Project components

1.1.1: Capacity Development ($2 million) stakeholders involved at national, regional and communal levels, including members of the Project Management Unit (PMU). Capacity-building initiatives will be carried out through continuing training programmes leading to a degree/certificate. This choice is motivated by the desire to promote occupational integration, to help start up businesses and to develop social promotion. This activity will be carried out under the responsibility of the PFU, which will launch a call for tenders to recruit a specialised study office with the objective of (a) assessing the capacities of existing vocational training and research institutions and proposing a mechanism for integrating and implementing the proposed programmes; (b) assess the needs and requirements of stakeholders; (c) establish the objectives of the training programmes, their content and the evaluation process; (d) identify participants for each proposed educational programme; (e) Establish a timetable and action plan to strengthen the capacities of Mali's selected vocational training and research institutions to implement the proposed programmes; and (f) implement, with the support of Mali's selected vocational training and research institutions, the proposed educational programmes. All these objectives will be introduced from a climate perspective, in order to integrate climate considerations into education and training and to generalize ways of mitigating climate change.

The programmes will focus on a number of topics, including: (i) the implementation of NDCs at the national, regional and local levels; (ii) stakeholder consultation and engagement and citizen engagement approaches; (iii) the integration of climate change and NDC requirements into the local planning process; (iv) conflict management and governance of the NRG;

(v) the assessment and mitigation of safety, VBG and SEA/SH risks; (vi) the development of natural resource products, marketing and market access; (vii) monitoring and evaluation in the context of FCV and climate, and so on. At the same time, awareness-raising campaigns and study tours will be conducted to better inform the local population on the above-mentioned topics. In addition, the project will also support capacity-building and awareness-raising activities tailored to the characteristics and needs of women in communities and women-led businesses.

1.1.2: Environment conducive to mobilizing climate finance (US$3.5 million). The proposed activities are intended to support the implementation of the NDC of Mali, mainly in the forestry and land use sector (mitigation and climate adaptation measures). The project is well placed to support the AEDD's efforts on climate change as it is the institution responsible for the CDN of Mali. Activities will include (a) Strengthening the governance of the implementation of the NDC, communication and stakeholder capacity, the establishment of vulnerability/reference threshold indices of GHG reduction levels in the 4 NDC sectors and the development of the long-term low carbon strategy; (b) Consolidation and operationalization of the National Environmental Information Management System (NSGIE); (c) Support for the development of the REDD+ (R-PP) preparation proposal; (d) Operationalization of the Forest Information System (SIFOR) to monitor the Mali NDC in the context of the implementation of the Paris Agreement; (e) Strengthening the links between existing information systems and their evolution towards a monitoring, reporting and verification system (MRV) through the adoption of a data sharing charter and the acquisition of IT and logistics equipment, the establishment of an MRV thematic group, strengthening the capacity of MRV actors on GHG inventories, reporting on adaptation, design and implementation of a carbon revenue-sharing plan, and implementation of a carbon revenue sharing plan

Climate Co-benefits of Subcomponent 1.1. The proposed human and institutional capacity-building activities will contribute to the development of broad expertise on climate change and landscape planning issues and support the effective implementation of the NDC. Strengthening national awareness and commitment to reducing the impact of climate change is the only viable option to ensure sustainability. The proposed activities will help ensure that key stakeholders, including local communities, businesses and other organizations, are able to cope with current climate variability and adapt to future climate change, preserving development gains and minimizing damage. Support for a coordination mechanism ensures efficiency and effectiveness while avoiding duplication in the process of improving or implementing the NDC. The development of the MRV system is an important element in effectively monitoring and improving the implementation of the mitigation objectives and policies formulated within the framework of the Mali NDC.

1.2.1: Updating/development of cultural environment and social development (CSD) programmes at the municipal level ($3 million). Of the 87 communes targeted by the project, 35 communes have valid PDESC (a PDESC is valid for 5 years) and 52 communes need new PDESC. Through this sub-component, the project will assist in the preparation of CEDEPs for 52 municipalities. Each CSDP will integrate climate issues and NDC requirements at the local level to ensure better involvement of local governments in NDC implementation. The participatory methodology for the poor and gender equality will be improved to ensure that all stakeholders, including women, youth and vulnerable and marginalized groups, are involved in the decision-making process. These activities will be implemented with the support of local partner institutions, which will be selected on a competitive basis.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period. 1.2.2: Update and development of forest and pastoral management plans (FAP and PPP) (US$4 million).

1.2.1: Updating/development of cultural environment and social development (CSD) programmes at the municipal level ($3 million). Of the 87 communes targeted by the project, 35 communes have valid PDESC (a PDESC is valid for 5 years) and 52 communes need new PDESC. Through this sub-component, the project will assist in the preparation of CEDEPs for 52 municipalities. Each CSDP will integrate climate issues and NDC requirements at the local level to ensure better involvement of local governments in NDC implementation. The participatory methodology for the poor and gender equality will be improved to ensure that all stakeholders, including women, youth and vulnerable and marginalized groups, are involved in the decision-making process. These activities will be implemented with the support of local partner institutions, which will be selected on a competitive basis.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period. 1.2.2: Update and development of forest and pastoral management plans (FAP and PPP) (US$4 million).

1.1.1: Capacity Development ($2 million) stakeholders involved at national, regional and communal levels, including members of the Project Management Unit (PMU). Capacity-building initiatives will be carried out through continuing training programmes leading to a degree/certificate. This choice is motivated by the desire to promote occupational integration, to help start up businesses and to develop social promotion. This activity will be carried out under the responsibility of the PFU, which will launch a call for tenders to recruit a specialised study office with the objective of (a) assessing the capacities of existing vocational training and research institutions and proposing a mechanism for integrating and implementing the proposed programmes; (b) assess the needs and requirements of stakeholders; (c) establish the objectives of the training programmes, their content and the evaluation process; (d) identify participants for each proposed educational programme; (e) Establish a timetable and action plan to strengthen the capacities of Mali's selected vocational training and research institutions to implement the proposed programmes; and (f) implement, with the support of Mali's selected vocational training and research institutions, the proposed educational programmes. All these objectives will be introduced from a climate perspective, in order to integrate climate considerations into education and training and to generalize ways of mitigating climate change.

The programmes will focus on a number of topics, including: (i) the implementation of NDCs at the national, regional and local levels; (ii) stakeholder consultation and engagement and citizen engagement approaches; (iii) the integration of climate change and NDC requirements into the local planning process; (iv) conflict management and governance of the NRG;

(v) the assessment and mitigation of safety, VBG and SEA/SH risks; (vi) the development of natural resource products, marketing and market access; (vii) monitoring and evaluation in the context of FCV and climate, and so on. At the same time, awareness-raising campaigns and study tours will be conducted to better inform the local population on the above-mentioned topics. In addition, the project will also support capacity-building and awareness-raising activities tailored to the characteristics and needs of women in communities and women-led businesses.

1.1.2: Environment conducive to mobilizing climate finance (US$3.5 million). The proposed activities are intended to support the implementation of the NDC of Mali, mainly in the forestry and land use sector (mitigation and climate adaptation measures). The project is well placed to support the AEDD's efforts on climate change as it is the institution responsible for the CDN of Mali. Activities will include (a) Strengthening the governance of the implementation of the NDC, communication and stakeholder capacity, the establishment of vulnerability/reference threshold indices of GHG reduction levels in the 4 NDC sectors and the development of the long-term low carbon strategy; (b) Consolidation and operationalization of the National Environmental Information Management System (NSGIE); (c) Support for the development of the REDD+ (R-PP) preparation proposal; (d) Operationalization of the Forest Information System (SIFOR) to monitor the Mali NDC in the context of the implementation of the Paris Agreement; (e) Strengthening the links between existing information systems and their evolution towards a monitoring, reporting and verification system (MRV) through the adoption of a data sharing charter and the acquisition of IT and logistics equipment, the establishment of an MRV thematic group, strengthening the capacity of MRV actors on GHG inventories, reporting on adaptation, design and implementation of a carbon revenue-sharing plan, and implementation of a carbon revenue sharing plan

Climate Co-benefits of Subcomponent 1.1. The proposed human and institutional capacity-building activities will contribute to the development of broad expertise on climate change and landscape planning issues and support the effective implementation of the NDC. Strengthening national awareness and commitment to reducing the impact of climate change is the only viable option to ensure sustainability. The proposed activities will help ensure that key stakeholders, including local communities, businesses and other organizations, are able to cope with current climate variability and adapt to future climate change, preserving development gains and minimizing damage. Support for a coordination mechanism ensures efficiency and effectiveness while avoiding duplication in the process of improving or implementing the NDC. The development of the MRV system is an important element in effectively monitoring and improving the implementation of the mitigation objectives and policies formulated within the framework of the Mali NDC.

1.2.1: Updating/development of cultural environment and social development (CSD) programmes at the municipal level ($3 million). Of the 87 communes targeted by the project, 35 communes have valid PDESC (a PDESC is valid for 5 years) and 52 communes need new PDESC. Through this sub-component, the project will assist in the preparation of CEDEPs for 52 municipalities. Each CSDP will integrate climate issues and NDC requirements at the local level to ensure better involvement of local governments in NDC implementation. The participatory methodology for the poor and gender equality will be improved to ensure that all stakeholders, including women, youth and vulnerable and marginalized groups, are involved in the decision-making process. These activities will be implemented with the support of local partner institutions, which will be selected on a competitive basis.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period.

In each targeted municipality, the selected partner institution will work closely with local stakeholders, including customary authorities, to develop their PDESC and make it more inclusive. Conflict, climate change, security and gender-sensitive principles will be integrated into this process to take into account the specificities of vulnerable population groups, women and youth, and to help build trust and collaboration among communities in order to rebuild and restore peace. The DSDP development process will distinguish and respect the greater vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change and the difference in how they are affected relative to men and will therefore propose adaptation/mitigation activities that can be implemented by women and that are more tolerant and/or less vulnerable to them, including those related to the collection and transformation of NLFPs. Partner institutions will also work with communities and project beneficiaries to develop technical specifications for sub-projects aimed at adapting/mitigating climate change issues and reducing vulnerability to droughts, preserving soil moisture and protecting water abstractions. A call for tender will be published for four partner institutions (one in each targeted region) to support this process throughout the project implementation period. 1.2.2: Update and development of forest and pastoral management plans (FAP and PPP) (US$4 million).

This subcomponent includes project administrative activities such as budgeting and planning, contracting and financial management, annual audits and management of social and environmental risks. It will finance (a) the purchase of vehicles, equipment and office supplies; (b) the rental of the offices of the PMU; (c) the salaries of the PPU experts; (d) the cost of technical assistance from the company and partner institutions; and (e) operating costs. For institutional arrangements, see Annex 1.

The subcomponent also includes the development and implementation of a communication strategy and action plan for the project.

This sub-component will finance (a) meetings of review/piloting committees; (b) the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework, including the preparation of a detailed monitoring and evaluation manual to be published by the European Commission; (c) Conceptualization, in close collaboration with the Statistics and Planning Unit (SPC), development and operationalization of the project's S&E system to serve as a model for the development of MEADD's S&E system; (d) planning and dissemination workshops and S&E capacity-building workshops; and (e) impact/recipient assessment and mid-term review (MPR), including the conduct of an internal evaluation of the MPR and the development of an action plan.E of the MEADD implemented by the SPC; (d) planning and dissemination workshops and capacity-building workshops for S&E; and (e) impact/recipient assessment and mid-term review (MTR), including the conduct of an internal MTR evaluation by the PMU and the preparation of the Implementation Completion and Results Report (ICR).

21. Monitoring and evaluation processes will be carried out in a participatory manner with input from beneficiaries and stakeholders to enable adaptive and results-based project management, from project design to project closure and implementation. In this regard, a monitoring and evaluation system for the project will be established, including a monitoring and evaluation manual and a monitoring and evaluation information system to be established and operationalized. The project monitoring and evaluation information system will include monitoring and reporting models that will help address the challenge of remote monitoring of project activities in crisis and conflict situations by leveraging the power of mobile data collection tools (such as KoBo Collect Toolbox) to create a portfolio of high frequency surveys. Local monitoring and evaluation officials will be equipped with smartphones and trained to complete pre-coded weekly questionnaires on progress, beneficiary welfare and community perceptions. The data will then be downloaded to a secure server for remote access and analysis. The design and development of these tools will benefit from the pilot tools developed under PREEFN and will be supported by GEMS.

This subcomponent includes project administrative activities such as budgeting and planning, contracting and financial management, annual audits and management of social and environmental risks. It will finance (a) the purchase of vehicles, equipment and office supplies; (b) the rental of the offices of the PMU; (c) the salaries of the PPU experts; (d) the cost of technical assistance from the company and partner institutions; and (e) operating costs. For institutional arrangements, see Annex 1.

The subcomponent also includes the development and implementation of a communication strategy and action plan for the project.

This sub-component will finance (a) meetings of review/piloting committees; (b) the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework, including the preparation of a detailed monitoring and evaluation manual to be published by the European Commission; (c) Conceptualization, in close collaboration with the Statistics and Planning Unit (SPC), development and operationalization of the project's S&E system to serve as a model for the development of MEADD's S&E system; (d) planning and dissemination workshops and S&E capacity-building workshops; and (e) impact/recipient assessment and mid-term review (MPR), including the conduct of an internal evaluation of the MPR and the development of an action plan.E of the MEADD implemented by the SPC; (d) planning and dissemination workshops and capacity-building workshops for S&E; and (e) impact/recipient assessment and mid-term review (MTR), including the conduct of an internal MTR evaluation by the PMU and the preparation of the Implementation Completion and Results Report (ICR).

21. Monitoring and evaluation processes will be carried out in a participatory manner with input from beneficiaries and stakeholders to enable adaptive and results-based project management, from project design to project closure and implementation. In this regard, a monitoring and evaluation system for the project will be established, including a monitoring and evaluation manual and a monitoring and evaluation information system to be established and operationalized. The project monitoring and evaluation information system will include monitoring and reporting models that will help address the challenge of remote monitoring of project activities in crisis and conflict situations by leveraging the power of mobile data collection tools (such as KoBo Collect Toolbox) to create a portfolio of high frequency surveys. Local monitoring and evaluation officials will be equipped with smartphones and trained to complete pre-coded weekly questionnaires on progress, beneficiary welfare and community perceptions. The data will then be downloaded to a secure server for remote access and analysis. The design and development of these tools will benefit from the pilot tools developed under PREEFN and will be supported by GEMS.