Situation Analysis
Context and global significance
1 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) covers an area of 24.3 million square kilometres with an estimated population of about
With a population of 770 million, the region boasts diverse climatic and soil conditions that foster a variety of ecosystems, supporting an extensive array of flora and fauna Key vegetation types include deserts, savannahs, Mediterranean, and tropical rainforests, each contributing uniquely to the region's biodiversity and livelihoods.
2 Deserts: The Sahara and the Kalahari (northern and southern Africa) typify deserts where very low rainfall, high temperatures and high diurnal variations have given rise to vegetation characterized by shrubs, succulents and cactus Most of the shrubs have spines to protect them from herbivores and small, waxy and shiny leaves to prevent water loss and to reflect sunlight and prevent overheating 2 Succulents and cactus have thick fleshy leaves or stems to maximize water storage These deserts are home to many animals well adapted to the dry environment such as lizards, snakes and rodents Adaptations to desert conditions include drought tolerance and the ability to draw metabolic water entirely from plants, and hence live without drinking water Many species are active only at night (or early and late in the day in diurnal species), when the humidity is higher and the temperature lower. Camels are one of the few large mammals that are well adapted to desert.
3 Short Grass Prairie: African deserts are bordered by areas of short grass prairie, where there is still too little precipitation for trees to grow, except near rivers Grasses grow in bunches and have extensive root systems The Karoo in South Africa is typical of this prairie vegetation Without irrigation, agriculture is not possible in deserts and prairies, thus very few desert plants are cultivated (prickly pears and agaves only recently) The key mode of production in these areas is nomadic pastoralism where camels and donkeys were domesticated for transportation
4 Savannas: A significant part of Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is covered by Savannah and wooded grasslands The savannah is predominant in areas with a 6 to 8 month wet summer season and a dry winter season, with rainfall ranging from 10 to 50 inches annually Perennial grasses grow 6 to 9 feet tall and are interspersed with deciduous trees where rainfall is higher (wooded grasslands) Such trees have long tap roots to reach the deep water table, thick bark for resistance to annual fires, deciduousness to avoid moisture loss during the dry season, and use of the trunk as a water-storage organ Acacia tortilis species dominate the drier parts succeeded by other acacias, notably
A senegal and A laeta as the rainfall increases, with A seyal on the heavier soils This progressively transitions into areas of Commiphora africana and Ziziphus mauritiana Under still higher rainfall the savannah transitions into the miombo woodlands where Combretaceae begin to dominate, with Anogeissus leiocarpa, Combretum glutinosum, C micranthum and Guiera senegalensis This zone is, in turn, succeeded by forest that includes Isoberlinia doka Pterocarpus erinaceus, Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis In the wetter parts, closed stands may form Finally, in Casamance in Senegal, species more characteristic of the tropical rain forest, such as Daniellia ogea and Erythrophleum ivorence, begin to appear
5 Periodic fire and drought are important in the Savannah, and are believed to shape the vegetation succession processes Some scientists believe that without the yearly period of drought and fire, tropical savannas would eventually change into tropical forests The Savannah supports a wide variety of animal life It is home to wildebeest, warthogs, elephants, zebras, rhinos, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards, ostriches, and baboons Most birds and many of the large mammals migrate during the dry season in search of water Human populations are large in African savanna, where cattle and goats are raised Indeed, a characteristic of many areas is a forest that is strongly influenced by man's activities, where most natural tree species are cleared leaving behind
SECTION I: Elaboration of the Narrative species valued for food (e.g fruits) In drier areas, the main species of this 'anthropogenic' forest are Adansonia digitata (baobab) and Acacia albida In the wetter parts of the zone, Vitellaria paradoxa (karite), Butyrospermum paradoxum, Parkia biglobosa (néré) and Tamarindus indica occur over large areas.
6 Tropical Woodlands: This habitat occurs where temperatures are high all year, but there is a better defined dry season than in the tropical rain forest Many evergreen tree species of the rain forest become deciduous in this zone These forests are shorter than rain forests; trees may reach 10-30m and trees are more widely spaced Trees have thicker bark (fire adaptation), thicker and smaller leaves (desiccation adaptation), thorns (herbivore adaptation), and longer roots (to reach deeper water table) Lianas are much less common and epiphytes are drought-resistant plants such as orchids, bromeliads, and cacti With more spaces between trees, larger mammals are more prominent in this environment
7 The Miombo woodlands alone extend between 2.7 and 3.6 million km2 of the African sub-humid tropical zone in
The Miombo woodlands, spanning 11 countries including Tanzania, represent the largest contiguous dry forest area globally and the predominant vegetation type in East Africa This biologically rich ecosystem boasts approximately 8,500 vascular plant species, with 4,590 being endemic, alongside a diverse array of wildlife including 35 endemic mammals, 51 endemic birds, 52 endemic reptiles, and 25 endemic amphibians The savannahs are home to four of the five fastest land animals, such as the cheetah, wildebeest, lion, and Thomson's gazelle, as well as the African elephant, the largest land mammal, and the giraffe, the tallest animal in the world Additionally, tropical Africa is home to the Goliath Beetle, recognized as the largest and heaviest beetle globally.
8 Tropical rain forests: This habitat occurs in areas with high year round rainfall and high temperatures Rain forests have higher plant diversity than any other habitat in the region They often have hundreds of species of trees even in a small area The tallest trees can grow up to 60 m tall with very wide tops, often with a wide variety of lianas and epiphytes Animal diversity is also highest in this habitat, especially among insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians Adaptations for living in trees are common and include the abilities to climb, jump, swing, glide, and hang from branches Mammals common to rain forests are apes, monkeys, bats, tree shrews, squirrels, cavies, sloths, pangolins, forest deer and antelope, civets, and cats These forests are home to the Gorilla, which is the largest of the living primates; male gorillas weigh up to 200kg Almost half of the world’s chameleon species live on the island of Madagascar, which is host to the worlds largest as well as the smallest chameleons; while Cameroon is host to the world's biggest frog, goliath frog, whose body can be one-foot long
9 Mediterranean Vegetation: A narrow region of Mediterranean vegetation occurs along the southern coast of
Africa experiences warm, dry summers and wet, cold winters, with its Mediterranean vegetation featuring the unique South African fynbos This ecosystem is dominated by evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves that are adapted to regenerate quickly after fire Notable tree species include oaks and olives, alongside aromatic shrubs like sage, rosemary, thyme, and oregano The region receives annual precipitation ranging from 15 to 40 inches, enhanced by moisture from ocean fog, contributing to a mild temperate climate This environment supports a thriving penguin colony in South Africa, sustained by the cold Antarctic currents along the west coast near the Cape.
10 Water: SSA has the greatest number of rivers and water bodies that cross or form international boundaries, ten of them forming a total drainage area greater than 350,000 km 2 , across 33 countries and Egypt (table 1) Sharma et al
Basin Area Number of countries Basin countries
3,720 9 Zaire, Central African Republic, Angola, Congo,
Tanzania, Cameroon, Burundi, Rwanda Nile
Zaire 3,031 10 Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya,
Rwanda, Burundi Niger 2,200 9 Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso,
3 Tanzania, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad Lake Chad 1,910 6 Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Sudan,
Zambezi 1,420 8 Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi,
Orange 950 4 South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho
Okavango 529 4 Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Limpopo 385 4 South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
Volta 379 6 Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Mali
Senegal 353 4 Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea
11 All the water basins have unique characteristics; the Fish River canyon (Namibia) is the second largest canyon in the world while the Victoria Falls (River Zambezi) is the largest water curtain in the world The falls is 1 708 meters wide, and drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge where an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute, in a spectacular spray surrounded by a mist forest.
12 Other inland water bodies include Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake, and a series of Rift Valley lakes The African Rift Valley is part of the 9,600-kilometer fissure in the earth's crust stretching from Lebanon to Mozambique formed by violent subterranean forces that tore apart the earth's crust Geologists report that the western side of the rift is still moving, pulling away from the eastern ridge at about 6 mm per year, as evidenced by the high level of volcanic activity (such a hot springs) in the region Notable amongst the Rift Valley Lakes are Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi At a depth of 1,436 m, Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest freshwater lake in the world, and the deepest lake in Africa Lake Malawi contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world, estimated to be over 500 from ten families and 30% of all known cichlid species. Particularly noteworthy are the Cichlidae, of which all but five of over 400 species are endemic to Lake Malawi
13 SSA is also host to five large marine ecosystems namely the Canary Current (West Africa); Guinea Current (Gulf of Guinea), Benguela Current (Namibia, Angola, South Africa), Agulhas Current (continental shelf shared by South Africa, Mozambique, Comoro Islands, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius) and; Somali Current (Tanzania, Kenya)
Strategy
Project Rationale and Policy Conformity
Sustainable land management (SLM) faces complex threats that necessitate the active involvement of local communities and civil society in developing effective policies at all levels Previous efforts to combat land degradation have struggled due to top-down planning, limited community engagement, and a narrow focus on immediate causes rather than underlying issues These conventional methods have failed to address the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of land degradation However, increasing economic and demographic pressures, along with new market dynamics, present an opportunity for more collaborative approaches to SLM By prioritizing SLM as a key component of regional development strategies, we can effectively tackle both the symptoms and root causes of land degradation, as highlighted in the UNCCD's new Ten Year Strategy for accelerated implementation.
Grassroots communities' sustainable land management (SLM) innovations can significantly enhance NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Programme (CAADP) and Environmental Action Plan (EAP), while also addressing land degradation and poverty alleviation These local innovations should be integrated into knowledge systems, policy processes, and local land use planning, as well as national policies and investment frameworks The UNCCD monitoring and reporting system (PRAIS) and TerrAfrica-supported investment frameworks are crucial for implementing national priorities outlined in UNCCD National Action Plans (NAPs) This project aims to strengthen civil society organizations' capacity to connect communities with the implementation and monitoring of the UNCCD Ten Year Strategy and TerrAfrica SLM processes through knowledge generation, learning, and information sharing.
The UNCCD emphasizes the vital role of community involvement in sustainable land management (SLM) and the fight against desertification It highlights the essential contribution of civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting this participation and urges member states to enhance their knowledge and technical capabilities to address land degradation effectively Notably, the UNCCD uniquely mobilizes grassroots community engagement in shaping its articles, a process facilitated by RIOD.
Over 430 African-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are accredited to the UNCCD, serving as a vital voice for marginalized communities affected by land degradation and land grabs These organizations enhance community participation in Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and ensure local benefits by facilitating grassroots engagement They play a crucial role in the Ten Year UNCCD Strategy by involving communities in identifying and reviewing indicators, collecting baselines, and monitoring and evaluating these indicators through the newly established Convention Monitoring and Reporting System (PRAIS).
The project recognizes the evolving threats to sustainable land management and poverty alleviation, emphasizing the need for civil society organizations (CSOs) to adapt their programs accordingly for effective advocacy Recent issues, such as the commercialization of public land for biofuel, foreign investment in food production, and mining, have raised concerns about transparency, community consultation, and the erosion of local rights to land and resources Despite these challenges, CSOs have struggled to advocate for pro-poor solutions due to limited capacity and resources to monitor social and environmental accountability This project aims to address these gaps by empowering local communities and ensuring that CSOs contribute to the development of informed, pro-poor sustainable land management policies.
This project is integral to the GEF Strategic Investment Program for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in Sub-Saharan Africa and aims to foster effective dialogue and advocacy on SLM priorities It aligns with the goal of generating and disseminating targeted knowledge while enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems A key focus will be to boost the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in national SLM initiatives.
The TerrAfrica/SIP partnership aims to enhance the engagement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in key initiatives such as the Country SLM Investment Framework (CSIF) and the UNCCD Ten Year Strategy By facilitating CSO participation, the partnership ensures that local communities have a voice in these vital programs, promoting sustainable land management and effective monitoring.
Project Goal, Objective, Outcomes and Outputs/activities
This project aims to enhance the socio-economic development and livelihoods of rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable land management Its objective is to empower local grassroots organizations to actively participate in and influence the implementation of the UNCCD's Ten Year Strategy, TerrAfrica, and other sustainable land management initiatives To achieve this, the project will focus on two key components, resulting in three specific outcomes.
The first component aims to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to effectively engage communities in national, regional, and international sustainable land management (SLM) policies and programs By strengthening both systemic and individual capabilities, CSOs will be better equipped to address land degradation, adapt to climate change, and participate in land use decision-making processes This initiative will build on successful models like the UNDP's Small Grants Programme and the USAID-funded capacity-building program in Southern Africa The component focuses on two key outcomes: increasing the technical capacity of CSOs to support SLM initiatives and knowledge-based advocacy, and establishing partnerships for effective coordination and knowledge transfer.
79 Outcome 1: CSO Technical Capacity for SLM facilitation and knowledge based policy advocacy increased:
The project aims to eliminate barriers in knowledge generation, management, and transfer, empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) to support the science and technology goals of the Ten Year Strategy It will help CSOs track critical issues such as international finance mechanisms for sustainable land management (SLM), the effects of land commercialization for biofuels, and the impacts of mining and land grabs By identifying knowledge gaps and compiling relevant information, the project will facilitate the creation and distribution of evidence-based position papers, particularly at UNCCD and TerrAfrica conferences Additionally, the project will assess the consequences of land commercialization and community engagement on land degradation and livelihoods in four countries, focusing on the adverse effects of poor mining practices It will also enhance civil society's capacity to monitor mining companies' compliance with environmental regulations, ultimately strengthening the advocacy efforts of CSOs and communities to influence policy development.
The project aims to enhance collaboration between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and prominent research institutions like PLAAS, the International Land Coalition (ILC), and the Legal Resource Centre in South Africa, which are actively involved in sustainable land management (SLM) research This initiative will deepen CSOs' understanding of pressing issues and bolster their capacity for knowledge-based advocacy, promoting more inclusive and transparent development processes, including land commercialization Additionally, it will foster partnerships between SLM-focused NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) with social and economic justice networks, such as the Southern Africa Resource Watch, which addresses social and corporate responsibility within the mining sector.
The project aims to enhance the exchange of experiences among civil society on key topics such as sustainable land management (SLM), climate change adaptation, and land commercialization It will develop and implement training programs focused on SLM, climate change adaptation, carbon finance, policy analysis, advocacy, and social and environmental accountability Additionally, the project will support the design of TerrAfrica's information sharing system, ensuring it effectively captures and disseminates lessons and impacts from civil society organizations and communities addressing the intersection of environmental management and poverty, while also reporting this information to the Convention’s monitoring system (PRAIS).
An assessment of the social (livelihoods) and environmental impacts of commercialization of land in selected countries;
Assessment of the current practices and impacts of extractive mining on land degradation and local livelihoods selected countries;
At least eight position papers addressing critical issues will be published by community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community groups These papers will be presented during a minimum of five side events, highlighting the connection between policies, sustainable land management (SLM) practices, and poverty reduction Key topics will include trade, land tenure, governance, and carbon finance, emphasizing their impact on both SLM and poverty alleviation efforts.
Training material made available for training CSO in other (to be facilitated by the coordination mechanism office created under outcome 2 (below));
Documentation and dissemination of CSO experiences and lessons learned in SLM, and reported through PRAIS;
Side events organized at several CRICS/COPS.
Specific criteria will be established to choose countries for assessing the impacts of commercialization and extractive mining industries, with co-financing likely influencing these selections Additionally, criteria will also be developed to identify civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) for initial training opportunities.
The project aims to enhance the coordination of African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to strengthen partnerships and knowledge transfer It will establish a new coordination mechanism to address the challenges faced by RIOD, linking local communities to key processes such as TerrAfrica's CSIF, NEPAD's CAADP, and the UNCCD's Ten Year Strategy This initiative will create a legal entity with designated office bearers responsible for developing and implementing a CSO coordination and capacity-building program aligned with TerrAfrica and UNCCD requirements Additionally, it will promote CSO participation in the SIP portfolio and respond to the UNCCD's call for enhanced collaboration among CSO networks Building on existing visions for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in Sub-Saharan Africa, the project will replicate successful visioning exercises conducted in countries like Lesotho, Kenya, Uganda, and Cameroon, supported by a comprehensive replication strategy and financing to ensure widespread capacity building across the region.
85 Specific activities entail the following;
CSO common vision for SLM with clear linkage to TerrAfrica and national development concerns;
Coordination mechanism designed, building on the analysis undertaken so far through the TerrAfrica supported project;
SLM CSO coordination mechanism office established and a financing mechanism formulated and funds raised for sustaining the mechanism beyond the project;
Management Arrangements
Monitoring and Reporting
A Project Inception Workshop will be held with the project team, CSO representatives, TerrAfrica partners, co-financing partners, and UNDP representatives to ensure a shared understanding of the project’s goals The workshop aims to finalize the first annual work plan based on the project’s log frame matrix, which involves reviewing indicators, means of verification, and assumptions This collaborative effort will enhance the Annual Work Plan (AWP) by establishing clear and measurable performance indicators aligned with the project's expected outcomes.
The Inception Workshop (IW) aims to introduce project staff to the UNDP-GEF team, including the UNDP Namibia Country Office (CO), and clarify their roles and responsibilities in relation to the project The workshop will cover essential UNDP-GEF reporting and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) requirements, focusing on the Annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIRs), Annual Project Report (APR), Tripartite Review Meetings, and evaluations Additionally, the IW will address budgetary planning, reviews, and necessary budget rephasings for the project team.
The IW will clarify the roles, functions, and responsibilities of all parties involved in the project's decision-making processes, including communication channels and conflict resolution strategies The Terms of Reference for project staff and decision-making structures will be revisited as necessary to ensure a clear understanding of each party's responsibilities during the project's implementation phase, alongside monitoring responsibilities and relevant events.
A comprehensive schedule for project review meetings will be created by the project management team in collaboration with implementation partners and stakeholders, and included in the Project Inception Report This schedule will outline tentative timelines for Tripartite Reviews, Steering Committee Meetings, and project-related Monitoring and Evaluation activities The Project Coordinator and Project Officer will oversee daily monitoring of implementation progress according to the Annual Work Plan and its indicators The Project Team will promptly communicate any delays or challenges to the UNDP Namibia Country Office to ensure timely support and corrective actions are taken.
The Project Coordinator, with support from UNDP Namibia and the UNDP-GEF Pan Africa Coordination Unit, will refine the project's progress and performance indicators during the Inception Workshop This workshop will establish specific targets and means of verification for the first year's implementation, ensuring the project is on track and aligned with its goals Local implementing agencies will participate to reinforce the common vision developed during the FSP preparation Additionally, targets and indicators for subsequent years will be defined annually as part of the project's internal evaluation and planning processes, contributing to the Annual Work Plan.
The measurement of impact indicators related to global benefits will follow the schedules established in the Inception Workshop, emphasizing the project's role in supporting the sustainability of the global environmental benefits within the SIP portfolio This measurement will be conducted through subcontracts or retainers with relevant institutions, while UNDP Namibia will engage in periodic monitoring via quarterly meetings with the project proponent to address any issues promptly Additionally, UNDP Namibia and UNDP-GEF will perform annual field visits to assess project progress, with participation from other Steering Committee members as decided by the PSC A Field Visit Report will be generated by UNDP Namibia and distributed to the project team, all PSC members, and UNDP-GEF within one month of the visit.
Annual monitoring of the project will be conducted through the Tripartite Review (TPR), which includes UNDP, NEPAD, OSISA, and the Project Team This high-level meeting occurs at least once a year, with the inaugural meeting scheduled within the first twelve months of full implementation The project proponent is responsible for preparing and submitting an Annual Project Report (APR) to UNDP Namibia and the UNDP-GEF Pan Africa Office at least two weeks before the TPR for review The APR serves as a key document for TPR discussions, where the proponent will present it, emphasizing policy issues and recommendations Additionally, any stakeholder agreements regarding operational issues will be communicated during the TPR Separate reviews of individual project components may be conducted if deemed necessary.
The Terminal Tripartite Review (TTR) will occur in the final month of the project, with UNDP Namibia responsible for drafting and submitting the Terminal Report to the GEF Pan Africa Coordinating Unit at least two months prior to the review This report will facilitate discussions during the TTR, which evaluates the overall implementation of the project, focusing on the achievement of objectives and contributions to broader environmental goals The review will determine if further actions are needed to ensure the sustainability of project outcomes and will capture lessons learned for future projects Additionally, the TTR holds the authority to suspend funding if project performance benchmarks, established during the Inception Workshop, are not met.
The Project Coordinator, in collaboration with the UNDP-GEF extended team, will oversee the preparation and submission of essential reports that are integral to the monitoring process Mandatory items (a) to (f) focus specifically on monitoring, whereas items (g) and (h) serve a broader purpose, with their frequency and nature determined based on the specific needs of the project during implementation.
148 (a) Inception Report (IR): A Project Inception Report will be prepared immediately following the Inception
The workshop will outline a comprehensive First Year/Annual Work Plan, structured in quarterly segments to detail activities and progress indicators for effective project implementation It will specify dates for field visits, support missions from OSISA or UNDP GEF, and meetings of the project's decision-making bodies Additionally, the report will present a detailed project budget for the first year, aligned with the Annual Work Plan, incorporating monitoring and evaluation requirements to accurately assess project performance over the 12-month period.
The Inception Report will provide a comprehensive overview of the roles, responsibilities, and coordination efforts of project partners, along with feedback mechanisms It will also detail the current progress of project establishment and start-up activities, as well as any external factors that may impact implementation Once finalized, the report will be shared with project counterparts, allowing them one month to submit comments or queries Prior to distribution, the document will be reviewed by OSISA and the UNDP-GEF’s Pan Africa Coordination Unit.
The Annual Project Report (APR) is a crucial requirement by UNDP for effective oversight, monitoring, and project management This self-assessment report, prepared by project management for the UNDP Country Office, plays a vital role in the country's reporting process and the Result Oriented Annual Reporting (ROAR) It serves as a key input for the Tripartite Project Review, reflecting the progress made in achieving the project's Annual Work Plan and evaluating the project's performance in delivering intended outcomes through outputs and partnerships The APR is prepared annually before the Tripartite Project Review.
151 The format of the APR is flexible but should include the following:
An analysis of project performance over the reporting period, including outputs produced and, where possible, information on the status of the outcome;
The constraints experienced in the progress towards results and the reasons for these;
The three (at most) major constraints to achievement of results;
AWP, CAE and other expenditure reports (ERP generated);
Clear recommendations for future orientation in addressing key problems in lack of progress.
The Project Implementation Review (PIR) is an annual monitoring process required by the GEF, serving as a vital tool for project managers to assess ongoing projects and extract valuable lessons After a year of project implementation, a Project Implementation Report must be prepared by OSISA in collaboration with the project team The PIR can be conducted anytime within the July to June timeframe and should ideally occur before the Technical Project Review (TPR) It is essential that the PIR findings are discussed during the TPR to ensure consensus among the project stakeholders, including contracted parties ENDA and UNOPS/Equator Initiative, as well as UNDP Namibia and UNDP-GEF.
The UNDP-GEF Coordination Units collect, review, and analyze individual Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) before forwarding them to the focal area clusters at UNDP/GEF headquarters These clusters, supported by the UNDP/GEF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit, examine the PIRs by focal area, theme, and region to identify common issues, results, and lessons learned Regional and Principal Technical Advisors contribute significantly to this analysis Each year, around November, the focal area PIRs are discussed in the GEF Interagency Focal Area Task Forces, leading to the compilation of consolidated reports by the GEF Independent M&E Unit based on the Task Force findings.
154 The GEF M&E Unit provides the scope and content of the PIR In light of the similarities of both APR and PIR, UNDP/GEF has prepared a harmonized format for reference
Quarterly Progress Reports will be submitted by the project team to UNDP Namibia and the UNDP-GEF Pan Africa Office, summarizing key updates on project progress every three months.