Attachment_6_-__IEE_and_EMMP.pdf

RFP No. SOL-522-17-000001

ATTACHMENT 6

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE) No. No. LAC-IEE-16-10

LAC-IEE-16-10

ENVIRONMENTAL THRESHOLD DECISION

Activity Location: Honduras

Activity Title: Development Objective 1: Citizen Security Increased for Vulnerable Populations in Urban, High-Crime Areas

Activity Number: TBD

Life-of-Activity Funding: $250 million

Life-of-Activity: 1 November 2015 – 30 September 2019

IEE prepared by: Gabriela Leva, PO Sofia Méndez, A/MEO Peter Hearne, MEO

Reference ETDs: LAC-IEE-14-11, LAC-IEE-14-03

Recommended Threshold Decision: Categorical Exclusion Negative Determination with Conditions

Bureau Threshold Decision: Concur

Comments:

A Categorical Exclusion is issued to DO 1, Citizen Security Increased for Vulnerable Populations in Urban, High-Crime Areas, for the following activities:

DO 1 Intermediate result (IR, or Sub IR) see IEE for details.

Categorical Exclusion Citation

IRs1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.3 (i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include

22 CFR 216.2 (c)(2)(i) activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.);

Sub IR 1.2.1 and all Sub IRs in

IR 2.2

Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings;

216.2(c)(2) (iii)

Sub IR1.1.2, Sub IR 1.2.2, IR 2.1, all Sub IRs in IR 2.2, and

IR 2.3

Documentation and information transfer (creating awareness and organizational strengthening

216.2(c)(2)(v)

Sub IR 1.1.1, IR2.1, and all Sub IRs in IR 2.2

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.)

216.2(c)(2)(iv)

A Negative Determination with Conditions is issued to DO 1, Citizen Security Increased for Vulnerable Populations in Urban, High-Crime Areas, for the following activities:

Activities Type of EMMP

1. All sub-grant activities. Sub-grants mechanisms are envisioned in all Sub Intermediate Results within the DO1.

Site specific Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP)

2. Activities in IR 1.1 “Community Structures that Mitigate against Crime Improved” under Sub IR 1.1.1 “Public Infrastructure Improved” and under Sub IR 1.1.2 “Community Networks and Systems Strengthened” including the design and improvement of community infrastructure like: water service, sanitation, parks, community gardens, recreational spaces, safe public transportation stops, pedestrian access, improved street lighting, paved crosswalks, school, outreach and rehabilitation spaces among others.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure)

3. Activities under IR 1.2 “Quality Services that Protect against Violence Increased” which include the improvement of community infrastructure to deliver citizen security services, and provide availability of safe spaces for youth outside school (such as outreach centers). Citizen services will include social, education, and health services (including reproductive, HIV, neonatal) for specific target populations.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) (Sub

IR1.2.2)

Umbrella EMMP for handling and disposal of medical wastes (Sub IR 1.2.1)

4. Activities under Sub IR 2.2 “Efficiency of the Security and Justice Systems Improved”, Sub IR 2.2.1 “Investigation of Selected Crimes Increased”, Sub IR 2.2.2 “Prosecution Strengthening”, and Sub IR 2.2.3 “Judicialization Improved”, which will involve construction and improvement of small-scale judicial or security infrastructure, such as community police posts, co-located judicial services centers and other facilities that provide prosecutorial, investigative, judicial, or security services.

Site specific EMMP for new small-scale construction.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) for renovation of existing infrastructure

5. Activities under Sub IR 2.3 “Effective Community Police Presence Increased” which include the improvement of police stations in targeted communities.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) for

For all the activities listed above as a Negative Determination with Conditions, each implementing contractor or partner shall fulfill the following conditions:

• Prepare an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) which will identify the negative environmental impacts, propose corresponding mitigation measures, and monitor their effectiveness, utilizing the format in Attachment A, including Tables 1, 2 and 3.

Guidance on the preparation of the EMMP will be provided to the Contractor/Recipient as part of the Request for Proposals. The type of EMMP (umbrella or site-specific) is determined in the table above. All EMMPs will be submitted to the Contracting/Agreements Officer Representative (COR/AOR) for approval by the Mission Environmental Officer (MEO) prior to implementation. EMMPs must be consistent with “USAID's Sectoral Environmental Guidelines.”

http://www.usaidgems.org/sectorGuidelines.htm. This document is available in both English and Spanish.

• Incorporate the completed EMMP into the initial work plan.

• Update the EMMP into subsequent Annual Work Plans, making any necessary adjustments to activity implementation in order to minimize adverse impacts to the environment.

• Submit an annual EMMP report on environmental compliance, preferably as part of the regular project reporting. This report should be based on Table 3 of the EMMP Format outlined in Attachment A. This report must be submitted to COR/AOR and approved in writing by the MEO.

• Comply with Government of Honduras (GOH) environmental regulations and obtain all required permits from the appropriate GOH officials. In case of conflict between host country and USAID regulations, the more stringent regulations will apply.

• To ensure that all these environmental requirements and conditions are met in an adequate and timely manner, each implementing contractor or partner will hire a qualified environmental specialist.

• The COR/AOR is responsible for making sure environmental conditions outlined in this IEE, and included in each EMMP, are met (ADS 204.3.4). This includes ensuring that the appropriate environmental guidelines are followed, that the mitigation measures are funded http://www.usaidgems.org/sectorGuidelines.htm and implemented, and that adequate environmental compliance monitoring and evaluation protocols are in place.

• The COR/AOR and the MEO will conduct spot monitoring checks, using Table 3 of the EMPR, to ensure that the conditions listed in this IEE are being followed and that activities are being implemented in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.

• If during activity implementation, it becomes apparent that there may be additional activities not included in this IEE, an amended IEE will be submitted for approval.

4.3 Environmental Compliance Language for Awards

• Each technical office, along with the MEO, will ensure that environmental compliance language from this IEE is included in all procurement and obligating documents, such as activity-related Development Objective Agreements, and under Global Acquisition and Assistance Systems (GLAAS).

• The following language regarding environmental compliance will be included in all RFPs, contracts and agreements:

o “In accordance with USAID’s recognition that gender, persons with disabilities, anti-corruption, and environmental issues are important considerations in development, the Contractor shall include in their project proposal explanations on measures they intend to take to deal with these issues. During project implementation, the Contractor/Recipient shall take these issues into account and find ways to enhance gender balance, reduce corrupt practices, and protect the environment in areas related to their project. To ensure compliance with the USAID environmental regulation 22 CFR Section 216, the Implementing Partner (IP) is responsible for providing USAID/Honduras with an Environmental Mitigation Plan, as outlined in the applicable document (Attachment A) “Guidelines for Implementing Partners on the USAID Environmental Mitigation &Monitoring Plan (EMMP).” The Implementing Partner shall ensure that appropriate environmental guidelines are followed, that mitigation measures described in the pertinent Threshold Decision for each of these activities are funded and implemented, including any necessary training or capacity building, and adequate monitoring. The procurement and/or use of pesticides would require an amended IEE, pursuant to USAID’s Pesticide Procedures 22 CFR 216.3(b)(l)(i)(a-l). The Contractor/Recipient may be required to report results disaggregated by gender and measures taken to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the environment and reduce corrupt practices.”

• Contract Officers will use documents listed in ADS 204.5 “Environmental Compliance:

Language for Use in Solicitations and Awards; An Additional Help for ADS Chapter 204” dated May 19, 2008.

Amendments

• Amendments to Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) shall be submitted for LAC Bureau

Environmental Officer (BEO) approval for any activities not specifically covered in the IEE, which include:

o Funding level increase beyond ETD amount, http://inside.usaid.gov/ADS/200/204sac.pdf o Time period extension beyond ETD dates (even for no cost extension), or o A change in the scope of work, such as the use of pesticides or activities subject to

Foreign Assistance Act sections 118 and 119 (e.g. procurement of logging equipment), among others.

• Amendments to IEEs may require the need to conduct Environmental Assessments (EAs) and approval of these documents by the LAC BEO could require an annual evaluation for environmental compliance.

Date: Dec. 29, 2015 Victor H. Bullen Bureau Environmental Officer Bureau for Latin America & the Caribbean

Copy to: James Watson, USAID/Honduras, Mission Director Theodore Glenn, DG Anya Glenn, PO Gabriela Leva, PO Kay Leherr, EDO Kurt Pope, DMD Peter Hearne, MEO Sofia Méndez, A/MEO

Copy to: Joe Torres, Regional Environmental Advisor, USAID/El Salvador

Copy to: Eric Kite, Jeremy Biddle, Julie Ciccarone, LAC/CAM

Ken Maclean, LAC/RSD

Copy to: IEE File

Attachments:

• Initial Environmental Examination

File: P:\LAC.RSD.PUB\RSDPUB\ENV\Reg 216\IEE\IEE16\ LAC-IEE-16-10 ETD (HO - DO1 Citizen Security Increased).docx

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Activity Location: Honduras

Activity Title: Development Objective 1: Citizen Security Increased for Vulnerable Populations in Urban, High-Crime Areas

Activity Number: TBD

Life-of-Activity Funding: $250,000,000

Life of Activity: November 2015 – September 2019

IEE Prepared by: Gabriela Leva, PO Sofia Méndez, A/MEO Peter Hearne, MEO

Reference ETDs: LAC-IEE-14-11, LAC-IEE-14-03

Recommended Threshold Decision: Categorical Exclusion, Negative Determination with Conditions

Bureau Threshold Decision:

Date Prepared: December 1, 2015

Recommendation for Threshold Decision

Pursuant to section 216.2(a) of USAID environmental procedures, environmental analysis/evaluation is required for new projects, programs or activities authorized by USAID. The attached information presents an analysis of activities planned under USAID/Honduras’ Development Objective 1: Citizen Security Increased for Vulnerable Populations in Urban, High- Crime Areas.

A Categorical Exclusion is recommended for all activities which involve education, technical assistance, and training programs- 216.2(c)(2)(i) (IRs1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.3); analysis, studies, and academic research -216.2(c)(2) (iii) (Sub IR 1.2.1 and all Sub IRs in IR 2.2); documentation and information transfer (creating awareness and organizational strengthening )- 216.2(c)(2)(v) (Sub IR1.1.2, Sub IR 1.2.2, IR 2.1, all Sub IRs in IR 2.2, and IR 2.3); Studies, projects, or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning - 216.2(c)(2)(xiv) (Sub IR 1.1.1, IR2.1, and all Sub IRs in IR 2.2);which have a low risk of environmental impact pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(c)(2). These activities include:

Proposed activities under IR 1.1 “Community Structures that Mitigate against Crime Improved” Sub IR 1.1.1 “Public Infrastructure Improved” promoting community involvement (including CBOs) in decision-making and other non-construction activities (2i), such as improving advocacy and policy dialogue within line ministries to help address security-enhanced service delivery in their planning (2xiv).

Activities under Sub IR 1.1.2 “Community Networks and Systems Strengthened” that are related to increasing community involvement in decision-making process (2i), and others aimed at improving the linkage between citizen’s access to service provisions such as trainings, organizing focus groups and other meetings (2i), and supporting community-based organizations and networks that facilitate citizens engagement to service providers (2v).

Proposed activities under IR 1.2 “Quality Services that Protect against Violence Increased” Sub-IR 1.2.1 “Key Risk-Reduction Services for Family and Individuals Increased” such as promoting school-based violence prevention programs, implementation of evidence-based behavior change methodologies such as communication campaigns, strengthening secondary and alternative education and vocational training through mentoring networks and linkages to employment opportunities, expanding access to life skills and other non-formal programs, promoting access to education, counselling, employability and other services for at-risk youth (2i), strengthening referral services available within schools and health centers, facilitating coordination between violence prevention services, promoting conflict resolution techniques (2i), supporting qualitative data analysis to determine impact of violence and crime prevention initiatives in target areas (2iii).

Under Sub-IR 1.2.2 “Community Development for Youth Increased” activities such as promoting youth involvements in sports music and arts program, promote participation in youth councils and parliaments, creating network of community mentors (2i), piloting new community-based reintegration methodologies (2v).

Proposed activities under IR 2.1 “Citizen Engagement with the Security and Justice Sector Improved” such as capacity building activities on targeted national and local-level Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), providing support to enhance transparency and accountability of GOH security and justice institutions (budgetary, performance, and policy making), assisting CSO in creating evidence-based policy, increasing citizen’s awareness of security and justice sector procedures, promoting court watching programs to foster transparency and accountability (2i and 2xiv), increasing quality data collection and public access to crime data (2v).

Proposed activities under IR 2.2 “Efficiency of the Security and Justice Systems Sector Improved” except for development of infrastructure support with other USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of prosecutions, criminal investigation, and justice provision. Activities under categorical exclusion in Sub-IR 2.2.1 “Investigation of Select Crimes Increased”, Sub-IR 2.2.2 “Prosecution Strengthened” and Sub-IR 2.2.3 “Judicialization Improved” include facilitation of institutional dialogues, policy creations and advocacy on policy and/or resource allocation, supporting GOH efforts to increase rigor, coherence, accountability and transparency regarding professional standards, performance, assignments and disciplinary procedures, specialized training to police, investigation, prosecution and judicial units to enhance the quality of criminal investigation (2i and 2iii), support in increasing GOH capacity to produce high-quality analytical data for criminal investigations (2v), institutional strengthening and capacity development for target investigatory/prosecution/judicial institutions and units at the national and local levels (2xiv) .

Proposed activities under Sub IR 2.3 “Effective Community Police Presence Increased” (except for development of infrastructure support), with other USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of security provision (2i and 2v).

A Negative Determination with Conditions should be issued for the following activities, as detailed on the following pages:

Activities Type of EMMP

1. All sub-grant activities. Sub-grants mechanisms are envisioned in all Sub Intermediate Results within the project.

Site specific Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP)

2. Activities in IR 1.1 “Community Structures that Mitigate against Crime Improved” under Sub IR 1.1.1 “Public Infrastructure Improved” and under Sub IR 1.1.2 “Community Networks and Systems Strengthened” including the design and improvement of community infrastructure like: water service, sanitation, parks, community gardens, recreational spaces, safe public transportation stops, pedestrian access, improved street lighting, paved crosswalks, school, outreach and rehabilitation spaces among others.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure)

3. Activities under IR 1.2 “Quality Services that Protect against Violence Increased” which include the improvement of community infrastructure to deliver citizen security services, and provide availability of safe spaces for youth outside school (such as outreach centers). Citizen services will include social, education, and health services (including reproductive, HIV, neonatal) for specific target populations.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) (Sub

IR1.2.2)

Umbrella EMMP for handling and disposal of medical wastes (Sub IR 1.2.1)

4. Activities under Sub IR 2.2 “Efficiency of the Security and Justice Systems Improved”, Sub IR 2.2.1 “Investigation of Selected Crimes Increased”, Sub IR 2.2.2 “Prosecution Strengthening”, and Sub IR 2.2.3 “Judicialization Improved”, which will involve construction and improvement of small-scale judicial or security infrastructure, such as community police posts, co-located judicial services centers and other facilities that provide prosecutorial, investigative, judicial, or security services.

Site specific EMMP for new small-scale construction.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) for stations in targeted communities.

Umbrella EMMP (by type of infrastructure) for

1. Background and Project Description

USAID/Honduras’ Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) (2015-2019) was approved by the Assistant Administrator for Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean on December 22, 2014. The CDCS includes two Development Objectives, DO1: Citizen security increased for vulnerable populations in urban, high-crime area; and DO2: Extreme poverty sustainably reduced for vulnerable populations in western Honduras. DO1 is the focus of the current IEE.

1.1 Purpose and Scope of IEE

The purpose of this document is to analyze potential environmental impact proposed under USAID/Honduras CDCS DO1: Citizen security increased for vulnerable populations in urban, high-crime area (further referred to as “the Project”). Following the Project Design Guidance, an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is required for the DO-level PAD. The Total Estimated Cost (TEC) for DO1 is $250,000,000. Activities under DO1 will only occur in communities throughout the metropolitan, highly-developed areas within the urban municipalities of San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Choloma, and Tela.

The implementation plan for the DO1 Project contemplates the alignment of on-going mechanisms and the procurement of new mechanisms. On-going activities are covered under LAC-IEE-14-11approved on December 17, 2013, and LAC-IEE-14-03 approved on October 17, 2013. This IEE covers all on-going activities until completion and all new activities.

1.2 Background

DO1 is designed to address the alarming citizen security reality Honduras faces. Honduras had the highest murder rate in the world at 68 homicides per 100,000 people in 20141. Violent acts are primarily concentrated in low-income, urban areas and primarily perpetrated by young males against other young males. In DO1 focus areas and amongst these population, the homicide rate was as high as 142 per 100,000 in 20142. In 2012, 58.8 percent of homicides in the country were concentrated in five of the country’s 298 municipalities, and 90.9 percent of homicide victims were males, the majority between 15 and 34 years of age.

DO1 is based on the premise that if the resilience of communities and individuals to crime is increased (IR 1.1) and the performance of national and municipal security and justice systems is improved (IR 1.2), then citizen security for populations in urban, high-crime areas will increase.

This DO focuses on the geographic areas and populations most vulnerable to violence, with a special focus on males age 8-24 and victims of gender-based violence, as the evidence indicates for these target areas.

1.3 Geographic Coverage and Existing Conditions

Activities under DO1 will only occur in communities throughout the metropolitan, highly-

1 IUDPAS/UNAH 2014 Bulletin from the National Violence Observatory.

2 IUDPAS/UNAH 2014 Bulletin from the Local Violence Observatory for San Pedro Sula.

developed areas within the urban municipalities of San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Choloma, and Tela. These cities represent the largest urban centers in Honduras and are physically located along the northern coastal region, which the exception of Tegucigalpa which is located in the south-central part of the country.

The Caribbean coastal lowland is an area of river valleys and coastal plains, which most Hondurans call "the north coast," or simply "the coast". This has traditionally been Honduras's most exploited region (from an agricultural perspective). The central part of the Caribbean lowlands, east of La Ceiba, is a narrow coastal plain only a few kilometers wide. To the east and west of this section the Caribbean lowlands widen and in places extend inland a considerable distance along broad river valleys. The broadest river valley, along the Río Ulúa near the Guatemalan border, is Honduras's most developed area. San Pedro Sula, Honduras's industrial capital, Choloma – essentially a suburb of San Pedro Sula, and Tela are located here, as is La Ceiba, the third largest city in the country.

Much of the rest of Honduras is dominated by interior highlands, however scattered throughout the interior highlands are numerous valleys, 300 to 900 meters in elevation, which vary in size.

Villages and towns, including the capital, Tegucigalpa, are tucked in the larger valleys.

The urban centers where DO1 programs will be implemented are characterized by populations in excess of 500,000 inhabitants, poor environmental and sanitary conditions, and high levels of urban violence.

1.4 National Environmental Policies, Procedures and Regulations DO1 activities will follow Honduran environmental laws and regulations. The environmental regulatory framework for this Project is guided by the following regulations:

Honduras National Environmental Law (Ley General del Ambiente) applies to all activities of the DO1 Project. The General Environmental Law (Decree 104-93 of May 27th, 1993) created the National Environmental Impact Assessment System(SINEA in Spanish). SINEA coordinates the environmental management and licensing process for all activities (public or private) with a foreseeable potential to affect the environment. The SINEA is coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's (MiAmbiente) Directorate of Environmental Evaluation and Control (DECA in Spanish). SINEA's structure and procedures for environmental licensing is regulated by its updated Regulation (Decree 189-2009, dated December 31, 2009).

Furthermore, because of its broad biodiversity and unique terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecological systems, Honduras is party to a number of international biodiversity and natural resources conservation conventions: Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD); Climate Change Convention; Convention for the Conservation of Internationally Important Wetlands – Ramsar;

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). As a party to these conventions, Honduras has committed itself to comply with the actions required under each instrument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%ADo_Ul%C3%BAa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pedro_Sula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Ceiba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Ceiba

2. Activity Description – Results and Illustrative Activities

USAID/Honduras will analyze targeted high-crime areas and implement prevention strategies to improve community dynamics and increase community’s ability to both prevent and respond to crime and violence. This activity may include: supporting increased and secure access to primary and secondary schools that are welcoming, structurally safe, and conducive to learning;

increase access to comprehensive health services; expanding the availability of safe spaces and safe passage within the community, and building local capacity to engage in increasing protective factors for at-risk youth. USAID/Honduras will also foster citizen’s engagement in supporting and holding the security and justice sector accountable is increased to facilitate the improvement of these sectors responsiveness. USAID/Honduras envisions using sub-grants mechanisms in each Intermediate Results (IRs) activities to achieve the desire results. The realization of the Project’s goal will result from two Results:

Project Result 1 “Resilience of Communities and Individuals to Crime Increased” will be realized through advances in two interrelated Intermediate Results (IRs):

1. IR 1.1: Community Structures that Mitigate against Crime Improved

a) Sub-IR 1.1.1: Public Infrastructure Improved

b) Sub-IR 1.1.2: Community Networks and Systems

Strengthened

2. IR 1.2: Quality Services that Protect against Violence Increased

a) Sub-IR 1.2.1: Key Risk-Reduction Services for Family and Individuals Increased

b) Sub-IR 1.2.2: Community Development for Youth Increased

Project Result 2 “Performance of National and Municipal Security Systems Improved” will be realized through advances in three interrelated IRs:

1. IR 2.1: Citizen Engagement with the Security and Justice Sector Improved

2. IR 2.2: Efficiency of the Security and Justice Systems Improved

a) Sub-IR 2.2.1: Investigation of Select Crimes Increased

b) Sub-IR 2.2.2: Prosecution Strengthened

c) Sub-IR 2.2.3: Judicialization Improved

3. IR 2.3: Effective Community Police Presence Increased

Result 1: Resilience of Communities and Individuals to Crime Increased

IR 1.1: Community structures that mitigate against crime improved

Sub-IR 1.1.1 Public infrastructure improved

USAID/Honduras will design and implement complementary community-based infrastructure activities that increase access to primary and secondary education, improve access to comprehensive health services – including mental health, and provide safe community spaces in high-crime areas in order to build community resilience and reduce violence and criminal activity. Activities will be identified in close collaboration with citizens, in order to respond to community-infrastructure priorities for addressing citizen security and increasing social cohesion.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Improving advocacy and policy dialogue within line ministries to help address security-enhanced service delivery in their planning.

• Improving community small scale infrastructure based on security-enhanced designs, including but not limited to water service, sanitation, parks, community gardens, recreational spaces, safe public transportation stops, pedestrian access, improved street lighting, paved crosswalks, school improvements, positive signage, and outreach and rehabilitation spaces.

• Sub-grants mechanism will be used for some of these activities.

Sub-IR 1.1.2 Community networks and systems strengthened

USAID/Honduras will help strengthen or create community networks that link citizen security needs to services. This enhanced collaboration would enable USAID to direct individuals, families, or communities to services provided by a functioning institution and have the systems in place to follow-up on the particular case.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Supporting stronger, participatory, and engaged community-based organizations and networks that facilitate citizen engagement, linkages between service providers and beneficiaries, and provide services to the community.

• Increasing community involvement in decision-making, implementation, and monitoring of community prioritized projects to mitigate against crime and violence.

• Establishing communication channels between communities and policy makers at the local government level, and national levels where applicable.

• Facilitating working groups and collaboration between community networks and protective services for vulnerable groups such as LGBTI, sex-workers, victims of gender-based violence, and youth.

• Creating strategic and accountable partnerships that engage multiple sectors and share accountability for results in target locations.

• Using behavior change communication strategies to build public and political will.

• Deepening organizational and leadership capacity within community-based organizations in target locations.

• Supporting activities that enhance peaceful community cohesion and conflict resolution.

IR 1.2 Quality services that protect against violence increased

Sub-IR 1.2.1 Key risk-reduction services for family and individuals increased

USAID/Honduras activities will focus on increasing access to comprehensive, high quality and long term social, education, and health services as prevention interventions for the populations at highest risk, especially youth ages 8-24. USAID will support formal, non-formal, and vocational educational opportunities to facilitate linkages to employment and broader workforce development. Additionally, USAID will support the improved provision of health services demonstratively associated with violence reduction (to possibly include reproductive health, HIV, neonatal care, etc.).

At the municipal level USAID will strengthen and empower local governments (which might include support to Municipal Crime/Violence Prevention Units/Committees) with tools and expertise to plan strategically, organize and channel resources, implement activities and deliver services, collaborate, and create safe spaces for community dialogue in order to adequately serve and fulfil their mandates as GOH service delivery entities capable to address community citizen security needs.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Assisting Honduran institutions to deliver critical citizen security services (including social, education, and health services) in targeted areas.

• Promoting school-based violence prevention programs.

• Implementation of evidence-based behavior change methodologies (including outreach and communications campaigns to create awareness and decrease violence. Specifically to include GBV, violence within households, and violence against sex workers).

• Mobilizing GOH and USG resources to better understand and provide social, education, and health (including reproductive, HIV, neonatal) services for specific target populations. May include medical waste for health services.

• Bolstering secondary and alternative education and vocational training services in coordination with mentoring networks and job linkages/employment opportunities for high risk individuals.

• Expanding quality of and access to non-formal literacy, math, vocational, and life skills education programs.

• Education, employability, counseling and other services and programs for at-risk youth and other target populations, such as LGBTI and commercial sex workers.

• Strengthening referral services available within schools and health centers.

• Facilitating coordination between primary and secondary violence prevention services, battered women services, and child protective services.

• Undertaking interventions that permit the implementation of diagnostic tools and referral networks, to identify and channel the most at-risk individuals.

• Community based, whole-of-family violence prevention, including conflict identification, mediation, conciliation, and resolution.

• Piloting of tertiary interventions that seek to reintegrate former perpetrators of violence into peaceful life.

• Piloting of interventions to support the exit of individuals from gangs.

• Supporting qualitative data analysis to determine impact of violence and crime prevention initiatives implemented in target areas.

Sub-IR 1.2.2 Community development for youth increased

USAID/Honduras will support the development of youth-centered interventions that facilitate positive peers and group identification. Activities include supporting existing and emerging community groups, faith-based groups, arts, sports and music programs. Also, USAID/Honduras will continue to support and expand a nationwide network of community outreach centers that will serve as platforms to provide additional services and recreational activities to the communities they serve.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Promoting safe, structured space for youth outside school hours (e.g. outreach centers and after school clubs). May include small scale infrastructure renovation.

• Promote youth involvement in sports, music, and art programs.

• Support youth civic engagement activities such as participation in youth councils and parliaments, and community volunteerism.

• Promoting community child care and support programs for target population.

• Creating a network of community mentors, tutors, or counselors.

• Piloting of promising new youth-focused community-based reintegration approaches.

Result 2: Performance of national and municipal security and justice systems improved

USAID/Honduras seeks to improve security dynamics in DO1 ZOI by increasing citizens’ engagement in supporting and holding accountable their security and justice sector. These efforts will be complemented with the promotion of targeted institutional reforms within these sectors.

IR 2.1: Citizen engagement with the security and justice sector improved

USAID/Honduras intends to continue joint efforts with civil society organizations that interact, support and carry out high impact investigations and social auditing of justice sector actors in order to improve their performance. Support to these organizations will generate demand from Honduran citizens for issues relating to impunity and corruption particularly for health and education issues. USAID activities will support local governments in the coordination and allocation of resources for justice and security operators and in enhancing their work in their community.

USAID/Honduras will continue to support the national and municipal violence observatories to ensure that primary source data is being aggregated and validated by independent sources, while building up the GOH’s capacity to collect data in a timely manner. Activities will also include support for crime and violence data collection and analysis at the community level to enhance understanding through the place-based strategy as well as coordination and information sharing between the municipalities, communities and the corresponding security and justice sector actors. Finally USAID will support CSOs in public awareness raising efforts (nationally and locally) including increasing understanding of legal rights, processes, human rights, fee and accountability structures, court proceedings and judicial behavior etc. USAID will also support CSOs to provide legal and victims’ assistance, particularly to vulnerable groups and for human rights cases.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Capacity development of targeted national and local-level CSOs (including professional organizations) in order that they are better able to engage with state actors.

• Support CSO efforts to engage with, support, and improve the performance of judicial and security actors.

• Support CSO efforts to engage with and enhance the transparency and accountability of GOH security and justice institutions (budgetary, performance, and policy-making).

• Assist CSOs and other groups (including professional organizations) collaborate and create evidence-based policy.

• Enhance engagement, dialogue and collaboration between GOH policy and decision makers and civil society on citizen security issues both nationally and locally.

• Increase citizen (and institutional) understanding and awareness of security and justice sector procedures and services.

• Support for ‘Court Watch’ programs to pressure for greater transparency and accountability in court proceedings and judicial behavior.

• Increase transparency and efficiency in the budgeting and use of public financial resources for citizen security.

• Support for legal and victim assistance.

• Increase data collection and public access to community and local/municipal crime data.

IR 2.2: Efficiency of the security and justice systems improved

USAID/Honduras will support institutional development and reform efforts across public justice and police institutions at the national and local levels. These institutional development efforts would be based on institutional assessments and development plans, and will likely focus on: the development of policies and procedures to effectively guide, monitor, and hold to account practices by members of justice and security institutions; the establishment of institutional planning processes; a needs assessment and implementation plan for better human resources management, staff training, technology use and infrastructure/land use; a study of internal communications and information management; and the development of more effective internal controls and accountability systems.

Support will be prioritized for critical infrastructure, immediate training needs, administrative and logistical support that will enable the justice and security sector actors to increase access to justice, improve their performance and better execute mandates in the short to medium term.

Sub-IR 2.2.1 Investigation of select crimes increased

USAID will coordinate closely with DOS/INL on technical and logistical support to the National Police and Prosecutors, and build upon the successes of the OTI program in Honduras to date which has provided training to vetted police in target areas for community policing and specialized investigation of extortion cases in the case of the National Anti-Extortion Unit. In addition to investigation, USAID will support increased access to personal information such as reliable identification through the national registry database to assist victims and positively identify perpetrators, which is also crucial for police and prosecutors to consolidate their investigative functions.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Institutional strengthening and capacity development for target investigatory institutions and units at the national and local levels.

• Facilitate internal, inter-institutional and external dialogue, policy creations and advocacy on policy and/or resource allocation.

• Support GOH efforts to increase rigor, coherence, accountability and transparency regarding professional standards, performance, assignments and disciplinary procedures.

• Provision of specialized training related to select crimes to investigative police units.

• Coordination of technical assistance, small scale infrastructure and other support with other USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of criminal investigations.

• Support for collaboration amongst criminal investigative bodies and between policing, investigative, prosecutorial and judicial staff.

• Enhancement of engagement, dialogue and collaboration between GOH entities and civil society on investigatory issues both nationally and locally (supply-side).

• Increase the GOH capacity to produce high-quality analytical data for criminal investigations.

• Sub-grants mechanism will be used for some of these activities.

Sub-IR 2.2.2 Prosecution Strengthened

Resulting from USAID support to strengthen the capacity of target institutions to investigative crimes (including homicides, extortions, and other violent crimes) in target areas, institutions charged with undertaking prosecutions will likely see a significant increase in their caseload as well. As mentioned above, prosecutorial entities will be targeted for institutional development and capacity building efforts. While USAID support will focus both at the national institution level and at the operational level, support is particularly important at the local level where USAID will support case management, prioritization, and coordination among justice sector operators particularly within the co-located services centers (centros integrados) and regional centers with targeted training, infrastructure support, and resources.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Institutional strengthening and capacity development for target prosecutorial institutions and units at the national and local levels.

• Facilitate internal, inter-institutional and external dialogue, policy creation, and advocacy on policy and/or resource allocation.

• Support GOH efforts to increase rigor, coherence, accountability and transparency regarding professional standards, performance, assignments and disciplinary procedures.

• Provide specialized training related to select crimes (homicide, extortions, and other violent crime) to prosecutorial elements (along with needed resources).

• Coordinate technical assistance, small scale infrastructure and other support with other USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of prosecutions;

• Facilitate collaboration amongst criminal investigative bodies and between policing, investigative, prosecutorial and judicial staff.

• Increase quality forensic medicine services in target locations, with a special focus on safeguarding evidence.

• Enhance the capacity of forensic technicians and specialists to become expert witnesses.

• Improve the case management, prioritization, and assignment of cases among target units, local offices and task teams.

• Support an improved coordination and efficiency of security and justice sector actors in co-located centers in targeted areas.

• Enhance engagement, dialogue and collaboration between GOH entities and civil society on prosecutorial issues both nationally and locally.

• Increase GOH capacity to produce and share high-quality analytical data for criminal investigations.

Sub-IR 2.2.3 Judicialization improved

USAID/Honduras will activities will the performance of the judiciary system in DO1 target locations. Activities will aim at adapting policies to the extreme violence levels in Honduras by addressing training needs in targeted areas such as: admissibility of certain evidence, who and how are expert witnesses for the prosecution validated, coordination to improve the security and justice actors’ responsiveness through the inter-institutional commissions that have become dormant; revision to the procedures for witness protections, among other aspects can be improved. At the local level, activities will aim at managing adequate staffing and resources that respond to local needs, mutual accountability, and access to crime statistics and analysis for enhanced understanding of local context.

Illustrative activities and interventions:

• Institutional strengthening and capacity development for target judicial institutions and units at the national and local levels.

• Facilitate internal, inter-institutional and external dialogue, policy creations and advocacy on policy and/or resource allocation.

• Support GOH efforts to increase rigor, coherence, accountability and transparency regarding professional standards, performance, assignments and disciplinary procedures.

• Provide specialized training related to select crimes (homicide, extortions, and other violent crime) and administrative function to judicial staff.

• Coordinate technical assistance, small scale infrastructure, and other support with other USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of justice provision.

• Facilitate collaboration amongst criminal investigative bodies and between policing, investigative, prosecutorial and judicial staff.

• Enhance engagement, dialogue and collaboration between GOH entities and civil society on judicial issues both nationally and locally (supply-side).

• Test and scale up of innovative and replicable models to improve judicialization of crime within the current system.

• Increase access to judicial operators in target locations.

• Pilot innovative strategies to enhance judicial performance throughout the judicialization process.

IR 2.3: Effective community police presence increased

USAID/Honduras proposes to increase citizen security in communities in targeted municipalities with high rates of gang activity and violence by devoting resources towards law enforcement institutions, including the police. USAID/Honduras activities will provide institutional and professional support to law enforcement institutions through trainings in: computer skills and general literacy; crime scene management and patrolling skills, data collection, analysis, mapping, community relations and outreach; and specific technical courses on human rights, and gender based violence. Support, particularly at the local level within target communities, will likely include non-lethal material support such as information technology and communication equipment, and the rehabilitation of local police posts. Institutional investments could support the development of a career tracking/development system, financial management and contracting assistance, and an administrative management system within the police.

Illustrative Activities and Interventions:

• Institutional strengthening and capacity development for target police institutions and units (both at national and local levels).

• Facilitate internal, inter-institutional and external dialogue, policy creations and advocacy on policy and/or resource allocation.

• Support GOH efforts to increase rigor, coherence, accountability and transparency regarding professional standards, performance, assignments and disciplinary procedures.

• Extend community policing principles to target areas, with a special focus on complying with human rights standards for police practices.

• Enhance police’s capacity to respond to emergency calls in target locations.

• Facilitate police and community collaboration through joint planning and activities that enhance citizen security.

• Provide technical and administrative support to enhance police performance.

• Coordinate technical assistance small scale infrastructure and other support with other

USG agencies and donors to enhance the quality and quantity of security provision

• Provide specialized training related to select crimes (homicide, extortions, and other violent crime) and administrative function to judicial staff.

• Enhance engagement, dialogue and collaboration between GOH entities and civil society on policing issues both nationally and locally.

3. Evaluation of Environmental Impact Potential

The Mission conducts environmental monitoring and evaluation as established under USAID Environmental Procedures (22 CFR Section 216). For negative determinations with conditions, all implementing partners are required to submit an EMMP for review and approval by the Mission Environmental Officer (MEO). Additionally, Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) and Contract Officer Representatives (CORs), in conjunction with the MEO and/or the Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) conduct random field visits to review compliance with mitigation measures. Based on these monitoring and evaluation processes, all activities that will be covered under this IEE are in compliance with USAID’s Regulation 216 and all prescribed mitigation measures have been applied and are deemed to be effective.

The following activities are expected to have an effect on the environment:

Many of the activities will be implemented through sub grants. As the specific actions for each sub-grant are not yet known until the grant proposals are received, an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP that replaces the Environmental Mitigation Plan and Report- EMPR) shall be prepared for each type of sub-grant.

Small scale construction/renovation of facilities are planned for support to judicial, investigation prosecution and other services related to increasing resilience of communities and individuals to crime. An Umbrella/Programmatic EMMP shall be prepared to identify the potential impacts and minimize impacts through the implementation of mitigation measures. The USAID Guidelines for Small Scale Construction shall be used to assist in identifying necessary mitigation measures.

Activities implemented for improving health services (HIV, reproductive, neonatal), could have a negative impact on the environment from the use of hazardous materials and improper medical waste disposal. Umbrella/Programmatic EMMPs will be prepared for s uch activities and the USAID Environmental Guidelines will be followed to identify impacts and mitigation measures.

4.0 Recommended Threshold Decision and Mitigation Actions

4.1 Recommended Threshold Decision

We are recommending the following Environmental Threshold Decisions (ETD):

A Categorical Exclusion is recommended for all activities which involve education, technical assistance, and training programs- 216.2(c)(2)(i) (IRs1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.3); analysis, studies, and academic research -216.2(c)(2) (iii) (Sub IR 1.2.1 and all Sub IRs in IR 2.2); documentation and information transfer (creating awareness and organizational strengthening )- 216.2(c)(2)(v) (Sub IR1.1.2, Sub IR 1.2.2, IR 2.1, all Sub IRs in IR 2.2, and IR 2.3); Studies, projects, or programs intended to develop the…