Attachment_J_1_Strat_Comm_IEE.pdf

DCN: 2023-ARM-003

USAID Armenia/Strategic Communications Support Activity E&E Bureau IEE Template (Version 1 Jun 2023)

US Agency for International Development (USAID) USAID/Armenia

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

Program/Project/Activity Data Activity/Project Name: Strategic Communications Support Activity

Assistance Objective:

DO 1: Democratic Transition Advanced Activity Objective: To equip the Government of Armenia with effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communication systems, capacities, and practices

Program Area:

IR 1.1: Effective and accountable governance institutionalized Sub IR 1.1.3: Capacity and commitment for targeted transformational reforms strengthened IR 1.2: Citizen engagement for democratic consolidation increased Sub IR 1.2.1: Civic and political participation increased

Country(ies) and/or Operating Unit: Armenia/E&E

Originating Office: Democracy and Governance Office Date: 28 July, 2023

☒ Original IEE/RCE Original IEE LOP Start Date: February 2024 IEE/RCE History DCN LOP End Date Original IEE/RCE FY2029

Purpose of Amendment: N/A Contract/Award Number (if known): TBD Sector Type(s) from the ECD Advanced Search Tab (https://ecd.usaid.gov) Major: Governance Minor: Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Recommended Environmental Determination(s):

☒ Categorical Exclusion ☐ Positive Determination ☒ Negative Determination ☒With Conditions ☐ Deferral

Additional Elements:

☐ Local Procurement ☐ Government to Government

☐ Donor Co-Funded ☐ Public International Organization (PIO) environmental and social policies and procedures applicable

☒ Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (included) Climate Change Vulnerability Rating: Low

1. Background and Project Description

1.1 Purpose and Scope of IEE

The purpose of this IEE is to analyze potential environmental impacts and to recommend environmental determination for a new activity to support the Government of Armenia to build effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communications systems, capacity and practices. The activity envisions technical assistance (TA), training, assessments, grants, software and hardware to the Government of Armenia (GoAM). The implementing partner will be determined through a full and open competition.

1.2 Project Description

Since Armenia’s peaceful political transition in 2018, the Government of Armenia has embarked on a number of key institutional reforms across sectors. At the same time, the Government has faced significant challenges with communicating these reforms and the progress made due to a number of functional and institutional constraints. The lack of coordinated, data-driven, proactive, and interactive public messaging undermines confidence in the government and its ability to move the reform agenda forward and resist internal and external malign influences.

The goal of this activity is to equip the Government of Armenia with effective, streamlined, data-driven, and citizen-centered strategic communication systems, capacities, and practices.

As such, the activity will focus on supporting the institutional set up and talent management for streamlined strategic communication, ensuring institutionalized systems and capacity for data-driven information management to inform strategic communication, and fostering citizen-centered strategic communications and public outreach.

The expected outcomes of this activity include:

1. Sustainable institutional structure and protocols for effective internal, intergovernmental, and external strategic communication;

2. Improved government system and capacity to maintain qualified staff for effective strategic communication;

3. Strong foundation for continued public opinion and data analysis to inform and monitor strategic communication efforts;

4. Established systems and/or partnerships for effective feedback loops for interactive citizen engagement.

2. Baseline Environmental Information

2.1 Locations Affected and Environmental Context

The Republic of Armenia is a relatively small, mountainous, land-locked country with a total area of 29,740 km2, located in the south-central Caucasus region of Eurasia. Armenia lies between latitudes 38°N and 42°N and longitudes 43°E and 47°E. Armenia is bordered to the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan and to the southeast and west by Iran and Turkey, respectively. Armenia is a mountainous nation in the geopolitical Transcaucasia region, characterized by the Southern Caucasus mountains. There are no lowlands in Armenia, and the average altitude is 1,800 m above sea level (Suny and Mints 2019). Armenia’s terrain is geologically unstable, and, as a result, Armenia is prone to earthquakes.

The country has a challenging development context because of its geopolitical constraints and unresolved conflict, energy dependency, limited economic and political competition, and population dynamics in the country. This activity is expected to be implemented in all provinces (marzes) but primarily in the capital of Yerevan. The activity is expected to take place in cities and towns, built up areas rather than in natural settings.

Characterized by mountainous landscape and climatic contradictions, Armenia’s unique terrain has resulted in the formation of diverse ecosystems rich in biodiversity with high species endemicity (Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Union 2014). The country is located at the intersection of three biogeographical provinces with diverse climatic conditions

DCN: 2023-ARM-003

and geological processes. The vertical zonation and topographic diversity of the country conditions the geographical distribution of the main biotypes of flora and fauna (Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Union 2014). The abundant species composition in Armenia is also a factor of its location in the Armenian Highlands, which serves as a critical location for formation of flora and fauna, as well as a crossroad for bird migration. Armenia’s climate is influenced by the Caucasus mountains and ranges from dry sub-tropical to cold alpine. There are five altitudinal vegetation zones: semi-desert, steppe, forest, alpine meadow, and high-altitude tundra (Suny and Mints 2019).

Average annual monthly temperatures range from 7.3°C to 12.2 °C. The highlands of the Lesser Caucasus mountains are marked by distinct temperature contrasts between summer and winter months. Average annual precipitation is 524 mm, 40% of which occurs between April and June. Precipitation increases from east to west and primarily occurs in high elevation locations (USAID 2017).

2.2 Description of Applicable Environmental and Natural Resource Legal Requirements Policies, Laws, and Regulations

Armenia’s legal framework for biodiversity and natural resource protection includes about 30 legal acts passed by the parliament, including six Codes (on forests, land, deposits, water, administrative infringement, and tax code). Key elements of the environmental legislation are the laws concerning flora and fauna, forests, special protected nature areas, (i.e., Lake Sevan as a unique source of freshwater in the region), waste management, air pollution, environmental education, climate change and other areas ensuring conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and natural resources (Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia website, 2022).

The Armenian Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2014) states that all economic and industrial activities require clearance from the Ministry of Nature Protection through an Environmental Review and Impact Assessment: if i) they are in one of the following categories A, B, or C listed in the law; and ii) they are located in a special protected area.

The Tax Code (2016) requires polluting organizations and individuals to pay taxes to the state budget to fund environmental programs throughout the country.

The Law on Environmental Education and Upbringing (2001) has incorporated the environmental standards in education. This law requires life-long continuous environmental education beginning from preschool to high educational institutions and post-graduate studies.

Armenia’s environment-related legislation has experienced some changes in recent years, most notably the introduction and passage of the amendments to the legislation.

2.3 Environmental Capacity Analysis

Due to insufficient capacity and staffing constraints the Ministerial level decisions on environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources are often poorly informed and not based on evidence. Larger communities maintain the in-house capacity to oversee compliance with environmental regulations during the implementation of projects involving infrastructure rehabilitation, as well as waste collection and administration and other types of services connected with the environment. Typically, special staff is assigned to review the process and provide analytical status reports. If violations occur, the municipality should then take corrective action. Municipalities with larger budgets occasionally outsource environmental analysis to engineering companies, which, along with construction services, maintain experts specializing in environmental regulations. With the support of USAID and other donors, the capacities of the Ministries of Economy, Nature Protection, Territorial Administration and Development, as well as municipalities and local governments have been strengthened to address environmental issues.

2.4 Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis

Climate Risk Screening was based on analysis of the existing climate information from Armenia's risk profile and respective references and the impact upon this activity. See Annex 1 of this IEE for further details of the climate risk screening for the activity. The climate risk analysis was done using the Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool. Climate change analysis was conducted with the MEO to discuss the potential climate change impacts of the activity. Based on the analysis, Climate Risk Rating is defined as low. Climate change is unlikely to significantly impact achievement of development outcomes relative to other stressors and development challenges.

3. Environmental Impacts and Recommended Mitigation Measures

As the activity is focused on technical assistance, training, legislative drafting, research, communication campaigns and sub-grants to pursue similar activities, the environmental impacts are anticipated to be low. Further impact due to travel and regional activities on land, climate, groundwater resources, surface water resources, terrestrial communities, aquatic communities, environmental sensitive areas, such as wetlands or protected areas, endangered species, cultural resources, and communities are expected to be low.

Environmental impact is associated with the disposal of equipment that can be potentially provided to media outlets and practitioners.

Component 1: Institutional set up and talent management for streamlined strategic communication

Sub-activities Potential Impacts

Mitigation Measures Recommended Threshold Determinations

1.1 Establishment of

organizational and reporting/accountability structure based on relevant best practices and feasibility in the public service cadre and budget context

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

1.2 Development of

standard operating procedures for whole-of-government (internal, interagency, and external) communication, including crisis communication

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

1.3 Development and

implementation of talent management and professional development tools

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

1.4 Identification of

(and support for) equipment/software support requirements

Provision of material support (i.e. equipment) may have some negative effect should equipment not be disposed of in a

USAID will provide targeted training on proper use and disposal of equipment with applicable Armenian and EU best practices on waste management standards to ensure that the beneficiaries recycle the equipment and/or its parts in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. The provided equipment should be energy efficient.

Negative Determination with Conditions

§216.3(a)(2)(iii) sustainable manner. The implementer shall provide to the MEO a list of equipment to be given to grantees and training modules that include information on proper use and disposal, as applicable. The implementer shall use the Simplified Environmental Review Form for Procurement (Procurement SERF) available at E&E_SERF_Procurement_Template_2023_0106.docx

All equipment shall be installed by trained and certified technicians according to manufacturer’s specifications, as applicable. Training on safe use shall be provided as needed. Equipment shall be of good quality and purchase from reputable vendors.

Component 2: Systems and capacity building for data-driven information management Sub-activities Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures Recommended

Threshold Determination

2.1 Setting systems and

support for: regular public opinion research; audience analysis; testing of messaging; and evaluation of public outreach campaigns

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

2.2 Disinformation

mapping; media ecosystem analysis and monitoring

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

2.3 Facilitated partnerships

with think tanks and analytical centers for outsourcing services

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

Component 3: Citizen-centered strategic communications and public outreach support Sub-activities Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures Recommended

Threshold Determination

3.1 Mapping and update of

public outreach platforms (official websites, streamlined social media presence, etc.)

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

3.2 Facilitating sectoral

strategic communications campaigns (audience segmentation, content/message development, distribution, research) to advance 2-3 key reform areas

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

3.3 Advancing partnerships

with CSOs, media outlets, private sector to amplify issue-based content/campaigns identified through research/analysis

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

3.4 Establishing effective

feedback loops for interactive citizen engagement

None anticipated Not applicable Categorical exclusion

§216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs

4. Conclusions of the Environmental Review

4.1 Recommended Environmental Determinations:

Categorical Exclusions:

A categorical exclusion is recommended for the following sub-activities under 22 CFR 216.2(c)(2):

Sub-activities 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3 and 3.1-3.4 under §216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.).

Negative Determination:

A negative determination is recommended for the 1.4 sub-activity under §216.3(a)(2)(iii).

Additional specific terms and conditions are presented below in Section 4.2.

4.2 Negative Determination Terms and Conditions:

4.2.1 For activity 1.4, the implementing partner must build awareness by providing training around environmental, health and safety best practices for the equipment disposal to ensure that beneficiaries will dispose/recycle computers in a sustainable manner.

4.2.2 Preparation of environmental review documents shall be captured in annual work plans, and therefore budgeted for and reviewed for adequacy at least annually.

4.2.3 Changes in activities and their associated environmental reviews shall necessitate amending the IEE.

4.3 USAID Monitoring and Reporting

4.3.1 The COR, with the support of the MEO, is responsible for monitoring compliance of activities by means of desktop reviews and site visits.

4.3.2 The COR is responsible for confirming that the IP includes environmental compliance requirements and monitoring results as part of their routine project reporting to USAID.

4.3.3 The COR is responsible for monitoring, to the extent practicable, that the IP complies with applicable host country environmental requirements.

4.3.4 If at any time the project is found to be out of compliance with the IEE, the COR or MEO shall immediately notify the BEO.

DCN: 2023-ARM-003

4.3.5 A summary report of Mission’s compliance relative to this IEE shall be sent to the BEO on an annual basis, normally in connection with preparation of the Mission’s annual environmental compliance report required under ADS 203.3.8.5 and 204.3.3.

4.3.6 The BEO or his/her designated representative may conduct site visits or request additional information for compliance monitoring purposes to ensure compliance with this IEE, as necessary.

4.4 Implementing Partner (IP) Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Reporting

4.4.1 The IP is required to comply with applicable host country environmental requirements.

4.4.2 If an individual activity is found to pose significant adverse environmental effects that have not been identified and addressed in the approved environmental review documents, new environmental review documents shall be developed to include environmental safeguards for such effects.

4.4.3 IPs shall report on environmental compliance requirements and monitoring results as part of their routine project reporting to USAID

5. Mandatory Inclusion of Requirements in Solicitations, Awards, Budgets and Workplans

5.1 Appropriate environmental compliance language, including limitations defined in Section 6, shall be incorporated into solicitations and awards for this activity and projects budgets shall provide for adequate funding and human resources to comply with requirements of this IEE.

5.2 Solicitations shall include Statements of Work with tasks for meeting environmental compliance requirements and appropriate evaluation criteria.

5.3 Environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements, when available, shall also be included in solicitations and awards.

5.4 The IP shall incorporate conditions set forth in this IEE into their annual work plans.

5.5 The IP shall ensure annual work plans do not prescribe activities that are defined as limitations, as defined in Section 6.

5.6 The USAID Mission will include an indicator for environmental compliance as part of the project’s performance monitoring plan.

6. Limitations of the IEE: This IEE does not cover activities (and therefore should changes in scope implicate any of the issues/activities listed below, a BEO-approved amendment shall be required), that:

6.1 Normally have a significant effect on the environment under §216.2(d)(1), including:

● Programs of river basin development;

● Irrigation or water management projects, including dams and impoundments;

● Agricultural land leveling;

● Drainage projects;

● Large scale agricultural mechanization;

● New lands development;

● Resettlement projects;

● Penetration road building or road improvement projects;

● Powerplants;

● Industrial plants;

● Potable water and sewerage projects other than those that are small scale.

6.2 Support project preparation, project feasibility studies, engineering design for activities listed in §216.2(d)(1);

6.3 Affect endangered and threatened species or their critical habitats per §216.5, FAA 118, FAA 119;

6.4 Provide support to extractive industries (e.g., mining and quarrying);

6.5 Promote timber harvesting per FAA 117 and 118;

6.6 Lead to new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or renovation work;

6.7 Support agro-processing or industrial enterprises;

6.8 Provide support for regulatory permitting;

DCN: 2023-ARM-003

6.9 Lead to privatization of industrial facilities or infrastructure with heavily polluted property;

6.10 Research, testing, or use of genetically engineered organisms except in accordance with ADS 211; or

6.11 Assist the procurement (including payment in kind, donations, guarantees of credit) or use (including handling, transport, fuel for transport, storage, mixing, loading, application, clean-up of spray equipment, and disposal) of pesticides or activities involving procurement, transport, use, storage, or disposal of toxic materials per §216.2(e) and §216.3(b). Pesticides (cover all insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. covered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act); and

7. Revisions

7.1 Under §216.3(a)(9), if new information becomes available that indicates that activities covered by the IEE might be considered major and their effect significant, or if additional activities are proposed that might be considered major and their adverse effect significant, this environmental threshold decision will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised by the Mission with concurrence by the BEO. It is the responsibility of the USAID COR/AOR to keep the MEO and BEO informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this IEE.

8. Environmental Threshold Decision Clearances:

Approval:

John G. Allelo, Mission Director Date

Lusine Hakobyan, Activity Manager Date

Artur Drampyan, Mission Environmental Officer Date

Concurrence:

Poojan Tripathi, Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) Date USAID Europe and Eurasia Bureau

Distribution:

▪ Activity File

▪ AOR/COR

▪ MEO

▪ BEO

▪ ECD

Lusine Hakobyan Digitally signed by Lusine Hakobyan Date: 2023.08.10 10:01:26 +04'00'

Arthur Drampyan Digitally signed by Arthur Drampyan Date: 2023.08.10 13:42:14 +04'00'

John Allelo Digitally signed by John Allelo Date: 2023.08.11 14:56:33 +04'00'

POOJAN BHASKER

TRIPATHI (affiliate)

Digitally signed by

POOJAN BHASKER

TRIPATHI (affiliate) Date: 2023.08.14 12:31:29 -04'00'

▪ Annex A: Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool

1: Components or Sub-activities 2: Time-frame and Geography 3: Climate Risks* 4: Climate Risk

Rating* 5: How Climate Risks are Addressed in the Activity*

6: Accepted Climate Risks*

Component 1:

Institutional set up and talent management for streamlined strategic communication

2024 – 2029

Armenia

N/A Low When planning training sessions and similar activities, the activity will consider seasonal forecasts when choosing dates and use contingency planning and consider virtual training as options

N/A

Component 2:

Systems and capacity building for data-driven information management

2024 – 2029

Armenia

N/A Low When planning training sessions and similar activities, the activity will consider seasonal forecasts when choosing dates and use contingency planning and consider virtual training as options

N/A

Component 3:

Citizen-centered strategic communications and public outreach support

2024 – 2029

Armenia

N/A Low When planning training sessions and similar activities, the activity will consider seasonal forecasts when choosing dates and use contingency planning and consider virtual training as options

N/A

* means a required element, according to the Mandatory Reference