RFP Attachment J-2 Programmatic Initial Environmental Examination.pdf

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 1

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROJECT/ACTIVITY DATA

Project/Activity Name: Systems of Non-Violent Conflict Management Strengthened in West Africa

Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region): 15 ECOWAS Member states; Chad, Cameroon; Mauritania, Amendment (Yes/No), if Yes indicate # (1, 2...): No

Implementation Start/End Date (FY or M/D/Y):

FY19 – FY23

If Amended, specify New End Date: N/A Solicitation/Contract/Award Number: Task Order No. 72062418F00001;

Task Order No. AID-624-TO-15-00004;

Task Order No. AID-624-TO-16-00004;

Cooperative Agreement No. AID-624-A-16-00016;

Cooperative Agreement No. AID-624-A-15-00003

Implementing Partner(s): IBTCI, Creative Associates Intentional, Equal Access International, WANEP, and TBD

Bureau Tracking ID: West Africa RPGO IEE 2019-2023 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=51697

Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any):

Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses: RPGO Programmatic IEE dated September 26, 2011

(USAID-WA_RPGO_IEE_092611) and the amended version dated 04/12/12 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=37914

Promote Conflict Mitigation and Regional Stability WQAP PDev https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=39306

ORGANIZATIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

Implementing Operating Unit(s):

(e.g. Mission or Bureau or Office)

USAID West Africa

Other Affected Operating Unit(s): West Africa Regional Lead BEO Bureau: AFR Bureau Funding Account(s) (if available):

Original Funding Amount: $150,000,000 If Amended, specify funding amount: N/A If Amended, specify new funding total:

Prepared by: Ina Pislaru, Senior Governance Advisor, RPGO

Henry Nii Arday Aryeetey, Regional Environmental Adviser, USAID West Africa.

Date Prepared: September 28, 2018 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=51697 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=37914 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=39306

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 2

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW DATA

Analysis Type: Environmental Examination

� Deferral

Environmental Determination(s): Categorical Exclusion(s) Negative

� Positive � Deferred (per

22CFR216.3(a)(7)(iv) IEE Expiration Date (if different from implementation end date):

31st October 2023

Additional Analyses/Reporting Req: EMMPs/ ERFs Climate Risks Identified (#): Low ___2___ Moderate ___1___ High ___1___ Climate Risks Addressed (#): Low ___2___ Moderate ___1___ High ___1___

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THRESHOLD DETERMINATION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The purpose of this IEE is to address the entire portfolio of envisioned activities within the RPGO regional conflict prevention and mitigation and countering violent extremism programs. This IEE is intended to cover the envisioned range of activities under the RPGO expanded portfolio for FY 2019 through FY 2023.

In accordance with 22 CFR 216, this IEE reviews the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts of all envisioned activities within the RPGO portfolio and recommends Threshold Decisions, and in some cases, associated conditions for these activities. In addition, this IEE sets out project-level implementation procedures intended to assure (1) that conditions in this IEE are translated into specific mitigation measures and actions, and (2) systematic compliance with this IEE during project and program implementation. These procedures are themselves a general condition of approval for the IEE, and their implementation is, therefore, mandatory.

The development objective of the Regional Peace and Governance Office is to Strengthen Systems of Non-violent Conflict Management in West Africa, which includes efforts to Promote Conflict Prevention and Mitigation and contributes to regional stability through Reducing Vulnerability to Violent Extremism. This work is accomplished through two larger projects: a). the NEW CVE Project and b). the conflict prevention and mitigation project, both encompassing multiple activities and efforts across West Africa’ ECOWAS member states, Chad, Cameroon and Mauritania.

A. Countering Violent Extremism in West Africa Project (New-CVE), aims to reduce vulnerability to violent extremism (VE) in West Africa and the Sahel. The project purpose is to weaken the legitimacy and ideology of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs). This project carries out RPGO’s existing TSCTP interventions as well as it will embark on new initiatives aimed at empowering local and regional African institutions to lead CVE efforts. The NEW-CVE is promoting resilience in at-risk communities and introduces a measure of flexibility in order to meet the spreading and shifting threat of AQIM, ISIS and related terrorist groups moving south from North Africa and in the Lake Chad Basin area (LCB), where Boko Haram is engaged in mass killings and other human-rights violations.

USAID expects that the NEW-CVE, contributing towards the broader USG Sahel Development Partnership (SDP) – Niger and Burkina Faso, will make communities at risk of VE recruitment less vulnerable, more resilient, and better able to resist extremism. The project will work to develop the capacity of regional and national organizations to address VE and reduce citizen grievances. It will also address community fractures, assist in developing narratives to discredit and counter VE narratives, and provide opportunities for citizens to engage with their leaders. To accomplish this purpose, the project has the following sub-purposes:

• Assist West African organizations, both public and private, to develop the capacity to counter violent extremism. Key to success in this project is the strengthening of African institutions and organizations at the regional, national and local levels, together with their citizens, which are able to combat and render impotent efforts by VEOs to recruit citizens into their ranks. This capacity building will be enhanced by the creation of and support for functional networks of advocacy groups, such as youth, women, religious leaders, and civil society organizations; support government CVE interventions at the national and local levels as well as strengthen regional institutions ability to carry out their CVE mandates.

• Amplify local moderate voices as an effective tool to reduce the impact and appeal of recruitment by VEOs.

Under this project, RPGO is promoting radio and other media programs and spreading their positive messages, including call-in shows and giving voice to community, traditional and religious leaders.

• Increase community cohesion to complement the broader efforts of capacity development, network creation and amplification of moderate voices. Emphasis will be placed on communities at risk of

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 4

susceptibility to recruitment by VEOs. Efforts are needed to enhance community cohesiveness.

Marginalized groups (mainly, but not exclusively, youth) will gain capacity and engage in activities, such as peacebuilding, conflict management and advocacy. Citizens affected will learn how to become more resistant to and counter violent extremism.

• Notices of funding opportunities for activities in targeted countries will be issued periodically to solicit proposals that address CVE challenges identified for that year. Emphasis will be placed on testing ideas that come from the region and that, where appropriate and subject to available funding, could be expanded and replicated if successful.

• Support a Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) agenda for project activities to bolster knowledge management, support organization of CVE coordination meetings, promote communication efforts, support Geographic Information System (GIS) efforts, support creation and dissemination of success stories, and undertake rapid and longer-term assessments/evaluations to inform program implementation. This activity will utilize findings from evaluations and analyses to track progress against targets, review changes in the environment and threat, and inform adjustments to project activities to make them more effective. The types and frequency of studies and assessments will be determined during the development of the scope of work for this activity and during the annual work planning process.

B. RPGO’s Regional Conflict Prevention and Mitigation portfolio will be implemented through the following sub-purposes:

• Promote peace through development, including, but not limited to, addressing critical gaps in conflict early warning and response in the 15-member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The program will provide technical assistance to reinforce the capacity of the ECOWAS to collect and analyze conflict-risk data, develop strong recommendations, and improve the sharing of this information across West Africa, ECOWAS member states, and other relevant actors.

• Strengthen state and communities’ resiliencies to security threats and provide assistance to West African organizations to identify potential election violence risks to develop recommendations for peace-building activities to prevent it.

• Promote consensus-building and the development of democratic institutions and political processes as well as strengthen regional, national and local institutions to promote elections, accountability and civic engagement through ongoing technical assistance and a flexible grant mechanism.

• Strengthen public accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Combined, these two programs with above-listed components will result in greater understanding across the region of the systemic weaknesses that may increase the risk of violent conflict and violent extremism and increase the capacity of African regional, national, and local actors to remedy those weaknesses. A gender focus will ensure that gender considerations are integrated into conflict prevention, early warning and response activities, as well as countering violent extremism interventions and will promote the active participation of women in these initiatives. The program will aspire to strengthen institutions by building capacity and facilitating the sharing of lessons learned and good practices throughout the region.

Intervention Categories: for the purpose of environmental review, current and envisioned activities within the Peace and Governance Conflict Mitigation and Regional Stability (CMRS) Program are grouped under the following intervention categories:

1. Training and capacity building in the fields of peace, good governance, and countering violent extremism

2. Research, evaluation and information dissemination

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3. Small grants activities

4. Small scale infrastructure construction and rehabilitation

Each category contains a number of illustrative activities. Potential adverse environmental impacts and recommended determinations, in some cases with conditions, are advanced for each activity.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

For the purpose of environmental review, current and envisioned activities within the RPGO’s Systems of Non-violent Conflict Management Strengthened in West Africa Development Objective are grouped under the following intervention categories:

2. Research, evaluation, and information dissemination

A number of illustrative activities are listed below. Per their nature, scope and scale, the proposed actions for the proposed categories 1-3 under this activity are not expected to have any significant adverse impacts on both the natural and physical environment. This activity is thus recommended for Categorical Exclusion per 216.2(c)(1)(i), 216.2(c)(2)(i), (iii) and (v). Upon approval of this document, the determinations become affirmed, per Agency regulations (22CFR216).

The first 3 intervention categories described justify Categorical Exclusions, pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(c)(1)(i), 216.2(c)(2)(i), (iii) and (v), for which an Initial Environmental Examination, or an Environmental Assessment are not required because the actions do not have an effect on the natural or physical environment. Specifically, the activity interventions, as currently planned, fall into the following classes of action:

1. §216.2(c)(2)(xiv)Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.)

2. §216.2(c)(2)(iii) Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings

3. §216.2(c)(2)(v) Document and information transfers

4. §216.2(c)(2)(ii) Controlled experimentation exclusively for the purpose of research and field evaluation which are confined to small areas and carefully monitored

5. §216.2(c)(2)(xv) Activities that involve the application of design criteria or standards developed and approved by USAID

Negative Determination with Conditions per CFR 216.3(a)(2)(iii) A Negative Determination with Conditions is recommended for small scale infrastructure/renovation activities and all other activities for which a Categorical Exclusion is not recommended. These activities may have potentially minor to moderate adverse impacts on the physical and natural environment.

These activities are recommended for Negative Determination with Conditions per 22 CFR 216.3(a)((2)(iii).

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The following table summarizes the environmental determinations applicable to the specific projects/activities:

TABLE 1: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

Illustrative activities and respective environmental determinations

Projects/Activities Categorical Exclusion Citation (if applicable)

Negative Determination

Positive Determination

Deferral1

Countering Violent Extremism training for government and non-government actors at the regional, national and local levels

216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.)

Conflict prevention, mitigation, early warning, and response training

216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Training for election observers 216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Training and provision of technical assistance for governments, civil society organizations, and the media to improve overall skills, transparency and good governance

216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Training and capacity building for peace building for civil society organization in West Africa

216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Training legislative bodies in anti-corruption practices and rule of law

216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Support for voter registration and logistics

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Consensus building forums and events around conflict prevention and countering violent extremism

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

1 Deferrals must be cleared through an Amendment to this IEE prior to implementation of any deferred activities.

USAID/IPs may utilize the Environmental Screening Tool to assess impacts of deferred activities.

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construction of facilities, etc.)

Support of radio programming and social media use around conflict and CVE

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Capacity building and technical assistance for electoral commissions to organize local, district and general level elections

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Technical assistance to political parties

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Technical assistance for legislature for developing policies and improving the rule of law

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

General capacity building for CSOs including training in budget management, staff and recruitment, and proposal writing

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Problem solving workshops to promote social cohesion

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Developing positive messages to counter violent extremism through the use of social media and innovative technologies

§216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Analysis of the specific drivers of violent extremism in targeted geographic locations

§216.2(c)(2)(iii) Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings

Support to emerging methods of measuring project performance (complexity aware) in high threat environments

Evaluating CVE and conflict early warning conflict interventions

Organizing regional learning events to improve and educate practitioners in effective CVE interventions

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Small grants activities2 §216.2(c)(2)(xiv) Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly

Construction of new community radio stations and rehabilitation of existing community radio stations

Negative Determination with conditions, per 22 CFR 216.3(a) (2) (iii)

Construction and rehabilitation of individual markets, youth centers, rehabilitation of community centers, schools, transport yards

Negative Determination with

Rehabilitation of existing social service infrastructure including schools or training centers

Negative Determination with

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

The Climate Risk Management (CRM) screening results indicate primarily low risk to the project component with high risk for construction interventions and moderate risk for conflict mitigation interventions. Low risks include increased rainfall and temperature conditions resulting in poorer road conditions that may impact access to communities during rainy season, though not above normal baseline weather conditions during the time of implementation. Activity-level contingencies are recommended to plan for adverse weather condition during implementation. For construction of new community radio stations and rehabilitation of existing community radio stations climate risk screening will be conducted by cognizant AORs and the design engineer or engineer of record will conduct a further, site specific, climate risk screening for any construction or rehabilitation activities. For conflict prevention and mitigation interventions, the screening notes that droughts and floods often escalate conflict and recommends further analysis at the activity design stage.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

The negative determinations recommended in this IEE are contingent on full implementation of specified conditions and a set of general monitoring and implementation requirements specified in Section 5 (“Management”) of this IEE.

IMPLEMENTATION

In accordance with 22CFR216 and Agency policy, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory upon approval. This includes the relevant limitations, conditions and requirements in this document as stated in Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the IEE. Per 22CFR216.3 (a)(9), when ongoing programs are revised to incorporate a change in scope or nature, a determination will be made as to whether such change may have an environmental impact not previously assessed. If so, this IEE will be amended to cover the changes. Per ADS 204, it is the responsibility of the USAID A/COR to keep the MEO/REA and BEO informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this environmental analysis and environmental determination.

2 Small grant activities would be limited to the support of round-tables, conferences, workshops, and/or cultural festivals or performances (including through radio, internet, and television) that would promote peace and tolerance between communities.

01/29/2019

Cleared by email 12/21/2018

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INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROJECT/ACTIVITY NAME: _WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE

IEE

Bureau Tracking ID: https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=51697

CONTENTS

Project/Activity Data 1

Organizational/Administrative Data 1

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW DATA 2

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

TABLE 1: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS 6

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

IMPLEMENTATION

USAID APPROVAL OF INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Contents

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF IEE

1.2 PROJECT/ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

1.3 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL, CLIMATE, SOCIAL)

2.2 APPLICABLE AND APPROPRIATE PARTNER COUNTRY AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS (E.G.

WHO), ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

2.3 COUNTRY/MINISTRY/MUNICIPALITY ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY ANALYSIS (AS APPROPRIATE)

3.0 ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.1 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.2 CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

5.0 CONDITIONS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

5.1 CONDITIONS

5.2 AGENCY CONDITIONS

5.3 MITIGATION MEASURES

6.0 LIMITATIONS OF THIS INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

7.0 REVISIONS

ATTACHMENTS:

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 11

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF IEE

The purpose of this document, in accordance with Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 216 (22CFR216), is to provide a preliminary review of the reasonably foreseeable effects on the environment of the USAID intervention described herein and recommend determinations and, as appropriate, conditions, for these activities.

Upon approval, these determinations become affirmed, per 22CFR216 and specified conditions become mandatory obligations of implementation. This IEE also documents the results of the project/activity level Climate Risk Management process in accordance with USAID policy (specifically, ADS 201mal).

This IEE is a critical element of USAID’s mandatory environmental review and compliance process meant to achieve environmentally sound activity design and implementation. Potential environmental impacts should be addressed through formal environmental mitigation and monitoring plans (EMMPs) and/or Environmental Assessments (EAs), if needed.

The Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) of this activity is responsible for ensuring that the Mission Agreement Officer (AO) incorporates these conditions into the Cooperative Agreement.

This is especially important during the Post Award Briefings and during work plan preparation and work plan reviews. Incorporation of environmental requirements in procurement documents ensures that the Implementing Partner (IP) applies environmental compliance issues during the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities.

1.2 PROJECT/ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

The development objective of the Regional Peace and Governance Office is to Strengthen Systems of Non-violent Conflict Management in West Africa, which includes efforts to Promote Conflict Prevention and Mitigation and contributes to regional stability through Reducing Vulnerability to Violent Extremism.

This work is accomplished through two larger projects: a). the NEW CVE Project and b). The Conflict Prevention and Mitigation project, both incorporating multiple activities and efforts across West Africa’s ECOWAS member states, Chad, Cameroon and Mauritania.

The Countering Violent Extremism in West Africa Project (New-CVE), aims to reduce vulnerability to violent extremism (VE) in West Africa and the Sahel. The project purpose is to weaken the legitimacy and ideology of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs). This project carries out RPGO’s existing TSCTP interventions as well as it will embark on new initiatives aimed at empowering local and regional African institutions to lead CVE efforts. The NEW-CVE is promoting resilience in at-risk communities and introduces a measure of flexibility in order to meet the spreading and shifting threat of AQIM, ISIS and related terrorist groups moving south from North Africa and in the Lake Chad Basin area (LCB), where Boko Haram is engaged in mass killings and other human-rights violations.

USAID expects that the NEW-CVE, contributing towards the broader USG Sahel Development Partnership (SDP) – Niger and Burkina Faso, will make communities at risk of VE recruitment less vulnerable, more resilient, and better able to resist extremism. The project will work to develop the capacity of regional and national organizations to address VE and reduce citizen grievances. It will also address community fractures, assist in developing narratives to discredit and counter VE narratives, and provide opportunities for citizens to engage with their leaders.

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 12

RPGO’s Regional Conflict Prevention and Mitigation portfolio will be promote peace through development, including, but not limited to, addressing critical gaps in conflict early warning and response in the 15-member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The program will provide technical assistance to reinforce the capacity of the ECOWAS to collect and analyze conflict-risk data; promote consensus-building and the development of democratic institutions and political processes across West African states as well as strengthen regional, national and local institutions to promote elections, accountability and civic engagement through ongoing technical assistance and a flexible grant mechanism.

Combined, these two programs with above-listed components will result in greater understanding across the region of the systemic weaknesses that may increase the risk of violent conflict and violent extremism and increase the capacity of African regional, national, and local actors to remedy those weaknesses. A gender focus will ensure that gender considerations are integrated into conflict prevention, early warning and response activities, as well as countering violent extremism interventions and will promote the active participation of women in these initiatives. The program will aspire to strengthen institutions by building capacity and facilitating the sharing of lessons learned and good practices throughout the region.

1.3 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

The development objective of the Regional Peace and Governance Office is to Strengthen Systems of Non-violent Conflict Management in West Africa, which includes efforts to Promote Conflict Prevention and Mitigation and contribute to regional stability through Reducing Vulnerability to Violent Extremism.

This work is accomplished through two larger projects: a). the NEW CVE Project and b). The conflict prevention and mitigation project, both encompassing multiple activities and efforts across West Africa’ ECOWAS member states, Chad, Cameroon and Mauritania.

A. Countering Violent Extremism in West Africa Project (New-CVE), aims to reduce vulnerability to violent extremism (VE) in West Africa and the Sahel. The project purpose is to weaken the legitimacy and ideology of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs). This project carries out RPGO’s existing TSCTP interventions as well as it will embark on new initiatives aimed at empowering local and regional African institutions to lead CVE efforts. The NEW-CVE is promoting resilience in at-risk communities and introduces a measure of flexibility in order to meet the spreading and shifting threat of AQIM, ISIS and related terrorist groups moving south from North Africa and in the Lake Chad Basin area (LCB), where Boko Haram is engaged in mass killings and other human-rights violations.

USAID expects that the NEW-CVE, contributing towards the broader USG Sahel Development Partnership (SDP) – Niger and Burkina Faso, will make communities at risk of VE recruitment less vulnerable, more resilient, and better able to resist extremism. The project will work to develop the capacity of regional and national organizations to address VE and reduce citizen grievances. It will also address community fractures, assist in developing narratives to discredit and counter VE narratives, and provide opportunities for citizens to engage with their leaders. To accomplish this purpose, the project has the following sub-purposes:

• Assist West African organizations, both public and private, to develop the capacity to counter violent extremism. Key to success in this project is the strengthening of African institutions and organizations at the regional, national and local levels, together with their citizens, which are able to combat and render impotent efforts by VEOs to recruit citizens into their ranks. This capacity building will be enhanced by the creation of and support for functional networks of advocacy groups, such as youth, women, religious leaders, and civil society organizations; support government CVE

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 13

interventions at the national and local levels as well as strengthen regional institutions ability to carry out their CVE mandates.

• Amplify local moderate voices as an effective tool to reduce the impact and appeal of recruitment by VEOs. Under this project, RPGO is promoting radio and other media programs and spreading their positive messages, including call-in shows and giving voice to community, traditional and religious leaders.

• Increase community cohesion to complement the broader efforts of capacity development, network creation and amplification of moderate voices. Emphasis will be placed on communities at risk of susceptibility to recruitment by VEOs. Efforts are needed to enhance community cohesiveness.

Marginalized groups (mainly, but not exclusively, youth) will gain capacity and engage in activities, such as peacebuilding, conflict management and advocacy. Citizens affected will learn how to become more resistant to and counter violent extremism.

• Notices of funding opportunities for activities in targeted countries will be issued periodically to solicit proposals that address CVE challenges identified for that year. Emphasis will be placed on testing ideas that come from the region and that, where appropriate and subject to available funding, could be expanded and replicated if successful.

• Support a Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) agenda for project activities to bolster knowledge management, support organization of CVE coordination meetings, promote communication efforts, support Geographic Information System (GIS) efforts, support creation and dissemination of success stories, and undertake rapid and longer-term assessments/evaluations to inform program implementation. This activity will utilize findings from evaluations and analyses to track progress against targets, review changes in the environment and threat, and inform adjustments to project activities to make them more effective. The types and frequency of studies and assessments will be determined during the development of the scope of work for this activity and during the annual work planning process.

B. RPGO’s Regional Conflict Prevention and Mitigation portfolio will be implemented through the following sub-purposes:

• Promote peace through development, including, but not limited to, addressing critical gaps in conflict early warning and response in the 15-member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The program will provide technical assistance to reinforce the capacity of the ECOWAS to collect and analyze conflict-risk data, develop strong recommendations, and improve the sharing of this information across West Africa, ECOWAS member states, and other relevant actors.

• Strengthen state and communities’ resiliencies to security threats and providing assistance to West African organizations to identify potential election violence risks to develop recommendations for peace-building activities to prevent it.

• Promote consensus-building and the development of democratic institutions and political processes as well as strengthen regional, national and local institutions to promote elections, accountability and civic engagement through ongoing technical assistance and a flexible grant mechanism.

• Strengthen public accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Combined, these two programs with above-listed components will result in greater understanding across the region of the systemic weaknesses that may increase the risk of violent conflict and violent extremism and increase the capacity of African regional, national, and local actors to remedy those weaknesses. A gender focus will ensure that gender considerations are integrated into conflict prevention, early warning and response activities, as well as countering violent extremism interventions and will promote the active participation of women in these initiatives. The program will aspire to

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 14

strengthen institutions by building capacity and facilitating the sharing of lessons learned and good practices throughout the region.

Intervention Categories: for the purpose of environmental review, current and envisioned activities within the Peace and Governance Conflict Mitigation and Regional Stability (CMRS) Program are grouped under the following intervention categories:

2. Research, evaluation and information dissemination

Each category contains a number of illustrative activities. Potential adverse environmental impacts and recommended determinations, in some cases with conditions, are advanced for each activity.

WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 15

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

The actions leading to the Activity’s proposed results are among the classes of actions listed in 22CFR216.2(c)(2) and have no foreseeable significant direct or indirect adverse effect on the environment. Therefore, under 22CFR216.2(c)(1), neither an IEE nor an EA will be required for these activities. Instead, a Categorical Exclusion is recommended for the projects activities 1-20 described above.

Various projects and programs in the Regional Peace and Governance portfolio summarized above, will take advantage of small grants programs as a tool to expand the impact under the Countering Violent Extremism in West Africa Project and the Conflict Prevention and Mitigation projects. The range of activities for which grants may be used are yet to be determined. However, these activities will be within the scope of activities described in this IEE. As such, the analysis set out in this section already examines the environmental impacts of activities to be supported with sub grants and sets out recommended determinations and conditions. This analysis applies equally whether the activities are to be conducted directly by a prime contractor/grantee, or via a sub grant mechanism. The general conditions of section 4, below, require that IPs impose these applicable IEE conditions on their sub grantees, require reporting on these conditions, and monitor their performance. Thus, no separate recommended determinations are necessary or appropriate for sub-grant activities.

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL, CLIMATE, SOCIAL)

West Africa is a region that continues to address the challenges of good governance and democratization while dealing with treats of violence and, in some countries, violent religious extremism. There are continued risks that can be caused in situations where the norms of democratic governance – including free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power – have not been sufficiently institutionalized and integrated into the political life of a country. Despite significant progress made in this area within the region, most notably in Ghana, which has experienced peaceful transfers of power despite very close run electoral races, West African states remain vulnerable to both localized and more general violence related to governance and electoral cycles. The region is also host to organizations that use violence and terrorism to advance their extremist religious agendas – most notably Al Qaida in the Maghreb (which in the region operates mainly in Mauritania, Niger and Mali) and Boko Haram, an organization based in northern Nigeria.

These political challenges can be compounded by on-going risks of environmental degradation, particularly in the fragile Sahel region. Management and governance of natural resources have also proven problematic both in environmental and conflict terms. Unresolved land disputes, poverty, competition over diminishing natural resources, illicit trade in commodities and labor conflicts around extractive industries can all feed into the dynamics of armed conflict in the region. Addressing issues of good governance, peace and stability in the region are essential in order to protect development gains already made and provide a secure platform upon which the people of West Africa can continue to improve their lives.

2.2 APPLICABLE AND APPROPRIATE PARTNER COUNTRY AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

(E.G. WHO), ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

Activities that would involve any construction or rehabilitation work are yet to be defined, therefore at this time the countries are yet to be identified. However, preliminary RPGOs planning focuses on Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mauritania.

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2.3 COUNTRY/MINISTRY/MUNICIPALITY ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY ANALYSIS (AS APPROPRIATE)

Environmental Laws and Policies in West Africa The countries in West Africa are highly diverse in their environmental protection and natural resource management policies, procedures and capacities: from relatively well developed and robust standards of environmental management and conservation in Ghana, to ambitious yet poorly enforceable post‐war systems in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Therefore, government counterparts must be consulted in each country where activities are planned to comply with individual national regulations.

Specific environmental laws and policies for Burkina Faso and Niger are provided below:

Burkina Faso The management of environmental issues is the responsibility of the Ministère de l’Environnement et du Cadre de Vie.

The regulatory texts on environment are:

• Article 005/97/ADP of 30th January 1997 - regulating environmental issues

• Article 022-2005/AN of 24th May 2005 - regulating public hygiene

• The National Action Plan on Environment (NAPE-1991 and amended in 1994).

In Burkina Faso, law N°005/97/ADP of January 30, 1997 has established two different procedures to evaluate environmental impact: the Environmental Assessment Study (Etude de l‘Impact sur l’Environnement – EIE) and the Note on Environmental Impact (Notice d’Impact sur l’Environnement - NIE). The first is a detailed study aimed at identifying and evaluating at an early stage the impacts of a given project. The Note on Environmental Impact is a simplified study aimed at identifying and evaluating the impacts of a given project. The goal of these studies are to: (1) provide an overall vision of project, potential impacts and mitigation measures; (2) favor social acceptance; (3) choose the most appropriate technology in terms of both financial and ecological sustainability; (4) facilitate monitoring. The Ministry in charge will decide over the environmental feasibility of the project based on the NIE and the EIE.

Burkina Faso’s Environmental guidelines (Law n°005/97/ADP of 30 January 1997) stipulate (Section 7) that all activities which might cause harm to groundwater and surface water resources must be regulated and monitored by the Ministry of Environment.

The Decree (N°2001-342/PRES/PM/MEE) of July 17, 2001 establishes the procedures for EIE and NIE in Burkina Faso. In the first phase, a project proposal is evaluated, and based on a classification established by decree, projects are divided into categories. The second phase is the environmental study, which must include consultation with the beneficiaries of the project (Art 3.2.1). The post-study phase consists of a public inquiry and the examination of the report and monitoring activities, aimed at verifying that the necessary mitigation measures are put in place (Art. 3.3.3).

Niger

Niger environmental policy is defined in the National Environment Plan for a Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the Government in April 2000. The aim of this policy is to set up the favorable conditions for the long-term improvement of food security, find a solution to the domestic energy crisis, improve health conditions, and promote the economic development of the people and the country. In operational terms, the issue is to systematize the management of the environmental concerns in all the decisions related to the development of the country. Of all the possible types of interventions, integration is generally recognized as the most effective. It consists in taking the environmental concerns into consideration from the very step of the planning and definition of the intervention (program, WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PEACE AND GOVERNANCE IEE 2019-2023 17 project or activities). Thus, it relies on a certain number of practical tools among which the environmental evaluation (EE) and the impact study on the environment (ISE).

The national environmental policy is supported by Law No 98-56 (December 1998) concerning the framework relative to environment management. This law deals with several environment sectors, both the natural environment and the human environment, and addresses the National Environment Plan for a Sustainable Development and impact studies on the environment in its articles 27 and 31 respectively, two fundamental environment management tools for the country. This law makes it mandatory for the government to set up the National Environment Plan for a Sustainable Development (PNEDD) and review it every five years.

Other legislative and statutory texts concerning environmental policy are as follow:

• Law No. 98-56 dated December 29, 1998 concerning the management framework law of the environment in Niger.

• Legislative Decree No 93-014 dated March 2, 1993 concerning water regulations completed by the Law 98-56 of December 1998.

• Legislative Decree No 93-015 dated March 2, 1993 setting the orientation principles of the rural code.

• Legislative Decree No 93-015 dated March 2, 1993 setting up hygiene codes.

As for governmental institutions, two are of most interest in the area of solid waste management including the National Environment Council for a Sustainable Development (CNEDD) and the Department of Environmental Evaluation and Impact Studies (BEEEI). The CNEDD was established by Decree No 96- 004/PM in 1996 and is a deliberating body whose mission is to design, implement, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Environment Plan for a Sustainable Development (PNEDD). The CNEDD is regularly consulted through its Executive Secretariat, to provide advice on reports on environment impact and any ongoing project, program or plan for the different environment sectors.

The BEEEI was created by Ordinance No 97-001 of 1997 and is the body in charge of the administrative management of the environmental evaluation process and impact studies of the country. In this capacity, it organizes and operates the Department of Environmental Evaluation and Impact Studies.

The Environmental Law in Niger provides guidelines for WATSAN development in the country. Article 42 establishes that usage of boreholes and wells should take into account the whole hydrological basin so as to minimize environmental impacts on water quality and quantity.

The Niger Environmental law (N°98-56 of 1998 of December 29, 1998) states that all development activities, projects and programs that might have relevant impacts on the social and natural environment require an Environmental Assessment and an authorization from the Ministry responsible for the environment (at present the Ministre de l'Eau, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre la Désertification).

The Decree (N°2000-398/PRN/ME/LCD) of 20 October 2000, lists all projects and activities that are subject to environmental assessment.

Chad

The environment, as defined in the Chadian government, includes forestry, fisheries, and wildlife. These are now the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, recently created by combining the old Ministry of Agriculture with the environment-related directorates of the old Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Three directorates were moved from the old ministry. The Directorate of Forests and Environmental Protection is responsible for managing and protecting all forest land in the

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country. In the capital, it is divided into three services; forests and forest product promotion, reforestation and soil conservation, and hunting. The forest product promotion group is responsible for the recent work on gum arabic, and for commercialization of karite. Several forest management projects are being managed by the reforestation and soil conservation service, with support from FAO, the European Community, and other donors; despite the name, soil conservation is the responsibility of another ministry. The Directorate of National Parks and Faunal Reserves is similarly hampered by lack of resources. It is responsible for wildlife protection and management of the country's two national parks, seven faunal reserves, and two hunting reserves.

N'Djamena similarly has no system for disposing of most household solid waste. In some neighborhoods wastes are buried in the courtyards. Often, they are piled in the street, where they are picked through by animals and people and sometimes burned. This can obviously create health hazards, which will become more severe as the city grows and its population becomes denser.

Mauritania

The major national environmental Law is the National Law on environmental protection and natural resource management. The high pressure on resources coupled with poor environmental governance impedes the achievement of the SDGs.

The National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) is an exercise defined as a simplified and direct communication tool for spreading information on the urgent and immediate adaptation needs in the Least Developed Countries (LDC), of Mauritania. At present, it is impossible to make accurate forecasts regarding climate change and its adverse effects, particularly at local and regional levels.

Mauritania has also carried out various activities in the areas of raising public awareness, training of experts, inventory of greenhouse gas, preparation of national communications on climate change, elaborating national action plans, undertaking thematic studies and environmental strategies, and has created departments and bodies advocating environment management: Ministry of Rural Development and the Environment, Directorate of Environment, the National Committee for Development and Environment (NCDE), the Technical Committee for Development and Environment (TCDE), the Regional Committee for Development and Environment (RCDE), etc. In general, this legal and institutional framework aims to protect the environment against any form of pollution and degradation. In this regard, the new guidelines provided by state authorities to the department responsible for NAPA, the Department of the Environment (DENV), are worthy of praise and will certainly bear fruit and, with the addition of extra human resources, will swiftly bring Mauritania to the same level as the other countries in the world involved in the field of environmental protection.

MALI

The Malian…