Project for oasis micro-basin sand invasion control in the ...
UNDP Project Document
UNDP-GEF Full-Size Project (FSP)
Government of NIGER
Project for oasis micro-basin sand invasion control
in the Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces
Projet de lutte contre l'ensablement des cuvettes oasiennes
dans les départements de Gouré et de Maïné-Soroa
--- PLECO ---
PIMS No. 3225
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Table of Contents
ACRONYMS 3
I. Situation Analysis 4
A. Background 4
B. Land degradation issues 5
C. Threats and root causes of land degradation and sand invasion, and barriers to their control 6
D. Description of the project's zone, baseline and stakeholders 8
II. Strategy 12
A. Policy conformity and country ownership 12
B. Design principles and strategic considerations 13
C. Project's objectives and description 16
Goal, objective and outcomes 16
Duration and intervention zone 18
Proposed activities 18
Financial modality 21
D. Project Analysis 21
Cost-effectiveness and sustainability 21
Global environmental benefits and GEF relevance 22
Value added of GEF financing 24
Risk analysis and management 24
E. Management Arrangements 26
Executing agency 26
Project oversight 26
Project coordination and implementation 27
Additional dispositions 27
F. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget 28
G. Legal Context 32
III. STRATEGIC RESULTS FRAMEWORK 33
IV. TOTAL BUDGET AND WORKPLAN 35
ANNEXES 37
Annex 1. Endorsement letters from the country 37
Annex 2. Co-financing letters 40
Annex 3. Outline of Terms of Reference for key project staff 53
Annex 4. Signature Page 55
ACRONYMS
APR Annual Project Report
ARRDI Agricultural and Rural Rehabilitation and Development Initiative Project
AWP Annual Work Plan
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
COFO Land Commissions
COFOB Local-level Land Commissions
COGERAT Project for Co-management of Natural Resources in the Aïr-Ténéré
CSIF Country Strategic Investment Framework (conceived for SLM)
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIS Geographic Information Systems
IEC Information, Education, Communication
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IR Intermediate Result
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MELCD Ministry of the Environment and Desertification Control
NAPA National Action Plan for Adaptation (climate change)
NGO Non-governmental organization
NAP National Action Program to combat desertification
NEX National Execution
NRM Natural Resource Management
PAC Community Action Programme
PADL Programme to Support Local Development
PAGRN Programme to Support Natural Resources Management
PAN/LCD/GRN National Action Plan for Desertification Control and NRM
PASAM Project to Support Household Food Security
PIMS Project Information Management System
PIP2 Private Irrigation Project (phase 2)
PLECO Project for Oasis Micro-Basin Sand Invasion Control
PMU Project Management Unit
PNEDD National Plan for Environmentally Sustainable Development
PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy
ROSELT Network of Long-term Ecological Monitoring Observatories
SIP Strategic Investment Programme (for SLM)
SLM Sustainable Land Management
SRD Rural Development Strategy
TPR Terminal Tripartite Review
TTR Tripartite Review
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNDP-CO United Nations Development Programme – Country Office
UNDP-RCU United Nations Development Programme – Regional Coordination Unit
WB World Bank
I. Situation Analysis
A. Background
Niger is a land-locked country in the Sahel, with a total land area of 1,127,000 km2 and a population of some 14,297,000 inhabitants. About 70% of the country is located in the Sahara Desert and only some 12% of the land is considered fertile and arable. Agriculture and cattle rearing are the major land uses. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 177 out of 177 nations as regards to the Human Development Index (2005). A population growth rate of 3.3%, as of 2008, leads to increasing pressure on the natural resource base. Spatial distribution of the population is highly unbalanced with 75% of the population living on just 25% of the nation’s land area.
Four climatic zones are identified in Niger:
• Saharan zone (65% of the country’s surface), characterized by rainfall below 100 mm annually.
• Sahelo-Saharan zone (12% of the country), with annual rainfall between 100-300 mm.
• Sahelo-Soudanian zone (22% of the total land area), with rainfall ranging from 300 to 600 mm.
• Soudanian zone (1% of the total land area), with rainfall over 600 mm annually.
The most important water body is the River Niger, which crosses the Western part of the country for a distance of over 550 km. The north-western part of Lake Chad (approximately 3,000 km2) is situated within Niger’s territory. Although most of the lake basin is desiccated, it remains a major element of the regional ecosystem shared by four countries (Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria). Smaller water bodies exist throughout the country, some of which are seasonal. Two principal winds sweep the country: the Harmattan (November to April, direction NE to SW) and the Monsoon (May to October, direction SW to NE). With the steady decline of vegetation cover over the past three decades, these winds become more destructive, eroding surface soils of their organic matter and other structuring elements, leading to the creation of mobile dunes and sand encroachment into agricultural and pasture lands and villages.
The rural sector is the core economic sector in the country. Its contribution is estimated to 40% of the national GDP. Almost 3 million people are working in that sector (source: National Statistical Institute). Niger’s agriculture is based on rain-fed food crop production and contributes to 22% of GDP. The main crops are millet, sorghum, cowpea, peanuts, maize and rice. Only 1% of the total cultivated area is under irrigation. The area under cultivation has increased sharply in recent years: from 21% of the arable land (some 3 million hectares) in 1965 to 93% (some 14 million hectares) in 1999. Most soils in Niger are sandy and poor in nutrients and organic matter, which leads to low productivity and the expansion of the farming area. The main constraints to agriculture in Niger are lack of water, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases, lack of rural credit and affordable inputs, and suboptimal traditional cropping techniques coupled with a weak research-extension service. The commercialization of cash crops beyond the local and regional levels remains weak. Livestock production of cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses and camels is an important domain of the rural economy. Although experiencing a prolonged period of decrease in terms of its contribution to the GNP (from 21% in 1960 to 13% in 1991), livestock production is regaining importance (15% of GNP in 2005). The main constraints of this sector are the declining quantity and quality of pasture and water resources. Niger’s forest lands are estimated at 14 million hectares, which is a figure far from reality as most of the forested lands have been cleared for agricultural purposes in the last decade. In the province of Maïné-Soroa, for example, it is estimated that 75% of classified forests have been lost, largely due to unsustainable practices. Few financial and/or credit facilities for funding forestry activities are available to the local population. Firewood provides the main source of energy for cooking and heating. The agricultural systems still use the traditional slash and burn practice, which often threatens wooded lands.
Over the past 30 years, average annual rainfall in Niger has declined, with high inter-annual variability and between different regions. Desertification is a major threat to the country’s economic development. Desertification in Niger is caused by a combination of climatic factors and human-induced actions. The prolonged periods of dryness in the past decades are one of the fundamental causes of the accelerated degradation of natural resources, including declining vegetation cover, high mortality of certain tree species, modifications in faunal and floral species composition, and low recharge rates of ground and surface waters. The expanding sand dune invasion is an indicator of the scale of the desertification dynamics and threats. Lack of vegetation cover combined with high evaporation rates and strong winds have increased soil exposure to wind erosion leading to large-scale desiccation and degradation of landscapes, loss of soil fertility and the development of moving sand dunes. However, while past observations tended to suggest a southward advance of the Sahara desert in Niger, data of recent scientific observations show the concentration of desertification affected areas around human settlements, suggesting the key role of human activity in this process, leading to a further reduction of the total land area available for agriculture and grazing.
B. Land degradation issues
In many parts of the country, sand dune invasion has become a major phenomenon, which threatens agricultural lands, water resources and social infrastructures alike. It is especially pronounced in the region of Agadez, in the northern part of Maradi, and in the Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder and Diffa regions. For example, in Maïné-Soroa province, roughly 25% of the department’s land area (305,000 ha.) is now affected by sand dune invasion, up from 5% in 1986, with an increase of approximately 12,360 hectares per year. In the period 1986-2005, approximately 34,000 hectares of micro-basins and shallow depressions in the proposed project areas (Gouré and Maïne-Soroa provinces) were lost due to sand dune invasion, and a significant number of the remaining micro-basins are currently under high risk. The first sand dune control programs were initiated 30 years ago and several of these treated sites were technically successful. Nevertheless, efforts to date remain time-bound and geographically isolated in their achievements in view of the large scope of the phenomenon. A major challenge nowadays is to tackle the problem on a larger scale and in a manner that ensures the sustainability of results over the long term. The control of sand dunes invasion has been identified as a priority under Niger’s National Action Plan for Desertification Control and Natural Resources Management (PAN-LCD/GRN, 2000). In his speech on Niger’s National Day (3rd August 2006), the President of Niger reaffirmed the importance of, and his steadfast commitment to implementing sand dune invasion controls and to protecting the micro-basin ecosystems in the eastern region of Niger.
Human activities are both exposing new areas to erosion and exacerbating degradation where it is already occurring. With increasing and more concentrated human and animal pressure, the natural resource base is suffering from various forms of overexploitation, including intense farming, overgrazing, tree cutting for firewood, expansion of agriculture onto marginal or sensitive lands (such as dunes and micro-basins), and bush fires. All these lead to the destruction of vegetation, the erosion of fertile soils, and the exhaustion of the regenerative capacity of the soil, aside from entailing Carbon emissions. This long and large-scale land degradation has resulted in the decrease of the productivity of pasture and agricultural lands, which in turn has affected food security and economic development.
However, it is worthwhile noting that various agro-forestry projects have been able to halt or redress these land degradation tendencies, particularly in Zinder Region during the 1990s. Communities in such areas have abandoned perverse practices, such as vegetation clearing, and have adopted new, sustainable ones, such as agro-forestry. These success stories are to be adopted and disseminated by new interventions.
C. Threats and root causes of land degradation and sand invasion, and barriers to their control
The key drivers that have impacted on ecosystem stability are mainly population pressure, changes in land tenure and degrading climate conditions. Niger has one of the highest population growth rates in the world (3.3%) that poses increasing pressures on a vulnerable ecosystem. In addition, reduction of available lands for grazing leads to settlement of people and prolongs the periods of herds staying on a given land area. As a consequence, vegetation cover disappears and erosion advances. The disintegration and dislocation of social structures and traditional natural resource management practices causes more people to encroach on new areas and to exploit natural resources without long-term vision. These social processes operate under harsh climatic conditions: droughts are recurrent and becoming increasingly frequent, thus exacerbating the already vulnerable ecosystems condition.
In general, Niger faces six main threats linked to land degradation, which are all critical in the proposed project provinces. They comprise as follows:
• Sand dune formation and invasion: In the PLECO project zone, sand invasion has become a generalized phenomenon, threatening the region’s major productive assets and social infrastructure (roads, villages, etc.). In Maïné-Soroa the surface affected increased from 70 ha. in 1975 to 305,000 ha. in 2005. While it is less severe in Gouré, sand dune expansion tripled over the last thirty years, reaching 30,000 ha. in 2005. The key economic role played by the micro-basins and shallow depressions makes their situation even more critical. Between 1986 and 2005, approximately 34,000 ha. of micro-basins and shallow depressions in the PLECO project zone were lost due to sand dune invasion. A significant additional number are currently considered to be at high risk of invasion.
• Agricultural soil fertility loss and soil erosion: Soil fertility and erosion have been dramatically affected by long periods of drought coupled with damaging agricultural and herding practices in the project zone, particularly as the increasing demographic pressure has encouraged the conversion of savannah to agricultural lands. The consequent removal of nutrients during harvesting, overgrazing and overexploitation of natural resources increase land vulnerability and exacerbates wind erosion. Unsustainable practices include the cultivation of marginal lands, shortening of fallow periods, inadequate manure input, and repetitive bush fires that destroy the regenerative capacity of the soil. Although some micro-basins and shallow depressions are currently under-exploited, others are showing stress from intensive use, in particular degradation and sand invasion of the protective outer perimeter of vegetation, falling water tables, raising salinity due to inappropriate irrigation and drainage techniques, and a declining nutrient balance due to insufficient input of manure.
• Pastoral land degradation and soil erosion: The time spent by herds in the north is becoming increasingly shorter due to a combination of factors that have reduced fodder and drinking water availability, such as: the desertification process, drier climatic conditions, sand dune invasion of rangelands, and bush fires. As a result, herds return sooner to the areas surrounding the micro-basin zone. As animal concentrations rise, overgrazing and parking increase soil vulnerability to wind erosion and the formation of sand dunes in proximity to the micro-basins. Vegetation appearing in degraded pastures is of lower forage quality.
• Decline in water availability: The prolonged dry period from the late-1970s to the mid-1990s led to a general drop in the groundwater table. Currently, water withdrawal for livestock and human consumption and for irrigation continue to threaten to lower groundwater tables below critical levels. In addition, sand invasion has destroyed many water points.
• Loss of biodiversity: Land degradation, overgrazing, tree harvesting, increasingly prevalent bushfires, and hunting and poaching are serious threats to animal and plant biodiversity in the project zone. Tree composition in the area, for instance, has undergone a significant transformation since the 1970s with certain species experiencing high mortality. A number of unique agricultural plant varieties still exist. Wildlife remains relatively diverse, but poaching and organized hunting has put dramatic pressure on many species. More than 21 bird species have been identified in the area, putting the Nigerien side of Lake Chad on the list of wetlands of international importance. However, degradation of the micro-basins is resulting in the loss of important refuges for the aviary fauna coming from Lake Chad.
• Loss of vegetation cover and carbon storage: The decline in vegetation cover, the increase of sand dunes and the overexploitation of agricultural soils have significantly decreased total carbon stored in vegetation and soils.
The rainfall pattern and the wind characteristics in the project area will determine the future conditions of the micro-basins. The micro-basins are fragile ecosystems and are vulnerable to climate change. The observed trend in rainfall using the modeling shows a future variation of the water tables of micro-basins water bodies from the drying (micro-basins with surface water) to the deepening (micro-basins with intermediate and deeper water tables). The impacts will be disappearance of vegetation and water scarcity. However, the predicted wind velocity will be lower than what is actually observed today, which will be a favorable situation as the sand dune formation and the micro basins silting will be reduced.
Poverty and food deficits have also become chronic. To adapt, villagers have modified their livelihoods and land use strategies, putting additional strain on the resource base as marginal lands are brought into production and productive ecosystems, such as micro-basins, are more intensively exploited by different actors. Conflicts between agricultural and pastoral land use systems are increasing. In many parts of the country, sand dune invasion has become a major threat to agricultural land, water resources and social infrastructure. For example in Gouré District, 246,203 ha of land have been recorded to be covered by sand from 1986 to 2005. The phenomenon is especially pronounced in the region of Agadez, the northern part of Maradi, Tahoua, Tillaberi and the regions of Zinder and Diffa.
The main barriers to overcoming the threats from land degradation are summarized in the table below, which also indicates the project components to address them.
Table 1. Barriers to sustainable land management (SLM) and proposed project's responses
|Barriers to SLM |Project components |
|Insufficient local capacity in natural resource management planning and decision-making at the landscape scale |2 |
|and over the long term; | |
|Little progress towards the development of effective land use strategies due to increasingly frequent conflicts |2 |
|and the lack of efficient communication between the different stakeholders competing for resource use; | |
|The absence of practical strategies at the local, communal, departmental and regional levels for preserving and |2 |
|managing natural resources; | |
|The lack of access at the farmers’ level to improved techniques for agricultural intensification, soil |1 |
|conservation, livestock feeding and health, and for water conservation and management; | |
|Widespread knowledge gaps at the local, regional and national levels and within the research community about |1, 2, 3 |
|land degradation dynamics and their implications; | |
|Weak capitalization of indigenous and local practices for adapting to changing ecological conditions that could |1, 2 |
|present important contributions to more efficient and sustainable natural resource management; | |
|Scarce financial mechanisms and economic opportunities for farmers to commercialize their produce, including a |2 |
|lack of access to rural credit and other financial instruments at the local, regional and national levels to | |
|address land degradation with appropriate measures; | |
|The overall level of extreme poverty, which forces the population to focus on securing basic, immediate needs |1 |
|instead of looking ahead to the long term; and | |
|Unfavorable climatic conditions with consequent water stress triggering short term reactions and measures. |2 |
The long term solution to remove the above-mentioned barriers is to provide strategic support to: (i) catalyse the up-scaling of local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management, coupled with (ii) strengthening of local institutions’ and stakeholders’ capacity in integrated management of land resources, plus (iii) strengthening of monitoring systems for assessing impact and for knowledge and lessons sharing.
D. Description of the project's zone, baseline and stakeholders
Among the areas most threatened by sand dune invasion in Niger are the regions of Zinder and Diffa, and specifically, the provinces [départements] of Gouré (in Zinder) and Maïné-Soroa (in Diffa), which have undergone a striking increase in sand invasion over the last 20 years. In Maïné-Soroa, roughly 25% of the department’s land area (305,000 ha.) is now affected by sand dune invasion, up from 5% in 1986: this represents an increase of approximately 12,360 ha. per year. While the situation is less dramatic in Gouré, with a slow increase to 3% of the department’s land area, the surface covered by mobile dunes tripled over the last twenty years to 30,029 ha in 2005. Moreover, the newest areas under threat are in the agricultural zone in the south of the Department.
Figure 1. Map of Niger with regions and some provincial capitals
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The project area is situated within the sahelo-saharian zone with a rainy season of 3 months, followed by a 9-month dry season. Average rainfall over the past 30 years was 338 mm in Maïné and 309 mm in Gouré but is unevenly distributed geographically and over time. The project area consists of a sandy plateau pocketed with productive oasis micro-basins and shallow depressions. Oasis micro-basins are circular depressions that can reach several hundred meters in diameter and 10 to 40 meters in depth. They are characterized by a distinctive microclimate where the quality and quantity of soil and water are superior to the surrounding plateau area. Shallow depressions along riverbeds and watercourses are a second characteristic niche of the project zone and are generally composed of localized alluvial soils suitable for rain fed crop production or reserved for pasture.[1] The population in the two departments depends heavily on these two niche areas for food and cash crop production: 51.3% of local agricultural income comes from micro-basin production of cereals, fruits and vegetables, compared to 15.3 % from plateau agriculture. Livestock production, often dependent upon access to the water and vegetation in these areas, accounts for another 25.3%. Finally, the sale of natron salt, produced in the central section of the micro-basins, and handicrafts together make up the final 8.1% of household income.[2] Because of their relatively high productivity, micro-basins and shallow depressions are a critical economic resource in the project zone and must be sustainably managed to avoid land degradation, sand invasion and salinisation.
The surrounding tree and shrub steppe is characterized by Acacia seyal, Acacia nilotica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Ziziphus mauritiana, and Leptadenia pyrotechnica. The herbaceous cover is composed of Cenchrus biflorus, Aristida mutabilis, and Pergularia tomentosa. In depressions, the dominant woody species are Acacia senegal, Acacia raddiana and Acacia seyal in association with the grass Cenchrus biflorus. The indigenous fauna includes gazelles, monkeys, bustards, hyena, jackal, cheetah, fennec, hare, jerboa, squirrel and some rare Addax. The micro-basins also serve as a refuge for a rich community of birds from the Lake Chad region.
Current agricultural practices in the project zone combine rain-fed agriculture with micro-basin production. On the plateau, farmers, and increasingly, herders, plant rain-fed millet, sorghum and cowpea. Although plateau soils are sandy with low fertility and low organic matter content, cultivation of these marginal soils has increased since the drought of 1984; exposure of soils to wind erosion has increased in many places as a result. The precariousness of rain-fed agriculture in the project area has also increased the pressure on the shallow depressions and micro-basins, where a diversity of food and cash crops can be produced because of the shallow water table. The revenue generated through micro-basin exploitation is an important part of the risk management strategy for local populations. Regional commercialization offers additional potential but faces certain barriers, including sand invasion of roads.
Livestock production (cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, camels) is characterized by both nomadic and sedentary herding. Three systems can be distinguished in the project zone: the extensive/nomadic pastoral system, the semi-extensive/transhumance pastoral system and the semi-intensive/sedentary pastoral system. Livestock numbers have declined in recent years as a result of degraded pasture land, itself a result of variable and declining rainfall and over exploitation. Herders have adapted by changing the species composition of their herds and by moving further south into the crop production zone. At the same time, the expansion of cultivated lands onto rangelands, particularly around micro-basins and shallow depressions, as well as land degradation from the movement of herds in and around these areas, is a clear sign of the growing competition for resources: conflicts between herdsmen and farmers have become frequent.
Local stakeholders (farmers, herders, municipal authorities) feel overload by the growing phenomena of sand dune invasion. Adequate knowledge and cooperation mechanisms are missing, hence impeding any sustainable response to the problem. Capacity building required is not just on technical grounds (best practices and techniques) but equally on dialogue, planning and cooperation between the different local stakeholders: i.e. those engaged in land use (farmers, herders) and those responsible for knowledge and governance (leaders, associations, municipalities, decentralised technicians).
It is worthwhile to note that due to the intervention of various agro-forestry projects particularly in Zinder Region during 1990s (e.g. the 3M - Magaria, Matamey and Mirriah - Project) local communities have gained culture of tree husbandry and ownership. It is quite clear nowadays that communities in such areas have abandoned the habit of clear cutting and land clearing. Trees of agro-forestry importance are systematically left on the farm and become the ownership of farmers. With the spreading of this culture, the agricultural areas of middle and eastern Niger show a very good vegetation index and satellite surveys and imagery of the zone show an increase in vegetation. In fact this Assisted Natural Vegetation has been the basis of scientific publication of a collaborative research work of American and Niger universities. This success story will be capitalized on by PLECO.
Figure 2. Oasis threaten with sand dunes Figure 3. Sand dunes surrounding a village
Figure 4. Micro-basin oasis over hanged Figure 5. Micro-basin protected against
by sand dunes. sand dunes by "fascines".
II. Strategy
A. Policy conformity and country ownership
In line with the principles of the Rural Development Strategy (SDR) and its programmes addressing SLM, the Government of Niger has requested the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) support to contribute to improved conditions of poor populations and the terrestrial ecosystem services upon which they depend. This request has been conveyed through GEF's Strategic Investment Programme (SIP) for SLM and the TerrAfrica Platform. Under the leadership of UNDP and in close cooperation with the World Bank (WB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the TerrAfrica process will serve to scale up the policy, institutional, program and field responses to the challenges of desertification and land degradation. This project will thus fit within TerrAfrica efforts, notably in terms of field practices, local capacity-building and monitoring systems. This will feed the parallel efforts, under TerrAfrica, to develop a SLM Country Investment Strategic Framework (CSIF) at national level which will be translated and adapted to sub-national and local levels. TerrAfrica tools and processes (such as the CSIF and national inter-ministerial committee) will be aligned and integrated with existing ones created through the SDR.
The three SIP operations in Niger, namely PLECO (this project), ARRDI and PAC, have been designed and are being implemented in line with the SDR’s priority programs 10 (environmental sustainability) and 13 (land restoration and reforestation), and as part of the TerrAfrica vision. The World Bank operation will deliver targeted investments at local level throughout the country. The UNDP and IFAD operations are geographically focused respectively in the Zinder/Diffa and Maradi regions. The 3 SIP projects were prepared in close coordination among the three agencies and the Government to ensure complementarities among the interventions; for instance, for site selection special caution has been given to avoid overlays of GEF and donor-funded interventions.
The project is consistent with international and national policies and strategies. Niger has ratified, among others, the following conventions on the conservation and management of the environment: the U.N. Convention for Combating Desertification (UNCCD), the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Changes (UNFCCC). To implement these conventions, Niger has developed several instruments that create a framework of policy and action plans to address desertification and related issues.
Regarding the UNCCD, the following policy documents are available: The National Plan for Environmentally Sustainable Development (PNEDD, April 2000), which is part of the Rural Development Strategy. In addition, the National Action Plan for Desertification Control and Natural Resources Management (PAN/LCD-GRN) has five priority sub-programs which address respectively: (i) conservation and restoration of degraded lands and mobilization and management of surface water; (ii) the fight against dune formation; (iii) community forestry and management of natural resources, (iv) capacity building of the institutions in charge of monitoring the environment, drought and desertification (notably the proposed National Ecological Monitoring Centre); and (v) follow-up and evaluation. The sub-program for the fight against sand dunes seeks to reduce the risks associated with agro-sylvo-pastoral production. Expected program results of pertinence for the PLECO include improved productivity of micro-basins and agricultural land and the protection of socioeconomic infrastructures. The PLECO will contribute directly to achieving all these results. In fact, the proposed project is part of the operational response to the Niger Government’s PAN/LCD-GRN, as mentioned. It will also serve to realise the PNEDD, as well as being linked to the Medium-Term Action Plan 2006-2011 on Environment and Desertification Control in Niger. It will also contribute to both the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Rural Development Strategy. This extensive policy framework on land degradation, desertification and dune control is an indication of the high priority Government gives to these issues. Niger is also part of the TerrAfrica Platform and participant of its Strategic Investment Programme (SIP) under which this project will be actually funded.
Regarding the CBD, Niger adopted its Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in October 1998. Relevant objectives of this action plan include the development of research activities related to desertification and land degradation and biodiversity conservation. By working on the protection of the micro-basins and their related ecosystems, the project PLECO will also contribute to the CBD.
Regarding UNFCCC, Niger adopted a Strategy and Action Plan for Climate Change in 2004 and a National Action Plan for Adaptation (NAPA) in 2006. Studies related to climate change and vulnerability show that land degradation is a critical phenomenon in Niger with impacts on all development activities. It is an indicator of vulnerability for both ecosystems and the population. By promoting sustainable land management practices, the project will contribute significantly to reducing the vulnerability of the population as identified in the NAPA, as well as enhancing Carbon sequestration potential.
The Action Plan of UNDP's Country Programme (2004-2007, valid to present), which comprises an Environment component, links three core strategic documents: the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and Niger's Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). Its Environment component emphasises two key action lines: (i) support to institutions for environmental management; and (ii) integrated management of water resources. To realise this component, a substantive number of projects and initiatives from the GEF are already supporting the country in institutional and operational means. It is important to note that institutional capacity-building and decentralisation are emphasised as transversal, indispensable axis for poverty reduction and development, including for the environment and natural resource management. Accordingly, the way the PLECO is designed fits well these UN, UNDP and country priorities for development.
B. Design principles and strategic considerations
The project will help Government and other stakeholders to move towards a programmatic approach to SLM in Niger, in line with TerrAfrica Platform. This will entail: (i) coordinating efforts at the political, strategic, technical, and programmatic levels, particularly within the SDR framework within which the WB's and IFAD's SIP projects also fit; (ii) developing and consolidating activities that support SLM by contributing in the implementation of SDR's Program 13 on Land Rehabilitation and reforestation; (iii) increasing the quality and quantity of contributions and exchanges of knowledge, data, and expertise through the framework of the national observatory, and (iv) mobilizing and channelling financial resources more efficiently in line with SDR and UNDAF framework. Project components 2 and, particularly, 3 will serve for these goals.
The project has many synergies with the other 2 Niger SIP projects (WB and IFAD). They will all work together to lift barriers to SLM and implement activities that will help the SLM agenda move forward in Niger and become fully institutionalized. In this sense, the WB's PAC will support the preparation of the CSIF, which is also financed through core UNDP resources. In addition, capacity building will be undertaken at local, regional and national levels with each SIP intervention focusing on a thematic issue or region (in the case of this projects, in the highly vulnerable provinces of Gouré and Maïné-Soroa. Furthermore, the 3 projects will generate abundant knowledge and best practices, and the respective project teams will work together through the SDR processes to stimulate exchanges, enhance synergies and generate the highest level of technical and site-specific information possible. The proposed project will render the National Ecological Monitoring Centre operational, which will be done in close coordination with the WB PAC team and the SDR team in a way that it serves the SLM agenda in Niger as broadly as possible and henceforth informs policy reforms and adjustments to the SDR strategy.
As a Niger SIP portfolio project, the PLECO will address the priority actions identify in the CSIF. Specifically, the project will contribute in already identified preliminary CSIF priorities. First, by building the institutional, technical and financial capacity development of stakeholders, with emphasis on the local level and on impacts of climate change on SLM (see project's Outcome 2). In this sense, the project will help local institutions to develop strategies and capacity to address the imminent threat of desertification through effective and coordinated efforts. In collaboration with the local population, the PLECO will also elaborate long-term management plans for sand dunes that will guide local communities in restoring these degraded niches and improving their productivity. Regarding knowledge management, the project will disseminate best practices and lessons learnt (via Outcome 2), especially those emerging from field interventions (to be fulfilled under Outcome 1). The project will also contribute to the CSIF priority of developing pilot actions on SLM taking in to account national priorities (see Outcome 1).
In terms of global environmental rationale, it is to be noted that oasis invasion by sand dunes is a priority concern across the Sahel. The PLECO project, which has as objective to protect the integrity of, and to improve the agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity of the micro-basin ecosystems in the departments of Gouré and Maïné-Soroa, is an important addition to the portfolio of GEF projects in the region. No other GEF project in Africa addresses this issue. The project offers the GEF an opportunity to develop its policy and strategy for responding to this growing threat, including on the challenge of working primarily with agro-pastoral communities within the oases while also addressing the needs and access rights of migratory peoples in the wider landscape. Section II below contains a detailed analysis of the global environmental benefits of this project.
In terms of country rationale, the PLECO intends to become a thematic leader on sand dune invasion control and SLM in Niger. It will assume the role of catalyzing discussions, thematic groups and interventions at local, regional and national levels and provide its knowledge to programs and policy makers working on sustainable development, desertification control and sustainable land management. At the local level, in the project zone, the PLECO will mobilize communities, strengthen local capacity, support local and departmental coordination, encourage a participatory process by which the causes and risks of land degradation are identified, disseminate knowledge about state-of-the-art sustainable land management practices, encourage information sharing, technically assist in testing appropriate sand dune invasion control techniques, mobilize co-financing for additional investments, assist in establishing a participatory monitoring and evaluation strategy and facilitate the sharing with stakeholders at all levels of project results, lessons learned and best practices.
The PLECO project will build on the experiences of past and on-going projects in the area but will bring value-added by adopting a long-term vision of the problematic of land degradation and sand invasion based on an integrated approach that takes into account not only the different characteristics of local agro-sylvo-pastoral systems but also the socio-economic, legal and institutional factors affecting land use. The project will also upscale activities by building synergies between other projects and actors intervening in the region. Concretely, the PLECO will take a lead role in proposing mechanisms to harmonize approaches and practices for fighting against sand invasion in the intervention zone and contribute to the creation of a functional network of information exchange and joint interventions at the local, regional and national levels.
The project will promote best practices in agriculture and livestock management that contribute to the regeneration of vegetation cover and soil protection in order to prevent sand dune formation. In collaboration with the local population, the PLECO will also elaborate long-term management plans for sand dunes that will guide local communities in restoring these degraded niches and improving their productivity. While the WB/SIP project will address the issue of infrastructure development at communal level, the project will strengthen capacity in term of knowledge production and management in the local communities, who will be the primary project stakeholders and implementers of best practices. In addition, the PLECO will help local institutions to develop strategies and capacity to address the imminent threat of desertification through effective and coordinated efforts.
The project will also contribute to achieving larger national, regional and international objectives. In working to improve sustainable management of the productive capital (soils, vegetation, biodiversity, water) and the living conditions of the rural populations, the PLECO responds to the main stakes of desertification control as defined in the Niger’s National Action Plan for Desertification Control and Natural Resources Management (PAN/LCD-GRN). The project’s focus on the protection and restoration of biodiversity in the micro-basins and shallow depressions and on the plateau, including the protection and management of water resources, will also contribute to the larger scale management of the threatened regional Lake Chad basin. Finally, by reducing wind erosion through improved management of vegetation cover, the PLECO will also contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change.
The geographical location of the project is strategic for securing and reinforcing the protection of the basins of Lake Chad and the Niger River. Oasis basins are a special feature of the regional ecosystem and are predominant in the project area. Where these oases form part of the catchment areas for the two major basins (Lake Chad, River Niger) the PLECO will contribute to the benefits of the International Waters (IW) Focal Area. The micro basins, as a humid environment fill the Gaps between the two basins and offer a transition humid environment for many migratory birds. In addition, the protection of these zones will significantly contribute to the protection and conservation of globally significant biodiversity (fauna and flora) in these fragile ecosystems thus also contributing to the benefits of the Biodiversity (BD) Focal Area. Finally, the project will extend its system boundary where relevant; one of the areas already identified is the development of a sand dune monitoring capacity at the national level (linked to National Ecological Monitoring Centre). The gap analysis conducted by the GEF operational focal point and the recently established National GEF Committee confirmed that the PLECO project fills a gap in the overall GEF portfolio in Niger in terms of both geographical location and thematic focus and will enhance the impact of the other projects in the GEF portfolio.
C. Project's objectives and description
Goal, objective and outcomes
The goal of the project is to ensure sustainable and improved management of land and water resources in order to improve the livelihoods and incomes of rural populations in Niger's sahelian zones. The objective of the project is to protect the integrity of, and to improve the agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity of the micro-basin ecosystems in the Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces. The project has 4 main components, as follows: (1) Local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management; (2) Local capacities and institutions for SLM; (3) Monitoring system on sand dunes and land degradation; and (4) Project management. The Project Framework is presented in table 2 below, including components, expected outcomes and outputs, and the allocated budget.
Table 2. Project Framework
|Project components |Expected outcomes |Expected outputs |GEF financing |
| | | |(US$) |
|1. Local practices for dune,|Sustainable dune, land and ecosystem |Practices and models for sand dune prevention or|695,000 |
|land and ecosystem |management activities are implemented at |stabilization applied and assessed | |
|management |the grassroots level, covering |Integrated management of dunes, land and | |
| |approximately 7,510 ha of land. |ecosystems in 35 priority micro-basins | |
| | |(operational plans elaborated, validated & | |
| |[SIP's IR-1] (*) |implemented) | |
|2. Local capacities and |Technical and managerial capacity of local |Local land tenure and management institutions |540,000 |
|institutions for SLM |stakeholders on dune, land and ecosystem |are strengthened | |
| |management is strengthened in the 35 |Awareness and knowledge on SLM is enhanced (in | |
| |priority micro-basins |at least 50% of population in the 35 priority | |
| | |micro-basins) | |
| |[SIP's IR-1 & IR-4] (*) |Development of ecosystem services and | |
| | |ecosystem-based livelihoods leading to 20% | |
| | |increase in productivity of agro-pastoral areas | |
|3. Monitoring system on sand|A monitoring system on sand dune and land |A National Ecological Monitoring Centre is |590,000 |
|dunes and land degradation |degradation is established and implemented |created (with a focus on sand dunes, land | |
| |at national level and harmonized with |degradation and early warning) | |
| |SIP/TerrAfrica at regional level |Ecological monitoring protocols at community | |
| | |level established and implemented | |
| |[SIP's IR-4] (*) |An early warning system on desertification and | |
| | |land degradation is functional | |
| | |National M&E system harmonized with | |
| | |SIP/TerrAfrica M&E and SLM indicators system | |
|4. Project management |An adaptive and lessons-sharing management |Project management is closely connected to the |195,000 |
| |system in place |country's SLM institutions | |
| | |Lessons sharing with other SIP/TerrAfrica | |
| |[SIP's IR-2 & IR-4] (*) |projects | |
| | |Project evolves according to the ongoing SLM | |
| | |work nationally | |
|Total Project Costs |2,020,000 |
(*) SIP's Intermediate Results (IR) are as follows:
IR-1: SLM applications on the ground are scaled up in country-defined priority agro-ecological zones.
IR-2: Effective and inclusive dialogue and advocacy on SLM strategic priorities, enabling conditions and delivery mechanisms established and ongoing.
IR-3: Commercial and advisory services for SLM are strengthened and readily available to land users.
IR-4: Targeted knowledge generated and disseminated and monitoring established and strengthened at all levels.
Duration and intervention zone
The PLECO will intervene over a period of five years.
The project's field activities will take place in 8 communes in the provinces of Gouré (Zinder Region) and Maïne-Soroa (Diffa Region), as compiled in Table 3 below:
Table 3. Project intervention zone
|Regions |Provinces |Communes |
|Zinder |Gouré |Bouné |
| | |Kellé |
| | |Guidiguir |
| | |Urban Commune of Gouré |
|Diffa |Maïné-Soroa |Goudoumaria |
| | |Nguelbayli |
| | |Foulatari |
| | |Urban Commune of Maïné-Soroa |
The choice of communes was based on a technical analysis of the sand dune invasion threat and on the outcome of a participatory consultation process with stakeholders in the two departments. The criteria for selection were: the severity of the threat of sand dune invasion, the economic importance of the threat, the engagement and willingness of the population to fight sand invasion, the absence of significant land tenure conflicts, the objectives defined in the Medium Term Action Program (PAMT, 2006-2011) for Environment and Desertification adopted by the Government of Niger and its partners during the 2005 Sectoral Consultation on Environment and Desertification Control and the objectives of Environment Programs 2, 10 and 13 of the Rural Development Strategy (declination of the new Strategy of Accelerated Development and Poverty Reduction).
Proposed activities
A number of core activities have been identified, as compiled next.
Component 1 (Local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management) will finance activities aiming at two core outputs, namely: (i) apply practices and models for the prevention and stabilisation of sand dunes; and (ii) realise the integrated management of dunes, land and ecosystems in 35 priority micro-basins. This component will be largely implemented through the recruitment of local NGOs who have technical experience and are used to mobilise and support beneficiaries. This will ensure appropriation and smooth implementation. Activities such as the following ones will help realising these outputs:
• Participatory diagnostic of dune invasion and land degradation issues.
• Participatory development of local action plans for dune/land management and support to their implementation.
• Help partners develop state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies for the prevention of sand dune formation and for the reduction of land degradation.
• Localize and classify the sand dune invasion threats within the project zone in consultation with the local stakeholders
• Provide stakeholders in the project's zone with information, technical advice and training on long-term management of stabilized dunes, on sustainable agriculture techniques, and on pasture and water management. (stakeholders include rural communities, local associations, NGOs, technical services and projects)
• Provide technical know-how as well as investment support for sand dune prevention/stabilisation to local partners and community populations.
• Encourage exchanges and collaboration between partners; and disseminate information on degradation dynamics at the local, communal and departmental level.
• Promote the enrichment of newly created landscape niches with species with economic potential (e.g. for the production of fuel wood, fodder, Arabic gum, etc.).
• Support activities for the sustainable management of soils, water, agricultural farms, tree crops and associated vegetation within the micro-basins.
• Strengthen the technical and organizational capacity of local stakeholders to identify, plan and implement sustainable land and water management activities within the micro-basins.
• Improve agricultural and soil conservation techniques promoted taking into account sustainable management of the resources at the micro-basin level.
• Assist communities in the monitoring of water tables in critical micro-basins and advise on rational water use and management (this can be done in collaboration with the PIP2 project).
• Support adaptive tree planting and wood saving measures.
Component 2 (Local capacities and institutions for SLM) is meant to provide technical and managerial capacity to local stakeholders on dune, land and ecosystem management, focusing in the 35 priority micro-basins. The following potential activities have been identified for project financing:
• Support to the existing local, communal and provincial structures on SLM affairs, with the goal of fostering networks and collaborative initiatives.
• Support the Cadres de Concertation that have been, or are due to be created as part of the decentralization process at the regional, departmental, communal and village levels, including diagnostic exercises, training and other capacity-building support.
• Build capacity in land management and land conflict resolution in the different Land Commissions (COFO) that were established by the Rural Code, and which remain weak.
• Formulate and implement an adapted information, education and communication (IEC) program in relation to dune, land and ecosystem management.
• Provide updated information on land degradation issues and sustainable land management opportunities to all concerned stakeholders.
• Reinforce social and organizational capacities so that local actors use new knowledge to come to together, plan and implement SLM activities, including beyond project closure.
• Elaborate and implement a participatory, thematic training program targeting local structures.
• Undertake a participatory assessment with local communities to identify the existing community-level technical knowledge base.
• Review and disseminate the knowledge available at the National Ecological Monitoring Centre on sand dune invasion and land degradation.
• Support initiatives for the payment of ecosystem services, as well as the implementation of sustainable activities linking natural resources management and local incomes.
• Oversee and establish standards for the marketing of ecosystem products and services.
• Design new funding mechanisms to support grassroots initiatives in SLM and, if successful, put in place a revolving trust fund.
• Support national and regional investment planning efforts for SLM.
• Identify and apply incentive measures for replicating best practices in SLM (micro-basins).
Component 3 (Monitoring system on sand dunes and land degradation) aims at establishing a monitoring system on sand dune and land degradation, at national level and practical also locally. Accordingly, the project may finance the following activities:
• Support to the creation of a National Ecological Monitoring Centre, which will have a focus and specialisation on monitoring sand dune invasion and SLM, and accordingly provide practical research and training. This is to be created under the Ministry of Environment and Desertification Control and sanctioned by decree (note: infrastructure shall not be paid with GEF funds, but with co-financing).
• Set up selected monitoring sites in the project zone and put in place data collection mechanisms according to state-of-the-art scientific methodologies
• Support the training of the technical committee of the National Ecological Monitoring Centre and of monitoring teams.
• Collect, systematize and disseminate SLM and ecological information
• Establish a community-level system for dune and land monitoring.
• Provide maps of local territories for SLM activities, with joint analysis with local communities.
• Collaborate with the departments of Geography, Agriculture and Geology of the University of Niamey for providing technical assistance and identifying interventions that address land degradation from the plot to the landscape scale.
• Help establish a system of crisis prevention and management (droughts, locust invasions, flooding).
• Develop methodologies and a monitoring framework at national level to monitor the dynamics of sand dunes.
• Ensure community participation in monitoring and exploitation of their indigenous knowledge to develop efficient and locally adapted strategies for protection against sand dune invasion.
Component 4 (Project management) will aim at putting in place an adaptive and lessons-sharing management system. This will mean that project management will be closely connected to the country's SLM institutions, and that the project will evolve towards reinforcing a national and local SLM institutional structure (so to ensure sustainability of dune and land management after the project).
Financial modality
The project has a budget of US$ 2,020,000. Table 1 above states the allocation for each component (this has to be respected and, if budget reallocation is needed, due justification will be required as well as approval at required instances). Detailed budget is presented in Section IV further down.
The GEF resources will serve for investments, technical assistance and specialized technical assistance. Under Component 1, substantial field interventions with communities in 35 priority micro-basins will be conducted, with technical assistance support to ensure these are qualitative interventions. Component 2 will mostly consist on technical assistance to enhance local and institutional capacities for dune, land and ecosystem management. Component 3 will include specialized technical assistance to help develop and implement monitoring institutions and systems on sand dune and land degradation, as well as early warning on their progress. Finally, Component 4 will consist on technical assistance related to project management under an adaptive approach
The project will be supported with co-financing from a number of stakeholders and projects, amounting to US$ 13,280,000, as described in Table 4 below.
Table 4. Sources of confirmed co-financing for the project
|Name of co-financier (source) |Classification |Type | Amount ($) |% |
|Communes [districts]: Gouré, Kellé, Guidiguir, Boune, Maine-Soroa,|Local Government |Cash |4,000,000 |30 |
|Foulatari, Goudoumaria et N’Guelbayli. | | | | |
|Project PADL - Diffa) |Bilateral |Cash |3,320,000 |25 |
|Project PADL - Zinder |Bilateral |Cash |560,000 |4 |
|Programme Spécial du Président de la République: Volet |Government |Cash |3,200,000 |24 |
|Restauration de l’Environnent | | | | |
|Government of Niger |Government |In kind |500,000 |4 |
|PASAM Gouré |NGO |Cash |1,200,000 |9 |
|UNDP |Multilateral |Cash |500,000 |4 |
|Total Co-financing |13,280,000 |100 |
D. Project Analysis
Cost-effectiveness and sustainability
Cost-effectiveness of the project has been considered through the following tasks: (i) conducting of a risk assessment and a financial appraisal with the key project stakeholders; (ii) conducting of an “alternative designs” exercise during the participative project’s logical framework, which enabled the project proponents to select the best options, having in mind past and ongoing experience in the project area; and (iii) all UNDP requirements for project management, fiduciary responsibility, and independent oversight have been duly considered. A first indication of project effectiveness results from the fact that the project is inscribed in the framework of the SDR at the national level, as well as under the Terrafrica partnership at the African regional level. The national framework ensures the high impact and uptake of project lessons nationally, while the Terrafrica framework facilitates the sharing of lessons and exchanges regionally. Furthermore, the fact that there are three SIP operations in Niger will ensure that GEF investments are mutually supportive, for example in terms of generating lessons and knowledge products on the regionalization of the SDR.
Alternative project approaches could have encompassed the regionalization of the SDR throughout the Zinder and Diffa regions. This would have entailed working in different ecological settings rather than focusing on oasis micro-basins. However, broadening the scope of ecological coverage would have spread the team too thin on the large territory in question. Given that other SIP operations (WB and IFAD) will be operating in different settings and ecological systems, the project’s focus is justified in terms of acquiring leadership on oasis micro-basins and their rehabilitation. Such experience will then feed into the SDR knowledge management products and become replicated in other oasis micro-basins across the country. The decision that the project will support the operationalization of the National Ecological Monitoring Center recently created by the Government, instead of creating a National Observatory, will avoid development of institutions with conflicting mandates. The PLECO approach will render investment cost-effective and will reinforce local institutional synergy in tools development, coordination and knowledge development and sharing.
The project's sustainability relies on the set of institutional capacities to be created or reinforced around sustainable dune, land and ecosystem management. The institutions and cooperation mechanisms at local level will ensure that sand dune control and SLM practices remain active beyond the project's scope, as they are meant to be adopted by the different stakeholders in a cooperative spirit. In addition, all efforts under component 3 will aim at a national-level institutional capacity for monitoring, responding and disseminating best practices to combat sand dune and land degradation. The project's heavy institutional support dimension represents a core basis for sustainability of actions as well as to scale them up across the country.
Global environmental benefits and GEF relevance
Oasis invasion by sand dunes is a priority concern across the Sahel, making the PLECO project an important addition to the GEF portfolio in the region, both in Niger and across the Sahel. The project will offer the GEF an opportunity to test policy and operational responses to this major and growing threat. It will also provide lessons regarding how to work successfully with agro-pastoral communities living around the oasis, while also addressing the needs and access rights of migratory peoples under a wider landscape approach. Furthermore, the geographical location of the project is strategic for protecting the basins of Lake Chad and River Niger. Oases are a special feature of the regional ecosystem, and they are connected to these two major, international African basins. In this sense, PLECO will simultaneously contribute to the benefits of the International Waters focal area. In addition, the protection of these zones will significantly contribute to the protection and conservation of globally significant biodiversity (fauna and flora) in these fragile ecosystems, thus also contributing to the benefits of the Biodiversity focal area. Finally, the project will extend its system boundary where relevant; one of the areas already identified is the development of a sand dune monitoring capacity at the national level (linked to ROSELT’s regional capacity).
The project will focus on a major challenge in the fight against desertification in some sahelian zones: the prevention and stabilization of sand dunes. It will do so through three types of interventions that correspond to components 1 to 3: (i) mobilizing communities for specific actions on sand, land and ecosystem management; (ii) building capacities of local institutions on sustainable sand and land management; and (iii) disseminating knowledge and creating national capacities for sand dune and land degradation monitoring. The engagement of the population will provide a model for intervention that can be replicated throughout different countries affected by this desertification-related problem. Institutional capacity-building on dune and land management, in all senses (from physical to tenure issues) is vital to create long-term processes. The creation of a National Ecological Monitoring Centre will ensure due knowledge dissemination and monitoring of dune and land issues, hence institutionalizing the understanding of the problem and the responses required.
The GEF will bring additional resources and a more comprehensive/institutional approach that will help frame the fight against sand invasion and land degradation over the longer-term and at the landscape scale. In doing so, GEF resources will enable the project to address some of the key barriers to SLM; these include: (i) knowledge gaps; (ii) lack of required institutional capacity to sustain the long-term cooperative effort; (iii) limited links between science and policy, including in the design of land-use plans and financial incentive measures. As a response to these gaps, the project will reinforce synergies and harmonization and focus on scaling up lessons learned and best-fit practices. It will support the National Ecological Monitoring Centre aimed at (i) increasing scientific and land users’ knowledge of the issues and problems Niger is facing and (ii) identifying solutions to land degradation and (iii) informing policy reform processes.
The global environmental benefits to be realized by the project include: (i) reduction of the negative consequences of desertification and land degradation, including loss of ecosystem functions and services, (ii) restoration and improvement of the functional integrity and resilience of micro-basin ecosystems in Niger, thereby protecting and enhancing environmental services, such as increased productivity and increased Carbon sequestration, (iii) improved protection and management of water resources, thus contributing to the larger scale management of the threatened Lake Chad basin, (iv) reduction of wind erosion and loss of vegetation through improved management of vegetation cover, thereby contributing to the reduction of the impacts of climate change. The project aims to promote practices that will protect, restore, and improve the integrity of Niger’s micro-basin ecosystems and improve the agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity in these areas.
The project implementation will contribute to lessons learning that will be useful in neighboring countries (Nigeria, Chad) and throughout west and northern Africa. In this way, the project will contribute to the GEF/SIP global objective and to the implementation of the UNCCD.
At the national and local levels, the project will contribute to developing and executing interventions that focus on identifying system-wide, landscape-scale solutions to control and prevent land degradation, thus supporting Niger’s aim to effectively address desertification in all its dimensions. As a result of PLECO’s interventions, at least 8 communes: Bouné, Kellé, Guidiguir, the Urban Commune of Gouré (Gouré District); Goudoumaria, Nguelbayli, Foulatari, the Urban Commune of Maïne-Soroa (Maïne-Soroa District) and local NGOs in the project area apply sustainable land management practices on at least 4,150 hectares of micro-basins and 3,360 hectares of pastoral area, 1,000 hectares of previous fixation interventions are consolidated, and a functional National Sand Dune and Land Degradation Observatory is established in Niger.
These environmental benefits will be tracked through proxy ecosystem indicators agreed to within the SIP partnership, with the baselines to be refined during project implementation: (i) hectares of sand-dunes rehabilitated; (ii) presence of indicator species of sound ecosystem status; (iv) piezeometric level of water table. Indicator species of ecosystem status include: Aristida mutabilis, Cenchrus biflorus (good site conditions), Pergularia tomentosa (sign of pronounced erosion), Acacia Senegal, Acacia raddiana and Acacia seyal in association and Calotropis procera (very poor site conditions).The recolonisation of the old Pleistocene dunes in the Sahel by these species could indicate that the open savannah ecosystems have been restored that provide important habitats for birds, small mammals, etc.
Value added of GEF financing
Scenario without GEF: The project’s focus would be limited to sand dune stabilization activities in a discrete project area, building only on local capacity and benefiting the local environment without attention to longer-term solutions and institutional appropriation (local and national levels) of best practices. Thus, the project would not be able to adequately address the scope of the problem of sand invasion and loss of ecosystem stability and integrity. In addition, without the proposed observatory, the general lack of knowledge will continue, and therefore policy and project responses would not be devised and deployed on time.
Scenario with GEF: The GEF increment of PLECO will support a comprehensive, institutionalized and long-term response to sand dunes and land degradation. In doing so, GEF resources will enable the project to address some of the key barriers to SLM, including: (i) knowledge gaps; (ii) lack of required institutional capacity to sustain the long-term cooperative effort; and (iii) limited links between science and policy, including in the design of land-use plans and financial incentive measures. As a response to these gaps, the project will reinforce synergies and harmonization and focus on scaling up lessons learned and best-fit practices. It will establish a national observatory aimed at (i) increasing scientific and land users’ knowledge of the issues and problems Niger is facing, (ii) identifying solutions to land degradation, and (iii) informing policy reform processes.
There is a lack of coordination of sand dune control activities, not only in the project zone but at the regional and national levels. However, the newly created Rural Development Strategy, the Environment programs Steering Committee and various Donor/Government Consultation Frameworks will help to address the issue. There is limited knowledge in the project zone on the climate risk and the dynamics of desertification over the long-term and sand dune invasion at the landscape level, as suggested preliminarily by the CSIF diagnosis (July 2008).
Risk analysis and management
Three inter-related risks for the project have been identified, as follows:
• Climate. Periods of pronounced drought are common in Niger. Low or irregular rainfall could cause an increase in active sand dune formation and invasion leading to accelerated loss of micro-basins and depressions, an increase in loss of vegetation cover and a decline in water availability.
• Stakeholder participation. Due to poverty and socio-economic stress, local land users often prioritize individual and immediate livelihood needs rather than engaging in long-term SLM goals. Effective stakeholder participation represents a challenge in the project zones.
• Institutional and political weakness. Weak institutional capacity at both national and local levels may inhibit project implementation. Niger’s decentralization policy faces a number of challenges including: strengthening local governance, mobilizing financial resources at the local-level, developing the concept of local citizenship, and achieving inter-communal and trans-boundary cooperation.
The proposed risk management measures are as follows (summarised in table 5 below):
• Climate. The project will focus on SLM approaches and techniques that can be responsive to prolonged droughts and climatic fluctuations. The project’s duration (5 years) will ease dealing with climate in view of project impacts. The project will promote climate-resilient land and water management approaches, including soil conservation practices, monitoring of water tables, and the promotion of water saving techniques. These activities will contribute to the improved management of water resources and reduced vulnerability to arid conditions for the mutual benefit of the vegetation, fauna and people. In addition, the project will financed the establishment of a National Ecological Monitoring Centre, which will allow the stakeholders to anticipate climate issues and take adequate policy and program responses.
• Stakeholder participation. The project will use participatory approaches to ensure community involvement and commitment to project goals. The project will promote local income generation from improved ecosystem services. The project will engage 4 extension agents to support field activities and community engagement. Component 2 will support local capacity building, which includes stakeholder engagement and awareness raising on the importance of SLM in socio-economic development.
• Institutional and political weakness. A core focus of the project is to build local, regional and national SLM capacity, as encompassed in components 2 and 3. This risk is precisely part of the project outcomes.
Table 5. Summary of the project risk and mitigation measures
|Risk |Risk rating |Risk mitigation strategy |
|Climate |Moderate |• Project focuses on SLM approaches and techniques that can be responsive to prolonged |
| | |droughts and climatic fluctuations. |
| | |Establishment of a National Ecological Monitoring Centre, which will allow the stakeholders|
| | |to anticipate climate issues and take adequate policy and program responses. |
|Stakeholder |Low |• Use of participatory approaches to ensure community involvement and commitment to project|
|participation | |goals. |
| | |Promotion of local income generation from improved ecosystem services. |
| | |Engagement of 4 extension agents (animateurs) to support field activities and community |
| | |engagement. |
| | |Support local capacity building, which includes stakeholder engagement and awareness |
| | |raising on the importance of SLM in socio-economic development. |
|Institutional and |Low |• A core focus of the project is to build local, regional and national SLM capacity |
|political weakness | |(components 2 and 3). |
E. Management Arrangements
Executing agency
The executing agency for the project is UNDP. The project will thus be executed according to UNDP procedures in the country and by following GEF guidelines for implementing a medium-sized project on sustainable land management. The project will be executed under the NEX (National Execution) modality, and in accordance with the appropriate GEF guidelines. UNDP will work closely with the Ministry for the Environment and Desertification Control (MELCD), the GEF Focal Point and the Project Coordinator for the implementation and monitoring of the project.
Project oversight
The project falls within the MELCD. The SDR Environment Steering Committee will provide project steering roles. A Scientific and Technical Committee (to be later submerged within the National Ecological Monitoring Centre to be created) will provide technical advisory support. Provincial structures for project oversight will be defined during the project's inception workshop.
To avoid duplication of institutional mechanisms, the three GEF/SIP projects will report to the same environment program steering committee of the SDR. This overarching steering committee is composed of concerned national administrations and development partners. Its role is: (i) to define implementation modalities; (ii) to coordinate activities and ensure they are coherent and they conform with the SDR; (iii) to establish a coordination framework; (iv) to supervise, monitor and evaluate progress; and (v) to report to the SDR inter-ministerial committee and ensure coordination with other SDR programs. It is through this committee that the three projects will harmonize their approaches, exchange lessons and transfer knowledge. The National Centre for Ecological Monitoring (to be established by a national decree and with the financial/technical supported of this project) will become a repository of information, expertise and best practices for all SIP and SDR interventions.
As executing agency, UNDP will ensure the overall monitoring of project implementation, the experience sharing with other relevant GEF projects, and the creation of the necessary synergies with UNDAF, GEF and other international projects. The UNDP will also be in charge of the following tasks, among others:
• Recruitment of project contractual staff, in collaboration with the MELCD and the PMU.
• Recruitment and mobilisation of experts and technical assistants, in consultation with the PMU.
• Transfer of the necessary funds for project implementation and financial co-management.
• Participation in the national Steering Committee.
• Review and approval of the expenses for interventions recommended by the steering committee.
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and outcomes.
• Overview of the mid-term and final evaluations of the project.
• Approval of the Terms of Reference and of the final drafts of technical and financial reports.
• Participation in different supervisory meetings and missions.
• Approval of any budgetary revision, and organization of financial audits.
Project coordination and implementation
The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be based in Zinder, which is the second city of Niger and close to the project sites. It will be lodged by the regional unit of the General Directorate of Environment, Water and Forestry, which belongs to the MELCD. The PMU will be composed by these professionals:
• Project Coordinator, who will be an expert on natural resource management and split the time between management of the entire project (50%) and technical advice for implementation of Component 1 (Local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management) (50%).
• Specialist on GIS and Monitoring, who will have two major tasks: (i) lead and supervise the implementation of the project's Component 3 (Monitoring system on sand dunes and land degradation); and (ii) Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of the project.
• Admin-Finance Officer, who will be in charge of the project's administrative, financial, fiduciary, accounting and logistical tasks.
• 4 field extension agents (animateurs), who will be based in the field (2 in Gouré province and 2 in the Maine-Soroa province) and devoted to support and monitor field activities in the day-to-day.
In addition, the Project will get support of at least 2 MELCD officials from the Gouré and Maine-Soroa provinces, respectively. The PMU will also recruit a number of international and national experts, as well as NGOs, to conduct the many planned activities, from studies to field interventions.
A vehicle, motorbikes for the 4 extension agents and required equipments will be provided to the PMU to function properly and to be able implement the project. Travel expenses for visits to the capital city, Niamey, for meetings and other events are scheduled and budgeted.
At the local level, the 4 project extension agents will ensure community engagement, coordinate activities with the implementing stakeholders and NGOs, and promote and monitor project activities, notably for components 1 and 2. They will be equipped with motorbikes to perform their community-based roles. They will work in close cooperation with MELCD officers in their respective provinces, as well as with local authorities, in order to ensure project ownership and future sustainability.
Since there is a substantial gap between the time of project conception and the likely start of the project, the implementation arrangements will be reviewed, detailed and finalised during the project's Inception Workshop, to be also in line with the status of decentralisation and other ongoing administrative reforms.
Additional dispositions
In order to accord proper acknowledgement to GEF for providing funding, a GEF should appear on all relevant GEF project publications, including among others, project hardware and vehicles purchased with GEF funds. Any citation on publications regarding projects funded by GEF should also accord proper acknowledgment to GEF. The UNDP logo should be more prominent − and separated from the GEF logo if possible, as UN visibility is important for security purposes.
The PLECO will use project resources in compliance with agreed objectives and resources. Funds will be used efficiently and with transparency. Technical and financial audits will be undertaken on an annual basis. The monitoring and evaluation system will allow close follow-up of the progress in project implementation and delivery of expected impacts and global environmental benefits.
F. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget
Project monitoring and evaluation will be conducted in accordance with established UNDP and GEF procedures and will be provided by the project team and the UNDP Country Office (UNDP-CO) with support from the UNDP Regional Coordination Unit (UNDP-RCU). The Logical Framework Matrix (see Section II below) provides performance and impact indicators for project implementation along with their corresponding means of verification. These will form the basis on which the project's Monitoring and Evaluation system will be built.
The following paragraphs outline the principle components of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and indicative cost estimates related to M&E activities. The project's Monitoring and Evaluation Plan will be presented and finalized at the Project's Inception Report following a collective fine-tuning of indicators, means of verification, and the full definition of project staff M&E responsibilities.
A Project Inception Workshop will be conducted with the full project team, relevant government counterparts, co-financing partners, the UNDP-CO and representation from the UNDP-RCU. The principal objectives of this Inception Workshop will be to assist the project team to understand and take ownership of the project’s goals and objectives, to review key design elements and to finalize preparation of the project's first annual work plan. This will include reviewing the Logical Framework (components, outputs, indicators, means of verification), imparting additional detail as needed and, on the basis of this exercise, finalizing the Annual Work Plan (AWP) with precise and measurable performance indicators, and in a manner consistent with the expected outcomes for the project. The Project Coordinator and the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor will fine-tune the progress and performance/impact indicators of the project in consultation with the full project team and UNDP-CO at the Inception Workshop.
Monitoring responsibilities and events: A detailed schedule of project review meetings will be developed by the project management, in consultation with project implementation partners and stakeholder representatives and incorporated in the Project Inception Report. Such a schedule will include: (i) tentative time frames for Tripartite Reviews, Steering Committee Meetings (or relevant advisory and/or coordination mechanisms) and (ii) project related Monitoring and Evaluation activities.
Day to day monitoring of implementation progress will be the responsibility of the Project Coordinator, based on the project's Annual Work Plan and its indicators. The Project Team will inform the UNDP-CO of any delays or difficulties faced during implementation so that the appropriate support or corrective measures can be adopted in a timely and remedial fashion.
Periodic monitoring of implementation progress will be undertaken by the UNDP-CO through quarterly meetings with the project proponent or more frequently as deemed necessary. This will allow parties to take stock and to troubleshoot in a timely fashion any problems pertaining to the project in order to ensure smooth implementation of project activities. In order to closely assess project progress, UNDP-CO (with UNDP-RCU if needed) will conduct field visits annually or more often if required. Any member of the Steering Committee may also participate in these visits. A Field Visit Report will be prepared by the UNDP-CO and circulated to the project team, all Steering Committee members, and UNDP-RCU no later than one month after the visit.
Annual Monitoring will occur through the Tripartite Review (TPR). This is the highest policy-level meeting of the parties directly involved in the project's implementation. The project will be subject to the TPR at least once every year. The first such meeting will be held within the first twelve months of the start of full implementation. The project proponent will prepare an Annual Project Report (APR) and submit it to the UNDP-CO and UNDP-RCU for review and comment at least two weeks prior to the TPR. The APR will be one of the basic documents for discussion in the TPR meeting. The TPR has the authority to suspend disbursement if project performance benchmarks are not met.
The Terminal Tripartite Review (TTR) is held in the last month of project operations. The PLECO proponent is responsible for preparing the Terminal Report and submitting it to the UNDP-CO and UNDP-RCU. The Terminal Report shall be prepared in draft at least two months in advance of the TTR in order to allow review, and will serve as the basis for discussions in the TTR. The terminal tripartite review considers the implementation of the project as a whole, paying particular attention to whether the project has achieved its stated objectives and contributed to the broader environmental objectives. It decides whether any actions are still necessary, particularly in relation to the sustainability of project results, and acts as a vehicle through which lessons learned can be captured to feed into other projects under implementation or formulation.
Project Monitoring Reporting: The Project Coordinator, in conjunction with the UNDP extended team, will be responsible for the preparation and submission of the following reports that form part of the monitoring process. Items (a) through (f) are mandatory and strictly related to monitoring, while (g) and (h) are optional since they depend on the dynamic and needs of the implementation.
a) Inception Report (IR): A Project Inception Report will be prepared immediately following the Inception Workshop. It will include a detailed First Year/Annual Work Plan divided in quarterly periods detailing the activities and progress indicators that will guide implementation during the first year of the project. This Work Plan will include the dates of specific field visits, support missions from the UNDP-CO or the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) or consultants, timeframes for meetings of the project's decision making structures and the detailed project budget for the first full year of implementation.
b) Annual Project Report (APR): The APR is a UNDP requirement and part of the UNDP Country Office’s central oversight, monitoring and project management. It is a self-assessment report by project management to the CO that provides input to the country office reporting process and the Results-Oriented Annual Report (ROAR), while also forming a key input to the Tripartite Project Review. An APR will be prepared on an annual basis prior to the Tripartite Project Review, to reflect progress achieved in meeting the project's Annual Work Plan (AWP) and to assess the project’s performance in contributing to intended outcomes through outputs and partnership work.
c) Project Implementation Review (PIR): The PIR is an annual monitoring process mandated by the GEF. It has become an essential management and monitoring tool for project managers and offers the main vehicle for extracting lessons from ongoing projects. Once the project has been under implementation for a year, a Project Implementation Report must be completed by the CO together with the project. The PIR can be prepared any time during the year (July-June) and ideally prior to the TPR.
d) Quarterly Progress Reports: Short reports outlining main updates in project progress will be provided quarterly to the local UNDP-CO and the UNDP-RCU by the project team.
e) Periodic Thematic Reports: As and when called for by UNDP, UNDP-RCU or the Implementing Partner, the project team will prepare Specific Thematic Reports, focusing on specific issues or areas of activity. These reports can be used as a form of lessons learned exercise, specific oversight in key areas, or as troubleshooting exercises to evaluate and overcome obstacles and difficulties encountered.
f) Project Terminal Report: During the last three months of the project the project team will prepare the Project Terminal Report. This comprehensive report will summarize all activities, achievements and outputs of the Project, lessons learned, objectives met, or not achieved structures and systems implemented, etc. and will be the definitive statement of the Project’s activities during its lifetime. It will also lay out recommendations for any further steps that may need to be taken to ensure sustainability and replicability of the Project’s activities.
g) Technical Reports (project specific - optional): Technical Reports are detailed documents covering specific areas of analysis or scientific specializations within the overall project. As part of the Inception Report, the project team will prepare a draft Reports List, detailing the technical reports that are expected to be prepared on key areas of activity during the course of the Project and tentative due dates. Where necessary, this Reports List will be revised and updated and included in subsequent APRs.
h) Project Publications (project specific - optional): Project Publications will form a key method of crystallizing and disseminating the results and achievements of the Project. These publications may be scientific or informational texts on the activities and achievements of the Project, in the form of journal articles, multimedia publications, etc. These publications can be based on Technical Reports, depending upon their relevance, scientific worth, etc., or may be summaries or compilations of a series of Technical Reports and other research.
Independent Evaluation: The project will be subjected to at least two independent external evaluations, as follows. An independent Mid-Term Evaluation will be undertaken at the end of the second year of implementation. The mid-term Evaluation will determine progress being made towards the achievement of outcomes and will identify course correction if needed. It will focus on the effectiveness, efficiency and timeliness of project implementation; will highlight issues requiring decisions and actions; and will present initial lessons learned about project design, implementation and management. An independent Final Evaluation will take place three months prior to the terminal tripartite review meeting, and will focus on the same issues as the mid-term evaluation. The final evaluation will also look at the impact and sustainability of results, including the contribution to capacity development and the achievement of global environmental goals. The Final Evaluation should also provide recommendations for follow-up activities. The Terms of Reference for this evaluation will be prepared by the UNDP-CO based on guidance from the UNDP-RCU.
Audit Clause: The Government will provide the Resident Representative with certified periodic financial statements, and with an annual audit of the financial statements relating to the status of UNDP (including GEF) funds according to the established procedures set out in the Programming and Finance manuals. The Audit will be conducted by the legally recognized auditor of the Niger Government, or by a commercial auditor engaged by the Government.
Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Under component 2, the project will finance many information, education and communication (IEC) activities to raise awareness and knowledge of communities and local authorities on SLM, sand dune prevention and management, and land tenure issues (conflict prevention and resolution). Component 3 will serve to create, test and deploy a monitoring system for sand dune and land degradation. Component 4 will emphasize an adaptive project management where lessons learnt are used to improve management and to enhance stakeholders' project engagement. Overall, project activities will include support to establishing the National Ecological Monitoring Center (which will have a focus on sand dune stabilization and land degradation); the development of methodologies and a monitoring framework at the national level to monitor the dynamics of sand dunes; fostering community participation in monitoring and drawing lessons from their indigenous knowledge in order to develop efficient and locally adapted strategies for the protection of sand dune invasion; and disseminating Early Warning and Crisis Management System Results from the project within and beyond the project intervention zone through a number of existing information sharing networks and forums. In addition, the project will participate, as relevant and appropriate, in UNDP/GEF sponsored networks organized for Senior Personnel working on projects that share common characteristics. The project will identify, analyze, and share lessons learned that might be beneficial in the design and implementation of similar future projects.
A tentative Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, with its budget, is compiled in the table below.
Table 6. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Budget
|Activities |Responsible parties |Budget |Periodicity |
| | |(excluding project and UNDP | |
| | |staff) | |
|Inception workshop |Project team, UNDP-CO, ME/LCD |US$ 15,000 |Within 3 months after project |
| | | |start-up. |
|Inception report |Project team, UNDP-CO, ME/LCD |− |Immediately after the inception |
| | | |workshop |
|Baseline & measurement of |Project Team (notably the GIS and M&E|To be defined at the Inception |Beginning, mid-term and end of the |
|indicators |expert) |Workshop. Estimated US$ 20,000 |project (some activities annually) |
|Annual progress reports and |Project Team |− |Every year |
|implementation review reports | | | |
|Publications on lessons learnt, |Project team and consultants if |US$ 10,000 |To be determined by the Project |
|Technical reports |necessary | |team and UNDP-CO |
|Mid-term evaluation |Project coordinator, ME/LCD, UNDP-CO,|US$ 20,000 |Mid-term (end 3rd year) |
| |UNDP-RCU. | | |
|Final external evaluation |Project coordinator, ME/LCD, UNDP-CO,|US$ 30,000 |At the end of the project |
| |UNDP-RCU. | | |
|Audit |Project Team; UNDP-CO |US$ 25,000 |Every year |
|M&E-related field visits |Project Team |US$ 10,000 |Every year |
|TOTAL indicative costs |US$ 130,000 |Total Project |
G. Legal Context
This Project Document shall be the instrument referred to as such in Article I of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement between the Government of Niger and the United Nations Development Programme, signed by the parties on [date]. The host country implementing agency shall, for the purpose of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement, refer to the government co-operating agency described in that Agreement.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Niger (Niamey) is authorized to effect in writing the following types of revision to this Project Document, provided that he/she has verified the agreement thereto by the UNDP-GEF Unit and is assured that the other signatories to the Project Document have no objection to the proposed changes:
a) Revision of, or addition to, any of the annexes to the Project Document;
b) Revisions which do not involve significant changes in the immediate objectives, outputs or activities of the project, but are caused by the rearrangement of the inputs already agreed to or by cost increases due to inflation;
c) Mandatory annual revisions which re-phase the delivery of agreed project inputs or increased expert or other costs due to inflation or take into account agency expenditure flexibility; and
d) Inclusion of additional annexes and attachments only as set out here in this Project Document
III. STRATEGIC RESULTS FRAMEWORK
|Component |Indicators |Reference situation |Targets |Verification sources |Hypothesis |
|Project objective: |Extension under dune protection and|305,000 ha under risk of sand invasion |7,510 ha protected in the micro-basins |Activity reports of |No drought or climatic hazards|
| |SLM practices |in Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces |and on sylvo-pastoral spaces, as follows:|the different | |
|To protect the integrity of, and| | | |projects |Engagement of local |
|to improve the | |There is a serious sand invasion |PLECO: 4,410 ha | |stakeholders (authorities, |
|agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity| |problem, exacerbated by non sustainable|PADEL/ZR: 400 ha |Technical services |technicians and the |
|of the micro-basin ecosystems in| |land and natural resource management |PADEL/DA: 750 ha |monitoring reports |population) on SLM |
|Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces | |practices; this problem is confirmed in|PAGRN: 800 ha | | |
| | |development district plans. |PIP2: 150 ha |Project M&E surveys |No major land conflicts |
| | | |Other actors: 1,000 ha |and reports | |
| |Improvement of agro-pastoral |Millet productivity: |Productivity of agro-pastoral areas |Reports from the food|No drought or climatic hazards|
| |productivity in the 35 priority |Gouré: 261 kg/ha |increases by at least 20% by the end of |and agricultural | |
| |micro-basins and 5 sylvo-pastoral |Maïné: 410 kg/ha |the project |campaigns | |
| |spaces that receive project support| | | | |
| | |Bean productivity: | |Project's M&E surveys| |
| | |Gouré: 109 kg/ha | | | |
| | |Maïné: 70 kg/ha | | | |
|Outcome 1: | |No operational plan available |Operational plan for the protection of 35|Pluri-annual |Engagement of local |
| |Multi-annual operation plan for the|(meanwhile 580 and 287 villages are |strategic micro-basins is elaborated and |operation plan |stakeholders (authorities, |
|Sustainable dune, land and |protection of 35 strategic oasis |subjected to sand invasion in |validated during 1st year, and is | |technicians and the |
|ecosystem management activities |micro-basins |Maïné-Soroa and Gouré, respectively) |implemented from 2nd year |Project reports |population) on SLM |
|are implemented at the | | | | | |
|grassroots level, covering | | | | | |
|approx. 7,510 ha of land. | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|[SIP's IR-1] | | | | | |
| |Number of experimentation sites for|Poor knowledge on best NRM practices in|90 sites of pilot experimentation and |M&E reports |Engagement of local |
| |best NRM practices in agro-pastoral|agro-pastoral systems |demonstration of agricultural and | |stakeholders (authorities, |
| |systems installed | |pastoral good practices are installed |Beneficiary surveys |technicians and the |
| | | |with full population engagement | |population) on SLM |
|Outcome 2 |% of the population that acquire |Poor awareness and training |At least 50% of the rural population in |M&E reports |Engagement of local |
| |practical knowledge on sand, land |opportunities on SLM-related knowledge |the 35 priority micro-basins has improved| |stakeholders (authorities, |
|Technical and managerial |and ecosystem management in the |and practices |their practical knowledge on sand, land |Beneficiary surveys |technicians and the |
|capacity of local stakeholders |priority 35 micro-basins | |and ecosystem management | |population) on SLM |
|on dune, land and ecosystem | |High levels of illiteracy | | | |
|management is strengthened in | | | | | |
|the 35 priority micro-basins | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|[SIP's IR-1 & IR-4] | | | | | |
| |Number of COFOs (land tenure |COFOs show very weak capacities and |At least half of the COFOs in the Gouré |Project reports |Institutions and actors |
| |committees) that improve |poor functioning |and Maïné-Soroa provinces improve their | |engaged in COFOs are committed|
| |dissemination of SLM practices and | |functioning thanks to the project |Beneficiary surveys |to make COFOs work |
| |conflict resolution efforts | | | | |
|Outcome 3 |Development of a sand dune and land|No such monitoring system exists |Sand dune and land degradation monitoring|Project reports |The National Ecological |
| |degradation monitoring system | |system is established through the new | |Monitoring Centre recruits |
|A monitoring system on sand dune|(national scope) and application in| |National Ecological Monitoring Centre |National Ecological |competent professionals to |
|and land degradation is |Goure and Maine-Soroa provinces | | |Monitoring Centre's |elaborate indicators and a |
|established and implemented at | | | |reports |sound monitoring system |
|national level and harmonized | | | | | |
|with SIP/TerrAfrica at regional | | | | | |
|level | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|[SIP's IR-4] | | | | | |
| |Number of projects and institutions|No indicators on sand dune and land |At least 6 projects and/or institutions |Projects' reports |− |
| |that use the sand dune and land |degradation in place |in the country use the new Centre's | | |
| |degradation indicators to | |indicators to plan/monitor activities |Final Evaluation | |
| |plan/monitor their activities | | | | |
|Outcome 4 |Number of non-project stakeholders |The Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces |At least 8 non-project stakeholders from |Project reports |Security conditions in Gouré |
| |that visit project sites and |receive no much visits in relation to |other departments or abroad visit project| |and Maïné-Soroa are stable |
|An adaptive and lessons-sharing |activities for learning/replicating|best practices or SLM innovations |sites to learn from project's best | | |
|management system in place | | |practices and innovations. | | |
| | | | | | |
|[SIP's IR-2 & IR-4] | | | | | |
| |Publications and IEC materials to |Few publications and IEC materials |MTR and Final Evaluation rate |MTR and Final |− |
| |disseminate sand, land and |available |publications and IEC materials produced |Evaluation reports | |
| |ecosystem management practices | |as "satisfactory" based on criteria of | | |
| | | |quantity, pedagogic quality and usage | | |
| | | |level. | | |
IV. TOTAL BUDGET AND WORKPLAN
|Award ID |00058216 | |Business Unit |NER10 |
|Project ID |00072224 | |Project Title |Oasis Micro-Basin Sand Invasion Control in the Gouré and Maïné-Soroa |
| | | | |provinces (French Acronym: PLECO) |
|Award Title |GEF: PIMS 3225 - LD - FSP - Niger Sand Dunes | |Implementing Partner (NEX) |MELCD |
Total Budget and Workplan (continuation)
ANNEXES
Annex 1. Endorsement letters from the country
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Annex 2. Co-financing letters
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Annex 3. Outline of Terms of Reference for key project staff
These ToR will be reviewed and completed by the time of recruitment
between MELCD, UNDP-CO and UNDP-RCU.
Project Coordinator
Roles and Responsibilities
Core function 1 (50% of time): Project Management.
• Responsible for the overall implementation of the Project, under the joint supervision of the MELCD and UNDP.
• Supervise project staff, partners, consultants and operators.
• Planning, coordination and supervision of all Project activities.
• Ensure sound financial management of the Project, supervising the administrative and financial aspects.
• Ensure attainment of project objectives.
• Management of relationships with project partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure due Information, Education and Communication praxis.
• Contribute to organisation and conduction of Steering Committee meetings.
• Organise regular meetings with the key Project partners.
• Prepare and organise the different Project evaluations and internal audits.
Core function 2 (50% of time): Technical advisor on dune, land and ecosystem management
• Lead and supervise the implementation of Component 1 (Local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management).
• Provide advice to project stakeholders on best practices and techniques for dune, land and ecosystem management.
• Lead and supervise the 4 field extension agents plus the provincial and municipal officials that may be engaged in project implementation.
Competencies required
• University degree (5+ years) in natural sciences, agronomy or related discipline.
• 10 years of experience in rural development and/or environmental issues, and at least 5 years experience in project coordination (implementation).
• Specialist in the environment, desertification control, ecology or related matter.
• Available to work in desert and dryland zones.
• Organising and coordinating skills.
• Experience in community-level work.
• Experience in GEF and/or UNDP projects and operations will be an added value.
GIS and Monitoring Specialist
Roles and responsibilities
• Lead and supervise the implementation of the project's Component 3 (Monitoring system on sand dunes and land degradation).
• Conduct the overall Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of the Project.
• Provide advice on institutional and policy making for desertification control and SLM.
• Oversee the creation and initial functioning of the National Ecological Monitoring Centre.
• Provide technical advice on tools, GIS and related techniques for an effective assessment/monitoring of sand dunes and land degradation, both at nation-wide level and in the project's intervention sites (35 micro-basins and 8 communes).
• Review technical studies produced during project implementation.
Competencies required
• University degree (5+) in engineering, geography, biometry or related scientific discipline.
• At least 8 years experience in environmental information and monitoring systems/tools.
• At least 3 years experience in project M&E.
• Knowledge of GIS, computing tools, and participatory assessment tools.
Admin-Finance Officer
Roles and responsibilities
• Project administrative tasks (reports, correspondence, tenders, contracts, archive keeping, etc.).
• Project financial, fiduciary and accounting needs (financial planning and information, annual budgets, accounting duties, ensuring sound management of project's funds, project compliance with GEF, UNDP and national administrative and accounting procedures, etc.)
• Project logistical tasks (purchases, supplies, office and equipment maintenance, etc.).
Competencies required
• University degree or qualitative diploma (3+) in economics, accounting, financial management or related discipline.
• At least 5 years practical experience in administrative and financial management (projects, enterprises or organisations with budgets over US$ 1 million).
• Skilled in Excel and basic accounting software.
• Demonstrate integrity, as well as being an organised and methodical professional.
• Knowledge of GEF or UNDP financial management procedures is a valuable asset.
Field extension agents (4 in total)
The field extension agents will be based in the field and devoted to support and monitor field activities in the day-to-day (Components 1 and 2), particularly: to ensure community engagement, to promote and monitor project activities, and to coordinate activities with the implementing partners and NGOs.
Annex 4. Signature Page
Country: _Niger_
UNDAF Outcome(s)/Indicator(s):
Local populations improve their food safety and diversify their sources of revenue
(Link to UNDAF outcome., If no UNDAF, leave blank)
Expected Outcome(s)/Indicator (s):
− Sustainable dune land and ecosystem management activities are implemented at the grassroots level, covering approximately 7,510 ha of land.
− Technical and managerial capacity of local stakeholders on dune, land and ecosystem management is strengthened in 35 priority micro-basins.
− A monitoring system on sand dune and land degradation is established and implemented at national level
− An adaptative and lessons sharing management system in place.
(CP outcomes linked t the SRF/MYFF goal and service line)
Populations participate in the sustainable safeguarding of environmental resources and water.
Expected Output(s)/Indicator(s):
− Practices and models for sand dune prevention or stabilization applied and assessed
− Integrated management of dunes, land and ecosystems in 35 priority micro-basins (operational plans elaborated, validated & implemented)
− Local land tenure and management institutions are strengthened
− Awareness and knowledge on SLM is enhanced (in at least 50% of population in the 35 priority micro-basins)
− Development of ecosystem services and ecosystem-based livelihoods leading to 20% increase in productivity of agro-pastoral areas
− A National Ecological Monitoring Centre is created (with a focus on sand dunes, land degradation and early warning)
− Ecological monitoring protocols at community level established and implemented
− An early warning system on desertification and land degradation is functional
− National M&E system harmonized with SIP/TerrAfrica M&E and SLM indicators system
− Project management is closely connected to the country's SLM institutions
− Lessons sharing with other SIP/TerrAfrica projects
− Project evolves according to the ongoing SLM work nationally
(CP outcomes linked t the SRF/MYFF goal and service line) _____________________________________
Implementing partner: Ministry for the Environment and Desertification Control (MELCD)
(designated institution/Executing agency)
Other Partners: _________________________
_________________________
Agreed by (Government): _______________________________________________________
Agreed by (Implementing partner/Executing agency):________________________________
Agreed by (UNDP):_____________________________________________________________
Notes:
UNDAF Outcome and Indicator(s)
The signature page details the UNDAF outcome(s) as well as the Outcome(s) and Output(s) related to the project. If the UNDAF lists outcomes, they should be included in the signature page. When UNDAF outcomes are not clearly articulated, country teams may decide to either revisit the UNDAF to clarify the outcomes or leave the field blank.
UNDAF Outcome indicators should be listed here.
Expected Outcome(s) and Indicator(s)
Expected Outcomes are Country Programme (CP) outcomes. They should reflect MYFF/SRF outcomes and ACC sector, which will be in the ERP).
Outcome indicator(s) should be listed here.
Expected Output(s) and Indicator(s)
Expected Outputs are Country Programme outputs. They should reflect MYFF/SRF outputs.
Output indicator(s) should be listed here.
Implementing partner:
Same as designated institution in the simplified project document – name of institution responsible for managing the programme or project (formerly referred to as executing agency). Implementing partners include Government, UN agencies, UNDP (see restrictions in Programming Manual Chapter 6) or NGOs.
Other partners:
Formerly referred to as implementing agencies in the simplified project document—partners that have agreed to carry out activities within a nationally executed project. This would include UNDP when it provides Country Office Support to national execution. Private sector companies and NGOs hired as contractors would generally not be included. The agency (i.e. Government, UN agency) that contracts with the private sector company and/or NGO is the responsible party. ‘Other partners’ can also apply to other execution modalities.
When an NGO contributes to an output, it can be noted along with the responsible party with which it contracts (e.g., UNDP/NGO, Govt/NGO). Consistent with current practice the rationale for selecting an NGO as a contractor, must be documented.
Programme period: Refers to the Country Programme period
Programme component: MYFF Goal
Project title, project code, project duration (self explanatory)
Management arrangement: Indicate NEX, AGEX, NGO Execution, DEX
Budget: Total budget minus the General Management Services Fees
General Management Services Fees: This was formerly COA (Country Office Administrative fee) for cost sharing and UNDP Administstative Fee for Trust Funds.
Total budget: Includes the budget and General Management Services Fees. In-kind contributions can be listed under ‘other’ resources. Unfunded amounts cannot be committed until funds are available.
Signatures:
The Implementing partner is the institution responsible for managing the programme or project. (The institution now commonly referred to as the “executing agency” but will now be referred to as the “implementing partner”)
UNDP is the UNDP Resident Representative.
The Government counterpart is the government coordinating authority.
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[1] Report on the Characterization of the Soils of Micro-basins and Shallow, PLECO, September 2006.
[2] Jahiel, 1998 in Capitalization of National Experiences in Dune Stabilization, PLECO, September 2006.
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Brief description
The objective of this project is to protect the integrity of, and to improve the agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity of the micro-basin ecosystems in the Gouré and Maïné-Soroa provinces. The project has a budget of US$ 2,020,000, financed by the GEF, which is complemented with a co-financing of US$ 13,280,000 from various Government, municipal, project and donor sources. The project will be implemented over a period of 5 years.
The project responds to the fact that in many parts of the country, sand dune invasion is a major phenomenon, threatening agriculture, water resources and social infrastructures. In Maïné-Soroa province, roughly 25% of the land area (some 300,000 ha.) is now affected by sand dune invasion, up from only 5% in 1986, with an increase rate of approximately 12,000 hectares per year. Sand dune invasion is critical in micro-basins, where sustainable land and water management are essential for rural livelihoods. Combating sand dune invasion is not just a technical challenge, but also requires creating institutional capacities (locally and nationally).
The project has 4 components, as follows: (i) Local practices for dune, land and ecosystem management; (ii) Local capacities and institutions for SLM; (iii) Monitoring system on sand dunes and land degradation; and (iv) Project management. The project's field activities (components 1 and 2) will be implemented in the provinces of Gouré (Zinder Region) and Maïné-Soroa (Diffa Region), in the following 8 communes: Bouné, Kellé, Guidiguir, Gouré (urban), Goudoumaria, Nguelbayli, Foulatari and Maïné-Soroa (urban). Some 35 priority micro-basins will be targeted by the project with special emphasis. The global environmental benefits to be realized include consolidating institutional and technical [pic]!&4589:; ................
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