NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Design and Formulation of National Action Plan to Combat Desertification"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the results stemming from the problem statement (below) that are expected by the end of the project.

Data Needs:

Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

Data Sources:

Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

"This section will contain the background to the request and a brief description of the specific problem, highlighting its causes and effects, in the particular sector or subsector in which the project will be placed. It should specifically explain the sector's importance, the critical gap to be filled and the urgency of the problem to be solved in the context of the relevant Government's sector and subsector strategy and policy. It should also explain the consequences caused by non-action on this specific problem, and outline how the assistance requested will be utilized to fill a particularly urgent need which cannot be met from other sources. Mention should be made of other related activities supported by the Government or by other assistance agencies.

The justification should highlight the follow-up action expected after completion of the project and the expected project's catalytic role in connection with the Government's development efforts. It should, in particular, clarify how the Government intends to ensure realization of the planned project results in a sustainable manner, and the extent to which this will depend on national budgetary or policy decisions or funding decisions by other donors." (TCP Guidelines)

This section should cover:

- introducing the UN process in Drylands with reference to chapter 12 and the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD);
- linkages with the Country's special geographic/ecological situation;
- description of the Country's institutional set-up and efforts relating to land degradation and desertification control, including:
- at Ministerial level
- Technical inter-ministerial consultation
- Permanent Coordination Body if any
- any other pertinent Government measure taken
- approaches developed
- Sub-regional and regional initiatives and participation of the Country
- other partnerships developed by the Country in conservation and development of resources in dry areas and desertification control.

Data Needs:

UN Convention to Combat Desertification on-going processes at international and regional levels.
Overview of in-country past and ongoing activities in related sectors.

Data Sources:

UNCCD Secretariat
Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Finance/Planning/Interior/Foreign Affairs, etc.
Universities and research institutions
NGOs
Other international agencies, including other UN agencies

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

"This section will state briefly but in specific terms, the particular objective(s) which the project is expected to achieve. The project objective is defined as a specific aim to be achieved and formulated as the expected future improved situation after the successful completion of the project. The statement should be drafted wherever possible in terms permitting subsequent verification of project accomplishments." (TCP Guidelines)

The objectives would in particular consider the following:

- needs relating to any overall consideration for understanding issues relating to desertification prevention and control
- needs for the design and formulation of a National Action Programme (NAP) to combat desertification or a lower level/intra-national programme to combat desertification;
- support for coordination of other initiatives in the Country regarding land resources degradation and combating desertification.

Data Needs:

Recent geographic information on natural resources and on land use systems and their evolving trends.
Climate characteristics at local and national levels, including crisis occurrence (e.g. droughts) and trends.
Socio-economic systems (agriculture, pastoralism, fuelwood harvesting) and their impact on natural resources.
Detailed demography (including rural/urban ratio and trends).
Energy production/consumption pattern and trends.
Administrative and civil society organization pattern (including farmers' associations and NGOs).
Identification and assessment of areas threatened by desertification processes; national carrying capacity at both provincial and local levels.
Training needs.
National afforestation capacity (budget, nursery production capacity, survival rate of planted trees, etc.).

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Energy/Industry/Finance/Interior, etc.
Universities and research institutions
NGOs
Other international agencies, including other UN agencies
(Note: when data is unavailable on a key topic, a dedicated study, when compatible with time and budget frameworks, should be proposed to be included within the framework of the project. If not compatible, this study should be considered as a prerequisite to the project.)

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

"Outputs (results) to be defined in this section, are the specific products of activities undertaken, the combined use of which by project beneficiaries will achieve the objective of the project, provided assumptions about external factors are correct. They should be defined in terms that permit their verification in quantity, quality and time, and should be consistent with the project objective and design, and provide the basis for the elaboration of a clear, detailed work plan." (TCP Guidelines)

Describe expected outputs in terms of:
- institutional set-up;
- methodologies for NAP elaboration as well as local Action Programme establishment supporting decentralized planning as recommended by the CCD;
- benefits for, improvement at the level of farmers, local decision makers, policy makers at local, infra-national and national levels
- strategic and planning documents expected including:
Diagnosis of the situation;
Identification of constraints and potentialities at national levels for practising adequate resources conservation, management and development practices and sustainable food production;
- a strategy and a programme for desertification control.

Data Needs:

Type of Steering Committee to be established (Ministries involved, Lead Technical Unit, Secretariat, Member Institutions and NGOs).
Policy implications of the NAP.
Strategy to be implemented.
Number of local, provincial and national workshops held.
Number of document produced.
Number of Local, Provincial and National Action Plans designed.

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Planning, etc.
Universities and research institutions
NGOs
Other international agencies, including other UN agencies
National and international consultants

V. WORK PLAN

The implementation of the project beyond the design and formulation of a NAP should: i) develop partnership at local and national level; ii) promote bottom-up approach in decision making regarding natural resources management and use in dry areas and; iii) operationalize partnership between the Government and external partners and donors on issues relating to desertification.

Nature of activities to be developed:

- design and implementation of planning methodologies for desertification prevention and control with reference to CCD;
- Training of partners at national, infra-national and local level
- Participatory formulation of a NAP and related regional and local action programmes
- action at national and intra-regional (within country) levels;
- development of so called infra-national level action programmes;
- local level development models, especially in reference to village land development approaches;
- building of partnerships and donors involvement;
- organization of a national final round table on the NAP.

The project implementation will follow successive phases:

The first step includes:
i) implementation and valuation of the outputs obtained in the analysis phase which led to the National Forum, building on inputs and recommendations made and on the operating plan which was then drafted;
ii) methodology consolidation and programme documents formating;
iii) operations coordination and detailed scheduling of activities;

The second step includes:
i) design and fielding of the planning teams including national and international consultants for the national and provincial programme elements;
ii) identification of the areas for local development planning, fielding local teams supported by national teams. At this level, all aspects of desertification will be assessed and proposals made regarding particularly water resources management, wind and water erosion, plant resources management, agriculture production improvement in general and intersectorial aspects;
iii) organization of the whole consultative and participatory process through planning workshops following the information and brainstorming workshops of the first step.

The third step includes:
i) the finalization, synthesis and publication of the National Action Programme; holding of the National Round Table and the National Endorsement of the Programme.

The final step:
i) Presentation of the NAP to a National Validation Forum and to the Government.

Data Needs:

Sequencing of project activities and input needs.

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Planning, etc.

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The project agreement is to describe in clear terms how the project will use national experts/consultants to achieve project objectives and how the use of such experts/consultants will contribute to building national capacity in the recipient institution/country. (TCP Guidelines)

Data Needs:

Number of trained persons at local, provincial and national levels.

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Planning, etc.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered line items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided. The sum of related amounts of each sub-category under each line item should add up to the total for the line item.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS)

Priority and preference should be given to the employment of competent experts under the TCDC/TCCT programmes in countries that have signed these agreements. There are specific limits to the use of international expertise at UN rates. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training

International experts: the project will be implemented as much as possible through cooperation between developing countries and more generally within the framework of the new programmes established by FAO.

- chief technical advisor: specialist in development planification, aware of resources degradation issues and of combating desertification
- consultants: natural resources and environment experts.

These consultancies will be effected as much as possible by TCDC experts:

- National experts: a provision (man/months) should be prepared to cover different topics such as: agro-economy, forest management, pasture land management, water and soil conservation, extension, communication, etc.

Technical support missions: Officers from the technical Divisions at FAO Headquarters, Members of the Desertification Interdepartmental Working Group and Officers from Regional Offices involved in desertification control and policies issues should be involved in the follow-up of the project implementation.

Training: the participative approach formulation of NAP calls for the organization of several meetings and workshops at local, provincial and national levels.

Data Needs:

Number, type and cost of each input (numbers of staff participating, of items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate etc).

Data Sources:

FAO
UNDP
Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

Consultants' technical reports: Each consultant will prepare a report by the end of his/her mission and present it to FAO and national authorities. This report will be finalized following comments and inputs from FAO and national concerned services.

Chief Technical Advisor's reports: the Chief Technical Advisor will support the Coordinator together with the other experts in finalizing the reports on the local, provincial and national plans. The Chief Technical Advisor and the Coordinator will prepare every six months an updating report on the status of the works and a periodical information letter for all concerned persons.

Final report: In addition to the above described reports the Chief Technical Advisor will prepare at the end of his/her assignment a final report to the national government describing the activities implemented, the results obtained and recommendations for the follow-up and the implementation of proposed programmes and mechanisms. This report will be submitted by FAO to the Government after finalization by concerned units at Headquarters.

Technical support reports: Every backstopping mission planned in the framework of this project will produce a detailed report describing the activities implemented, the issues discussed and recommendations made as well as technical guidelines for future work.

Data Needs:

Workshops proceedings.
Local Development Plans.
Provincial Action Plans.
National Action Plan.

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Planning

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by the Government; (ii) designation of Government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratories and their test results, and access to the field - which may be under provincial or district authority. All need to be included in this section as they might apply.

See in particular TCP Guidelines, Annex I, page vii and the following excerpts:

Request must be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken...

Requests must provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Government in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources. (Annex IVa, page i).

Each project should be supervised by a National Project Coordinator nominated and paid by the Government. National Project Professional Personnel or consultants recruited by FAO are fully accountable to the Organization and cannot be on the Government payroll at the time of their assignment (page 10, par. 46). They may not be recruited from the counterpart institution/cooperating agency (Annex 1, page iv).

Example text: A Department/Ministry will be designated responsible of the project implementation and a National Director nominated. The Government will provide for suitable conditions for the good functioning of the project which will be hosted in convenient offices. Energy and water supplies will be supported by the Government as well as the salaries of assigned Officers. The Government will provide for the necessary support to the experts recruited in the framework of the "Technical Cooperation between Developing Countries" programme with its agreement.

Data Needs:

Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

Data Sources:

Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Finance/Planning, etc.

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country. See TCP Guidelines for explanatory details.

Data Needs:

Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

Data Sources:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
FAO
UNDP
Equipment suppliers
Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the training programme.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Itemized list of equipment.
5. Itemized list of materials and supplies.
6. Terms of reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.

Data Needs:

Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.

Data Sources:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
Ministries of Agriculture/Environment/Forestry/Planning, etc.