

general “Green Chemistry analysis”, this output will propose remedial actions to reduce UPOPs emissions of the plant as

well as options to safeguard and eventually dispose of the PCBs contained on the site. It will highlight whether there is a

specific need related to the decontamination of the site in case of spillages of PCBs into the ground. As part of the project,

synergy will be sought with other POPs-management projects (particularly the GEF PCB national project) to ensure that

the most economical storage solution is identified, as well as possible linkages with disposal operations (destruction

abroad in Stockholm Convention-compliant facilities).

65. Priority actions identified in the action plan to reduce UPOPs (and any chlorine-related) emissions, and

manage/dispose of PCBs will be implemented. The most urgent and achievable activities identified in the Action Plan will

be undertaken under this output, both as they relate to UPOPs and PCBs – and potentially other chlorine-related releases.

It has also been noted that in the environmental plan of the of the Kasserine plant, an activity relates to the acquisition of

an incinerator for the Alfa waste. As incinerators are potential sources of dioxin and furan emissions, this output will also

provide technical support to inform this decision and help select the most environmentally-appropriate solution. As a

result of a Green Chemistry analysis, the target will be to reduce POPs emissions of the plant.

66. To reduce UPOP emissions from the burning of plastic agricultural waste, particularly of pesticide containers, in the

target regions, the project will work on Capacity development and support to CRDAs (4), agricultural cooperatives (20)

and individual farmers (1000). This will build on ongoing programmes by the Ministry of agriculture, to add an additional

dimension related to the awareness raising and promotion of best practices related to the management of used old

packages containing pesticides – particularly chlorinated pesticides, which would emit UPOPs when burnt. In general, the

programmes should push toward an attitude shift away from the common, convenient practice of open burning as a means

of waste disposal. This will benefit from the experience conducted in other countries in this field. The anticipated

activities would be to propose a collection program as well as education to promote triple rinsing on application which

effectively eliminates substantial residuals. For each of these types of activities, there is ample experiences and materials

to build upon. Support will thus be provided to farmers to promote the adoption of improved practices avoiding burning of

plastic agricultural waste, particularly of pesticide packaging. Addressing the burning of plastic package of pesticides is

only one part of the overall need to improve agricultural practices related to pesticides. The project activities under this

component must be integrated within larger efforts and projects that may be focusing more generally on safer use and

better practices related to pesticides. This would maximize the benefits in terms of biodiversity. Additionally, the project

will also (if judged possible and, particularly, economically viable, at the PPG stage) support the establishment of a

system to create jobs for youth, based on a public-private partnership or an CSO-implemented activity. This system will

support the collection and environmentally sound management of plastic containers of pesticides, fertilizers and other

chemicals used in the farming community in the region, thus promoting a long-term sustainable economic activity. This

will thus ensure the creation of green jobs as part of the project outcome.

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67. Public awareness/ communication media campaign at regional level, explaining the potential impact of unabated

chemical pollution as well as actions being taken and long-term options to minimise risks to the environment and the

communities’ health. This will focus on activities to demonstrate the impact of chemical pollution, its sources in the

region, and the potential impact on environment, communities, and on the economic situation in the region. This will

benefit from the support of local government’s institutions as well as from ministry’s representations in the region. The

outreach would be more efficient with engagement of the local communities, possibly through the support of CSOs – this

will need to be defined at the PPG stage.

Component 3: Conservation and sustainable use of key biodiversity sites in the targeted governorates

68. This Component will deliver the following two Outcomes, in the above mentioned 4 intervention sites: 3.1

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use as well as PA planning and management fully mainstreamed into DGF/

World Bank and DGACTA/ AFD project activities across the above c. 40,000 ha outside PAs; 3.2 Increased PA

management effectiveness provides greater protection to globally significant habitats and species habitats over c. 20,000

ha of PA area.

69. The project will focus on the targeted PAs making sure PAs and staff are equipped ensuring that at least basic

operations and staff are skilled and PA are sufficiently staffed to implement appropriate management approaches that will

be developed and implemented under the project. The conditions and land use of biodiversity and natural resources will be

assessed and plans updated through biological and socio-economic surveys, as part of the establishment of a long-term

monitoring program for Tunisia’s PAs. PA boundaries will be demarcated using landmarks and signage, basic

infrastructure and equipment for transport communication, surveillance and monitoring will be made available; and PA

management staff and guards will be trained on PA management following landscape approaches. The project will also

update or develop the necessary PA management tools (5-year management and surveillance plans, financing plans,

annual work plans and budgets) with full participation of relevant stakeholders and aligned with the above sustainable

land management and co-management goals. The implementation of PA management plans will be supported for all PAs

by relevant ministries, within their budgets and plans. In this context, the project will also assess and realise opportunities

for Public-Private Partnerships for PA management, including in the context of sustainable use co-management schemes

and related value chain creation.

70. Under this component, the project will provide support to adopt landscape and ecosystem approaches to PA

management (in accordance with overall landscape plans and tools, developed through Output 2.1, and following

community based management approaches, facilitated through Output 2.2) where multiple land uses may prevail enabling

sustainable use by communities whilst maintaining ecosystem and biodiversity integrity, ultimately enhancing

sustainability of PAs and ecosystems. Regular reviews of interventions engaged under the large DGF/WB and

DGACTA/AFD projects will be conducted, with guidance provided on biodiversity and PAs to ensure these aspects are

fully integrated during their implementation. No enable this, biological and socio-economic data will be collected on the

status of biodiversity and natural resources within the targeted PAs; management plans and inventories will be updated;

and a long-term monitoring program for Tunisia’s PAs will be established including the effect of threats reduction from

integrated landscape approaches; options for new corridors. Trainings will be conducted in this respect to ensure technical

staff, relevant stakeholders and communities have full understanding and capacities for integrated landscape management.

71. Lastly, the project will encourage Public-Private Partnerships for PA co-management by identifying through

assessment existing opportunities for PPPs. Additionally, the project will facilitate the creation of partnership agreements

between national PA authorities and private sector and/or local communities in the context of sustainable use co-

management schemes. Such partnerships with the private sector aim to promote the development of sustainable local

livelihoods through value chain creation.

4 & 5) Global environmental benefits and incremental/additional cost reasoning

72. GEF-6 funding for this multi-focal area project will contribute in an incremental manner to addressing the above-

described challenges, root causes and barriers, and generate multiple global and local environmental and socio-economic

benefits, as follows:

73. Sustainable Land and Forest Management. Given that livestock grazing occurs virtually throughout all forest

ecosystems in Tunisia, it is difficult to spatially separate rangeland and forest management. The project will create an

environment conducive to better management, protection and restoration of productive, semi-natural and natural

ecosystems and of their ecosystem functions in degraded pastoral and forest landscapes. Actively protecting and restoring

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agro-pastoral ecosystems (including most notably Alfa Steppes) in the selected landscapes in Tunisia’s central-western

regions through the reduction of pressures from competing and excessive resource utilisation (i.e. from agro-pastoral

activities and the collection of raw material for industrial and animal farming purposes) and through the implementation

of integrated land use plans and sustainable land management practices (involving stakeholders from public and private

sectors as well as local communities), will counter further land degradation and improve essential ecosystem services

(such as erosion control, enhanced topsoil protection and soil formation, soil fertility and carbon sequestration). Alfa grass

is known to be a particularly effective barrier against desertification wherefore this has even farther-reaching implications

(infrastructure, housing, health, etc.). The project will thus also help Tunisia achieve its goals towards the Land

Degradation Neutrality commitment it undersigned. The project with its partners will equally engage in measures to

actively improve forest ecosystem protection and management in the selected sites, through a first level of upscaling of

newly developed co-management agreements between the public authorities and local communities. While the above

SLM measures reducing grazing pressure will favour natural forest recruitment and reverse forest degradation in areas

still under forest cover, measures more clearly focused on forests will actively protect standing forest (e.g. from fire and

over-exploitation), and restore native forests in some areas in which natural regeneration is not anymore possible. Services

to be restored include a better forest and non-forest product productivity, regulation of micro-climate and water cycle, and

carbon sequestration. The gradual reappearance of native ground vegetation will also provide significant biodiversity co-

benefits given that a good share of range and forest land ground vegetation is endemic. The co-management of forests will

be based on sustainable use schemes to involve the development and promotion of new forest-based value chains, and

livelihoods for the benefit of local communities. Both above workstreams will benefit from the native seed/plant

collecting and enrichment planting platform(s) to be developed by the project.

74. Biodiversity. By mainstreaming biodiversity into the strengthening/restructuring of MARHP to introduce cross-

sectoral integrated land use planning, the project will play an important role to prevent harmful impacts on, and maximise

benefits for, biodiversity at the national level. The same applies in a more direct manner to the mainstreaming of

biodiversity and PA management into the two larger-scale partner projects (DGF/WB and DGACTA/AFD) in the sites

targeted by sustainable range and forest land management. By additionally improving the management effectiveness of

already-designated PAs over an areas of c. 20,000 ha, the project will moreover contribute to the conservation of

threatened and endemic plant and animal species and their habitats inside these PAs. This includes remains of Ibero-North

African steppes such as near-natural Alfa high steppes that are rich in endemic species; and in terms of prominent animal

species, Scimitar-horned Oryx Oryx dammah EW), Dama Gazelle Nanger dama CR, Addax Addax nasomaculatus CR,

Barbary Sheep Ammotragus lervia VU, Cuvier's Gazelle Gazella cuvieri EN, Slender-horned Gazelle Gazella

leptoceros EN, Dorcas Gazelle Gazella dorcas VU, Red-necked Ostrich (the possibly critically endangered subspecies

Struthio camelus camelus), and Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata VU.

75. The conservation and restoration of c. 40,000 ha of near-natural rangeland and forest habitats forest areas outside

PAs will moreover reduce the fragmentation of important habitats and populations of endemic species. Mobilising new

financing to cover PAs operational and investment costs through systemic national-level work will benefit biodiversity in

the targeted sites but eventually in the national PA system more widely. CBD Aichi Targets addressed by the project: The

project will contribute to achieving Aichi Targets 1, 2 and 4 through the regional platform, the various stakeholders

involved in the participatory planning, including Government and the private sector, will be more aware of biodiversity

conservation issues and how to integrate them in land use planning and implementation, with poverty reduction,

sustainable resource use, water availability and climate change resilience issues. The project will contribute to achieving

Aichi Targets 5, 7, 11 and 12, by improving the effectiveness of the management of PAs and implementing rangeland and

forest reforestation and enrichment with native species within and outside PAs, and by reducing the rate of natural habitat

degradation. Through reducing chemical pollution, namely UPOPs and other chemicals emissions from the Kasserine

pulp and chemicals plant, and from inappropriate agricultural practices, the project will explicitly support Aichi Target 8

on pollution which aims to reduce pollution to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity,

including possibly in coastal and marine ecosystems where effluents reach the Mediterranean Sea. All project outcomes

are designed to contribute to restore and safeguard forest and rangeland ecosystem services, including soils and water, in

order to maintain livelihoods in the target region, thus contributing to Aichi Targets 14 and 15. Through

assessing/updating the condition and use of biodiversity within target PAs and establishment of a long-term monitoring

program, the project is contributing to achieve Aichi Target.

76. Chemicals and Waste. Project interventions under this Focal Area will lead to i) reducing the emissions of

UPOPs (dioxins and furans) in the target region linked to paper pulp and chemical production processes on the one hand,

and to the open burning of pesticide packaging on the other hand, and ii) on safeguarding PCBs contained in 6

transformers currently on the site of the paper factory in Kasserine. The exact GEBs will have to be confirmed at the PPG

19

stage, although it is already estimated that at least 10 g-TEQ/yr of UPOPs emissions could be avoided. As regards point i)

and the reduction of UPOPs and other chemicals at the Kasserine plant, there is a “Green Chemistry” technology which

can be used to replace chlorine in paper mill bleaching, employing "TAMLs" - tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (which

reduce chlorine and dioxins in the effluent of a paper mill). The presence of TAML in the waste stream destroys dioxins,

and can also incidentally reduce the concentrations of hormones found in rivers that can affect wild animals that drink

from those streams. The project will help analyse whether pilot tests could be conducted at the Kasserine factory. First

pilot tests should focus on addition/treatment to the waste stream to measure percentage reduction of known components

found downstream of the discharge points from the plant. The study would include a confirmation of the previously

studied benefits and risks associated with the use of these new catalysts, and whether they would be applicable to

Tunisia's paper operations and caustic/chlorine manufacturing. Pilot work shows the TAMLs can allow peroxide to be

used for bleaching at a lower temperature, which saves a noticeable amount of energy consumption (GHG reduction and

cost benefits).9

National and local benefits including socioeconomic benefits and linkages with SDGs

77. Local benefits will accrue especially in rural areas where SLM and biodiversity activities as well as the reduction of

chemical pollution will be implemented, in conjunction with all the gender and livelihood-focused interventions such as

the creation and promotion of new sustainable forest-product value chains.

78. Improving institutional frameworks and capacities for integrated land use planning and enhanced land use practices

will improve also national-level outlook for rangelands and forest ecosystems – as well as for the communities and

business models that rely on their products and services. A better management of vegetation cover will reduce soil

vulnerability to erosion, and lead to improved soil conservation, soil fertility, feedstock re-growth, agricultural

productivity, groundwater recharge and improved water quantity and quality. At the national level, the preservation and

restoration of forests and rangelands (incl. Alfa Steppes particularly) will secure significant economic benefits – the

economic valuation of goods and services provided by Alfa grass over of the 450,000 ha of Alfa Steppes in the whole

country has been estimated at TD 78 million / year; while the national benefits from forest goods and services was

estimated to a value of over $100 million. Locally, the recovery of Alfa rangelands and forests under a sustainable use

scheme will also allow for easier access to a resource used for multiple purposes. The programme will contribute to

develop the capacity of male and female community members as regards improved land management practices such as

soil and water conservation, forest restoration and agroforestry, conservation farming, enrichment planting, production of

feedstock. Enhancing the capacities of women as well as men, involving women in decisions regarding land and resource

use, ensuring that the project provides equal benefits to men and women, and creating green jobs will lead to an

empowerment of the local communities. Last but not least, the combined interventions will allow to maintain/restore a key

primary resource (Alfa Grass) required for the Kasserine paper & pulp plant, which has suffered economically for various

reasons including the difficulty in securing these primary resources it depends on. This in turn is key for the vulnerable

populations of the marginalised west-central region, and in consequence also relevant for economic and political stability

in the country.

79. Reducing the chemical pollution from the Kasserine plant with PCBs and UPOPs will reduce the exposure risks of

local and downstream population and thereby safeguard human health. Furthermore, the reduction of the production of

UPOPs (dioxins and furans) through the project activities will lead to reduced health risks to humans through direct

exposure or consumption of contaminated water and food (livestock, food plants), given that the area downstream is an

agricultural production area using ground water for irrigation. It will also benefit biodiversity as these UPOPs find their

way into wild fauna and flora.

6) Innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up

80. Innovation: Innovation of the project is based on four main elements. Firstly, the ambition to reform the legal and

institutional framework in charge of natural resource management, which hasn’t been attempted in such a comprehensive

manner in Tunisia. Secondly, on the review in this context of land tenure, a delicate issue that the ALA started to tackle

for agricultural lands but which has not covered other land/tenure types. Thirdly, the upscaled testing of a new co-

management scheme together with a hugely expanded sustainable use model based on forest-product value chains - which

so far is not foreseen in either the legislation or institutions of Tunisia. If successful - which given the scale of the multi-

partner undertaking seems likely – the project will leave a significant legacy.

9 The discovery of these TAMLs won a 1999 Presidential Green Technology Award in the USA.

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81. Institutional, financial and social sustainability: Sustainability for sustainable land and forest management will be

achieved / improved through: the development of improved institutional capacities and of a revised comprehensive legal/

policy/ regulatory and institutional framework for integrated environmental / agricultural and land-use planning within the

central government and the four targeted governorates, thus reducing the prevalence of inconsistent strategies, action

plans and investments which again reduces the risk of degradation from poor planning in the first place; the strengthening

of the technical capacity of institutional actors in charge of range and forest land management enabling them to identify

risk factors for land and forest degradation, to monitor forest and rangeland restoration, to identify vulnerable or degraded

rangeland and forest landscapes, and to adequately plan and execute state-of-the-art SLM and forest ecosystem

rehabilitation measures; the development of participatory mechanisms to plan and implement integrated landscape

management and restoration plans; the reduction of the costs of enforcing sustainable forest and rangeland management

rules, by involving local communities and NGOs through co-management agreements for forest, land and livestock

management; the development of innovative finance mechanisms for SLM, including those that mobilise and focus

existing resources better and reduce the need for government interventions. The sustainability of PA management in the

targeted sites and also of the national PA system more widely will be improved through the strengthening of capacities at

the central but especially at the regional (CRDA) and local levels; operationalisation of the targeted protected areas in four

sites; and most importantly through the delivery of new nationally-appropriate PA finance solutions to assist the

government in fielding well equipped management teams. Social sustainability will be moreover encouraged through the

adoption of a participatory decision-making approach for land-use planning and implementation that integrates poverty

reduction, sustainable resource use, conservation, and water availability. The multistakeholder regional platform for land

use planning and implementation will provide enhanced guidance to local populations and will promote ownership and

the adoption of the proposed solutions. Support will be provided to vulnerable communities through extension services to

promote the adoption of sustainable land and forest management practices that will enhance their livelihood. In addition,

the project will give great importance to livelihood activities, through the promotion of new sustainable forest-product

value chains and by micro-credit facilities and extension support that will alleviate the pressures on biodiversity and

habitats due to detrimental or unsustainable activities that are associated with poverty, unemployment and lack of

alternatives.

82. Improving institutional frameworks and capacities for integrated land use planning and enhanced land use practices

will improve also national-level outlook for rangelands and forest ecosystems – as well as for the communities and

business models that rely on their products and services. A better management of vegetation cover will reduce soil

vulnerability to erosion, and lead to improved soil conservation, soil fertility, feedstock re-growth, agricultural

productivity, groundwater recharge and improved water quantity and quality. At the national level, the preservation and

restoration of forests and rangelands (incl. Alfa Steppes particularly) will secure significant economic benefits – the

economic valuation of goods and services provided by Alfa grass over of the 450,000 ha of Alfa Steppes in the whole

country has been estimated at TD 78 million / year; while the national benefits from forest goods and services was

estimated to a value of over $100 million. Locally, the recovery of Alfa rangelands and forests under a sustainable use

scheme will also allow for easier access to a resource used for multiple purposes. Last but not least, the combined

interventions will allow to maintain/restore a key primary resource (Alfa Grass) required for the Kasserine paper & pulp

plant, which has suffered economically for various reasons including the difficulty in securing these primary resources it

depends on. This in turn is key for the vulnerable populations of the marginalised west-central region, and in consequence

also relevant for economic and political stability in the country.

83. Potential for scaling up: The here-proposed project provides for replication through a combination of approaches.

Together with the DGF/WB and DGACTA/AFD initiatives it will spearhead a new policy and institutional framework

that if effective could be applied across all Tunisian Governorates to help address land degradation caused by poorly

integrated unsustainable land use planning and practices. The implementation of land tenure changes and co-management

regimes if successful will be a milestone to improve sustainable land management and livelihoods in rural regions of

Tunisia. The capacity building of forest, rangeland and PA management staff from government, local communities and

the private sector allows for pilot solutions that are developed and found successful in one site to be used for other areas.

With regard to reducing chemical pollution, the Alfa grass-based pulp and paper plant in Kasserine, as a government-run

enterprise, is well positioned to be a pilot in the country for such a synergistic improvement of operations. As part of its

knowledge sharing /communication approach, the project will also support a system of cross-learning among the teams

involved in the project activities in the four sites through constant communication and participatory assessment of the

project’s achievements. The project will also document each project output, new approaches and processes, main results

and lessons learned, and guidance and tools developed during the project implementation will be shared once technically

validated. Project coordinator or staff in charge of communication will ensure that this information is made available to

the various stakeholder groups in order to support better forest, rangeland and PA management.

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2. Stakeholders. Detail of participation of stakeholders from civil society organizations in project preparation.

84. The project will be executed by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) in close

collaboration with several departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries (MARHP). Their

role is to function as the national entity designated by UNDP to assume responsibility for delivering on the project

objective and outcomes, and the entity accountable to UNDP for the use of funds. During project implementation an

important number and diversity of other stakeholders will be involved that will be informed of project development

objectives and progress and will be invited to participate in baseline surveys and workshops to identify priorities for

interventions, determine the project baseline for selected impact and outcome indicators, and validate the project

document. Among key project stakeholders, civil society, including youth and women organizations and

local agricultural communities, will play an important role in project implementation. In addition to supporting capacity

building, awareness raising and engagement of the communities and livelihoods activities, CSO mainly at local level will

help to avoid conflict during implementation through facilitating dialogue among local communities themselves and

between local communities and local administration. In order to ensure effective and efficient CSO involvement, the

project will closely collaborate with NGOs networks that are already settled and organized. A mapping of most active

network of NGOs in the project sites and also at national level will be conducted during PPG stage in order to engage

consultation with local community and NGOs and define their roles and expectations. The GEF SGP network will be one

of the main networks the project will involve both at the design and implementation stages. Indeed, this network is already

active in the 4 governorates targeted by the project and some local NGOs implemented projects on biodiversity

preservation, sustainable land management emphasizing on women’s role were implemented in Kasserine and Kairouan

for example. Besides, in the framework of CPD/CPAP for 2015-2019, UNDP is supporting the CSO at national and local

level through capacity building and microfinance for projects on different thematic areas including local governance, local

development and women and youth empowerment. This is also an opportunity to rely on this UNDP support to make sure

the NGOs will have the necessary capacities to support the project design and implementation. Other relevant

stakeholders and their roles are further described in the Annex 6. Due to multiple stakeholders that could be involved and

complexity of the project governance, detailed stakeholders’ mapping and definition of roles and responsibilities in the

project implementation will be done during the PPG stage.

3. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

85. The analysis of the gender situation in Tunisia highlights the inequalities between men and women in terms of

living conditions, status in the family and in society, capacity and participation in development. Illiteracy is higher among

women than men. According to a survey conducted by the State Secretariat in 2014, 32% of rural women can neither read

nor write and only 19% of them possess their own economic resources. While unemployment is estimated at 13.3% (IMF,

2010), women constitute only 24.3% of the economically active population. According to a survey by the Ministry of

Agriculture in 1990, women provided 23.5% of agricultural labour, not counting transport of water and fuelwood and

comprised 34.7% of temporary agricultural workers in 1990. From 1994 to 2005 the number of female farmers increased

by almost 25% while the number of male operators increased by only 8.6%, mainly due to the migration of young men to

large cities in search of a more lucrative activity. Still, women farmers held only 4% of agricultural land. In 2005, 57% of

women farmers were in the Central regions, against 24% in the North and 19% in the South. Rural women in Tunisia have

always actively participated in agriculture. While men are responsible for land preparation, digging pits and cisterns,

irrigation, harvesting and livestock herding, women are responsible for hoeing and weeding, caring for livestock within

the household enclosure, processing and storage of agricultural products, artisanal production and marketing of handicraft.

Women are responsible for all the household tasks including collection of water and fuelwood, which is used by about

20% of households for cooking. Men retain the decision-making power over land and means of production. Decisions on

development planning, large-scale projects and the introduction of technologies are often made without input from rural

women or taking into consideration their specific needs. Low openness to women is considered as one of the obstacles to

investment, development of the agricultural sector and increased productivity, along with plurality of land tenure,

operating modes, complexity of procedures for obtaining agricultural loans, combined with increasingly unstable climate.

86. In line with the GEF-VI GEAP 2015-2018, a gender analysis will be conducted at the PPG stage for an updated and

tangible understanding of the underlying gender dynamics within the Central West region, as this is a crucial step towards

strengthening gender sensitivity in project design as well as ensuring a fair and equitable share of development benefits

among women and men, girls and boys. Consequently, sex disaggregated data as part of the baseline indicators will

inform the Project Document to be developed, with gender sensitive indicators explicitly reflected in the results

framework that will be monitored throughout the project implementation.

22

87. During project implementation special attention will be given to minimizing/mitigating potential gender adverse

impacts. Gender balance will be considered in the design and execution of project activities, providing equal opportunities

for men and women. This will involve adopting a communication approach that specifically targets women; ensuring

equal access to microcredit and livelihood options to women, and that IGAs are adapted to them and meeting their needs;

encouraging the active participation of women in planning and decision-making processes linked to local land-use and

economic issues; and affording equal rights to women and men during extension services on sustainable land and forest

management provided to selected vulnerable communities and during negotiations to develop participatory land and

livestock management agreements.

88. Expected benefits to women will accrue especially in rural areas where sustainable land and forest management

activities will be implemented. The recovery of alfa rangelands and forests under a sustainable use (CBNRM) scheme will

also allow for easier access to biomass energy and reduce collection time and efforts. Finally, the programme will

contribute to develop the capacity of women and men community members as regards improved land management

practices such as soil and water conservation, forest restoration and agroforestry, conservation farming, enrichment

planting, production of feedstock, and the adoption of improved practices related to harmful agricultural waste. Enhancing

the capacities of women and men, involving women in decisions regarding land and resource use, ensuring that the project

provides equal benefits, and creating green jobs will lead to an empowerment of the local communities.

4. Risks. Proposed measures to address risks to be further developed during the project design.

89. Risks that might prevent the project objectives from being achieved are identified on a preliminary basis and will be

further developed during project design. Project potential risks and mitigation measures are described in the following

table:

Table 1: Risks

Risk Rating Mitigation Measures

Political

Despite the security

improvement at national and

regional level, security risk in

the project sites needs to be

taken into consideration

during the project design and

implementation.

Medium The involvement of the national relevant departments will help to assess well the security situation

and identify the necessary activity to mitigate this risk and ensure the project will be able to reach

its results and support vulnerable communities in the risk areas.

In addition, the project will have a security plan and will involve the UN and UNDP security

department at CO level to assess periodically the security situation in the project sites.

UNDP Tunisia CO is also currently implementing a crisis management project with the relevant

national security department, which is considered an opportunity for collaboration to better

analyze and address the security issues through strengthening local capacities in term of crisis

management.

The project design will also rely on adaptive management so that it can reach its targets while

taken the security issues into consideration.

Project coordination (with

stakeholders)

Complex governance of the

natural resources and

ecosystems (PA, forests and

rangelands), particularly at

local level, with overlaps of

mandate for multiple

stakeholder could make it

difficult for the project

coordination and may prevent

successful project delivery

Medium The national partners and all the stakeholders are completely aware of the complexity of the

natural resource and ecosystems governance and are committed to work towards improving it. The

project intends to contribute to the national efforts of improving and clarifying these issues of

governance. It will make sure during its design phase that the necessary mapping for the

stakeholders and national and local capacities will be performed to be able to address concisely

and efficiently the coordination issue and avoid of bottlenecks in the planning phase.

Moreover, the project benefits from other projects at UNDP Tunisia CO level such as the local

development project, the governance project that is supporting the decentralization reform to give

more power to local community, etc. which will have a very important spin off in terms of

institutional and organizational capacity building of national and local partners.

Project coordination (with

partners)

Complexity of the

coordination with the two

cooperation projects financed

by World Bank and French

Development Agency

Low The PIF was developed based on a close coordination with the national partners benefitting from

the WB and AFD financial support. The project considered all the studies and reports developed

by the two initiatives of the AFD and WB to make sure no overlap or duplication will occur but

instead efficient synergy and complementarity. In addition, consultation started with WB and

AFD during the PIF design and will continue during the PPG.

During the project design feasibility studies will be conducted to have better understanding of the

local sites targeted by the project and make sure intervention will be complementary to those of

AFD and WB rather than duplication.

The WB and AFD have established the same steering committee for their two initiatives, knowing

the synergy between both projects and having the same stakeholders. UNDP was invited to be part

of the SC once the project designed and will start to be implemented.

Legal Low The Minister of Agriculture is the official authority to give special permission to intervene using

23

The project could not obtain

legal authorization from the

Ministry of Agriculture to

intervene in the pilot sites as

it is forbidden by the Forest

Code to have co-management

of public domain like forests

co-management in public domain like forest. The Ministry of Agriculture is one of the key

national partners in the project implementation. During the PPG UNDP together with the national

partners will work to obtain any special authorization needed after identifying the exact pilot sites

of the project. It is noteworthy to mention that so far the WB obtained a commitment to have a

special authorization from the Minister of Agriculture to work in 10 sites. UNDP could work in

one of these sites already authorized, which will facilitate the access.

Financial

The loan from the World

Bank could not be accepted

by the parliament, which is

part of the cofinancing for the

current UNDP project.

Medium-

Low

The support from the AFD to the Ministry of Agriculture (50 M Euros ) is the most advanced in

terms of negotiation with the national partners as they are already well advanced in terms of their

project document, the first finalized with the Ministry of Agriculture. AFD is also seeking support

from the Green Climate Fund.

The negotiation of the loan from the World Bank is quite advanced at the level of the Ministry of

Development, Investment and International Cooperation and was even doubled from 50 M$ to

100M$. Following to the Ministry of Agriculture and the WB, their project is expected to be

adopted and approved by WB board latest in the 2016 year and will start the implementation Mid

2017. So the probability of rejection of the loan is very low.

Climate change

Severe and increasing land

degradation and

desertification and related

water scarcity are due partly

to climate change and related

changes in precipitation and

temperature regimes that are

leading to a gradual

aridification and northward

expansion of the Sahara

desert

Medium The project through its activities will develop Integrated landscape management plans and

conduct assessments on current land uses, providing baseline information on land uses which are

unsustainable and climate information and related impacts, helping to determine and promote

required changes in land use and sustainable management schemes, and help identify suitable

areas for land restoration in the target regions addressing adaptation strategies to climate change,

building the resilience of ecosystems and local communities.

5. Coordination. Outline the coordination with other relevant GEF-financed and other initiatives.

90. The project will build on the experience of GEF-financed projects and other initiatives related to the same focal

areas, described in the baseline situation, and more specifically, meetings will be held with the experts and coordinators of

the projects, to understand success stories, lessons to be learned, and best practices as regards implementation of the

current project. Possible joint field missions and activities will be considered and can be discussed during respective

steering committee meetings. The coordination by the Government of Tunisia will be essential in ensuring synergy

between these different projects. (Detailed information on these projects and possible coordination mechanisms are

described in Annex 4).

6. Consistency with National Priorities.

91. The project will contribute to the following key relevant strategies and plans:

92. The National Development Plan 2016-2020 focuses on combating unemployment and poverty and growing GDP.

The project will support the strategic areas related to the promotion of regional development, development of the green

and rural economies, reduction of institutional constraints to a long-term agricultural vision and a dialogue between all

actors.

93. The new Agricultural Policy 2016-2020 under development will incorporate a new technical and organizational

vision for the management and conservation of agricultural lands promoting greater accountability of farmers. The new

policy will include a strategic axis to create an enabling environment to guide the practices of stakeholders towards the

sustainable management of natural resources and discourage agricultural practices leading to environmental degradation.

The project will be a critical contributor to this through the revision of the institutional and policy frameworks related to

the different forms of land use overseen by the MARHP, and their coherence; it can in this sense be a key agent in the

implementation of this new agricultural policy, working together with the World Bank and AFD. Through the

development of regional platforms for multi-stakeholder land-use planning and implementation of sustainable land and

forest management, biodiversity conservation and PA management, and related extension services aimed directly also at

poverty reduction, the project will enable local populations to improve and adapt their land management and farming

practices in line with the new policy.

94. The new Strategy for Soil and Water Conservation 2016-2020 under preparation envisions the spatial planning

of SWC at the watershed level rather than at the site level, aims to embed SWC into integrated and sustainable

24

management of natural resources and foresees that the organisation of local farmers be redesigned for a greater integration

and increased involvement of all stakeholders. The project will through its SLM activities contribute to SWC goals at the

local level and ensure that at national level SWC aspects are duly considered in any revised MARHP frameworks.

Through the development of regional platforms for multi-stakeholder land-use planning and implementation of

sustainable land and forest management, and related extension services aimed directly also at poverty reduction, the

proposed project will directly contribute to the implementation of this strategy.

95. The new National Strategy for the Development and Sustainable Management of Forests and Rangelands

2015-2024 presents a new vision reconciling the conservation of forests and rangelands with the socio-economic

development by promoting the participation of community organizations and private owners in the joint management of

forests and rangelands. The strategy has four strategic objectives: (1) Adaptation of the institutional and legal framework

of the sector and capacity building; (2) Optimisation of the sector's contribution to socio-economic development; (3)

Maintenance and improvement of functions and services of the sector’s resources; (4) Consolidation and improvement of

forest and pastoral capital. This strategy encourages finding new modes for involving rural populations in forest areas to

implement a joint management of forest resources and exploitation of green industries by populations. The framework

also provides for the revision of the legal framework for forest management (Forest Code). One of the axes of the strategy

includes capacity development and restructuring of the Forest Administration to a flexible autonomous structure open on

its environment. The here-proposed project will be a key agent in the implementation of this emerging new strategy,

working closely together with DGF and World Bank most notably, and ensuring that its objectives and implementation

are also well reflected in the envisaged revision/restructuring of MARHP.

96. The National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (PAN-LCD). In 2000, Tunisia developed its PAN-LCD as a

strategic framework for the integration of sectoral plans and programs. Regional (12) and local (12) action programmes

were developed in most of the Governorates and for the areas most vulnerable to desertification (1997-2010). An

information system was developed that contains databases on natural resources and the programmes and projects to

combat desertification. Planned orientations include updating the national plan to combat desertification in collaboration

with national, regional and local structures and the implementation of integrated projects at regional and local levels to

reduce land degradation and restore productive lands and ecosystem function. The here-proposed project supports the

implementation of the PAN-LCD on various fronts because inadequate land use planning and practices are arguably the

central drivers of land degradation, and addressing this issue at the core will be a major contribution. Moreover the forest

and range lands in the central-western region are a national priority area, also because the Alfa Steppes with their

extensive root systems are an important barrier against desertification and their protection and restoration is paramount.

Improving land use practices and promoting the adoption of SLM at the local level through extension services and

capacity development is equally a key request from the PAN-LCD given that conversion to agriculture, overgrazing and

inappropriate agricultural practices are key drivers of degradation. It is noteworthy to mention that the PAN LCD is being

updated now, to align it to the UNCCD Strategic Plan for 2008-2018.

97. In this context, the project will furthermore directly contribute to the more recent Land Degradation Neutrality

commitment of the Government of Tunisia.

98. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Given that the new NBSAP under development (to align it

to the CBD Strategic Plan for 2011-2020) is not yet completed, the 2009 version is used as reference. The objectives of

this Action Plan are defined along 6 axes: 1) biodiversity conservation, namely through the effective management of PAs,

to which the project will directly contribute; 2) mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and natural resource

management, to which the project contributes through the sustainable land and forest management interventions; 3)

managing processes that threaten biological diversity, to which the project contributes by reducing chemical pollution

with POPs; 4) improvement of biological diversity management tools, to which the project will contribute by supporting

the development of new and required PA management plans and establishment of a long term monitoring program for

Tunisia’s PAs; and 6) institutional strengthening for the implementation of the plan to which the project contributes by

developing the capacity of PA management staff and raising.

99. Tunisia’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

mentions paper and pulp factories as one of the main localized sources of POP/UPOPs emission in its inventory. It calls in

its action plan for the adoption of new production methods and of best available techniques / best environmental practices

in the paper industry to reduce such emissions. Support to industries for these preventive measures for POP/UPOPs

emissions is one of the 6 priority actions included in the NIP. The project through its activities in the Kasserine pulp and

paper plant will improve the management and decommissioning of PCBs and will assist Tunisia in the implementation of

the Stockholm Convention. As also noted in the NIP, “other forms of contamination can reach significant levels for the

25

most vulnerable populations: the farm workers (pesticides), workers at chemical plants and incineration units (dioxins)

and local populations located close to these activities”.

7. Knowledge Management.

100. The socio-economic and environmental/ecological impacts of the project’s interventions in the targeted regions and

project sites will be regularly monitored following the M&E framework to be developed during the project preparation

stage, as part of long-term monitoring programs for sustainable land and forest management and biodiversity/PAs in

Tunisia. The here-proposed multi-focal area project will integrate important work on M&E/KM to reflect the innovation

and complexity of the integrated approach and the need to constantly monitor the projects activities in relation to its goals.

Proper M&E and knowledge management will allow: a region-wide understanding of environmental M&E best practices;

a common, standardized language and approach for monitoring and evaluating interventions across the region in line with

the sustainable land and forest management plans and PA management plans developed under Components 1, 2 and 3;

enhanced M&E practices – in terms of M&E methodology and tools, with improved quality, frequency and application of

findings; clarity in relation to the roles and responsibilities of all regional agencies who are directly or indirectly involved

in M&E activities and the means to aggregate that data in a systematic way; and for sustainability a proposed mechanism

for greater integration of M&E practices within the region’s public participation, planning, budgeting, delivery, policy

development, oversight, reporting and governance-related processes. Results and case studies or stories from project

activities that could facilitate the design and implementation of similar interventions will be codified and disseminated

nationally and regionally through existing information sharing networks and forums. The project will identify and

participate, as relevant and appropriate, in scientific, policy-based and any other network that could be beneficial to the

project implementation in terms of teachings. Lastly, mutual exchange of information will be maintained between this

project and other projects of a similar focus.

PART III: APPROVAL/ENDORSEMENT BY GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT(S) AND GEF

AGENCY(IES)

A. RECORD OF ENDORSEMENT OF GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT (S) ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT(S):

(Please attach the Operational Focal Point endorsement letter(s) with this template. For SGP, use this SGP OFP

endorsement letter).

NAME POSITION MINISTRY DATE (MM/dd/yyyy)

Ms. Sabria Bnouni GEF OFP, Director for

International Cooperation and

Partnership

Ministry of Environment and

Sustainable Development

07/22/2016

B. GEF AGENCY(IES) CERTIFICATION

This request has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the GEF criteria for project

identification and preparation under GEF-6.

Agency Coordinator,

Agency name Signature

Date

(MM/dd/yyyy) Project Contact Person

Telephone, Email

Adriana Dinu,

UNDP-GEF Executive

Coordinator

07/25/2016

Yves de Soye

UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor

+33 682 75 89 44, yves.desoye@undp.org

26

PART IV: ANNEXES

Annex 1: MAPS

The four central-western target regions

KASSERINE SIDI BOUZID KAIROUAN GAFSA

Type and distribution of range and forest lands in northern and central Tunisia. © Direction Générale des Forêts.

Légende

27

Annex 2: National Parks (NP) and Reserves (NR) in Tunisia’s central-western region (Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid,

Kasserine, Gafsa), with notes on prominent wildlife. See Annex 1 for map of all PAs in Tunisia.

Type Name Year of

creation Surface (ha) Governorate

NP Bouhedma 1980 16,448 Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa

NP Chaâmbi 1980 6,723 Kasserine

NP Jbel Orbata 2010 5,746 Gafsa

NP Jbel Mghilla 2010 16,249 Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid

NP Jbel Zaghdoud 2010 1,792 Kairouan

NP Jbel Serj 2010 1,720 Kairouan and Siliana

NP sub-total 48,678

NR Khechem El Kelb 1993 307 Kasserine

NR Ettella 1993 96 Kasserine

NR Djebel Touati 1993 961 Kairouan

NR Ain Chrichira 1993 122 Kairouan

NR Jbel Rihana 2010 2,000 Sidi Bouzid

NR Jbel Bouramli 1993 50 Gafsa

NR Thelja 2009 675 Gafsa

NR sub-total 4,211

PAs total 52,889

28

Protected Areas of Tunisia. Asterisks – National Parks. Triangles – Natural Reserves. In bold those in the 4

targeted governorates (6 NPs, 7 RN).

Parcs nationaux (17)

1. Îles de Zembra et Zembretta, 1977, 5095 ha, Nabeul

2. Boukornine, 1987, 1,935 ha, Ben Arous

3. Ichkeul, 1980, 12,600 ha, Bizerte

4. El Feija, 1990, 2,632 ha, Jendouba

5. Chaambi, 1980, 6,723 ha, Kasserine

6. Bouhedma, 1980, 16,488 ha, Gafsa/Sidi Bouzid

7. Sidi Toui, 1991, 6,315 ha, Medenine

8. Jbil, 1994, 150,000 ha, Kebili

9. Jebel Serj, 2010, 1,720 ha, Kairouan/Siliana

10. Jebel Zaghouan, 2010, 2,040 ha, Zaghouan

11. Jebel Mghilla, 2010, 16,249 ha, Kasserine/Sidi Bouzid

12. Jebel Zaghdoud, 2010, 1,792 ha, Kairouan

13. Jebel Orbata, 2010, 5,746 ha, Gafsa

14. Dghoumès, 2010, 8,000 ha, Tozeur

15. Senghar-Jabess, 2010, 287,000 ha, Tataouine

16. Jebel Chitana – Cap Négro, 2010, 10,122 ha, Béja/Bizerte

17. Oued Zen

Reserves naturelles (27)

18. Aïn Chrichira, 1993, 122 ha, Kairouan

19. Aïn Zana, 1993, 47 ha, Jendouba

20. Khechem El Kelb, 1993, 307 ha, Kasserine

21. Jebel Khroufa, 1993, 125 ha, Béja

22. Sebkha Kelbia, 1993, 8,000 ha, Sousse

23. Jebel Bouramli, 1993, 50 ha, Gafsa

24. Mejen Ech Chitan, 1993, 10 ha, Bizerte

25. Jebel Touati, 1993, 961 ha, Kairouan

26. Tourbières de Dar Fatma, 1993, 15 ha, Jendouba

27. Ettella, 1993, 96 ha, Kasserine

28. Jebel Serj, 1993, 93 ha, Siliana

29. Grottes de chauves-souris, 1993, 1 ha, Nabeul

30. Île de Chikly, 1993, 3 ha, Tunis

31. Îles Kneiss, 1993, 5,850 ha, Sfax

32. Jardin botanique de Tunis, 1996, 8 ha, Tunis

33. Galite-Galiton, 1980, 450 ha, Bizerte

34. Jebel Saddine, 2009, 2,600 ha, Kef

35. Oued Dkouk, 2009, 5,750 ha, Tataouine

36. Jebel Ghorra, 2010, 2,539 ha, Jendouba

37. Mellègue-Jebel Essif, 2010, 2,322 ha, Kef

38. Jebel Rihana-Jebel Goulèbe, 2010, 2,000 ha, Sidi Bouzid

39. El Gonna, 2010, 4,711 ha, Sfax

40. Kef Errai, 2010, 1,727 ha, Siliana

41. Bassin versant de l'oued Gabès, 2010, 523 ha, Gabès

42. Jebel Bent Ahmed, 2009, 1,541 ha, Jendouba

43. Thelja, 2009, 675 ha, Gafsa

44. Jebel Hammamet, 2011, 1,168 ha, Nabeul

29

Annex 3: Structure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries Resources (MARHP)10

Conformément aux dispositions du décret n° 2001-420 du 13 février 2001, le Ministère de l'Agriculture et des Ressources

Hydrauliques comprend :

Le Ministre

Le Secrétaire d'Etat chargé de la Pêche

Le Cabinet

Bureau d'ordre Central :

Bureau des Relations avec le Citoyen :

Bureau du Protocole, de l'accueil, et de la permanence :

Bureau de suivi des décisions du conseil des ministres, des conseils ministériels restreints et des conseils

interministériels

Bureau de la Coopération Internationale

Bureau de Restructuration des Terres domaniales agricoles

Cellule de suivi des grands marchés publics

Bureau de planification et des Equilibres Hydrauliques

Bureau d'Appui de la Femme Rurale

Bureau d'appui aux exportateurs des produits agricoles

Le Secrétaire Général :

L'Inspection Générale :

Les Services Communs :

o Direction Générale des Affaires Juridiques et Foncières :

o Direction Générale des Etudes et du Développement Agricole :

o Direction Générale du Financement, des Investissements et des Organismes Professionnels :

o Direction Générale de l’Organisation, de l'Informatique, de la Gestion des Documents et de la Documentation :

o Direction Générale des Services Administratifs et Financiers :

o Direction de suivi de la gestion des entreprises et des établissements publics

Les Services Techniques:

o Direction Générale de la Production Agricole :

o Direction Générale de la Protection et du Contrôle de la Qualité des Produits Agricoles :

o Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires :

o Direction Générale de la Pêche et de l'Aquaculture :

o Direction Générale des Forêts :

o Direction Générale de l'Aménagement et de la Conservation des Terres Agricoles :

o Direction des Ressources En Sols :

o Direction Générale des Ressources en Eaux :

o Direction Générale du Génie Rural et de l'Exploitation des Eaux :

o Direction Générale des Barrages et des Grands Travaux Hydrauliques :

Les Services Régionaux:

Commissariats Régionaux au Développement Agricoles (CRDA).

10 http://www.tunisie.gov.tn/index.php?option=com_ministeres&Itemid=382&task=view&id=23&lang=french

30

Annex 4 : Coordination with other relevant initiatives

Initiative and Objective Coordination with project

DGF / MARHP National Programme for Forests and

Pastoralism (FPNP) within the framework of the Economic

and Social Development Plan 2016-2020, implemented by

CRDAs ($15,000,000 in target governorates). Please see in

the description of the baseline scenario.

FPNP of DGF is the principal government-funded counterpart

workstream, into which a major section of the WB, AFD and

GEF-6 projects are embedded; FPNP therefore contributes to the

GEF-6 project baseline and co-finance. DGF will be directly

involved in many of the project’s interventions on forestry and

pastoral management and PA management.

DGF / World Bank - Co-management of forest and pastoral

ecosystems in Tunisia ($100 million loan proposed, 2017-

2021). Please see in the description of the baseline scenario.

Reciprocal co-financing. The GEF-6 project was requested to

complement the WB-DGF project especially on national-level

systemic results such as the review of the MARHP institutional

framework and to provide related capacity development /

technical assistance at all levels, adding elements not foreseen in

the WB endeavour, which is mainly an investment project. On the

ground, the projects share two implementation governorates –

Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid. The project implementation teams

will closely coordinate and integrate to ensure complementarity

and enhance synergies. Activities will be designed and

implemented together. The projects will be reciprocally

represented in each other’s project steering committees.

DGACTA / AFD-FFEM - Natural Resource Management in

Vulnerable Rural Territories Project ($50 million, 2017-

2021). Please see in the description of the baseline scenario.

Reciprocal co-financing. The project implementation teams will

closely coordinate and integrate to ensure complementarity and

enhance synergies. The projects will be reciprocally represented

in each other’s project steering committees. The two project share

two implementation governorates – Kairouan and Sidi Bouzid.

One of the key functions of the GEF-6 project is to bring together

these larger initiatives – which are implemented by different

MARHP subsectors/ agencies.

MARHP / ODESYPANO – Office for Silvo-Pastoral

Development in the North-West (Office de Développement

Sylvo Pastoral du Nord-Ouest; $2.5 million within the

framework of the Economic and Social Development Plan

2016-2020). ODESYPANO’s objectives are to promote the

pastoral and agro-forestry development in the mountainous

five north-western governorates through structuring of rural

community land areas, establishment of forestry and

agroforestry plantations, community training in agricultural

techniques, plantations, rangeland improvement and support

to mountain agriculture.

The GEF-6 project will maintain regular communications with

ODESYPANO through the MARHP exchange channels, to share

lessons and best practices regarding pastoral and agroforestry

seed/plant collection, nurseries and enrichment plantations for

restoration.

MARHP / DGEQV / World Bank / GEF # 3669 – Second

Natural Resources Management Project (GEF $9,726,000;

total budget $85,426,000, 2011-2016). Project intervention

areas are in Jendouba, Médenine and Kasserine governorates.

This project aims to improve the living conditions of rural

communities in three governorates in terms of access to basic

infrastructure and services, sustainable income increase, and

improved natural resource management practices by fostering

an integrated approach to community-based development; and

to reduce the threat of land degradation and climate change to

vulnerable agricultural production systems in the target areas

while developing options to address land-based pollution

affecting the Mediterranean Sea.

This project will have closed by the time the here-proposed GEF-

6 project starts. The latter will integrate lessons learned and best

practices from interventions implemented especially in Kasserine,

one of the target governorates.

DGEQV / MARHP / World Bank / GEF # 5266 – Oases

Ecosystems and Livelihoods Project (GEF $5,760,730, total

budget $63,260,730, 2014-2019). Please see in the description

of the baseline scenario.

Some of the expected results that are relevant to the GEF-6

project include reducing severe forms of land degradation through

a participatory approach, a more efficient management of water

for agriculture, more effective management of soil moisture to

improve soil fertility and reduce erosion; improving the

livelihoods of local populations, particularly women and youth,

through the diversification of economic activities. The GEF-6

31

project will build on achievements through best practices, lessons

learned and will mutually exchange information with this project.

DGEQV / World Bank / GEF # 4035 – MENARID:

Ecotourism and conservation of desert biodiversity (2013-

2018). Please see in the description of the baseline scenario.

Components that are relevant to the GEF-6 project include the

development of enabling conditions for the management of PAs,

and concrete integrated natural resources management in NPs and

their adjacent zones. One NP is located in Sidi Bouzid

Governorate (Bouhedma). The GEF-6 project will build on

achievements through best practices, and lessons learned.

MARHP / AFDB – North Gafsa Integrated Agricultural

Development Project (2013-2018, $28 million total budget).

Please see in the description of the baseline scenario.

This project is part of the GEF-6 project baseline. Project

components that are relevant to the GEF-6 project include pasture

improvement and water and soil conservation work and income

generating activities for women and youth around Jebel Orbata

National Park. The GEF-6 project will build on achievements

through best practices, and lessons learned.

DGF / MARHP / FFEM – Contribution to the implementation

of the Management Plan of the Chaambi National Park

project (2011-2015, extended to 2018, $2,755,880 / EUR

2,472,000). Please see in the description of the baseline

scenario.

The project components that are most relevant to the GEF-6

project are the promotion of local development and improvement

of living conditions of the population, and the update of the NP

management plan. The GEF-6 project will build on achievements

through best practices, and lessons learned, including with regard

to the risk of armed insurgency that prevails also in other remoter

and forested areas in Tunisia.

DGEQV / UNIDO / GEF # 8000 Improve mercury

management in Tunisia, with its elements in Kasserine (2017-

2019, GEF $600,000, total budget $2,950,000). Please see in

the description of the baseline scenario.

The activities of the CW component of the GEF-6 project will be

closely integrated with ongoing activities addressing mercury

contamination on the Kasserine site, namely the site assessment to

give the Government better insight into the degree of soil and

water contamination, and additional testing of humans and

vegetation at the SNCPA site and peripheral areas. The

information collected will help fine-tune the remediation plan.

MEDD / UNIDO / GEF # 5309 – Enabling Activities for the

review and update of the National Plan for the

Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent

Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Tunisia (GEF $220,000, total

budget $450,000). Please see in the description of the baseline

scenario.

Building on the NIP and inventory conducted by the MEDD/

UNIDO/ GEF EA project, and on the best techniques and

practices and prior work undertaken by ANGED/ WB/ GEF

project, the here proposed GEF-6 project will specifically assess

the situation regarding dioxin and furan emissions and the PCB

content of the transformers of the Kasserine pulp & paper plant,

and begin implementing recommendations on these as well as on

airborne UPOPs from agricultural waste in the targeted four

regions.

Agence Nationale des Déchets (ANGED) / MEDD / World

Bank / GEF # 2995 Demonstrating and Promoting Best

Techniques and Practices for Managing Healthcare Waste

and PCBs (GEF: 5,500,000 USD; total budget $22,840,000,

2011-2015 but extended to 2017). Please see in the description

of the baseline scenario.

UNEP / GEF # 4886 Continuing Regional Support for the

POPs Global Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm

Convention in the Africa Region (2015-2019, $4.2 million

with $10.2 million co-financing from the 10 African countries

involved including Tunisia)

World Bank / GEF # 1348 Africa Stockpile Program (overall

budget $25,000,000 for regional activities, of which

$4,000,000 for Tunisia)

32

Annex 5: Baseline initiatives and investments with contributions to co-finance

Programme Baseline ($)

DGF-MARHP-CRDAs – National Programme for Forests and Pastoralism (FPNP) under

the Economic and Social Development Plan ESDP

15,000,000

DGF-MARHP / World Bank – Co-management of forest and pastoral ecosystems in

Tunisia

20,000,000

(of the 100,000,000 loan proposed)

DGACTA-MARHP / AFD – Natural Resource Management in Vulnerable Rural

Territories Project

26,243,000

(of the total budget of 50,000,000)

MARHP / AFDB – North Gafsa Integrated Agricultural Development Project 605,000

(of the total budget of 28,000,000)

DGACTA-MARHP National Programme 375,000

OEP-MARHP National Programme 850,000

DGEQV-MEDD as part of the Economic Development Plan 250,000

DGEQV-MEDD / MARHP / World Bank / GEF # 5266 – MENARID: Oases Ecosystems

and Livelihoods Project

2,000,000

(of the total budget of 5,760,730)

DGEQV-MEDD / World Bank / GEF # 4035 – MENARID: Ecotourism and conservation

of desert biodiversity

1,000,000

(of the total budget of 4,272,300)

DGF-MARHP / FFEM Contribution to the implementation of the Management Plan of the

Chaambi National Park

0

DGEQV-MEDD / UNDP / GEF # 5046 National Biodiversity Planning to Support the

implementation of the CBD 2011-2020 Strategic Plan in Tunisia

0

ANGED-MEDD / World Bank / GEF # 2995 Demonstrating and Promoting Best

Techniques and Practices for Managing Healthcare Waste and PCBs in Tunisia

5,500,000

MEDD / UNIDO / GEF # 5309 Review and Update the National Implementation Plan for

the Stockholm Convention on POPs

220,000

DGEQV-MEDD / UNIDO # 8000 Improve Mercury Management in Tunisia 600,000

World Bank / FAO / WWF / GEF # 1348 Africa Stockpile Program 0

(4,000,000 for Tunisia but ended)

UNEP / GEF regional project # 4886 Continuing Regional Support for the POPs Global

Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm Convention in the Africa Region

4,200,000

SNCPA: Environmental upgrade of the Kasserine pulp and paper plant 16,000,000

MEDD / Ministry of Regional Development and Planning / Governorates / GIZ / SDC –

Waste management sectoral plans under regional sustainable development strategies

500,000

MARHP / ANGED-MEDD – Extension and capacity building activities for the

agricultural sector

500,000

TOTAL 93,843,000

33

Annex 6: Project Key stakeholder

Stakeholders Anticipated mandate and key involvement in the project implementation

Ministry of Environment and

Sustainable Development (MEDD,

Ministère de l’Environnement et du

Développement Durable) with its

relevant directorates and agencies (e.g.

BNG, ANPE, ANGed11)

MEDD is responsible for implementing the international conventions concerned by this

project: UNCCD, CBD, and Stockholm; conserving nature, managing sustainably natural

resources, preventing, reducing or eliminating environmental threats, and mainstreaming

sustainable development in collaboration with relevant ministries; elaborating and

implementing the environmental policy, namely through the adoption of legislative texts;

monitoring environmental standards and conducting environmental impact studies;

monitoring the state of the environment in the country; leading/participating in the

development of national strategies and action plans for natural resources management

including biodiversity and natural landscapes. In the here-proposed project, the MEDD

through DGEQV will be the project executing agency, and: regularly liaise with all other

relevant stakeholders and ensure the lead and the accountability for project results’

achievement.

Ministry of Agriculture, Water

Resources and Fisheries (MARHP,

Ministère de l’Agriculture et des

Ressources Hydrauliques et de la

Pêche) and its relevant directorates

(DGF, Direction Générale des Forêts ;

DGACTA, Direction Générale de

l'Aménagement et de la Conservation

des Terres Agricoles ; OEP, Office de

l’Élevage et des Pâturages ; CRDA,

Commissariats Régionaux au

Développement Agricole, Agence

Foncière Agricole ; DGPCQPA,

Direction Générale de la Protection et

du Contrôle de la Qualité des Produits

Agricole

The MARHP is responsible for the management of agricultural lands, range and forest lands

and of other renewable natural resources, and for ensuring the preservation of biodiversity

and protected areas. It will be a key partner throughout the execution of the project through

its numerous relevant sub-agencies and a key target for the institutional reviews by the

project linked to land-use relevant policies and investments (set to target all land tenure

regimes – public, collective and private).

Ministry of Equipment, Habitat and

Planning (MEHP)

MEHP is responsible for developing regional land use plans (especially from the urban

angle) in coordination with relevant Ministries (MARHP, MEDD) and will be engaged in

land tenure discussions

Ministry of Investment, Development

and International Cooperation (MIDCI,

Ministère de l’Investissement, du

Développement et de la Coopération

Internationale)

and its relevant development offices

(Central West Development Office and

South Development Office)

MIDCI is responsible for: elaborating and coordinating global and sector development

policies and strategies, and elaborating, implementing and monitoring development plans

and budgets; designing and coordinating population policies as well as the developing,

monitoring and evaluating regional development policies and strategies in collaboration with

the regional councils. As part of this project, MIDCI will contribute to: conducting studies in

line with the priorities of development plans, such as microenterprise development / IGAs

and SMEs; adapting the provisions of the code for investment incentives relating to

ecotourism and other, to the needs of the Central West region; evaluating the effectiveness of

project management and the impact of project interventions.

Société Nationale de Cellulose et de

Papier Alfa (SNCPA), Kasserine

A lead partner of the project, because it is a key user of Alfa grass and hence interested in a

more sustainable management of Alfa steppe rangelands that are currently overexploited,

wherefore the entire value chain must be analysed in the contact of other Alfa uses. They are

also a key target and beneficiary of the measures to reduce POP/PCB contamination from the

chemical processes and installed equipment in the plant.

Ministry of Finance (FM) FM is responsible for implementing and coordinating the economic and financial policy,

mobilizing national and external financial resources for development in collaboration with

the Central Bank. As part of this project, FM will support the development of a strategy to

mobilize and better allocate/use funding from various sources for SLM and PAs.

Ministry of Local Affairs (Ministère des

Affaires Locales)

The MLA was created in February 2016. This Ministry plays the role of guardianship for the

municipalities and regional councils and assist them in the exercise of their functions. The

MLA will be one of the key partners in the project in terms of strengthening the capacities of

local communities in the natural resources and ecosystems management.

Military / Ministry of Defence Will be informed of the project objectives and invited to participate in baseline surveys and

workshops to identify strategies to reduce pressure on forests / PAs / biodiversity. It is also

important to coordinate activities in areas and times of potential social unrest or insurgency.

Governorates (Gafsa, Kasserine,

Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid)

Governors are the first contacts at the regional level and have a direct link with regional

development institutions. As part of this project, they will be informed of the project

objectives and progress and invited to participate in baseline surveys and workshops to

identify priorities for local interventions, including the selection of intervention sites and of

11 ANPE : Agence nationale pour la Protection de l’Environnement ; ANGed : Agence Nationale pour la Gestion des Déchets ; BNG : Banque

Nationale des Gènes

34

local communities.

Regional Development Councils RDCs are elected and therefore legitimate representatives of the interests of local

communities and should be operationalized as part of the decentralization process. As part of

this project, they will be informed of the project objectives and invited to participate in

baseline surveys and workshops to identify priorities for interventions, in the identification

and planning of local interventions, including the selection of intervention sites and of local

communities.

Local and regional councils for the

management of collective lands

Each group with a collective land is a legal entity with a legal personality. It is represented

by a management board composed of members elected by the community, as well as of

members appointed by the Governor that have consultative voice. Local (in each delegation)

and regional (in each governorate) councils coordinate and control these management

boards. These groups will therefore be important in community outreach and ownership, in

the negotiation of management rules and agreements and in consultations around land tenure.

Civil society/NGOs Civil society is a key partner for capacity building, monitoring and for the development and

implementation of integrated land-use plans, of PA management plans, of sustainable land

and forest management and restoration activities, and on related livelihoods. They will be an

important support to this project’s objectives in terms of awareness raising and engagement

of the communities. The project will closely collaborate with the network of NGOs of the

GEF SGP and also the UNDP support project to the CSO undergoing during the CPD/CPAP

2015-2019.

Professional associations, local

agricultural communities using natural

resources, and local leaders and

authorities / including elders, women

and youth representatives

The targeted local communities are central to the project where they will be co-management

partners in land management. They are also a target and beneficiary of the measures to

reduce contamination from and exposure to PCBs and UPOPs from the Kasserine chemicals

plant and from the uncontrolled burning of agricultural waste.

Academic and scientific institutions:

Superior School of Agriculture / Faculty

of Sciences / Ministry of Higher

Education and Research12

As part of this project, these institutions will contribute to : identifying priorities for the

development of training programs / modules on biodiversity conservation, adaptive

management / co-management of protected areas, and their integration into the university

curriculum; the evaluation of the effectiveness of PA management and impact of project

interventions (baseline); the establishment of a regional platform / national for sharing

knowledge on biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources (land, water,

forests, rangelands, alfa grass).

Private sector Will be informed of project objectives and invited to participate in baseline surveys and

workshops to identify priorities for interventions; collaborate in the development of SLM

and PA financing mechanisms; contribute to the identification and planning of income-

generating activities for local communities (and contribute to the identification and

development of value chains and of viable micro-enterprises / SMEs to reduce pressure on

natural resources (organic farming, local products, fattening animals, small breeding, valuing

alfa in industrial and medical activities, etc.).

The World Bank Tunisia Office

The World Bank will be a key partner for the here-proposed project because it is involved in

several relevant and ongoing projects financed through either GEF-resources or other means.

This includes most notably the loan-funded Co-management of forest and pastoral

ecosystems in Tunisia project, to be executed under the auspices of DGF (see above) – which

represents an important share of the here-proposed GEF-6 project’s cofinance. The Direction

Générale des Forêts/WB project and the here-proposed GEF-6 project are already closely

coordinating to achieve maximum integration, complementarity, cost effectiveness and

impact. It is therefore proposed to develop one main core project guiding document to be

adapted by the two implementing agencies (UNDP, WB) and the two lead government

agencies (DGEQV, DGF) to meet their respective standards. The projects will later also

closely align and integrate activities during implementation. Further coordination and

consultation will take place with relevant ongoing and closing GEF projects on sustainable

land and natural resource management, oasis management and ecotourism and biodiversity

(see GEF # 3669, 4035 and 5266 in Annex 4). And lastly, consultations and close

coordination will also be essential regarding WB-supported projects on chemicals and waste

(see GEF # 2995 and 1348 in Annex 4) to agree on the gaps left specifically in the targeted

regions and the Kasserine plant regarding the management of POPs/UPOPs/PCBs.

AFD Tunisia Office AFD proposes the AFD-loan and FFEM-grant funded Natural Resources Management in

Vulnerable Rural Territories Project, to be executed under the auspices of DGACTA– which

represents an important share of the here-proposed GEF-6 project’s cofinance. The

DGACTA/AFD project and the GEF-6 project share two implementation governorates –

Kairouan and Sidi Bouzid, and will closely coordinate to achieve maximum integration,

complementarity, cost effectiveness and impact. See also the entry on this project in Annex

4.

12 Including Research and training institutions under MARHP : IRA Institut des Régions Arides ; MARHP / INRAT Institut National de la

Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie; INAT Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie ; INRGREF; Sidi Bouzid CRRA