Mainstreaming GEF projects in UNDP CO Programme: Albania

RBEC Environment and

Energy Practice Workshop Batkhuyag

Baldangombo UNDP Albania

Discussion points

Environmental situation in AlbaniaUNDP environmental portfolioChallenges/Issues facedEfforts in mainstreaming Outcome evaluation/Impact

assessment CO restructuring Currents achievements

Albania – Republika e Shqiperise

Surface Area 28,748 km² Population of 3,373 million (1999). Administration:

12 prefectures, 36 districtsSince 1998 the country has seen steady progress. As of 2003:GDP growth average 7% per year, Inflation at 2-4%, with stable currencyHowever:

46.6% of the population is below the poverty line of $2 per day

53% of the population lives off the land.

High levels of migration (15% is abroad) and unemployment.

Fragile Socio-economic relations low levels of tolerance and little confidence in institutions of justice or public administration.

Environment in AlbaniaRich biodiversity:

30% of European plant species and 42% of mammals are found.

Wetlands, lagoons and large lakes provide winter habitat for migratory birds.

36% of the vertebrate species are endangered or threatened. Protected area coverage 5.8% of the territory (Forests 36%, Pastures ~16%; Arable land ~24%)Main causes of Environmental degradation Poor NRM (soil erosion, farming practices,

loss of biodiversity) Poor access to services (access to WSS,

waste management non efficient energy use)

Deterioration of human living environment (natural and man-made disasters; environmental hot spots; climate change impacts)

Environmental portfolio

UNDP Albania contribution within its SRF outcome framework aimed: Promoting environmental governance in

mainstreaming sustainable development and implementing relevant policy, legal and regulatory measures

Capacity development to implement global environmental conventions.

Main Partners The Ministry of Environment (MoE). Close partnership with other donors,

primarily, with the EU, GEF, REC, GTZ, SIDA, WB, and the Netherlands.

Current UNDP projects supporting sustainable development and environmental protection in Albania

Full Title of ProjectFunding source

Amount YearsExecution Modality

1Climate Change (National Communication and Phase II) GEF 363,744$

1998-2004 NEX

2Capacity building for improving the quality of GHG Inventories -regional) GEF 62, 000

2003-2005 UNOPS

3Conservation of wetland and coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean region GEF 1,901,000$

1999-

2004 NEX

4

Small Grants Programme (Funding for small grant equals to $200,000 per calendar year) GEF 200,000$

1999-

UNOPS

5 Albanian Capacity for Agenda 21 Cap 21 160,000$ 2001-2003 NEX

6 Korca Clean and Green SWE 1,088,365$ 2002-2004 DEX

7Energy planning and Energy Efficiency in Korca District TTF 148,000$

2003-2004 NGO

8

Integrated ecosystem management in the transboundary Prespa Park region (PDF-B) GEF 376,000$

2003-

2004NEX FYROM

9National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA) GEF 198,000$

2004-2005 NEX

10 POPs enabling environment GEF 347,000$ 2004-2005 NEX

TOTAL Over 4,782,109$

Challenges/Issues facing

Heavy focus on security and transitional economy problems (In 2003 state budget allocation accounted for 0.24%)Regional priority driven programmes. 3 UNDP/GEF programmes 2 WB/GEF programmes

Opportunistic approach Lack of in-house capacity/pro-activeness

Environmental/GEF programme mainstreaming efforts

Outcome Evaluation (February 2004)UNDP programme impact assessment (October 2004)Review all initiatives contributing to the environmental outcome achievements in the countryInternally: Relevance and impact of environmental projects, Environmental components within LGP and MDG

supported activities, Environmental indicators and the challenges

posed by the MDGs; Externally: National settings on institutional arrangements, Policy environment, National capacities and ownership Donors’ environmental assistance framework,

UNDP’s Future Assistance in Environment sector

New Environment and Energy programme is focusing ‘Governance and Local Environmental Management’ with focus on building capacities at the local level in order to create the enabling environment for MDG 1 and 7 specific targets in support of the promotion and attaining government’s commitment in achieving MDG goals.The new programme will also be based on the corporate Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture and Biodiversity (WEHAB) mandate.

Future UNDP assistance should balance its activities at the national and local level.

… continuedSupport to institutional capacity at the regional level should have balanced institution building, capacity development and demonstration approach and participation of Local government and people. Ongoing GEF funded projects shall include

sustainable economic development components with a focus on enhancing local development processes

Capacity development through demonstration projects (GEF/SGP, Clean and Green) have had the greatest impact on environmental public awareness, economics, livelihoods and planning at the regional level.

CO restructuring

New MDG-zed programmeNew MDG-zed programme

MDG SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAMME

PROJECT/PROGRAMME OF THE MDG

MDG ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MDGs

ICT FOR THE MDGs DATA

ADVOCACY & PARTNERSHIP LINKING THE GLOBAL MDG

CAMPAIGN TO THE LOCAL MDG CAMPAIGN

FUND RAISING FOR THE MDGs

CCF 2002-2005 DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 43% 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND CIVIL SERVICE STRENGTHENING

DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE

STRENGTHENING GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS

 HUMAN SECURITY 36% ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

FOR HUMAN SECURITY PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY

SECURITY SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY

 CROSS-CUTTING AREAS 21%

 GENDER INFORMATION AND

ADVOCACY

D a ta R B M

M & E

C iv i lS e rv iceT ra in ing

C ST ra in ing

C a p a c ityD e ve lo p m e nt

L o ca l C e n tra l

IC Tfo r theM D G s

M DGs -Enabling

Environm ent

S A L W C S S S R M in eA c tion

H S

L o ca lP ro du c tiveS ys te m s

B a s icS e rv ic es

M D G R Rfo llo w -up

M D G R R

M D G 1

W iL G e nd erM a in s tre a m ing

M D G 3

C lim a teC h an ge

G E FS G P

M e d w et C o a st G E FP O P S

T T FE n e rgy

E T C ...

M D G 7

M DGsSubstantive

Program m es

P u b licIn fo rm ation

U N C TP ro g ra m m e

U N D A F

R C

M D G R N H D R E W

P o licy

C S OC h a m p io ns

G P G C o P s N a tio n a lO w n e rsh ip

G ra ssR o ot

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T ra n s fo rm a tiveId eas

Advocacy&

Partnership

MDG-zed PROGRAMME MDG-zed PROGRAMME STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

Current achievements

GEF-SGP collaboration with LGP programme small grants for communities to implement RDS Production of env. educational book

Expansion of full- and medium- size project portfoliosMobilizing additional funding to support alternative livelihoods initiatives under existing projects REC collaboration under MWC project SLM, Solar energy

Thank you