Transcript English

Sub-regional Workshop for
GEF Focal Points
Nairobi, Kenya
14 - 16 May 2007
NATIONAL PRIORITY
SETTING PROCESS IN
MAURITIUS
Background
Mauritius has benefited from GEF funding of US$ 8.5 M:
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13 projects since 1991
Average of US$ 570,000 per year over the last 15 years
Current national projects with GEF support (US$ 2.4 M):
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Marine Protected Area Network Project
Capacity Building for Sustainable Land Management
National Bio-safety Framework Project
Second National Communication
Background
Projects to the tune of US$ 5.8 million in the pipeline:
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Strengthening management effectiveness of a
Protected Area Network
Energy efficiency and energy conservation in
buildings
National Capacity for Coastal Area Management
Main Documents Identifying
National Priorities
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National Environment Action Plan 2 and National
Environment Strategies (NES) formulated, 1999-2010
NES review to take on new obligations and emerging
challenges under Kyoto Protocol and other MEAs
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National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP),
2006-2016
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National Capacity Needs Self Assessment Strategy Report
(NCSA), 2005
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National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), 1998
Energy Policy, 2007
Project Formulation process
Priorities
Under
NEAP 2
Priorities
Under
NBSAP
Capacity
Building
Priorities
Under
NCSA
Priorities
Under
NCCAP
Priorities
Under
Energy Policy
+
GEF
PRIORITIES
Project
Formulation
Key Actors
GEF Focal Point
(Ministry of Finance & Eco Devmt)
National
Executing
agencies
GEF
Implementing
agencies
- Ministry of Environment
World
Bank
- Ministry of Agro-Industry & Fisheries
UNDP UNEP
- Ministry of Public Utilities
- Meteorological Services
- Ministry of Tourism
-Academia, NGOs and co-financing agencies
Coordination Mechanism
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Inception stage: small team of major stakeholders set up
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Relevant line ministries lead project team, creating
project ownership
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Project team (incl. GEF Focal Point) scrutinises project
concepts/ proposals, ensuring national and GEF
priorities are met
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After PDF approval, official National Steering
Committee (NSC) of key stakeholders set up, meets
regularly until prodoc finalised
Coordination Mechanism
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Co-financing discussions with line Ministries, NGOs,
private sector
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During project implementation, NSC meets regularly to
monitor and provide guidance
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In specific cases, technical advisory committee,
comprising partly of NSC members and technicians,
advises on technical matters
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Selection panel of NSC members aids in project
recruitment and procurement processes
Results and achievements
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Views of key stakeholders incorporated in project formulation
process
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Duplication of work avoided
National documents and research findings incorporated in
framing project proposals
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Targets and priority work across all focal areas coordinated
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Cross sectoral issues treated in meetings and consultations
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Work load holistically shared among executing agencies
e.g., Ministry of Environment and NGOs agreed to implement
activities of recently submitted Protected Area Network Project
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Consultations with grassroots and community representatives,
especially for SGP projects
Constraints and Challenges
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Synergies among GEF and other projects not
fully exploited
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NSC process of seeking co-financing difficult
Budgets allocated to Ministries for financial year
based on national priority projects
No specific time frame for GEF project approval
makes securing government co-financing for
particular project in specific year difficult
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Lessons Learned
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Reduce dependence on government cofinancing
Attract co-financing from private sector,
NGOs, AfDB, IFAD, BADEA, EU
NSC meetings can maximise potential inkind and parallel financing from different
ministries
Way Forward
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Adoption of Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
or programme-based budgeting by the Ministry of Finance &
Economic Development
Major step to mainstream environment in national strategies
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MTEF includes Ministry strategy, programs, activities to
achieve desired outcomes, performance indicators
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GOM endorsement of Ministry MTEF means commitment to
support programs
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MTEFs of Ministries of Environment and Agro-Industry &
Fisheries highlight Mauritius’ priorities in Climate Change,
Biodiversity (Inland, Marine and Coastal), Land Degradation
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MTEF shared among donors to attract co-financing for future
investment opportunities
Way Forward
Shorten project formulation process
 Especially when preliminary studies and background
documents exist
 Enable savings under RAF, funds better used in project
implementation
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Use GEF CSP resources
 Build capacity and create awareness about GEF project
formulation
 Increase synergies between GEF and other environmental
projects through stakeholder coordination
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