Application Title Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement

Country/ Region The Gambia

Accredited Entity Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Approval Date 8 August 2019

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Notes • The PPF supports the development of projects and programmes and enhances their quality at

entry into the Fund’s pipeline. With a view to enhancing the balance and diversity of the project pipeline, the PPF is designed to especially support Direct Access Entities for projects in the micro-to-small size category. International Accredited Entities seeking project preparation support from the PPF are encouraged to do so especially for LDCs, SIDS and African countries where no Direct Access Entity is accredited. All Accredited Entities are encouraged to articulate counterpart support for project preparation within their requests for support from the PPF.

• A PPF submission should include below documents: 1. PPF request (this form) 2. PPF No-Objection letter1 3. Concept Note

• Please copy the National Designated Authority (ies) when submitting this PPF request. • Requests for support from the PPF should be submitted at the same time or following submission

of a GCF Concept Note for a project or programme. • Further information on GCF PPF can be found on GCF website Project Preparation Facility

Guidelines.

1 Please note that the PPF No-Objection Letter is different from the Funding Proposal No-Objection Letter. PPF No-Objection Letter template can be downloaded from here.

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2 See here to download the Concept Note template. 3 Template for PPF No-Objection Letter can be downloaded here.

A. Executive Summary

Accredited Entity (AE)

Name: Ms. Perpetua Katepa-Kalala

Position: FAO Representative in The Gambia

Email: Perpetua.KatepaKalala@fao.org Tel: 220-4498034/4497567/4497547 Full Office address:10th East Street, ‘M’ Section, Fajara, P.M.B. 10, Banjul Post Office, Banjul, The Gambia

Has a Concept Note2 been submitted in association with this request for support from the PPF?

Yes ☒ No ☐ If yes, please indicate Project/Programme title: Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement

Has a No-Objection Letter3 been submitted for this request for support from the PPF?

Yes ☒ No ☐ (Please note that a PPF No-Objection Letter is a requirement for the submission of this request)

Total Cost

Total cost of Project Preparation activities: US$ 387,756 Amount requested from the PPF: US$ 289,085 Counterpart funding from the AE: US$ 98,670

Anticipated Duration Number of months to implement the Project Preparation activities: Twelve Months

Summary of the request for Project Preparation support

(Please provide a maximum 200 words brief description of the Project Preparation activities to develop the Concept Note into a Funding Proposal with support from the GCF’s Project Preparation Facility.) To support the development of the ‘’Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement’’ project for The Gambia, a Least Developed Country, FAO provided internal resources in 2017 to cover the costs for the formulation of the concept note submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in June 2018. Additional 98,670 USD have been provided by FAO to support the development of the funding proposal. The Project Preparation Facility (PPF) funds will be complementary to the resources provided by FAO and will support the development of technical studies as required by the GCF. Through the PPF, The Gambia FAO Country Office will fund the recruitment of a team of international and national experts, as follows: a team leader, specialist in investment projects (international consultant), a fisheries and climate change expert, an aquaculture and climate change expert, gender expert, an environmental and social Impact analysis expert (internationals) and a national expert on institutional arrangements. The terms of reference of the consultants had been shared with the first PPF request, which was submitted on January 2019. Experts recruited through FAO resources include the finance and economic analysis and budget expert, a national coastal ecosystem expert, and a consultant on small-scale climate proofed infrastructure. FAO resources will cover the costs related to the development of the funding proposal. The following studies and assessments will be conducted with the resources provided through the PPF: i) the feasibility study including the baseline and climate change assessment of the fisheries sector and assessment of status of aquaculture in selected project areas; ii) the environmental and social analysis and plan, iii) the gender assessment and action plan; and iv) assessment on the institutional arrangements. FAO The Gambia will fund and organize, at different stages, three stakeholder consultations meetings at community and regional level. These consultations will bring together regional relevant Government institutions, NGOs and beneficiaries representative. Two national workshops will also be organized to discuss and validate with partners the full project proposal.

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4 The PPF can provide support within the following project preparation activity areas:

i. Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies ii. Environmental, social and gender studies iii. Risk Assessments iv. Identification of programme and project level indicators

Other activities of direct relevance for Direct Access Entities that the PPF can support are as follows: v. Pre-contract services, including the revision of tender documents vi. Advisory services and/or other services to financially structure a proposed activity vii. Other project preparation activities, where necessary, and with sufficient justification

B. Description of Project Preparation Activities

Outputs and Activities (Please select Activity Areas4, activities, and deliverables as needed)

Month (Please shade the implementation period from the starting month of the Output and Activity in the schedule. Please also indicate

the month of completion of each deliverable with “X” in the corresponding cell)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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PPF activity area: Pre-feasibility, feasibility studies and project design (Please provide a 50-100 words description for each sub-activity and the associated deliverable.)

Activity 1: Feasibility study A feasibility study will be carried out to analyse and evaluate the proposed project to determine whether it is technically and financially feasible and properly aligned with GCF investment criteria and requirements. Activity 1- Deliverable 1: Project Logical Framework and Indicators

A team of consultants will work with the lead consultant to produce the project logical framework, with indicators in alignment with the GCF Performance Measurement Framework and the Results Measurement Framework. The final output will be a detailed logframe as per GCF format.

Activity 1 - Deliverable 2: Assessment of status of aquaculture in selected project areas.

FAO will contract an aquaculture and climate change expert to assess the status of aquaculture in the selected project areas. Sub-activities: •Assessment of existing practices, technologies, available infrastructure for selected value chains; •Assessment of the different aquaculture models (freshwater, brackish water, oyster farming) and identify the most resilient, efficient and suitable ones for the specific project context affected by climate change; •Review good practice and relevant available innovative adaptation technologies and management practices related to aquaculture This baseline information will feed into the feasibility study.

X

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Activity 1 - Deliverable 3: Climate impact and vulnerability assessment of the fisheries sector FAO will contract a fisheries & Climate Change expert to develop the climate impact assessment for the fisheries sector in the targeted areas of The Gambia, describing the baseline scenarios, analyzing past trends and future projections of climate change events and impacts on the fishery sector as well as developing a with and without project scenario. Sub-activities: •A baseline assessment of: i) the status of the fisheries sector in the target areas, including the post-harvest sub sector; ii) existing practices, technologies for selected value chains and iii) fish habitat in the target areas; •Analyze past trends and future projections of climate change and their impacts on the fishery sector in the target areas; • Assess the vulnerability of the fishermen and fish habitat in the target areas of the coast of the Gambia and identify the barriers for adoption of resilient practices; •Map the different project and initiatives in the target areas to ensure coordination and synergies; •Identify climate resilient practices, models and relevant available innovative adaptation technologies and management practices and identify priority activities to address barriers for adoption; •Develop with the support of the economist, a without-project scenario considering climate change impacts, a with-project scenario, and then an assessment of the difference between the two scenarios This baseline information will feed into the feasibility study. Activity 1 - Deliverable 4: Analysis and feasibility assessment of proposed interventions. FAO will contract a consulting firm to provide a technical description and assess the feasibility of the technologies introduced, as well as a description of their maintenance and sustainability. This baseline information will feed into the feasibility study. Activity 1 - Deliverable 5: Institutional arrangements FAO will contract and work with an expert that will engage government partners and other stakeholders to map and describe current roles and responsibilities of the key institutions involved in the fisheries sector, including the Ministry and Department of fisheries, private sector and NGOs. Sub-activities: •Description of the governance structures and existing arrangements (both at national and regional levels) between the key institutional stakeholders (including collaborative mechanisms and cross-sectoral coordination); •Analysis of regulations and plans for the fisheries sector at national and local level; •Identification of strategies to ensure the institutions’ ability to fulfil the respective roles in project implementation and to support the long-term sustainability of project results beyond the project duration; •Development of the institutional arrangements of the project. This baseline information will feed into the feasibility study.

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PPF activity area: Environmental, social and gender studies Activity 2: Environmental, social and gender studies An environmental and social analysis and plan will be carried out to ensure the project is aligned with FAO’s and the GCF environmental and social safeguards. A gender assessment and action plan will also be carried out to ensure participation and access to project benefits for both men and women. Activity 2 - Deliverable 1: Gender assessment and action plan: FAO will contract a gender expert to carry out a gender assessment and develop a gender-based action plan. Sub-activities: •Identify the existing institutional, policy and legal frameworks of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors relevant to ensuring gender equality in the project’s proposed activities. • The gender assessment will collect evidence on gender issues in the sector of intervention and in the context of the project to assess how men and women are affected differently by climate change in the fisheries sector. •With stakeholder consultations, the assessment will identify barriers for adoption of climate resilient initiatives in the fisheries sector for men and women in the target area and how they can be addressed by the project. •Identify gender sensitiveness of the project outcome, objectives, activities, indicators and targets to the specific needs, capacities and priorities of women and men ; The information collected through the gender assessment will be analysed and used to recommend opportunities or entry points (including project’s activities that offer such opportunities) that ensure the participation and access to project benefits by both men and women. These opportunities will be outlined in an action plan with activities that can be implemented as part of the project. Activity 2 - Deliverable 2: Environmental and social analysis and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan FAO will contract a Social and environmental safeguard expert, who will work in close consultation with the technical experts and especially the gender expert for social impact issues and stakeholder engagement plan. Based upon GCF, FAO and national ESS standards and policies, the expert will assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed project, evaluating alternatives and designing appropriate mitigation, management and monitoring measures. This consultancy will also result in an E&S analysis (ESA), focused on the potential impacts identified in the E&S screening. The deliverables will be a final Environmental and Social Analysis (ESA) and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESMP). (Please provide a 50-100 words description for each sub-activity and the associated deliverable)

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Submission of the full Funding Proposal to the GCF (Please indicate the month with ‘X’.)

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C. Justification of the Project Preparation Request (Please provide rationale for the AEs’ need to receive GCF Project Preparation fund to strengthen development of the corresponding funding proposal. Especially for international AEs, please outline counterpart resources that will complement GCF PPF fund also in the budget table in section E.)

The Government of The Gambia requested FAO Gambia Country Office support to develop a Concept Note and funding proposal on ‘Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement in The Gambia’, which was submitted to the GCF in June 2018.

Following the positive review from the GCF, the Country Office is requesting resources from the GCF to continue the development of the CN into a full project proposal. The proposed activities will serve as basis for the formulation and development of the GCF project proposal for the Fisheries sector. Funds requested will be used to conduct studies/assessments, and recruit international and national consultants to develop the project proposal in accordance with the GCF requirements. The overall objective of this proposed PPF is develop a proposal to conserve and protect fisheries resources and their habitat in light of the impacts of climate change through sustainable mitigation and adaptation measures thereby enhancing climate resilience of fishing communities. The project will contribute to the realization The Gambia’s Climate Change Policy objectives. The project to be developed builds on the First and Second National Communications and the National Adaptation Programme of Action by promoting adaptation measures within the fishery sector and promote strategies that would reduce post-harvest losses and CO2 emissions as well as protecting the mangrove cover. The project will also contribute to promoting economic development to improving the livelihoods of beneficiaries (youth and women in particular) along the value chain. FAO Gambia Country Office, in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia, intends to submit the project proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) after twelve months from the first PPF disbursement. FAO will be providing additional funding of US 98,670 through the Technical Cooperation Programme Facility (TCPf). The TCPf will support the national stakeholder consultations at communit and regional levels. Recruitment of the international economic and financial analysis and budget expert, as well as the consultant on small scale climate proofed infrastructure and coastal ecosystem experts will be funded from FAO TCPf: resources. A dedicated team with international and national consultants will be established to undertake the formulation of the proposal and to conduct all the required assessments.

FAO’s comparative advantage

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations whose main goals are: i) the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; ii) the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and iii) the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

FAO has a demonstrated comparative advantage and leadership in supporting Governments defining national policy and strategies for agricultural and natural resources development, food and nutrition security, and for mobilizing resources to support the implementation of programmes and projects. The Gambia belongs to the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SFW) under the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and can thus rely on a highly relevant and top quality expertise at regional, sub-regional and HQ level. FAO-led projects in The Gambia include the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project, the EAF-Nansen Project, the Ocean Initiative, and other activities as a member of the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) and its Sub-Regional Fisheries Committee (SRFC). The Gambia is also member of FAO’s Committee for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture for Africa (CIFAA) as well as a member of the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF). FAO’s support will be provided through the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department at regional, sub-regional and HQ level via a multidisciplinary team with adequate professional experience to deliver proposed results, to provide technical support, to promote technology transfer and to build capacity. FAO will provide advice and support activities that assemble, disseminate and improve the uptake of knowledge, technologies and good practices in the areas of FAO’s mandate. In addition, the FAO Gambia Country Office, having a long standing relationship with the Government in planning and implementing several successful programmes and projects, will support the formulation of the project proposal in close collaboration with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.

The project would contribute to FAO’s Strategic Objective 2 “Increase and improve provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner”. Furthermore, the project will also contribute to the Regional Initiative (RI2) for Africa on Sustainable production intensification and value chain development in Africa as well as to United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2021 “Strategic Area 3: Sustainable environment”.

This project will also contribute to achieving SDG 2 ‘’Zero hunger’’, SDG 3 ‘’Good health and well-being’’, SGD 5 ‘’Gender equality’’, SDG 13 “Climate Action’’, SDG 14 ‘’Life Below Water’’ and SGD 15’’ Life on land’’.

D. Implementation Arrangement

(Please include information on implementation arrangements for proposed Project Preparation activities. Please provide TORs for all consultants to be contracted with PPF activities.)

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FAO, as an the Accredited Entity will be responsible for PPF activities, including implementation, monitoring, reporting, financial management and related processes. FAO will also be the executing entity for this PPF. As such, FAO The Gambia will recruit and supervise the consultants who will formulate the proposal in accordance with FAO’s rules, policies and procedures. The consultants recruited will compose a dedicated formulation team. The TORs of the consultants that will be recruited using PPF funds have been submitted with the first PPF request on January 2019.

FAO shall implement the Project Preparation Activities with the goal of submitting a funding proposal for approval by the Board within 2 years of the approval of the Project Preparation Funding Application. FAO shall notify the Fund as soon as it has reasons to believe that a submission within this timeframe may not be possible.

FAO The Gambia and the formulation team will receive coordinated guidance and support from FAO regional office in Ghana, the sub-regional office and from FAO HQ. In particular, the Lead Technical Officer in the regional office will ensure the technical quality of the project, the GCF Coordination Unit in FAO will ensure quality assurance vis-à-vis GCF requirements and standards, and additional officers from the department of Fisheries and other key departments at HQ and regional level will provide guidance and advice. These experts will form the task force of the project to ensure the quality of the proposal throughout the FAO-GCF project cycle.

The implementation of the PPF will engage relevant local stakeholders, partners, and government bodies, and using a transparent, participative and inclusive consultative process.

The NDA of this project, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, fully supports the PPF request and the project proposal.

Implementation map

Annex I: PPF Budget

E. Budget Details and Disbursement Schedule

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Disbursement and Reporting Schedule: (Please indicate the proposed disbursement and reporting schedule.)

Detailed budget was removed due to confidential information.

Project/Programme Title: Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement

Country(ies): Republic of The Gambia

National Designated Authority(ies) (NDA): Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

Accredited Entity(ies) (AE):

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

FAO The Gambia Office Tel: +(220)4498034,4497547

Email:FAO-GM@fao.org

Date of first submission/ version number: [2018-06-12] [V.1]

Date of current submission/ version number [YYYY-MM-DD] [V.0]

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A. Project / Programme Information (max. 1 page) A.1. Project or programme ☒ Project

☐ Programme A.2. Public or private sector

☒ Public sector ☐ Private sector

A.3. Is the CN submitted in response to an RFP?

Yes ☐ No ☒ If yes, specify the RFP: ______________

A.4. Confidentiality1 ☐ Confidential ☒ Not confidential

A.5. Indicate the result areas for the project/programme

Mitigation: Reduced emissions from:

☐ Energy access and power generation

☐ Low emission transport

☐ Buildings, cities and industries and appliances

☐ Forestry and land use Adaptation: Increased resilience of:

☒ Most vulnerable people and communities

☒ Health and well-being, and food and water security

☒ Infrastructure and built environment

☒ Ecosystem and ecosystem services

A.6. Estimated mitigation impact (tCO2eq over lifespan)

821 GgCO2e in 2025 and 880 GgCO2 in 2030

A.7. Estimated adaptation impact (number of direct beneficiaries and % of population)

Direct beneficiaries: 30,000 people. 300,000 people as indirect beneficiaries.

A.8. Indicative total project cost (GCF + co-finance)

Amount: USD ___ $17,245,978______

A.9. Indicative GCF funding requested

Amount: USD __$15,310,000 _____

A.10. Mark the type of financial instrument requested for the GCF funding

☒ Grant ☐ Reimbursable grant ☐ Guarantees ☐ Equity ☐ Subordinated loan ☐ Senior Loan ☐ Other: specify___________________

A.11. Estimated duration of project/ programme:

a) disbursement period: tbc b) repayment period, if applicable:

A.12. Estimated project/ Programme lifespan

6 years

A.13. Is funding from the Project Preparation Facility requested?2

Yes ☐ No ☒ Other support received ☐ If so, by who:

A.14. ESS category3 ☐ A or I-1 ☒ B or I-2 tbc ☐ C or I-3

A.15. Is the CN aligned with your accreditation standard?

Yes ☒ No ☐ A.16. Has the CN been shared with the NDA?

Yes ☒ tbc No ☐

A.17. AMA signed (if submitted by AE)

Yes ☒ No ☐ If no, specify the status of AMA negotiations and expected date of signing:

A.18. Is the CN included in the Entity Work Programme?

Yes ☒ No ☐

A.19. Project/Programme rationale, objectives and approach of programme/project (max 100 words)

Climate change will severely burden The Gambia’s fishery sector, which plays a significant role in local livelihoods and national economy. Expected climate change impacts that will affect fisheries include sea level rise, decrease precipitation and rising water temperature. This project aims to increase the resilience of this sector through adaptive measures including climate-proofed infrastructure, climate change resilient livelihood options and climate change capacity development. The national designated authority is the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the executing entity is Department of Fisheries, and the accredited entity is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

1 Concept notes (or sections of) not marked as confidential may be published in accordance with the Information Disclosure Policy (Decision B.12/35) and the Review of the Initial Proposal Approval Process (Decision B.17/18). 2 See here for access to project preparation support request template and guidelines 3 Refer to the Fund’s environmental and social safeguards (Decision B.07/02)

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B. Project / Programme details (max. 8 pages) B.1. Context and Baseline (max. 2 pages) Country Profile The Gambia is located on the west coast of Africa, and has a total land area of 10,689 square kilometres. The population of The Gambia is estimated at 1.9 million, with an annual growth rate of 3.3 percent (GBoS, 2013) and average household size of 8.3. About 50 percent of the population lives in rural areas, and women constitute 51 percent. The high fertility level of 5.4 births per woman has resulted in a very youthful population structure. The country is classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC), with Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of US$ 500 in 2012. The Gambia has an open economy with limited natural resources and is ranked 175 out of 188 in the United Nations’ Human Development Report (HDR), 2015. The fisheries sub-sector contributes approximately 3.4 % to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Sowe 2017)4. Within the food production sector, fisheries ranks third after crops and livestock. In terms of employment, it is estimated that some 200,000 people are directly or indirectly dependent on fisheries and its related activities for their livelihoods (Fisheries Department, 2016): fishing, fish processing and fish marketing. The artisanal sub-sector provides direct employment to over 6,000 fishers (1,410 head fishermen and 4,694 assistant fishermen) that catch and land fish. Artisanal fisheries provide direct and indirect employment to over 30,000 people, with about 3,000 people more employed in the industrial fisheries sub-sector and related operations. Thousands of post-harvest operators, most of them women are engaged in fish landing, processing (smoking and drying), marketing and distribution including transportation. The artisanal (or small-scale) fisheries sub-sector is considered to have a greater contribution to livelihoods and the economy, compared to the industrial and aquaculture sub-sectors.

Fish is the major supplier of animal protein and a major contributor to nutrition for the population, with per capita fish consumption of about 23kg and it plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction and food security. The national fish per caput consumption is as low as 9 kg in the inland areas, as fish consumption is highest in coastal areas where fish production is relatively high5. Fisheries and aquaculture contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods and depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems but these facts are often unrecognized and undervalued. Fish (including shellfish) provides essential nutrition, animal protein and minerals to the population in the country, especially to the poor as it is the cheapest source of protein in the country compared to meat or chicken.

Fishing is generally carried out by men, and women dominate activities in the post-capture/post-harvest sector where they form the link between fish capture and consumption. They are involved in un-loading and delivery of fish from landed fishing canoes, marketing of the catch, wholesale or retail, fish processing and in fishery products marketing and distribution. Practices currently being used in post-production, mostly carried out by women, cause post-production losses and are not efficient as they do not work in full capacity. Furthermore, post-production practices, such as fish smoking techniques, can be toxic for women as well as fisheries products. Although occasionally women own fishing units and finance fishing inputs and trips of men fishers, women generally do not have ownership of major properties and are not economically empowered to improve their productivity and gains.

Climate change is expected to place a major burden on national development and livelihoods as the productive base of the economy depends on climate-sensitive activities such as fisheries. The Gambia is ranked 146 on the ND-Gain Country Index rank, indicating high vulnerability to climate change and low readiness.

Indeed, The Gambia is ranked among the top ten countries in the world with the highest share of population living within the lower elevation coastal zone (McGranahan, Balk et al. 2007). A one metre rise in sea level is expected to inundate about 8.7% of the Gambia’s total land area, including more than 61% of current mangrove area and more than one-third of swampland. Also at risk of inundation is the whole of Barra Town and over 50% of Banjul including Banjul Port, the country’s only deep-water seaport. Impacts of sea level rise would be compounded by coastal erosion along the 80km coastline. Because of sea-level rise, groundwater in western Gambia is at risk of increased salinization, while coastal aquifers may become reduced, which would affect fresh water supplies and peri-urban agriculture. The impact of sea level rise, coastal erosion and reduced freshwater availability on tourism and the artisanal fisheries sector is unquantified, but likely significant.

According to Ward (2016)6 sea level rise resulting from climate change could a potential major threat to mangrove ecosystems, as mangroves are sensitive to changes in inundation duration and frequency as well as salinity levels that exceed a species-specific physiological threshold of tolerance (Ball 1988, Friess et al. 2012). Increases in flooding duration can lead to plant death at the seaward mangrove margins (He et al. 2007) as well as shifts in species composition (Gilman et al. 2008), ultimately leading to a reduction in productivity (Castañeda-Moya et al. 2013) and ecosystem services. As a result of increased sea level rise, mangroves can respond by retreating shoreward. Mangrove roots serve as substrate for a well-managed oyster fishery, operated by women collectors. Mangroves are very important ecosystems for the artisanal coastal fisheries sector, serving as spawning grounds and nurseries for juvenile fish species. It is estimated that 51% of the fish caught in the artisanal fisheries benefit from the food chain related to mangroves, whereas

4 FAO http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/FCP/en/gmb/body.htm 5 FAO http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/FCP/en/gmb/body.htm 6 Ward, 2016, Impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems: a region by region overview

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practically the entire shrimp production depends on the mangrove habitat. Hyper-salinity in mangroves and other wetland ecosystems could result in systematic spawning and recruitment failures and reduced population of economically important fisheries species7.

Mangroves also provide coastal protection to sea level rise and extreme weather events. Finally, in the context of climate change mitigation, the role of mangroves as carbon sinks has become more and more apparent.

An increase in average temperature and reduced precipitation projected by GCM models (GOTG 2003) will affect the fisheries sector by altering fish habitat availability, quality, and potential for the habitat to sustain fish. For instance, a drop in mean annual run-off caused by reduced rainfall could result in a complete change in the hydrological and salinity balance of the River Gambia’s estuary, in turn affecting fish species abundance, composition, and distribution. Higher salinity at the mouth of the estuary, caused by reduced rainfall and freshwater sources and enhanced by sea level rise, may impede the entry of larvae and juveniles of many marine species (e.g. shrimp Penaeus notialis) into the estuary to complete their early lifecycle processes.

The projected rising air temperature is likely to contribute to an increase in water temperature in shallower coastal waters, including the mangrove forests. A temperature increase in the aquatic environment, in combination with factors as outlined above, is likely to impact marine and riverine ecosystems and dependent fisheries. These adverse implications, related to reduced oxygen availability due to the higher water temperature, can cause the reduction in total catch potential per stock and the reduction of biomass per individual animal (IPCC, 2014). In addition, rising aquatic temperatures are associated with the increasing risk of spreading pathogens affecting fish health and mortality rates and potentially containing health implications for humans when consuming aquatic products.

Furthermore, climate change may have an effect on the trade winds, which are at the basis of the so-called upwelling phenomenon, by which deep cold waters move vertically and push away the warmer surface waters. These colder waters are rich in nutrients, which form the basis of a complex food web, eventually determining the abundance of so-called small pelagic fish species (e.g. Sardinella maderensis, S. aurita and others). A reduced upwelling index will lead to reduced fish abundance and consequently reduced fish harvest. Fishers and fish farmers will bear the full force of these impacts through less stable livelihoods, changes in the availability and quality of fish for food, and rising risks to their health. Many fisheries-dependent communities already live a precarious and vulnerable existence because of poverty, lack of social services and essential infrastructure. The fragility of these communities is further undermined by overexploited fishery resources and degraded ecosystems. The implications of climate change for food security and livelihoods in these fisheries communities can be profound. The consequences for sustainability of aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, and the people that depend on them,are uncertain. To build resilience to the effects of climate change and derive sustainable benefits, fisheries and aquaculture managers needs to adopt and adhere to climate change adaptation best practices.

Project Development Objective The overall Developmental Objective of this project is to conserve and protect fisheries resources and their habitats in light of the impacts of climate change through sustainable mitigation and adaptation measures thereby enhancing climate resilience of fishing communities. It will contribute to the realization of The Gambia’s Climate Change Policy objectives. The project also builds of the First and Second National Communications and the National Adaptation Programme of Action by promoting adaptation measures within the fishery sector. The project will also contribute to promoting economic development to significantly improving the livelihoods of vulnerable and poor beneficiaries; youth and women in particular. The project will thereby contribute to employment opportunities for the youths and women of this country and in the process discourage migration. The project aims to promote strategies that would reduce post-harvest losses and CO2 emissions as well as protecting the mangrove cover.

For effective and efficient attainment of its Developmental Objective, the project is anchored on four interlinked components.

Component 1: Climate Proofing Fishery Infrastructure in coastal communities. Component 2: Restoration of fisheries habitat and promotion of climate resilient production techniques. Component 3: Enhancing capacity of fisher folk on climate change risk management. Component 4: Project coordination and implementation.

The project will be implemented within ten (10) communities along the Coast of The Gambia and it is estimated that 30,000 poor vulnerable people will benefit, who are directly and indirectly dependent on artisanal fisheries and their related activities of fishing (targeting, fish, shrimp, cephalopods, oysters, clams, etc.), fish processing and post-harvest operations. The project will also target women and youth as vulnerable populations.

7 The Earth Institute, Columbia University, 2011: Climate Change and Development in the Gambia

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Barriers to be Addressed Fisher folks in The Gambia face numerous barriers that prevent them from sustainably addressing the impacts of climate change on fisheries.

Weak knowledge on adaptive options and access to data Regional and local administrations providing extension services to fisher folks have limited knowledge on climate change risks, adaptation needs and options, creating de facto a knowledge and information gap that is isolating the fisher folks from any national effort aiming at addressing climate change impacts. Limited knowledge and limited awareness are also caused by limited or unreliable data collection and processing mechanisms to monitor climate change on fishery ecosystems especially in the estuary, due to inadequate capacity skills and human resources to conduct ecological research and monitoring. As a result, fisher folks do not receive proper training to increase their awareness on the different options available to adapt to climate change and do not receive adequate information and tools needed to efficiently and sustainably implement these options. High illiteracy level among communities in the rural areas is also affecting knowledge acquisition and retention.

Weak financial access Fisher folks are facing a financial barrier by not receiving adequate information on the different options available to financially sustain and increase their production, and by not being properly linked to micro-credit institutions. A baseline analysis of the different financial options available for the fisher folks and current gaps will be identified at funding proposal stage. Women generally do not have ownership of major properties and are not economically empowered to improve their productivity and gains.

Market Overview The Gambian fisheries sector has significant potentials to increase its contribution to national socio-economic development. It is a dynamic sector with a diversity of value chain actors operating a variety of small and micro-enterprise business activities that support their livelihoods and income sources. The country also offers great potential for increased aquaculture development. Artisanal fish catch, apart from being processed (dried and/or smoked) is transported fresh to the city, town and village level markets within the coastal and rural areas. Some of the processed fishery products (smoked or dried) are marketed within the country while others are exported to neighbouring West African countries where demand for fish is very high. The artisanal fish catch of high value fish species (shrimps, sole fish, sea breams, lobsters and cephalopods) are purchased by industrial fish processing companies for factory processing and export abroad, mainly to European Union countries. According to records of licensed vessels, over 95% of industrial fishing vessels in the marine waters of the Gambia are foreign vessels operating under contractual arrangements with Gambian companies. The fact that The Gambia does not have a port dedicated to industrial fishing operations, is used to justify the landing and processing of fish caught in Gambian waters outside The Gambia, leading to loss of foreign exchange, employment and the availability of fish for local consumption. B.2. Project / Programme description (max. 3 pages) Project Components The impacts of climate change that this project will address are sea level rise, temperature increase and increased salinity of the estuary, which will affect coastal fisheries infrastructure, damage mangroves and result in potential changes in the viability of fish species. Hence, the main interventions of the project will target climate proofing of existing infrastructure, supporting ecological mangrove plantation for fish-habitat health restauration and promoting alternative and sustainable climate resilient livelihoods activities such as aquaculture.

Component 1: Climate Proofing Small-Scale Fishery Infrastructure With increased sea levels, existing fishing facilities like jetties and fish storage centres built on the coastal fringes slightly above the mean high tide line will be subjected to more frequent tidal and storm inundation. This component will target interventions to improve facilities and infrastructure within fish landing sites to become more climate resilient. In fact, climate change was not factored in during the design and construction of current infrastructures, making them very vulnerable to climate change. The component will specifically address issues of; beach stabilization works, construction of haul-out ramps for small boats and rebuilding or relocating existing fisheries facilities. Upgrading of landing sites provides the opportunity to incorporate adaptation to climate change and raises developed awareness of climate change impacts and adaptive design options. The requested GCF proceeds will only go toward the additional cost of climate proofing based on climate resilient engineering standards.

Component 2: Restoration of fisheries habitat and promotion of climate resilient production techniques

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) in coastal areas including the context of mangroves are crucial for small-scale fishers’ livelihoods in The Gambia and are an integral part of many rural livelihood systems that are only indirectly linked to fisheries. The coastal SSF sector and the livelihood of coastal fisher folk, but also of other population groups in coastal areas are projected to be severely impacted by sea-level rise, flooding events and a general trend towards coastal inundation. In addition, coastal SSF dependent on sensitive ecosystems, such as mangroves, will be impacted by rising water levels and temperature that affects ecosystem functions. Climate adaptation measures are needed to protect the

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marine habitats from damages caused by sea level rise, increased aquatic temperature and change in seasonal rainfall patterns, and the demersal8 fisheries resources that are dependent on these habitats. In fact, mangrove systems are important habitats for fisheries in The Gambia as they provide spawning areas for several fish species and nursery habitats for fishes and lobsters. The activities include:

Sub-component 2.1: Restoration of habitat loss along the coastal settlements: Fisheries habitat will be preserved and restored through ecological9 mangrove planting. Mangroves planting will also help to stabilize coastal areas through sediment capture and bio-filtration of nutrients and some pollutants from the water, and thereby reducing coastal erosion. Restoration of mangroves habitats will also ensure

The mangrove forest in The Gambia is all part of the Department of Forestry’s protected areas except the Tanbi wetland, which is a mangrove formation under the protection and management of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM).

Sub-component 2.2: Small scale aquaculture: Small-scale aquaculture is an adaptation option in light of the impacts climate change is likely to have on capture fisheries by assisting in diversifying livelihoods. In fact, as the natural aquatic habitat of native coastal fish species is likely to be increasingly compromised due to factors such as rising water temperature and sea level rise implications for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, aquaculture provides a useful approach for maintaining overall productive capacity of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in The Gambia in spite of adverse climate change impacts. In particular, the extensive inundation of coastal areas requires a long-term strategy to maintain food production and livelihood options for fisher folk and other population groups located in relative proximity to coastal areas. The inundation, while being a threat to native ecosystems and traditional livelihoods, provides the opportunity to use formerly non-inundated lands to produce fish species that are adapted to conditions such as higher aquatic temperatures and changing saline conditions. The feasibility study and the climate impact assessment will assess the different aquaculture models (freshwater, brackish water, oyster farming) and will identify the most efficient and suitable ones for the specific project context in a changing climate.

In fact, in The Gambia, coastal aquaculture is developing and is likely to remain so in the near future. However, considering the potential increased climate change impacts on freshwater availability and quality it is difficult to predict the expansion of freshwater aquaculture in the midterm. Inland water aquaculture in existing water bodies such as reservoirs and rivers could also be introduced primarily through cage culture. The feasibility study will also indicate if the sub-component should include small-scale water storage infrastructure, such as on-farm ponds and small-scale irrigation systems to better mitigate the risks of climate change. The development of aquaculture activities will be in accordance/compliance with the potential carrying capacities of the water bodies and continual monitoring of environment variables in relation to nutrient loading, externally and internally. Sub-component 2.3: climate resilient and sustainable post-harvest technology: Introduction of FAO’s newly introduced fuelwood efficient smoking kilns, FTT-Thiaroye, as a climate resilient fisheries and aquaculture post-harvest technique for the beneficiaries of the project. The FTT-Thiaroye is an innovative and multivalent technique that has the potential to positively contribute to reducing post-harvest losses along the fisheries supply chain. The FTT technology produce dried and smoked products that meet food safety requirements, international standards and has been endorsed by competent authority as a certified product at the national, regional and international levels. This activity aims at sustainably supporting fisheries and aquaculture post production introduced by the project by allowing for drying and smoking operations regardless of weather conditions, reducing post-harvest losses (which at times exceed 50%) and provide the possibility to process by-products, such as soap and oil. The use of the FTT-Thiaroye kilns also have important mitigation co-benefits by reducing mangroves deforestation. In fact, current fish smoking techniques and equipment consume large quantities of firewood, which adds to depletion of forest resources and degradation of the environment and contribute to emission of greenhouse gases (CO2). Moreover, increasingly scarce supplies and high cost of firewood, leaves women fish smokers indiscriminately using other inappropriate alternative fuels such as cartons in fish smoking operations. These practices introduce toxic substances into smoked products in defiance of food safety requirements with medium to long-term health implications for processors and consumers.

An evaluation of the Gambian Community Fisheries Centres (CFC) indicated that cold storage facilities and cold chambers are operating at limited capacity, generating post-harvest productivity and efficiency losses. The beneficiaries will be able to better sustain the fisheries and aquaculture activities through a more efficient post-production system. The facilities will be equipped with solar-powered equipment, which will reduce emissions considerably and lessen the monetary burden on CFCs. The income generated from this activity will be placed in a community revolving fund to ensure the sustainability of the project components beyond the implementation period, to upscale specific project activities tested in the project and for community activities linked to increasing climate resiliency in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The calculations of savings based on the projected capacity of solar panels and the requirements of the facility to operate, as well as the operation and maintenance costs will be estimated in the funding proposal stage. More information on the

8 Demersal: Bottom dwelling, versus pelagic free swimming in open water, not linked to the bottom 9 This is a technique by which mangrove seeds are released during incoming high tides, assuming that they find their way naturally, instead of planting using manpower.

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management of the cold storage facilities and allocation to community activities will also be elaborated in the funding proposal stage.

Component 3: Enhancing capacity of fisher folks and institutions on climate change and risk management This component will support interventions related to capacity building and awareness creation with respect to climate change impacts within the fisheries sector and in particular in promoting aquaculture as alternative livelihood.

Sub-component 3.1: Climate Resilience Capacity Building for Local Institutions: Capacity building activities include workshops, training modules, and methods to increase climate resilience in the fisheries sector. This component will, moreover, support local authorities to monitor climate change effects on fishery ecosystems, especially in the estuary, and to routinely include climate risks and climate issues into planning processes, increase analytical skills and capabilities of stakeholders to analyse/model weather, communicate, and disseminate information to all actors and support the development of technological programs to aid in data collection. This will strenghten services such as early warning systems, scaled up from successful NAPA projects, that will be adapted to improve preparedness, operational efficiencies, and the application of best and cost effective adaptation options for viability of operations. District and Village Development Committees will also be targeted and strengthened, and the National Artisanal Safety at Sea Coordination Committee (NASSCC), originally created to discuss safety at sea matters between national responsible institutions and teams of head fishermen will include climate-change information events and responses.

Sub-component 3.2: Trainings for Fisher Folks: Trainings will aim at raising awareness and know-how on aquaculture as a climate change adaptation option, in particular for newcomer fisher folks, and on the climate resilient post-production practices introduced in component 2. To ensure financial sustainability of the activities, trainings will also include increasing knowledge on access to micro credits. The project will support fisher folk organizations that require strengthening and motivation around production, enterprise development and management of the local affairs of the community.

Component 4: Project coordination and implementation This component is geared towards facilitating project coordination and implementation arrangements. The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters will coordinate and implement the project in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources which is responsible for policy issues related to climate change. This will be done in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA) which has the responsibility to manage coastal zones, rivers and wetlands. Other stakeholders would be local communities and community groups, fishing associations, small-scale fisheries professionals and others with an interest or involvement with coastal fisheries, as well as relevant Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Project Rationale The Theory of Change defines the linkages between how project inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes will bring about impact and the intended paradigm shift. Figure 1 illustrates the pathway of change this projects is meant to follow. The inputs to the project will allow for a set of activities to take place, which in turn will produce the outputs and outcomes, defined as the four components to this project. These four components, brought together, will increase resilience in a variety of areas, culminating in the increased resilience of fishing communities against climate change consequences, the overall objective of this project. For example, the combination of human, financial, and technical inputs will allow for the instalment of FTT kilns, thereby giving communities access to low emissions processing methods, and allowing for climate resilient fish production. This then will increase health, well-being, income generation, food security and resilience of communities, contributing to the overall paradigm shift. Only when all of these components are brought together and properly interlinked can the environmental, economic, and social environment be created and aligned to allow for a successful paradigm shift.

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Figure.1: The Project's 'theory of change'/Logic Model

All stakeholders, especially the main targeted ones (youth and women) and relevant staff of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources will participate, directly or through their representatives, in the planning and delivery of all activities. It will be made sure that fishermen (beneficiaries) feel they are the owners and managers of supported activities, rather than passive recipients. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) clearly defining each party’s inputs will be drafted to avoid mishandling and carefree attitude of a deep-rooted culture of dependency.

Project Implementation The Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters (MoFWRNAM) as the line Ministry for the development of fisheries and aquaculture in The Gambia, will coordinate and execute the project, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MoECCNR). The leadership guidance for the implementation of this project will be entrusted to a Project Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), which will assign a National Project Coordinator (NPC) in close collaboration with FAO. The NPC will be responsible for the overall coordination and liaise with FAO. The NPC and relevant support staff (Fisheries specialist, M&E Officer, and Procurement Officer, etc.) will form the Project Management Unit. All communications will be channelled through the NPC who will also be reporting to the PSC and MoFWRNAM. The FAO Representative in The Gambia will have a supervisory role in the implementation of activities.

Risks and Mitigation The following risks are anticipated during the implementation of the project. The potential impact, probability of encountering the risk and possible mitigation methods are provided for each anticipated risk.

Increased resilience of fishing communities against the consequences to climate change threats

Paradigm Shift

Increased resilience of: - Vulnerable people and communities- Health, well-being, food and water security- Infrastrucutre- Ecosystem and ecosystem services

Impact

-Outcome 1: Climate resilient fishery infrastructure introduced-Outcome 2: Strengthening climate resilient livelihoods by promoting climate resilient production techniques and restoration of fisheries habitats- Outcome 3:Strengthening capacities of fisher folks on climate change and riskOutcome4: Project implemented with a result based management framework and best practises and lessons learnt disseminated.

outcomes

- Enhanced adaptive capacities and resilience of coastal communities- Access to low emission production and processing facilities for health and income security of coastal communities- Strengthened capacity and reduced exposure to climate risks for key stakeholders through value addition and diversification. - Improved resilience of ecosystems and ecosystem services

outputs

- Capacity building- Procuement and installation of project related inputs- Routine extension and monitoring srevices- Collaboration, partnerships and networking for effective implementation

Activities

- Human & financial resources- Sensitization and training materials- Technical expertise (trainers & advisers)

Inputs

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Table. 1: Risks and Mitigation

B.3. Expected project results aligned with the GCF investment criteria (max. 3 pages)

Climate Impact Potential This project will address all four results areas associated with increased resilience.

1. Increased resilience of vulnerable people and communities The project will increase the resilience of 30,000 men and women directly and, 300,000 men and women indirectly in The Gambia by promoting the adoption of adaptive climate-resilient options in light of the predicted impacts that climate change will have on fisheries and by the promotion of capacity building. Emphasis will be placed on vulnerable youth and women.

2. Increased resilience of health and well-being, food and water security The introduction of fuelwood efficient smoking kilns will improve health by enabling women fish-smokers to shift from the current techniques producing toxic smoke and reduce the burden of women to collect firewood. Fish is the major source of protein for most Gambians, with per capita fish consumption of about 23 kg, which is higher than that of other sources of protein (from livestock and poultry). The marine and coastal fisheries provide for the bulk of the fish harvest; consequently, any negative fluctuation in fish stocks in these areas— which various climate change scenarios predict will occur—will severely impact the wellbeing of the population. The protection of the natural habitat of fish resources and the introduction of alternative climate resilient livelihoods, such as aquaculture, will avoid fish stock decrease, enhance optimal exploitation of fish resources, and reduce the demand and supply disequilibria and thus improving food security.

3. Increased resilience of infrastructure and built environment Component 1 will target small-scale climate proofed infrastructure. Interventions will be made to make fish landing site facilities and small-scale infrastructure more climate resilient, and to upgrade facilities with adaptive designs. Investing in fixed and mobile cold storage facilities (e.g. with solar panels), modern retail sales outlets, and fish processing facilities will enable the strengthening of commercial services to sell to both artisanal and industrial operators and support other (separate) commercial activities in different sectors, leading to significant growth potential in poultry, beef, fruit and vegetable businesses. The small savings generated will be deposited in a maintenance fund account which the beneficiaries will use for maintenance purposes of the facilities. This will ensure sustainability and durability of the facilities.

4. Increased resilience of ecosystems and ecosystem services Component 2 will ensure sustainable exploitation of the fisheries resources to maintain a coherent set of critical habitats necessary for the dynamic functioning of ecological processes essential to the regeneration of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity. Marine and mangrove habitats, along with their ecosystem services will be restored by extending the existing protected areas.

Mitigation co-benefits from the project activities include the expected emissions reduction of 32% of the high baseline in 2025 and 2030 (821 GgCO2e in 2025 and 880 GgCO2 in 2030). Reductions of the low baseline are expected to be 31% (471 GgCO2e) in 2025 and 30% (473 GgCO2e) in 2030.

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Paradigm Shift Potential for scaling up and replication Climate-resilient infrastructure development (component 1), adaptation of solar power in building designs (component 2), and promotion of FTT kilns (component 2) are activities that can be scaled-up and adapted in communities throughout The Gambia, leading to large changes within the energy sector and great social, economic, and environmental co-benefits, including greater GHG emission reductions. The FTT kilns have caused a revolution in fish smoking in other West African nations, where kiln adaptation significantly improved the lives of women by allowing them to avoid contamination of fish flesh with toxic compounds, reduce toxic smoke production, and produce export-worthy products. Health complaints also ceased completely, time spent processing fish reduced, and monthly net revenues increased. Similar benefits are expected to be seen across The Gambia. The use of the FTT-Thiaroye means less deforestation and better protection of mangroves, resulting in a positive impact on natural resources. Aquaculture development projects (component 2) will also be scaled up and, combined with the kiln technology, will greatly enhance the marketing potential of fish and fishery products. Value-added fishery products are crucial determinants of the benefits that can be gained from the resource, as market destination based on value greatly determines product price. The project will scale up successful activities from past projects, in particular GEF, and create synergies with current initiatives in the coastal area. The project will also provide detailed knowledge on the flow of fishery products, particularly coastal pelagic fish, to design management measures in line with effective exploitation of resources. Good fisheries management practices for small pelagic fish will start at critical sites, such as MPAs, and then will be replicated across other areas.

Potential for knowledge and learning This project creates knowledge and learning potential at both the local and national levels. On the local level, this project will build capacities of fisher folk organizations and improve organizational structure to ensure management practice implementation, monitoring and response, and to enhance the participatory process for fishery value chain actors. Along with providing in-depth and reliable knowledge on the effect of climate change on ecosystems for decision-making to fisher folk organization members, this project will train fishermen in data collection, by exploring the possibilities of developing fisheries “apps” for use on smart phones and tablets supplied to extension workers, enabling real time data input into a fisheries database system. Information collected will increase the analytical skills and capabilities of stakeholders to analyse, model and package weather, climate and hydrological information, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of crucial monitoring, forecasting and warning institutions. This will allow The Gambia to overcome barriers in reliable data collection and processing to monitor fishery ecosystem health, climate information dissemination, and the sending of early warning messages to end users. Through encouraging collaboration and joint capacity building of various CBOs and stakeholders, a culture of exchanging, sharing and capitalizing on experiences will be developed and carried on after project completion.

On the national level, this project calls for the collaboration between the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters with the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and the National Environment Agency. A greater integration of climate related issues across governmental bodies will create a platform from which climate change can be integrated into policies of all sectors.

Contribution to the creation of an enabling environment Outcomes from this project will be sustained past project completion by the enabling environment this project will create. In order for climate change policies to be sustainably implemented, increased awareness of climate and climate change impacts on fisheries is required. Component 3 addresses this issue by raising awareness to climate change issues among stakeholders. Only after stakeholders become educated on climate change issues and adaptation measures can climate change be integrated into fisheries planning with risk evaluation and risk criteria, critical fishery habitats restored and protected, and strategies on seasonal and ‘resting periods’ developed. The collaboration this project calls between government bodies and stakeholder organizations will also create a unified approach towards climate change issues that will continue beyond the project timeline. In addition the strengthening of community-based organizations and the District and Village Development Committees, which act as key intermediaries among the national, regional and local levels, will lead to greater coherence among stakeholders and allow members to better capitalize on new market opportunities.

In terms of market transformation, this project will attract the development of small scale and commercial aquaculture markets and attract different stakeholders involved in the value chain. Aquaculture development will promote fishery products with increased value and thus will open access to additional international markets, especially within Europe where historically more financial returns have been generated, thus attracting private sector engagement. New market development brings with it major employment opportunities along the entire fishery production chain and will further empower women, given their significant role in the fish processing value chain. Promoting aquaculture will include co-benefits such as reduce stress on natural fish stocks and adopting FTT kilns will reduce stress on mangroves, allowing for traditionally over-fished species to recover. This combination of project components will provide The Gambia with healthy fish stocks that can continued to be sustainably exploited in light of climate change and sold in larger international markets after project completion.

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Contribution to the regulatory framework and policies Through capacity enhancement and stakeholder involvement and consultation, stronger institutional and legal environment for fishery initiatives and fisheries research programs in academic and technical institutions in light of climate change will be developed. With increased stakeholder involvement resulting from capacity enhancement, there will be greater integration of climate change into fishery management strategies and greater attention will be given to the use of ecosystem indicators that relate to environmental health and climate change. Key stakeholders play an important role in policy review and this bottom-up approach will lead to the strengthening of institutional and legal environments for fisheries initiatives taking into consideration climate, Component 4 specifically focuses on enhancing the coordination between government bodies, local communities, fishing associations, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations to ensure the implementation of policies resulting from this project. This project also encompasses the goals of several national policies, such as the National Climate Change Policy and INDC, among others, and builds on progress made by other international projects, promoting greater strengthening and unification of national regulatory frameworks and policies.

Innovation Innovations come in the form of new fish production methods through aquaculture and fish processing techniques through the FTT kiln. The introduction of aquaculture and oyster farming has environmental benefits, by protecting already fully exploited/over-exploited oyster stocks and reducing damage to the mangroves ecosystem, and commercial benefits, as oysters harvested from the wild tend to be smaller and less homogeneous than cultured oysters. Coupled with the increased and improved fish processing capabilities with the kiln, the creation of an aquaculture market and an enabling environment that this project will also cultivate, the development of oyster aquaculture is likely to generate significant employment, particularly for poor women from marginalized communities.

Sustainable Development This project will provide direct employment to over 30,000 fisher folks, and will benefit all those involved in the production and distribution cycle. In addition to the direct adaptation outcomes, this project also creates environmental, social and economic co-benefits and gender-sensitive development impact.

Environmental Co-benefits Infrastructure climate proofing will lead to replacement of traditional sources of energy with renewable sources, reducing GHG emissions and pollution. Cold rooms will lead to reduced food waste, with surplus production being able to be safely stored for leaner periods. Resilient and efficient smoking facilities, resulting from Component 2, will improve air quality, reduce smoke related health complication, and limit exploitation of mangrove forests. Component 2 and 3 will raise awareness on marine protected areas to conserve and protect important habitats such as spawning and nursery areas, ,and will provide opportunities in ecotourism, sports fishing, and aquaculture.

Social Co-benefits Social benefits include community training, education, and capacity development. This will lead to greater overall understanding of climate change issues and adaptation methods, creating a sense of ownership and empowerment among communities. Strengthening of community and fishery organizations, as well as other stakeholder groups, will allow for consistent and effective policy and management development, communication and implementation, as well as ensuring community participation and support. The needs of women and youth, the most vulnerable populations, are addressed with project components increasing livelihood generating activities and participation in community organizations, while reducing health risks. Efficient smoking techniques will decrease women’s burden to collect firewood and will give them more time to spend on other activities. As development co-benefits, some mangroves species can also be used for food and medicinal purposes.

Economic Co-benefits Aquaculture component by capacity building and trainings will allow for increased fish production and productivity, bridging the gap between fish demand and supply in rural households. Aquaculture activities create large number of jobs and provide alternative livelihood, further reducing pressure on marine resources. Embracing aquaculture and the FTT kilns, new opportunities for exporting and benefiting from fishery products will emerge, providing foreign currency for sustained economic growth. The kilns will also reduce time women spend processing fish, giving them time for alternative income activities. Women will also be trained to integrate horticulture and aquaculture into their gardening activities, expanding their economics streams. Increased cold storage will reduce financial losses vendors experience when over-production from one season cannot be stored and sold in unproductive months.

Gender-sensitive development impact The project acknowledges that women capacities are strongly enhanced for employment in capture fisheries and aquaculture. Gender issues will be strongly addressed as the project adopts a gender-sensitive approach. The project will also promote sustainable aquaculture practices and farming technologies that can contribute to reduce pressure on the natural resource base.

Needs of Recipients Fishing communities along the coast in the Gambia are subject not only to sea-level rise, but also flooding and resulting saltwater intrusion. Storms and other severe climate events also impact fisher folk’s safety at sea, coastal livelihoods,

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and fish production. Communities highly dependent on fisheries for livelihoods occupy low-lying lands and are exposed to climate change impacts associated with riverine and coastal zones. Fishing facilities are most vulnerable in coastal communities and vary widely in degree of development from minimal, such as in Sanyang, Bato Kunku and Kartong where there are few storage lockers and a covered area for working on gear, to extensively developed, such as in Gunjur and Tanji Landing Sites where there are small complexes with (dysfunctional) cold storage, offices, and retail areas. The economic situation of the country, especially the burgeoning debt situation (120% of GDP), and as a result, debt service has somewhat crowded out government spending on critical sectors such as fisheries. The Government budget allocated to Fisheries Department is not sufficient to address the needs of the fisheries sector in a climate change context. It is slow to pursue the fisheries management innovation and changes required for both artisanal and industrial sectors, which include:

• Enhancing the institutional and technical capacity of the Fisheries Department and communities in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

• Conducting training at all appropriate levels in climate-proofing Fisheries and aquaculture • Strengthening productivity and production of the Fisheries Department fisher folks and stakeholders in fish

processing • Improving women’s working conditions at all landing sites through upgrading facilities and provisioning

appropriate training and equipment. Country Ownership This project is building on results of previous funded fisheries projects such as AfDB-funded Gambia Artisanal Fisheries Development Project (GAFDP). The project will ensure that the benefits of previous projects are sustained and will cover not only the climate proofing of fisheries facilities and infrastructure but will also develop sustainable management of fisheries resources and provide training for fisheries actors, enhancing policy coordination and implementation. Ongoing policies and actions this project will build oninclude:

National Development Plan– Emphasizes effective and efficient monitoring, control and surveillance system to safeguard fisheries and marine resources and promotes fishermen training to enable them to adopt responsible fishing practices.

First and Second National Communications and the National Adaptation Programme of Action – Lays out appropriate measures to adapt to negative impacts of climate change in the fisheries sector .

National Climate Change Policy – Promotes sustainable adaptive management of fisheries resources through strengthening the resilience of the resource base through sustainable management of fisheries, including adapting appropriate fishing methods to reduce by-catch and harm to endangered mammalian species. The overall goal of the National Climate Change Policy is, by 2025, to achieve the mainstreaming of climate change into national planning, budgeting, decision-making, and programme implementation, through effective institutional mechanisms, coordinated financial resources, and enhanced human resources capacity.

GOTG medium term plan (MTP) for fisheries sector – Recommends review of fisheries legislation and preparation of a fisheries policy that promotes resources management and conservation.

Intended National Determined Contributions (INDC) – Includes adaptation policy goals to increase infrastructure resilience, improve disaster preparedness, incorporate climate change into agriculture practices and sectoral policies, enhance the resilience of coastal zones and communities, and promote ecosystem restoration.

These policies contribute toward the realization of the Vision 2020 goals of a well-educated, trained, skilled, healthy, self-reliant and enterprising population, while guaranteeing a well-balanced ecosystem and a decent standard of living for everyone under a system of government based on the consent of the citizenry. This project is aligned with the above policies’ objectives and goals by promoting, through the fishery sector, effective management of ecosystems and biodiversity, increased resilience to climate change impacts, and sustainable low-carbon socio-economic development.

This project will also build on past and current projects funded by international organizations including: • JICA funded CFC management restructuring project – Working with committees in Tanji and Gunjur (areas where

JICA has previously provided ice plants) • USAID Project – Established several Landing Site Co-Management Committees (LACOMs) and Tanbi Cockle

and Oyster Fishery Management Committees within co-management projects • GoWAMER and WADAF-ADEPA Projects – Providing technical assistance to variety of communities • UNDP Project– Supporting training of youths and women in aquaculture technique and entrepreneurship • FAO project - Support to enhancing the capacity of youth and women for employment in aquaculture • Wetland International and GEF-UNDP Projects– Supporting mangrove related activities • GEF-UNEP/UNDP Projects – Supporting initiatives in climate resilient efforts focused on adaptation and

mitigation • GEF UNDP LCDF - Enhancing Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Areas and Communities to Climate Change in

the Republic of The Gambia • GEF UNIDO: Strengthening Adaptative Capacities to Climate Change through Capacity Building for small

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• scale Enterprises and Communities Dependent on Coastal Fisheries in The Gambia • World Bank Project-West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP) – focusing on Brufut landing site

development • FAO, WB, AfDB African Package for Climate-Resilient Ocean Economies – Addressing climate change priorities

by investing in fields of fisheries and aquaculture, carbon sequestration, safety at sea, coastal protection, transport/trade, waste, tourism, hydromet systems/early warning systems, and ocean energy.

• The proposed project will coordinate with the ongoing GCF project ‘’ Large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation in the Gambia River Basin: developing a climate resilient, natural resource based economy’’ to avoid duplication by not targeting the same areas and activities, and will ensure complementarity and synergies when possible.

The implementation of some climate change related projects and the NAPA and NAMA processes have enabled the country to build capacities within established ministries and agencies that will aid in the implementation of this project. These include the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Natural Resources in conjunction with the National Disaster Management Agency, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Working Group and the National Climate Committee (NCC).

Efficiency and Effectiveness Environmental impact assessment There will be no habitat destruction as a result from construction works on the land-based structures, aquaculture structures will be designed in such a way to minimize environmental impact and there will only be vegetation clearing in areas deemed strictly necessary. Sewage and solid waste will be disposed of in proper waste disposal structures. Fishers will be encouraged to reuse deteriorated fish as baits and fish waste will be used as compost for agricultural purposes and fish feed. This project encourages the reuse of waste generated from fish as compost to reduce environmental damages and health risks and to provide alternative income sources.

Economic Analysis Quantitative economic analysis and feasibility assessments will be conducted for activities involving climate proofed infrastructure, aquaculture schemes, and improved FTT processing facilities. The project will embrace easily available and adoptable simple technologies, and through stakeholder and community consultations will also incorporate local traditional technologies. The project will build on current initiatives therefore enabling economies of scale.

Sensitivity analysis Specific attention will be paid to relevant aspects of gender during the formulation of data collection instruments and project implementation based on guidance from relevant instruments (e.g. Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, SSF Guidelines and the VGGT). A gender review of all documents will be part of the clearance process. The indicators will be disaggregated by gender.

C. Indicative financing / Cost information (max. 3 pages) C.1. Financing by components (max ½ page) Please provide an estimate of the total cost per component and disaggregate by source of financing.

Component Indicative cost (USD)

GCF financing Co-financing Amount (USD)

Financial Instrument

Amount (USD)

Financial Instrument

Name of Institutions

Component 1: Climate proofing fishery infrastructure along coastal communities

3,736,356

3,736,356

GCF grant

TBD Ministry of Finance

Component 2: Restoration of fisheries habitat and promotion of climate-resilient production techniques

7,345,903

7,345,903

GCF grant

TBD

Component 3: Enhancing capacity of

2,833,624

2,833,624

GCF grant

TBC

PROJECT / PROGRAMME CONCEPT NOTE Template V.2.0 GREEN CLIMATE FUND | PAGE 13 OF 4

fisher folks on climate change risk management

Component 4: Project coordination and implementation

1,393,050

1,393,050

GCF grant

$1,937,045

Ministry of Finance

Indicative total cost (USD)

$17,245,978

$15,310,000 grant

$1,937,045

C.2. Justification of GCF funding request (max 1 page) Explain why the Project/ Programme requires GCF funding, i.e. explaining why this is not financed by the public and/ or private sector(s) of the country. Civil society and private sector

As recognised in the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), there is substantial interest from NGOs in The Gambia to engage the government and work with the private sector to implement projects and finance capacity development, which has yet to be mobilized and harmonized in the country’s efforts to respond to climate change. However, The Gambia is a heavily taxed economy constrained by inadequate budget, dependence on donor funding, limited resources and over-stretched by ambitious development plans. The Gambia’s climate change priority action plan for 2012–2015 and the National Climate Change Policy 2016, require in excess of an estimated US$1.35 billion in climate financing by 2030. At the moment, available climate financing targets adaptation and resilience, while mitigation will need more financial resources in both the medium and the long run. The climate change financing represents approximately 12% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per annum over the next fifteen years (GDP at market prices as of 2013). Of this financing, adaptation costs will account for approximately 10% and mitigation costs for 2% of the annual GDP. In order to address financial constraints, remove financial barriers and bridge financial gaps, the government continuously draws down on public sources and public investments supplemented by donor funding, which has been shrinking. This has compelled the government to work harder to initiate innovative financing mechanisms with potential to leverage private sector investment and provide incentives to support mitigation projects.

Describe alternative funding options for the same activities being proposed in the Concept Note, including an analysis of the barriers for the potential beneficiaries to access to finance and the constraints of public and private sources of funding.

In March 2017 UNDP/GEF funded project commenced work to provide short term protection to the Senegambia frontage, by providing defence on the hotel structures which is positive for coastal zone management and the potential for more sustainable methods to achieve future coastal resilience.

Justify the rationale and level of concessionality of the GCF financial instrument(s) as well as how this will be passed on to the end-users and beneficiaries. Justify why this is the minimum required to make the investment viable and most efficient considering the incremental cost or risk premium of the Project/ Programme (refer to Decisions B.12/17; B.10/03; and B.09/04 for more details). The justification for grants and reimbursable grants is mandatory.

In a country classified as Least Developed Country (LDC) where more than 48 percent of the population live below the UN-established poverty line (US$ 1.25 per day), the average rate of youth (18–30 years) unemployment nears 38 percent (and can reach 67.6 percent in some regions) and the average female unemployment is close to 45 percent, such threats to the fisheries sector will lead to damaging social consequences. There is a massive financial burden for the government to not only cover losses due to climate change events, but also implement climate change adaptation and mitigation policies. The Government is requesting 100% of GCF assistance fund in the form of grants that will be administered through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs according to work plans. The Government will facilitate GCF and those acting on its behalf, providing access to project sites as well as to any public information/documentation deemed necessary for the execution of the project. It will also provide any other pertinent information when requested by experts. The Government will also make available office space and facilities for use by the consultants for the project activities and appropriate venue for the training sessions and meetings. Necessary steps will be taken to ensure a smooth implementation of the project, including supporting the field work, facilitating missions by FAO and other experts and preparing workshops. Consultant clearances, duty exemption and custom clearance of imported equipment and tax-free local purchase of project equipment and supplies will also be ensured by the Government. C.3. Sustainability and replicability of the project (exit strategy) (max. 1 page) The involvement and participation of beneficiaries and stakeholders in the project design stages provide a sense of ownership at the local community levels and ensure the project’s sustainability and continuity. Stakeholder suggestions, such as providing trainings on fisheries resources and environmental management, renewing management contracts to clearly define the roles of each party and strengthening private public partnerships to ensure project sustainability, will be

PROJECT / PROGRAMME CONCEPT NOTE Template V.2.0 GREEN CLIMATE FUND | PAGE 14 OF 4

adapted into project design. The capacity building and training activities that will be delivered during project implementation for all stakeholders and beneficiaries will contribute to enhancing the sustainability of project gains beyond implementation. Periodic participatory monitoring and evaluation of the project will provide for timely corrective measures or redirection of planned intervention activities, and increase chances for better uptake and sustainability. Addressing the felt needs of beneficiaries and the resulting benefits in terms of material, skills and knowledge gains, and the use of national expertise, will ensure that the lessons learned, documents produced and the activities implemented during the project remains in the possession of beneficiaries and the appropriate partner institutions for sustained use.

Project implementation will involve the adoption and application of climate sensitive technologies and best practices which, in light of capacities, skill and knowledge imparted and given their positive impact on climate change will result in increased sustainability of initiatives and interventions. Improved capacities of beneficiaries including fisher folk producer associations and their members will impact on their abilities to manage their own affairs in an equitable, transparent and effective way and contribute to consolidating and sustaining gains at end of project implementation and beyond. The program will have a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure that activities, progress, as well as risks and outputs are continuously monitored, and reported on. A monitoring and evaluation protocol will be designed for continuous assessment of progress of project implementation to ensure that the project objectives are being fully achieved. Toward this end, the Fisheries Department will leverage the expertise of FAO, together with Department of Planning (under the Ministry of Agriculture), the lead agency for M&E functions in the agriculture and natural resources policy. However, the Fisheries Department will also take an active part in collecting and analysing data for M&E purposes, to ensure quality and timely information. In this regard, the Director of Fisheries will designate Fisheries Department staff responsible for the M&E functions of the Department.

Increased production and productivity with climate resilient handling, processing and storage resulting from this project ensures continuity in the project activities and builds the necessary trust in local supply of produce and products and hence, safeguard against dependence on importation. These, in turn, will encourage demand and supply driven production and create opportunities for increased employment and income generation, thereby enhancing the sustainability of enterprises and incomes. C.4 Engagement among the NDA, AE, and/or other relevant stakeholders in the country (max ½ page) The project has been developed as a result of close consultations with relevant national authorities in the countries on their needs and priorities. The project responds to some of the immediate adaptation needs identified as national priorities in the NAPA by government officials, NGOs/CBOs, local communities and other stakeholders. Local stakeholders, partners, and government bodies will be updated and again consulted with as the project continues to develop. The NDA of this project, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, is behind this project and supports its development and implementation. The executive entity is the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters.

Close consultations with FAO, as the AE, continue to take place as the project further develops. The Gambia has a close working relationship with FAO since the FAO Country Representation in the Gambia was established in 1978. FAO Country Representation achievements in The Gambia have since 2005 been evidenced by the 41 Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs), 5 FAQ Trust Fund projects, 5 OSRO funded Projects and Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) and 22 Tele-food Mini Projects. FAO has a demonstrated comparative advantage and leadership in supporting government in defining national policy and strategies for agricultural and natural resources development, food and nutrition security, and for mobilizing resources to support the implementation of programmes and projects. The Gambia belongs to the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SFW) under the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and can thus tap from the knowledge base of its experts as well as of the technical officers at FAO headquarters. This GCF project also recognizes and supports other FAO-led projects in The Gambia, including the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project, EAF-Nansen Project, the Ocean Initiative, and other activities as a member of the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) and its Sub-Regional Fisheries Committee (SRFC). D. Supporting documents submitted (OPTIONAL) ☐ Map indicating the location of the project/programme ☒ Diagram of the theory of change ☐ Financial Model ☐ Pre-feasibility Study ☐ Evaluation Report of previous project

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Self-awareness check boxes

Are you aware that the full Funding Proposal and Annexes will require these documents? Yes ☒ No ☐ • Feasibility Study • Environmental and social impact assessment or environmental and social management framework • Stakeholder consultations at national and project level implementation including with indigenous

people if relevant • Gender assessment and action plan • Operations and maintenance plan if relevant • Loan or grant operation manual as appropriate • Co-financing commitment letters Are you aware that a funding proposal from an accredited entity without a signed AMA will be reviewed but not sent to the Board for consideration? Yes ☒ No ☐