Document Type: Progress Reports

The present Semi-Annual Progress Report summarizes implementation of the FY13 annual work plan and how the project met or exceeded its FY13 targets established in the updated Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) approved on August 9, 2013. This report complements the weekly bullets and monthly newsletters that are submitted to the Contracting Officer´s Representative (COR) as well as information presented in the regular planning and coordination meetings that the COR participates in. Key to the project´s ability to complete the FY13 work plan activities and meet its goals is the MAE´s ownership of project technical assistance, which is also an integral part of its internal work plans and goals.

As in past years, in the FY13 the Project´s implementation strategy focused on reducing the following four main threats to biodiversity conservation in six priority sites along the coast of Ecuador: (1) Loss and/or alteration of critical habitats, (2) Climate change, (3) Lack of economic alternatives, and (4) Insufficient institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation. To this end, the project continued to build local capacity to manage Protected Areas, implement climate change adaptation measures, and manage integrated farms. In addition, the project provided tools for communities and local governments to mitigate and respond to climate risks. It also promoted market access for products that support conservation (such as red crab, which depend on protecting mangroves; tagua, which depends on forest conservation; organic cacao produced using environmentally safe practices; and ecotourism). To improve livelihoods it also continued to help people invest their cash-for-conservation payments received for protecting natural forests under the Ministry of Environment´s (MAE) Socio Bosque Program in income generating activities. Lastly, the project continued to work in close partnership with the MAE and provide technical inputs for forestry policy development and to improve protected area management.

To date, the Project has trained 4,435 people, promoted 20 new commercial linkages, and helped communities and families access over $11.6M in cash-for conservation payments for protecting 51,978 hectares. As a result of project technical assistance, over 16,225 people are benefiting economically and over 744,000 hectares of critical habitats are under improved management. Parallel to this, the Project is strengthening six conservation coalitions that serve as platforms for coordinating natural resource management with local public and private sector, and has leveraged over $16.8 million. For a more detailed summary of results to date please see Section 1. Key to the project´s ability to complete the FY13 work plan activities and meet its goals is the MAE´s ownership of project technical assistance, which is also an integral part of its internal work plans and goals.

Especially noteworthy achievements this reporting period include:

1. Published pamphlets as training materials for promoting good agricultural practices, forestry management, sustainable tagua management, and organic fertilizer.
2. Strengthened community eco-tourism in Dos Mangas, helping the community develop two commercial linkages with tour operators, and helping the community leverage funding from the local government to improve services, develop promotional materials, and improve trails.
3. Developed two new commercial linkages for live crab and expanding commercial linkages to increase volume of red crab pulp and also include sales for “jaiba” and crab shells.
4. Based on the Manual for Protected Area Operational Management and three pilot operational plans prepared for Protected Areas last period, developed nine more operational plans (Reserva Ecológica Mache Chindul, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Estuario del Rio Muisne, Reserva Ecológica Manglares Cayapas Mataje, Reserva Marina Galera San Francisco, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Corazón y Fragatas, Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Parque Nacional Sangay, Parque Nacional Sumaco, and Reserva de Producción de Fauna Cuyabeno).
5. Developed a management strategy for the Chongón Colonche Protected Forest and strengthening a coalition of local stakeholders to implement the strategy.
6. Supported agro-ecological fairs for farmers that support conservation to sell their products.
7. Began a pilot research activity on growth of crabs in captivity.
8. Assisted the Isla Escalante mangrove concession coalition file complaints to authorities regarding mangrove deforestation.
9. Shared experiences and lessons learned in the Socio Bosque Partner´s Event for the Coastal Region to share experiences and lessons learned.
10. Facilitated an in-country study tour with six communities from the Gran Reserva Chachi to share experiences and lessons learned overseeing forest conservation and participating in the Socio Bosque Program.
11. Collected and published information on ancestral practices for processing paja toquilla (straw).
12. Developed/strengthened commercial linkages for paja toquilla and caña guadúa.
13. Supported the MAE develop plans for creating an incentive program for mangrove conservation.
14. Supported implementation of the closed crabbing season.
15. Strengthened mangrove concession management and development of a management plan for the Lucha y Progresso association that is putting together a concession application.

This period USAID conducted a mid-term evaluation of the project, which concluded that the project is on the way to achieving its intended results. The evaluation made three recommendations to the project (document lessons learned and recommendations in a more didactic manner, support continuity of market linkages, and capture lessons learned), which have been incorporated in its FY14 annual work plan.

The first half of FY11 is marked with continued successes in developing effective mechanisms to mitigate threats to biodiversity conservation. The Project´s implementation strategy remains focused on providing the technical assistance needed to reduce threats to biodiversity conservation and increase local capacity to manage natural resources in priority areas, and particularly in protected areas. In the FY11 Work Plan the threats targeted, and the strategies and activities designed to minimize them, were tailored to the project´s results framework and presented in alignment with the Project´s Intermediate Results (PIRs) and are presented in the Introduction of this report. The present Semi-Annual Progress Report provides an update on the implementation of the activities and results contemplated in the approved FY11 annual work plan.

In sum, the project continues to provide a series of incentives to conserve the remnants of high biodiversity areas along the Ecuadoran coast and increase local capacity to manage natural resources, especially in protected areas. These incentives include technical assistance for land titling and meeting other prerequisites for accessing the Ministry of Environment´s (MAE) conservation incentives (Socio Bosque), facilitating market access/linkages, and training in best practices, among others. These incentives coupled with establishing partnerships with local, regional and international organizations, and strengthening local capacities, continue to result in local stakeholders taking ownership in project activities. Parallel to this, the Project formed key alliances to formalize collaboration with local public and private sector actors, and has leveraged over $7 million, and continues to work in close partnership with the MAE.

Especially noteworthy achievements this reporting period include (1) launching a historic red crab stock analysis, (2) presenting climate change adaptation measures for El Salado to local stakeholders, (3) improving fishery practices in the Gulf of Guayaquil, (4) strengthening protected area and mangrove concession management, (5) making the mangrove monitoring and enforcement system more operable in the Gulf of Guayaquil, (6) promoting implementation of priority activities in the Ayampe Environmental Land Use Plan, (7) preparing a pamphlet on land tenure policies, (8) fomenting forest rehabilitation and (9) increasing local capacity for implementing good natural resource management practices.

In addition, upon request by the MAE and in accordance with the project´s expanded scope of work (incorporated via Task Order Modification 2), the project continues supporting the Sub-Secretariat for Natural Patrimony in revising the national forestry policy and preparing a new framework for forestry governance. Progress towards meeting FY11 indicators are presented in the results reporting tables found in Annex 2 of the report and a narrative explanation of such results is presented in Annex 3. The project is on track for completing the results contemplated in the task order agreement, which are articulated in the project´s approved Performance Monitoring Plan. The project recognizes the role that the guidance and continual support the Contracting Officer´s Technical Representative, Rocío Cedeño, has played in meeting its goals and implementing work plan activities to date.

In the second half of FY11 the project continued developing effective mechanisms to mitigate threats to biodiversity conservation as well as providing high level technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment (MAE) for forestry policy development.

The Project´s implementation strategy remains focused on providing the technical assistance needed to reduce threats to biodiversity conservation and increase local capacity to manage natural resources in priority areas, and particularly in protected areas. In the FY11 Work Plan the threats targeted, and the strategies and activities designed to minimize them, were tailored to the project´s results framework and presented in alignment with the Project´s Intermediate Results (PIRs) and are presented in the Introduction of this report. The present Semi-Annual Progress Report provides an update on the implementation of the activities and results contemplated in the approved FY11 annual work plan.

In sum, the project continues to provide a series of incentives to conserve the remnants of high biodiversity areas along the Ecuadoran coast. These incentives include technical assistance for land titling and meeting other prerequisites for accessing the MAE´s conservation incentives (Socio Bosque), facilitating market access/linkages, and training in best practices, among others. These incentives coupled with establishing partnerships with local, regional and international organizations, and strengthening local capacities, continue to result in local stakeholders taking ownership in project activities, which is key for assuring their continuity and sustainability. Parallel to this, the Project formed key alliances to formalize collaboration with local public and private sector actors, and has leveraged over $12 million, and continues to work in close partnership with the MAE.

Especially noteworthy achievements this reporting period include (1) forming conservation coalitions in the Gulf of Guayaquil and the Gran Reserva Chachi, (2) presenting climate change adaptation measures for Parque Nacional Machalilla to local stakeholders, (3) facilitating award of over 15,000 hectares in mangrove concessions in the Gulf of Guayaquil and helping the MAE simplify concession award and reporting requirements, (4) strengthening communication and environmental education materials in protected areas, (5) making the mangrove  monitoring and enforcement system more operable in the Gulf of Guayaquil, (6) promoting implementation of priority activities in the Ayampe Environmental Land Use Plan, (7) presenting initial findings from the red crab stock analysis (8) fomenting forest regeneration/recovery (9) increasing local capacity for implementing good natural resource management practices and assuring sustainability of project initiatives (10) helping develop and present forestry law proposal to the Minister of Environment, Marcela Aguiñaga, and then incorporate it into the new Environmental Code proposal, and (11) being highlighted in the Regional Inspector General´s Audit of the USAID Environmental Program and by the USAID Mission Director as using exemplary and replicable methodologies.

Completion of FY11 indicators are presented in the results reporting tables found in Annex 2 of the report and a narrative explanation of such results is presented in Annex 3. As recommended by the USAID Environmental Program audit, the project will begin reporting on implementation of coalition activities going forward. The project recognizes the role that the guidance and continual support the Contracting Officer´s Technical Representative, Rocío Cedeño, has played in meeting its goals and implementing work plan activities to date.

The present Semi-Annual Progress Report provides an update on implementation of FY13 annual work plan activities and progress made towards FY13 targets established in the updated Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) approved on May 2, 2012. The progress made this semester has the project on track to meet or exceed all FY13 targets. This report complements the weekly and monthly reports that are submitted to the Contracting Officer´s Representative (COR).

In FY13 the Project´s implementation strategy remains focused on reducing the following four main threats to biodiversity conservation in six priority sites along the coast of Ecuador: (1) Loss and/or alteration of critical habitats, (2) Climate change, (3) Lack of economic alternatives, and (4) Insufficient institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation. To this end, the project continues to build local capacity to manage Protected Areas, implement climate change adaptation measures, and manage integrated farms. In addition, the project is providing tools for communities and local governments to mitigate and respond to climate risks and has helped develop a climate change strategy for the entire Guayas province. It is also promoting market access for products that support conservation (such as red crab, which depend on protecting mangroves; tagua, which depends on forest conservation; organic cacao produced using environmentally safe practices; and ecotourism). To improve livelihoods it also continues to help people access cash-for-conservation payments for protecting natural forests under the Ministry of Environment´s (MAE) Socio Bosque Program. Lastly, the project continues to work in close partnership with the MAE and provide technical inputs for policy making.

To date, the Project has trained 4,185 people, promoted 17 new commercial linkages, and helped communities and families access over $11.1M in cash-for conservation payments for protecting 50,718 hectares. As a result of project technical assistance, over 15,375 people are benefiting economically and over 614,000 hectares of critical habitats are under improved management. Parallel to this, the Project is strengthening seven conservation coalitions that serve as platforms for coordinating natural resource management with local public and private sector actors, and has leveraged over $16.3 million. For a more detailed summary of results to date please see Section 1.

Especially noteworthy achievements this reporting period include:

1. expanding red crab stock analysis to El Oro province with the National Fishery Institute (INP for its Spanish acronym)
2. developing a policy proposal for managing tagua palm commercialization within Machalilla National Park (PNM for its Spanish acronym), which resulted in the MAE signing a cooperative agreement with the Matapalo Association
3. helping establish two hybrid tagua drying racks and linking their value added products (dried tagua) with new markets at higher prices
4. designing a Manual for Protected Area Operational Management and developing a pilot annual operations plan for Yasuni National Park, Machalilla National Park and Antisana Ecological Reserve based on the manual
5. helping crabbing organizations (Mondragón and APAREBAFIE/Isla Escalante) apply for new mangrove concessions
6. supporting the Galera San Francisco Marine Reserve in promoting sustainable fishing practices among local fishermen (contributing to the Reserve´s workshops with fishermen)
7. supporting grantee Ecocacao to provide technical assistance to beneficiaries of the Caja Campesina Agro-Ecológica Muisne (CCAM) for implementing sustainable farming practices
8. providing technical assistance for integrated farm management
9. publishing the red crab value chain study, the study on tagua harvesting and management, the survey on profitability of timber harvesting, and a guide on best tagua management practices
10. concluding proposal to improve fishery management in Churute
11. working with the Guayas provincial government to finalize the Guayas Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and share it with stakeholders,
12. providing PNM with technical guidelines and recommendations for regulating fishery activities
13. holding an in-country study tour to help communities that participate in the Socio Bosque Program exchange lessons learned and experiences with investing their incentives and monitoring forest conservation
14. conducting a national level assessment of protected forests as well as a more detailed assessment for the province of Guayas.

This period the project also updated its communications materials (one page descriptions), was evaluated by SETECI, and hosted a by the US Ambassador and Consul to a project activity site in Guayas Province. Key to the project´s ability to complete the FY13 work plan activities and meet its goals is the MAE´s ownership of project technical assistance, which is also an integral part of its internal work plans and goals.

The present Semi-Annual Progress Report provides an update on implementation of FY12 annual work plan activities and progress made towards FY12 targets established in the updated Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) . It complements the weekly and monthly reports that are submitted to the Contracting Officer´s Representative (COR).

The Project´s implementation strategy remains focused on reducing the following four main threats to biodiversity conservation in six priority sites along the coast of Ecuador: (1) Loss and/or alteration of critical habitats, (2) Climate change, (3) Lack of economic alternatives, and (4) Insufficient institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation. To this end, the project has built local capacity to manage Protected Areas, implement climate change adaptation measures, and manage integrated farms. In addition, the project has provided tools for communities and local governments to mitigate and respond to climate risks and is helping develop a climate change strategy for the entire Guayas province. It is also promoting market access for products that support conservation (such as red crab, which depend on protecting mangroves; tagua, which depends on forest conservation; and organic cacao produced using environmentally safe practices). To improve livelihoods it also helps people access cash-for-conservation payments for protecting natural forests under the Ministry of Environment´s (MAE) Socio Bosque Program. The project continues to work in close partnership with the MAE and provide high level policy guidance, which this semester included helping guide integration of the national biodiversity and climate change programs into the new Environmental Code proposal.

To date, the Project has trained 3,399 people, promoted 14 new commercial linkages, and helped individuals and communities access $7.7M in cash-for conservation payments for protecting 33,285 hectares. As a result of project technical assistance, over 10,135 people are benefiting economically and 362,575 hectares are under improved management. Parallel to this, the Project strengthened conservation coalitions that serve as platforms for coordinating natural resource management with local public and private sector actors, and has leveraged over $13.7 million. For a more detailed summary of results to date please see Section 1.

Especially noteworthy achievements this reporting period include (1) expanding the conservation coalition in the Gulf of Guayaquil and concluding one year of data collection for the red crab stock analysis, (2) implementing climate change adaptation measures in El Salado and initiating them for Parque Nacional Machalilla, (3) supporting tagua collectors in adding value to their harvests, (4) developing a Manual on Best Practices for Developing Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Coastal Regions (5) strengthening mangrove concession management, helping new groups apply for concessions and helping the 6 de Julio Crabber´s Association renew its concession, (6) incorporating activities from the Ayampe Environmental Land Use Plan into the Territorial Land Use Plan (Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial – POT) for the municipality on Jipijapa and presenting the respective municipal ordinance for approval, (7) facilitating reforestation to protect water sources (8) providing technical assistance for integrated farm management (10) presenting an assessment regarding small producer´s perceptions of profitability for timber products in Ecuador (“Sondeo sobre la percepción de la rentabilidad del aprovechamiento de madera por parte de pequeños productores en Ecuador” to high level MAE authorities (11) continuing to support the MAE to improve protected area management, including tourism and fishery management and strengthening surveillance and monitoring systems (12) initiated participatory process for developing a Protected Area Management Manual that will be used across Ecuador, and (13) supporting new applications to protect over 7,000 hectares under Socio Bosque and helping communities already in Socio Bosque increase their payments by over $2.6M per the updated rates approved in 2011. This period the project has also expanded communications materials, launching the first project video regarding its work to strengthen livelihoods and protect mangroves in the Gulf of Guayaquil, and initiating monthly newsletters in English. The project recognizes the role that the guidance and continual support the COR, Rocío Cedeño, has played in meeting its goals and implementing work plan activities to date.

The objective of this project on factoring in Egypt was to complete a set of new regulations related to factoring, first in draft form for discussion with the EFS team and with the counterpart, then in final form following discussions with the counterpart.

As stated in the SOW of October 2005, these documents were therefore completed in two phases:

Phase One (before coming to Cairo): Draft regulations and a Policy Paper were completed on October 30 and sent to EFS, then EFS distributed them to the advisory team and to the counterpart.

Phase Two (in Cairo): Following an meeting on November 20 with the counterpart and discussions with the EFS team, a full proposal for a regulatory framework for factoring was completed on November 26 and distributed to the EFS team. Following discussions with the EFS team, this proposal (dated November 29) was given to the counterpart and discussed with him on November 30, in two meetings (morning and afternoon). At these meetings, some policy issues were discussed and resolved, and reflected in the final proposed regulations which were completed and submitted to EFS team and to the counterpart (the Executive Regulations, and the Rules, final version dated December 1). At the November 30 meetings the counterpart expressed satisfaction with the proposed regulatory documents; asked for a brief summary of the proposal for presentation to the Minister (this summary was then done by this Consultant, dated December 1), and asked the EFS project to arrange for an Arabic version of the Executive Regulations and Rules to be done by financial and legal experts.

From April 12-21, 2006, short-term financial advisor Carrie Averch, jointly with USAID CTO Mr. Gregg Wiitala and the extended Commodities Import Program Messrs. Robert Van Horne, Team Leader, and Tawfik Frega, Program Manager, explored interests in participation as potential lenders for a Development Credit Authority guarantee facility to stimulate broad lending in Upper Egypt to SMEs and larger enterprises, with private sector commercial banks, Egyptian American Bank and Commercial International Bank, and leasing companies Citileasing and MANTRAC.

A DCA concept paper was prepared, along with suggested points of discussion with CIB and MANTRAC; sample letters of intent for CIB and MANTRAC; draft concept paper; outline and resource list for Loan Portfolio Guarantee Borrower Cohort Report; outline of DCA action package; sample monitoring plan and updated schedule to submit DCA action package to Credit Review Board for fiscal year 2006. These were handed to the USAID Mission at a meeting advising of deadlines and requirements for establishing the proposed guarantee facility for Upper Egypt in fiscal year 2006.

This proposed DCA guarantee is on hold until there is a clear indication from the GOE of the types of development assistance sought from USAID.

Objective

In Egypt, private enterprises have few alternatives for financing equipment, fixed assets, and other major capital expenditures with a long repayment period. As part of the Egypt Financial Services (EFS) project’s mandate to foster the development of new financial instruments, the objective of this assignment was to determine the feasibility of using USAID Development Credit Authority (DCA) guarantees to encourage private sector financial institutions to lend to SMEs and large enterprises in Upper Egypt (UE), with a focus on medium-term financing for equipment and fixed asset purchases.

The nine governorates comprising Upper Egypt are historically underdeveloped as compared to Egypt’s primary cities of Cairo and Alexandria. Aside from tourism in Luxor and Aswan, much of UE’s economic activity centers around agriculture, and the region is perceived as higher risk by the financial sector. Credit access has been limited to large corporations, primarily based in Cairo and Alexandria, and there has been some recent success in stimulating short term credit for micro-enterprises supported by donor programs. Additionally, USAID/Egypt’s Commodity Import Program (CIP) has been able to support medium-term and equipment import financing through the provision of credit lines through commercial banks, but the program is entering its last year. A large segment of borrowers in the “missing middle” remain underserved by the financial sector, and USAID/Egypt is exploring market-oriented mechanisms to create a sustainable solution for catalyzing the private sector to offer this type of credit to borrowers in underserved areas and sectors.

The expected expansion in lending and leasing catalyzed by a partial credit guarantee would contribute to EFS objectives of creating longer term credit products, as well as more broadly fostering economic growth in Egypt per the Mission’s Strategic Objective 16: Environment for Trade and Investment Strengthened.

The USAID ProParque project, with an anticipated timeline of five years, is the Honduran Mission’s flagship natural resources program, and seeks to realign the country’s economic and social development trajectory with the sound management of its rich natural resource base. A holistically integrated program, USAID ProParque focuses on consolidating the system of protected areas in Honduras and includes work in biodiversity and natural resource management, rural enterprise growth (tourism, forestry, agroforestry), climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and clean energy development (hydropower, biomass, biofuel). USAID/ProParque will improve Honduran biodiversity conservation, create jobs for Hondurans, and strengthen national capacity for mitigating and adapting to global climate change.

This Annual/Quarterly Report covers the sixteenth quarter of project implementation (the fourth quarter of the project’s Option Period) and provides an overview of Year Four of the project. It consists of five principal sections – 1) a section on Technical Programming, including project status as of the end of Year 4/Q16, plus detailed reporting by technical area; 2) A section on Program Management; 3) a forward looking section focused on Quarter 17 and beyond; 4) a Financial Report for Q16; and 5) Annexes.

The USAID ProParque project, with an anticipated timeline of five years, is the Honduran Mission’s flagship natural resources program, and seeks to realign the country’s economic and social development trajectory with the sound management of its rich natural resource base. A holistically integrated program, USAID ProParque focuses on consolidating the system of protected areas in Honduras and includes work in biodiversity and natural resource management, rural enterprise growth (tourism, forestry, agroforestry), climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and clean energy development (hydropower, biomass, biofuel). USAID/ProParque will improve Honduran biodiversity conservation, create jobs for Hondurans, and strengthen national capacity for mitigating and adapting to global climate change.

This Annual Report covers the third year of project implementation and the final year of the project’s Base Period. It also meets the objectives of providing a comprehensive overview of twelfth quarter, and as such serves as Quarterly Report Number Twelve. It consists of five principal sections – 1) a section on Technical Programming, including an overview of Year One (Y1) and detailed reporting on Quarter Four; 2) A section on Program Management; 3) a forward looking section focused on Quarter Five; 4) a Financial Report for the time period; and 5) Annexes.

The USAID ProParque project, with an anticipated timeline of five years, is the Honduran Mission’s flagship natural resources program, and seeks to realign the country’s economic and social development trajectory with the sound management of its rich natural resource base. A holistically integrated program, USAID ProParque focuses on consolidating the system of protected areas in Honduras and includes work in biodiversity and natural resource management, rural enterprise growth (tourism, forestry, agroforestry), climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and clean energy development (hydropower, biomass, biofuel). USAID/ProParque will improve Honduran biodiversity conservation, create jobs for Hondurans, and strengthen national capacity for mitigating and adapting to global climate change.

This Annual Report covers the second year of project implementation. It also meets the objectives of providing a comprehensive overview of the eighth quarter, and as such serves as Quarterly Report Number Eight. It consists of five principal sections – 1) a section on Technical Programming, including an overview of Year One (Y1) and detailed reporting on Quarter Four; 2) A section on Program Management; 3) a forward looking section focused on Quarter Five; 4) a Financial Report for the time period; and 5) Annexes.