Management Response template

UNDP Management Response Template PIMS 4016 Improving coverage and management effectiveness of the Protected Area System in Moldova Terminal Evaluation Date: December 2013

UmUBu""" UNDP Mo~o,,..----' _ !I) ~.vPrepared by: Alexandru Rotaru Position: Project manager Cleared by: Nadja Vetters Position: ARR/Portfolo manager UnltJBureau: UNDP Moldova y~~e Input into and update in ERC: Maria Andronic Position: Programme Associate Unit/Bureau: UNDP Moldova \.AJJa'> IV .

The Management respon se is prepared for all recommendations which are directed to UNDP and (at least partially) under UNDP responsibility.

Evaluation Recommendation 1. As the Government of Moldova is in th e process of considering an institutional restructuring of the Minist ry of Environment and Moldsilva with the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency as a subdivision of th e MoE, based on the positive process and results achieved under the PAS project, UNDP should continue supporting the government to identify an institutional structure that fully supports the needs and priorities of tjl e protected area system, and that will ensure sustainability of the results of this project in the near term.

Management Response: Government of Moldova is committed to implement the recommendations related to the institutional res tructuring of the protected area system. In this regard Govern ment will seek the support of UNDP and other key partners in id entifying pros and cons of various

institution~ 1 structures, as well as identifying any critical issues with respect to protected areas management.

Key Action(s} Time Frame Responsible Unit(s) Tracking* Comments St at us

1.1 UNDP is committed to continue supporting the government to identify and establish an institutional structure that fully supports the needs and priorities of the protected area syste m in the framework of the ongoing Country Programme (2013-2017). by integrating follow·up support in ongoing and upcoming projects and programmes, specifically those targeting the institutional reform of the Ministry and its subordinated institu tions.

12/2016 UNDPCO Initiated

Evaluation Recommendation 2: Now that the Orhei National Park has been established with strong community-based suppo rt, it is imperative that the park begins quickly fulfilling its mission as part of a vision of sustainable development for the communities in the region, to ensure that th e community-level support earned thus far remains strong.

Management Response: UNDP and other counterparts will further support government in promoting the sustainable development of the national park area .

Key Action(s) ITime Frame IResponsible Unit(s} Tracking

I Comments I Status

2.1 Implementation of the Clima East project, targeting the 12/2016 UNDP CO Initiated area of Orhei National Park

2.2. Promoting other initiatives related to sustainable 12/2017) UNDP CO Initiated development of the area (e.g. financial incentives for organic agriculture). UNDP has already elaborated a project concept note on promoting Integrated Sustainable Development of the Orhei National Park region and is in the process of mobilizing resources for implementation. Orhei National Park will be included as target region in relevant projects and programmes where feasible. Evaluation Recommendation 3: While the SGP does not need to have a specific national geographic focus, It appears that the establishment of the national park will lead to increased opportunities and absorption capacity for small grants support. SGP should take advantage of this opportunity to synergize and link with the range of other initiatives connected with the establishment and implementation of the National Park. This will also strengthen the local environmental or community development NGOs and bring the national park area into the focus of national NGOs, which could bring additional capacities and resources.

Management Response: UNDP and Ministry of Environment will support the GEF SGP in Moldova to take advantage of new opportunities for small grant support in the Orhei National Park region. Key Action(s) Time Frame Responsible Unit(s) Tracking

Comments Status 3.1 Encourage NGOs from Orhei NP area to apply for GEF 07/2014 UNDP CO, PMU, With possible Initiated SGP funding. A training for NGOs from the area on project Ministry of extension development and funding opportunities was already held as Environment during the GEF6 part of the project. implementation

period 3.2 UNDP CO will liaise with the SGP National Coordinator 07/2014 UNDP CO, Ministry of With possible Initiated and National Committee to raise awareness on the potential Environment extension opportunities and synergies for the SGP by linking with the during the GEF6 range of other initiatives connected with the establishment implementation and implementation of the national park and activities in period the park. Evaluation Recommendation 4: Support sustainability and consolidation of the PAS project results prior to project completion

Management Response: Support sustainability and consolidation of the PAS project results prior to project completion Key Action(s) Time Frame Responsible Unit(s) Tracking

Comments Status 4.1 The project will follow up with the Ministry and 08/2014 Biodiversity Office Initiated Biodiversity Office on the entry of the protected area within the Ministry of "passport" PDF files into the protected areas database to Environment, UNDP

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develop a fully text-searchable geo-spatially linked resource. If required UNOP will provide follow up support in the framework of the upcoming GEF Mainstreaming Biodiversity project (during PPG or project implementation stage). 4.2 The project before closure will support the development of an action plan, putting in place a program to ensure the uptake and implementation of the protected areas guidelines by the relevant staff involved with protected area management. The implementation of the action plan and programme is under the responsibility of Moldsilva and the Ministry of Environment. 4.3 The PMU together with Moldsilva will before project closure develop a training monitoring program for follow-up on the trainings conducted under the project to assess the long-term uptake and application of the project trainings.

4.4 UNOP Moldova will share the recommendation related to capacity development indicators with the respective units at the regional/global level to consider taking action to further improve the capacity development indicators included into UNOP's results frameworks to move beyond simple output indicators (e.g. number of people participating in a training) to a results-based approach that more effectively assesses the uptake and application of individual-level capacity development activities. The application of available guidelines for measuring capacity development and for quality programming in this regard will be closely monitored by the UNOP Moldova Country Office and the Regional and ChiefTechnical Advisers on Biodiversity.

4.5 The PMU will produce and disseminate to government and other key stakeholders the protected areas gap analysis and future strategic prioritization in line with EU integration process (e.g. Natura 2000 and EU directives) . The strategic long term plan will be developed in a participatory manner. Both plan and recommendations will be included in the final draft of the NBSAP, which will be finalized by the end of Q1 2014. The Gap analysis and strategic plan for PA consolidation and expansion will identify key habitats and

04/2014

04/2014

06/2014

03/2014

CO

PMU, Agency Moldsilva, Ministry of Environment

Agency Moldsilva, UNOP CO

UNOP

PMU

Initiated

Initiated

Not Initiated

Initiated

I

I

species to be taken under protection (future Natura 2000 sites) and also will serve as a roadmap for the country for the network development prior EU joining. Evaluation Recommendation 5: The key project partners should work with Ministry of Education to ensure the incorporation of Orhei National Park into educational publications to be printed in the 2015 cycle, especially for Orhei area, but also nationally.

Management Response: UNDP CO and PMU will do all possible to encourage the incorporation of Orhei National Park into educational publications to be printed in the 2015 cycle. Key Action(s) Time Frame Responsible Unit(s) Tracking I

Comments Status

5.1 Before project closure, the PMU will develop and 02/2014 PMU Initiated Information Note for the Ministry of Education, handing over all education and awareness information and materials previously produced by the project related to Orhei National Park and will suggest its incorporation into curricula, manuals and educational publications . Opportunity 1 identified by the Evaluation: There is an excellent opportunity to develop a working partnership between the MoE, Moldsilva, and the Regional Development Authority to include the existence of protected areas in the criteria applied to allocate regional development funding. This approach would increase the value communities see in protected areas, and would help catalyze some concrete benefits for sustainable development in the vicinity of protected areas. PAS project stakeholders also highlighted the potential need for information exchanges/study tours to municipalities in neighboring countries that have experience working protected areas within or at the margins of their jurisdictions .

Management Response: UNDP CO will do all possible to support key project partners (Moldsilva, MoEnv, LPA) to establish partnerships with regional development authority and administrations of the parks from the neighboring countries for the sustainable development of the Orhei NP and protected area system in the country. Key Action(s) Time Frame Responsible Unit(s) Tracking

Comments Status 6.1 Promote development and implementation of projects 12/2017 UNDP CO Not related to the sustainable development of the protected Initiated areas and PA neighboring communities. 6.2 UNDP CO will assist GoM in developing biodiversity 12/2017 Government, UNDP Not conservation and local development projects (nature CO Initiated resources sustainable use and benefit-sharing, participatory management and decentralisation of PA system; PA's financing etc.) through identifying priorities and inputs for project development.