About the project

Description of the project, including overall structure, components, expected outputs and outcomes.           REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                                      MONTENEGRO                MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTR                           MINISTRY OF SPATIAL    AND WATER ADMINISTRATION                                PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT 
LAKE SKADAR-SHKODRA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECT



PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project financing
The project is financed through two Global Environment Facility Specific Investment Grants, government budgets, contributions from local government, and the private sector.  The GEF grants totaling $4.55 million ($2.56 million Montenegro and $1.99 million Albania) will be denominated in US dollars.

Project Objectives
The global project development objective is to maintain and enhance the long-term value and environmental services of Lake Skadar-Shkoder and its natural resources. 
The Project Development Objective is to help establish and strengthen institutional mechanisms for transboundary cooperation through joint efforts to improve sustainable management of Lake Skadar-Shkoder.
Key Indicators:
• One year prior to project close, governments budgets will support operational costs of maintaining and participating in the Bilateral Lake Management Commission.  (Process) • Greater than 50% reduction in fishermen using illegal fishing practices. (Stress Reduction)• Agreement between Government of Montenegro/KAP owners (Rusal) on solution and joint action plan to manage the legacy dumpsite wastes at KAP site. (Process)• Established demonstration sewage collection and wastewater treatment system at Vranjina village.  (Stress)
Project components The project will achieve its objectives through three main components: (i) Capacity Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management of the Lake; (ii) Promoting Sustainable Use of the Lake; and (iii) Catalyzing Pollution Reduction Investments. Some project-financed activities will be carried out in both countries and some in each country but all activities will have lake-wide benefits. Details of project activities and financing are in Annex 4 and 5. 
Component 1:  Capacity Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management of the Lake (Total: US$3.43 million; GEF: US$1.80 million)  
This component builds capacity to establish and strengthen institutional cooperation to operationalize the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Management Commission (SLC) and its Secretariat. An initial four technical working groups of the Commission will be established through this component to support priority SAP activities including: Planning and Legal; Monitoring and Research; Communications/Outreach and Sustainable Tourism; and Water Management. The project will support specific tasks which correspond to the tasks of the four working groups such as: (a) create a predictive hydrological model of the lake basin; (b) research and monitor to better understand impacts of changes in inflowing water quantity and quality; and (c) harmonize monitoring on both sides of the lake through a publicly accessible joint database. Under this component the project will promote donor coordination and learning exchange including engagement with GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network IW: LEARN through project promotional materials, participation in international workshops, data exchange, and hosting annual donor coordination meetings. A key output of this component will be improved information and coordination for transboundary decision-making. This component also supports incremental project management costs in each country.
Component 2:  Promoting Sustainable Use of the Lake (Total: US$4.79 million; GEF US$1.06 million). 
This component will promote adoption of sustainable approaches to economic development of the lake (and its natural resources) by focusing on tourism and fisheries where there is high potential for economically significant sustainable use. It will support environmentally and socially sustainable tourism by improving nature- and culture-based facilities and attractions; raising public awareness; and providing technical assistance to local residents considering tourism-based businesses. It will support sustainable fisheries management by helping to develop lake-wide stock assessment and fisheries management plans and by integrating plan results and recommendations into national plans, regulations, and programs. In response to this assessment, the project will provide incentives for fishermen to cease illegal fishing methods and help strengthen regulatory and enforcement capacity for fisheries management. 
Component 3:  Catalyze Pollution Reduction Investments (Total: US$11.51 million; GEF:  US$1.69 million).
This component will support selected investments to stimulate pollution reduction activities: educate and encourage people to replicate demonstration projects of village-level wastewater treatment and buffer vegetation restoration; and provide TA to catalyze remediation of the lake’s largest-scale industrial pollution “hotspot.” A demonstration pilot project for wastewater treatment, based on constructed wetlands, is proposed for the village of Vranjina in Montenegro, in locations visible along the lake and the main road to facilitate education and promote replication. Technical assistance will be provided to the Government of Montenegro to prepare for a large-scale remediation investment. The government has budgeted an initial €5.0 million to invest at the site, however the full cost can be determined only upon completing an inventory, feasibility study, and site remediation design. Project TA funds will support an inventory and characterization of on-site waste and feasibility study/preliminary design of options study for remediation, recycling, and/or disposal. The TA would include an international adviser to assist regulatory authorities’ work on the KAP site, and some financial support for an EIA on recommended actions from the feasibility study.  Restoration of lakeshore buffer vegetation to protect against siltation and chemical run-off will be demonstrated in Albania. This includes: (a) Restore prioritized lakeside groves (willows and other native trees) in erosion-prone areas; (b) Implement stream bank erosion control at one site through combined re-vegetation, gabions, and other small infrastructure; and (c) Support community-driven vegetation and restoration sites (prioritizing buffer vegetation for fish nursery areas). 
Institutional and implementation arrangements
Project implementation arrangements will be streamlined within the existing structures of the two governments to ensure strong government ownership and to minimize strains on capacity. The Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration (MEFWA) and the Montenegro Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Protection (MTEP) will have overall responsibility for project implementation, in coordination with partners in sectoral Ministries, local governments, and universities. MTEP and MEFWA have each appointed a Project Director (Ministry staff), and Project Coordinators (project-financed staff) and have nominated representatives for the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Commission and Working Groups, according to agreed Terms of Reference.
In Albania, a Project Coordinator based in Shkodra is be responsible for day-to-day implementation, overseen by a Project Director (MEFWA Department Head) in Tirana. All procurement and financial management actions will be centralized and rely on contracted part-time experts with World Bank project experience. Some Albanian grant activities will have technical leadership by the SLC Secretariat, the Management Unit for the Shkoder Lake Managed Nature Reserve (SLMNR), and the SLMNR together with Shkodra Municipality.
In Montenegro, a Project Coordinator housed within MTEP in Podgorica will be responsible for day-to day project implementation, overseen by a Project Director (Assistant Minister in MTEP). All procurement and financial management will be centralized through contracting to the Technical Services Unit (TSU) that supports many World Bank projects in Montenegro. Some Montenegro grant activities will provide support to the SLC Secretariat, the Public Enterprise for National Parks (located on the Lake), the municipality of Podgorica, and a MTEP Steering Committee for KAP site grant supported activities. Government departments, agencies, or organizations that are beneficiaries or involved in implementing project activities, will do so under sub-project agreements signed with MTEP (Montenegro) or MEFWA (Albania). 
A 2008 Bilateral Agreement legally establishes the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Commission (SLC), as the main steering mechanism to implement the SAP and provide a forum to reach concrete agreements on lake management issues. The SLC has convened four Working Groups of technical specialists and local stakeholders with project support to identify priorities and facilitate coordination/action on Planning and Legal; Monitoring and Research; Communications/Outreach and Sustainable Tourism Development; and Water Management. The SLC and Working Groups are be served by a small Secretariat to facilitate communications, meetings and outreach, and administrative reporting to the two Project Directors in MEFWA and MTEP.  The Secretariat head will be paid through the project for the first three years.  Procurement and financial management of SLC activities will remain centralized under coordination of the two country-specific Project Coordinators.

Description of the project, including overall structure, components, expected outputs and outcomes.REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                                      MONTENEGROMINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTR                           MINISTRY OF SPATIALAND WATER ADMINISTRATION                                PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTLAKE SKADAR-SHKODRA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECTPROJECT DESCRIPTIONProject financingThe project is financed through two Global Environment Facility Specific Investment Grants, government budgets, contributions from local government, and the private sector.  The GEF grants totaling $4.55 million ($2.56 million Montenegro and $1.99 million Albania) will be denominated in US dollars.Project ObjectivesThe global project development objective is to maintain and enhance the long-term value and environmental services of Lake Skadar-Shkoder and its natural resources.The Project Development Objective is to help establish and strengthen institutional mechanisms for transboundary cooperation through joint efforts to improve sustainable management of Lake Skadar-Shkoder.Key Indicators:• One year prior to project close, governments budgets will support operational costs of maintaining and participating in the Bilateral Lake Management Commission.  (Process)• Greater than 50% reduction in fishermen using illegal fishing practices. (Stress Reduction)• Agreement between Government of Montenegro/KAP owners (Rusal) on solution and joint action plan to manage the legacy dumpsite wastes at KAP site. (Process)• Established demonstration sewage collection and wastewater treatment system at Vranjina village.  (Stress)Project componentsThe project will achieve its objectives through three main components: (i) Capacity Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management of the Lake; (ii) Promoting Sustainable Use of the Lake; and (iii) Catalyzing Pollution Reduction Investments. Some project-financed activities will be carried out in both countries and some in each country but all activities will have lake-wide benefits. Details of project activities and financing are in Annex 4 and 5.Component 1:  Capacity Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management of the Lake (Total: US$3.43 million; GEF: US$1.80 million)This component builds capacity to establish and strengthen institutional cooperation to operationalize the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Management Commission (SLC) and its Secretariat. An initial four technical working groups of the Commission will be established through this component to support priority SAP activities including: Planning and Legal; Monitoring and Research; Communications/Outreach and Sustainable Tourism; and Water Management. The project will support specific tasks which correspond to the tasks of the four working groups such as: (a) create a predictive hydrological model of the lake basin; (b) research and monitor to better understand impacts of changes in inflowing water quantity and quality; and (c) harmonize monitoring on both sides of the lake through a publicly accessible joint database. Under this component the project will promote donor coordination and learning exchange including engagement with GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network IW: LEARN through project promotional materials, participation in international workshops, data exchange, and hosting annual donor coordination meetings. A key output of this component will be improved information and coordination for transboundary decision-making. This component also supports incremental project management costs in each country.Component 2:  Promoting Sustainable Use of the Lake (Total: US$4.79 million; GEF US$1.06 million).This component will promote adoption of sustainable approaches to economic development of the lake (and its natural resources) by focusing on tourism and fisheries where there is high potential for economically significant sustainable use. It will support environmentally and socially sustainable tourism by improving nature- and culture-based facilities and attractions; raising public awareness; and providing technical assistance to local residents considering tourism-based businesses. It will support sustainable fisheries management by helping to develop lake-wide stock assessment and fisheries management plans and by integrating plan results and recommendations into national plans, regulations, and programs. In response to this assessment, the project will provide incentives for fishermen to cease illegal fishing methods and help strengthen regulatory and enforcement capacity for fisheries management.Component 3:  Catalyze Pollution Reduction Investments (Total: US$11.51 million; GEF:  US$1.69 million).This component will support selected investments to stimulate pollution reduction activities: educate and encourage people to replicate demonstration projects of village-level wastewater treatment and buffer vegetation restoration; and provide TA to catalyze remediation of the lake’s largest-scale industrial pollution “hotspot.” A demonstration pilot project for wastewater treatment, based on constructed wetlands, is proposed for the village of Vranjina in Montenegro, in locations visible along the lake and the main road to facilitate education and promote replication. Technical assistance will be provided to the Government of Montenegro to prepare for a large-scale remediation investment. The government has budgeted an initial €5.0 million to invest at the site, however the full cost can be determined only upon completing an inventory, feasibility study, and site remediation design. Project TA funds will support an inventory and characterization of on-site waste and feasibility study/preliminary design of options study for remediation, recycling, and/or disposal. The TA would include an international adviser to assist regulatory authorities’ work on the KAP site, and some financial support for an EIA on recommended actions from the feasibility study.  Restoration of lakeshore buffer vegetation to protect against siltation and chemical run-off will be demonstrated in Albania. This includes: (a) Restore prioritized lakeside groves (willows and other native trees) in erosion-prone areas; (b) Implement stream bank erosion control at one site through combined re-vegetation, gabions, and other small infrastructure; and (c) Support community-driven vegetation and restoration sites (prioritizing buffer vegetation for fish nursery areas).Institutional and implementation arrangementsProject implementation arrangements will be streamlined within the existing structures of the two governments to ensure strong government ownership and to minimize strains on capacity. The Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration (MEFWA) and the Montenegro Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Protection (MTEP) will have overall responsibility for project implementation, in coordination with partners in sectoral Ministries, local governments, and universities. MTEP and MEFWA have each appointed a Project Director (Ministry staff), and Project Coordinators (project-financed staff) and have nominated representatives for the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Commission and Working Groups, according to agreed Terms of Reference.In Albania, a Project Coordinator based in Shkodra is be responsible for day-to-day implementation, overseen by a Project Director (MEFWA Department Head) in Tirana. All procurement and financial management actions will be centralized and rely on contracted part-time experts with World Bank project experience. Some Albanian grant activities will have technical leadership by the SLC Secretariat, the Management Unit for the Shkoder Lake Managed Nature Reserve (SLMNR), and the SLMNR together with Shkodra Municipality.In Montenegro, a Project Coordinator housed within MTEP in Podgorica will be responsible for day-to day project implementation, overseen by a Project Director (Assistant Minister in MTEP). All procurement and financial management will be centralized through contracting to the Technical Services Unit (TSU) that supports many World Bank projects in Montenegro. Some Montenegro grant activities will provide support to the SLC Secretariat, the Public Enterprise for National Parks (located on the Lake), the municipality of Podgorica, and a MTEP Steering Committee for KAP site grant supported activities. Government departments, agencies, or organizations that are beneficiaries or involved in implementing project activities, will do so under sub-project agreements signed with MTEP (Montenegro) or MEFWA (Albania).A 2008 Bilateral Agreement legally establishes the Skadar-Shkodra Lake Commission (SLC), as the main steering mechanism to implement the SAP and provide a forum to reach concrete agreements on lake management issues. The SLC has convened four Working Groups of technical specialists and local stakeholders with project support to identify priorities and facilitate coordination/action on Planning and Legal; Monitoring and Research; Communications/Outreach and Sustainable Tourism Development; and Water Management. The SLC and Working Groups are be served by a small Secretariat to facilitate communications, meetings and outreach, and administrative reporting to the two Project Directors in MEFWA and MTEP.  The Secretariat head will be paid through the project for the first three years.  Procurement and financial management of SLC activities will remain centralized under coordination of the two country-specific Project Coordinators.