Monitoring and Evaluation

Forest and Landscape Restoration Asia

FLR Afghanistan Knowledge Hub

Monitoring and Evaluation

FAO GEF projects in Afghanistan apply a participatory and community-based M&E approach which involves key stakeholders in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project. FAO/GEF conducts M&E activities at three levels: implementation monitoring, output monitoring, and outcome monitoring.

The community-based monitoring is based on the long-term plan that the community had committed in the CBNRM document. A community monitoring committee (CMC) is established under each FMA/RMA through which 3-5 assigned local people monitor the progress of works and the interventions qualitatively and quantitatively. The M&E team uses various tools and checklists to collect and report data and works closely with CMC members to ensure transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the project.

Monitoring community nursery

Project areas

Project Objective

To support integrated, community-based approaches to sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan for promoting biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and rangeland productivity

Indicators

Number of tCO₂e sequestered through deployment of sustainable land and forest management practices resulting in reduced GHG emissions from land and forest degradation [from GEF Indicator 4 – CCM2 Pr4]
Number of ha of forest (HCVF and other forest type) and rangeland restoration that integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into their management.

Outcome 1.1 Enhanced capacity of sectorial stakeholders (Forest Management Associations, Rangeland Management Associations, target community members, and other relevant stakeholders) in district and provincial level for SLM/SFM

Increased capacities of MAIL/DAIL NRM and other relevant government institutions and staff to plan for and implement SLM/SFM
Sectorial stakeholder (FMAs, RMAs, target community members, and other relevant stakeholders) in district and provincial level are able to plan for and implement SLM/SFM.

Output 1.1.1.Knowledge management hub for Natural Resource Management’ established for coordinating the capacity development and knowledge management on SLM/SFM at all levels

Existence of knowledge management hub with MoU, organogram, methodology and sustainability strategy

Output 1.1.2. Training programme developed and delivered to Forest Management Associations, Rangeland Management Associations, target community members, and other relevant stakeholders in district and provincial level on land degradation assessment and planning for integrated SLM/SFM

Existence of a long-term capacity building programme and a training package outlining modules and course material on land degradation assessment and planning for integrated SLM/SFM.
Number of people trained (% women) on land degradation assessment and planning for integrated SLM/SFM

Output 1.1.3. Fine-scale inventory of forest and rangeland resources – including ecosystem goods/services, rangeland/forest condition and socio-ecological resilience – undertaken for Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya provinces

Existence of a forest/ rangeland inventory for each of the target province

Output 1.1.4. National REDD+ Readiness Roadmap formulated

Existence of REDD+ Readiness Roadmap document

Outcome 1.2. Enhanced capacity of local communities in Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya provinces for developing and implementing community-based SLM/SFM plans

Number of FMAs RMAs established,
Number FMAs and RMAs capacitated on development and implementing community-based SLM/SFM plans.

Output 1.2.1 Resource materials on local-level planning, implementation and M&E for SLM/SFM developed, based on the LADA-WOCAT and other relevant tools

Number of resource materials on SLM/SFM tailored to local socio-economic and environmental conditions

Output 1.2.2 Training provided to local-level technical government staff on facilitation of community-based planning and M&E for SLM/SFM as well as best practices for inter alia animal husbandry, rangeland management, forest conservation and sustainable resource use

Number of local-level technical government staff members trained (% women)

Output 1.2.3. Awareness-raising campaign conducted on community-based and gender-sensitive SLM/SFM planning, implementation and M&E

Number of awareness-raising activities undertaken, disaggregated by type and theme

Output 1.2.4. Forest Management Associations (FMAs) and Rangeland Management Associations (RMAs) supported to develop participatory, community-based and gender-responsive SLM/SFM plans

Number of FMAs RMA with community-based and gender-responsive SLM/SFM plans

Output 1.2.5. Pastoralist field schools conducted on livestock husbandry and community-based rangeland management/SLM practices

Number of pastoralists trained (% women)
Pastoralist field school implementation framework in place
Number of pastoralist field school conducted
Number of pastoralists trained (% women)

Outcome 2.1 Restoration and improved management of 30000 ha of HCVFs and other forest types to increase biodiversity conservation and sequester 1,530,069 tCO₂e in Badghis, Kunar and Paktya provinces

Area of forest resources restored in the landscape, supported by forest management actors, training and materials [from GEF Indicator 5 – SFM3 Pr7]
Number of ha of forest -HCVFs and other forest types- that integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into their management restored,
Area of forest - HCVFs and other forest types-that integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into their management improved

Output 2.1.1. Biodiversity assessments undertaken in HCVFs in Kunar and Paktya provinces

Number of biodiversity assessments conducted in Kunar and Paktya provinces

Output 2.1.2. Community nurseries and woodlots established to support assisted natural regeneration and provide sustainable timber and non-timber forest products to reduce pressure on forest resources in Badghis, Kunar and Paktya provinces

Number of home-based nurseries and woodlots established

Output 2.1.3. Assisted natural regeneration, rehabilitation/ restoration and SFM implemented over 10,000 ha of HCVFs (Kunar and Paktya) and 20,000 ha of other forest types (Badghis) leading to an overall increase in vegetative cover over the landscape and improved connectivity between forest patches

Number of ha of forest (HCVF and other forest type) and rangeland restoration that integrate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into their management.

Output 2.1.4. Diversified livelihood options promoted to reduce pressure on forest resources, including agro-forestry, alternative energy sources and value addition for timber and non-timber forest products in Badghis, Kunar and Paktya provinces

Number of households benefiting from agro-forestry, alternative energy sources and value addition for timber and non-timber forest products
Number of labor-man-day worked in related infrastructure projects from the target communities
Number of beneficiaries received CFW assistance

Outcome 3.1 Climate-resilient SLM practices implemented across 200,000 ha of degraded rangelands in Badghis, Bamyan and Ghazni provinces

Ha of area of rangeland and pastoral management practices and/or supporting climate-smart agriculture [GEF Indicator 1.1 – LD1 Pr2]

Output 3.1.1. Climate-resilient SLM interventions – including soil and water conservation, rotational grazing and restoration/ rehabilitation with palatable species – implemented over 200,000 ha of degraded rangelands

Ha of area of rangeland and pastoral management practices and/or supporting climate-smart agriculture

Output 3.1.2. Enhanced livelihoods through strengthened value chains for products from livestock husbandry

Number of households benefiting from strengthened value chains for livestock husbandry

Outcome 4.1. Improved knowledge to inform planning and implementation of SLM/SFM practices

Existence of ‘knowledge hub’/ with M&E system and database

Output 4.1.2. Local-level, participatory M&E system for SLM/SFM established for monitoring of rangeland and forest condition, including biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration

Number of participatory M&E assessments of rangeland and forest condition undertaken in project sites

Output 4.1.3. Best-practice guidelines on rangeland and forest restoration and management developed and disseminated

Number of synthesised best-practice guidelines developed and disseminated

Output 4.1.4. Lessons learned on SLM/SFM practices in Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktya provinces collated and disseminated nationwide as well as regionally

Number of lessons learned on SLM and SFM practices documented, disaggregated by theme

Output 4.1.5. Mid-term review (MTR) and Terminal Evaluation (TE) conducted

Existence of MTR and TE reports

Interventions in the project areas include afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, stable improvement, establishment of woodlots, nurseries, and solar passive houses, construction of check dams, water reservoirs, terracing, distribution of fuel-efficient cock stoves, dairy hygiene kits, fertilizers, and seeds. Moreover, certain areas are quarantined to improve the management of rangeland and forests for conserving biodiversity. Further, the project capacitates the forest and rangeland users in the target communities to better manage and optimize land and forest uses.

Project Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring is integrated in the FERM which is a global platform to monitor ecosystem restoration (FORTHCOMING)