USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan Date: 15 May 2023 Version: Approved (17 August, 2023) Contract Number: 72036723C00001 Activity Start and End Dates: November 4, 2022 – November 3, 2027 Submitted by: DAI Global, LLC This publication was produced by USAID Biodiversity under Contract No. 72036723C00001 at the request of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID. The contents of this publication are the responsibility of DAI Global LLC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 List of Abbreviations AQL Acceptable Quality Level ADS Automated Directives System AM Activity Manager CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CHAL Chitwan Annapurna Landscape CIRS Context Indicator Reference Sheet CLA Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting COR Contracting Officer’s Representative CWI Climate and Weather Information DDL Development Data Library DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse DIS Development Information Solution DMP Data Management Plan DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid DQA Data Quality Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment GESI Gender Equality and Social Inclusion GIS Geographic Information System GON Government of Nepal GPS Global Positioning System HWC Human Wildlife Conflict IP Implementing partner KCL Karnali Conservation Landscape KSL Kailash Sacred Landscape LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender M&E Monitoring & Evaluation MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MSME Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises N/A Not applicable NRM Natural Resource Management USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 PEA Political Economy Analysis PES Payment for Ecosystem Services PII Personally Identifiable Information PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheet PITT Performance Indicator Tracking Table PLGSP Provincial and Local Government Support Program PPPs Public Private Partnership PPR Performance Plan and Report QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan RM Rural Municipality TAL Terai Arc Landscape TBD To Be Determined USAID United States Agency for International Development VRA Vulnerability and Risk Assessments WRM Water Resource Management USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 Table of Contents Summary: 1 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Activity Theory of Change (TOC) 3 1.2. Results Framework 3 1.3. Geographic Focus 5 2. Monitoring Plan 5 2.1. Performance Monitoring 7 2.2. Context Monitoring 9 3. Stakeholder Feedback Plan 10 4. Evaluation Plan 13 4.1. Plans for Collaborating with External Evaluators 13 5. Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Approach 13 6. Data Management Plan 17 6.1. Data Collection 17 6.2. Data Quality Assurance 18 6.3. Data Storage and Security 18 6.4. Data Aggregation 19 6.5. Data Disaggregation 19 6.6. Data Security 20 6.7. Data Analysis and Use 20 6.8. Data Reporting 21 7. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan 22 8. Resources 22 9. Roles and Responsibilities 22 10. Schedule of Activity MEL Plan Tasks 24 11. Schedule of Activity MEL Plan Deliverables 25 12. Change Log 25 Annexes: 26 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 Annex I: Activity Locations 26 Annex I(a): Administrative Boundaries 25 Annex II: Performance Indicator Tracking Table 33 Annex III: Performance Indicator Reference Sheets 45 Annex IV: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) 112 Annex V: Logic Model 119 Annex VI: Glossary of MEL Key Terms 123 Table of Figures Figure 1 Result Framework ...........................................................................................................................3 Figure 2 USAID Biodiversity Priority Index Map............................................................................................5 Figure 3 USAID Biodiversity Logic Model......................................................................................................9 Figure 4 USAID Biodiversity Data Flow Chart..............................................................................................25 Figure 5 USAID Biodiversity Periodic Performance Reporting....................................................................26 Figure 6 USAID Biodiversity Priority Activity Locations ..............................................................................26 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 1 Summary: USAID Biodiversity aims to reduce multiple threats to ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard the future. To accomplish this, USAID Biodiversity will implement activities aligned with three mutually interrelated and reinforcing objectives: Objective 1 – Improve the health of ecosystems, Objective 2 – Strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards, and Objective 3 – Enhance the climate resilience of natural and human ecosystems. The activity covers the period between November 4, 2022 and November 3 2025 (base years), with option to November 3, 2027 (option years). The activity is implemented in GoN designated 4 conservation landscapes. The working area will be around 75 Municipalities/Rural Municipalities within 6 provinces scattered across these landscapes. Major components of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) include the activity’s Theory of Change, logic model, performance monitoring, stakeholder’s feedback plan, evaluation plan; collaborating, learning and adapting plan AMELP include activity theory of change, logic model, performance monitoring, stakeholder’s feedback plan, evaluation plan; collaborating, learning and adapting plan including the learning questions; data management plan which includes data collection, analysis, storage and data quality control; quality assurance surveillance plan and schedule of MEL Plan tasks and deliverables. Further, the Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT) and Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) have been annexed, which defines each indicator, sets the targets, frequency of data collection and the data collection methodologies. The AMELP contains a total of 19 performance indicators including 14 standard and 5 custom indicators (including one Mission PMP indicator). Data will be collected for each indicator using a variety of methodologies, including but not limited to household surveys, capacity assessments, literature reviews, and key informant interviews. To monitor the quality of the indicator data, USAID Biodiversity will conduct internal and external data quality assessments. Internal DQAs will occur quarterly by the MEL team, while external DQAs of standard indicators will be conducted in collaboration with USAID, with involvement of respective technical leads. Regular site monitoring including thematic monitoring and joint monitoring with stakeholders will be organized to track activity progress and observe challenges and issues faced and plan for the mitigation of the issues. As part of the overall learning process, a learning plan will be developed to capture and apply learning from the activity interventions. Pause and reflect sessions will be organized to review the activity progress, monitoring data, the learning questions, the Theory of Change, challenges faced and new learnings. The MEL Plan covers USAID Biodiversity’s five-year base and option periods from November 4, 2022 – November 3, 2027. 1. Introduction The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Biodiversity activity (hereafter “USAID Biodiversity”) aims to reduce multiple threats to ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard the future. To accomplish this, USAID Biodiversity will implement activities aligned with three mutually interrelated and reinforcing objectives: improve the USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 2 health of ecosystems (Objective 1), strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards (Objective 2), and enhance the climate resilience of natural and human ecosystems (Objective 3). USAID Biodiversity will achieve measurable conservation targets within the biodiversity-rich, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL), Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL), Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape (KCL) while increasing resilience to climate change and contributing to the inclusive and sustainable development of the Nepali people. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan serves as a “living document” to guide USAID Biodiversity's monitoring, evaluation, and learning functions. The main purpose of USAID Biodiversity’s MEL Plan is to contribute to the activity performance by providing timely and accurate data and results and, through the learning function, enable adaptive management. This MEL Plan will serve as a guide for USAID Biodiversity in effectively setting up monitoring and evaluation systems, making data-informed decisions on activity strategy and ensuring timely implementation and achievement of contract results. The MEL Plan outlines an approach and process to monitoring the activity, evaluating its outcomes and impacts, and crafting a learning agenda. It also describes how the data will be managed, performance reported, and learning and knowledge generated from the interventions documented. The MEL Plan includes indicator details in the Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT) and Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS). This document will be updated annually in conjunction with the work plan development throughout the life of the activity. The USAID Biodiversity results will contribute to the achievement of multiple Development Objectives (DO) under the USAID/Nepal Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025. USAID Biodiversity directly responds to DO2: Broad-based and Inclusive Economic Growth Fostered, through Intermediate Result (IR) 2.1 (Inclusive, Private Sector-Driven Growth in Agriculture promoted) and IR 2.4 (Marginalized Vulnerable Communities Integrated into Market Systems). The activity will also contribute to DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased). In line with the DOs, USAID Biodiversity also addresses the four key criteria outlined in the USAID Biodiversity policy. 1) The program must have an explicit biodiversity objective; 2) Activities must be identified based on an analysis of drivers and threats to biodiversity and a corresponding theory of change; 3) Site-based programs must have the intent to positively impact biodiversity in biologically significant areas; 4) The program must monitor indicators associated with a stated theory of change for biodiversity conservation results. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 3 As USAID Biodiversity’s main purpose or objective is to improve natural resources (freshwater and forest) safeguards and security to develop Nepal as a stable, resilient, and reliable economic partner by improving the conservation of key habitats and ecosystems, developing the capacity to implement environmental safeguards and strengthen the climate resilience of human and ecological communities through gender equality and social inclusion. Nepal Biodiversity will achieve this by consistently monitoring the threats to implementation through political economy analysis (PEAs), context monitoring, ensuring all monitoring indicators are directly associated with the theory of change, and adapting interventions based on community stakeholder feedback. All site interventions will also be developed in co-creation workshops with local stakeholders that ensure local government buy-in, and the project will ensure community stakeholders have the opportunity to participate in interventions and report intervention change recommendations through participatory rural appraisals, and participatory monitoring. 1.1. Activity Theory of Change (TOC) From the high altitude, snow-capped Himalayan mountains in the north, through the Churiya mid-hill regions, to the Terai plains in the south, Nepal’s diverse landscapes provide habitat for iconic species such as the snow leopard, tiger, rhino, elephant, gharial and river dolphin, and vital natural resources for the country’s inhabitants. Nepal’s freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems sustain the health, well-being, and economic prosperity of diverse ethnic groups whose cultures are also inextricably linked to nature. The confluence of two rivers, for example, is frequently the site of Hindu temples with spiritual significance. Despite the critical importance of Nepal’s ecosystems, exploitation and environmental degradation continues at an unrelenting rate. Since 2020, illegal killing of wildlife, such as rhino increased in national parks like Chitwan, compared to the previous successful years of zero-poaching, largely due to the livelihood activities and a reduction in law enforcement and patrols during COVID-19 lockdowns. Practices, like sand mining in rivers, degrades freshwater habitats and increases flood risk and large-scale infrastructure development including highways, railways, canals cause habitat fragmentation. For example, the proposed Nijgadh Airport situated next to the Parsa Wildlife Park in the Terai, is an important corridor for elephants and tigers, it is estimated to require felling of more than 2 million trees. Climate change exacerbates these threats, intensifying risks from floods and droughts, while affecting food security, agricultural productivity, migration patterns, and disaster risk. Inadequate policies and their implementation, level of government investment, capacities for law enforcement, and limited livelihood options compound the need to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Nepal. USAID Biodiversity strives to build on past successes in Nepal’s forestry and freshwater sectors to empower the next generation of environmental practitioners, strengthen provincial and municipal governments, and catalyze new resources for climate adaptation. USAID Biodiversity will help set the country on a pathway towards green, resilient, and inclusive growth. The overall development hypothesis of the activity is: If conservation of key habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity is improved (Objective 1) And if capacity to develop and implement environmental safeguards and address environmental crimes is enhanced (Objective 2) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 4 And if climate resilience of human and ecological communities is strengthened (Objective 3) In a manner that improves gender equality and social inclusion (GESI); builds capacity of stakeholders for self-reliance; and improves policies, systems, and standards at all levels Then natural resources (freshwater and forest) safeguards and security will be improved to develop Nepal as a stable, resilient, and reliable economic partner. Assumptions for the Theory of Change to hold: ● That the Nepal government will continue to prioritize biodiversity conservation given the national need for development activities, including large scale infrastructure. There has been tremendous achievement in biodiversity conservation in Nepal over the past few decades. For instance, Nepal has achieved its government’s global target of doubling its tiger numbers in 2022. ● That the government continues to cooperate and support human-wildlife conflict affected communities close to protected areas or in other important biodiverse areas. ● That law enforcement agencies and enforcers have adequate incentives and motive for conducting effective law enforcement related to biodiversity, environment and natural resources. Effective government monitoring mechanisms (EIA and IEE) are in place, and local level environment policy is developed and implemented. ● That there is a coordinated effort among communities, local and NGO/INGO, donor agencies (bilateral and multilateral) and other development agencies (including the private sector) to improve climate resilience; ● That there is an adequate understanding of climate induced impacts at the local level. The activity will continue to monitor and review these assumptions periodically during pause and reflect sessions. In order to address the existing gaps, USAID Biodiversity will implement a range of activities including: ● Focusing its interventions on threatened species and wildlife habitats including improved habitat connectivity and restoration, to strengthen biodiversity conservation. ● Implementing measures to reduce human wildlife conflict. ● Supporting law enforcement agencies including National parks, Divisional Forest Offices, Conservation Area Management Committees (CAMC), Buffer Zone Management Committees (BZMC) and Community Based Anti-Poaching Units (CBAPU) for effective law enforcement at various levels. ● Expanding the current understanding of local level climate risk and impacts through climate vulnerability assessments and implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures to reduce climate impacts. Risks that may inhibit activity implementation include: ○ Infrastructure development: Following the establishment of a federal republic, people’s aspiration for improved human conditions including fulfilling basic needs, has increased significantly. There is tremendous pressure on the government to improve overall USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 5 development, specifically related to large scale infrastructure projects. However, construction development activities often have a negative impact on highly biodiverse areas. It is a great challenge to keep up citizen demands, while safeguarding the natural environment for present and future generations. ○ Inadequate resources and limited rural opportunities: Unplanned infrastructure development projects and weak governance has resulted in an increased number of incomplete development projects and increased migration to urban centers. ○ Out-migration: A continuous decrease in the rural population, particularly the out-migration of males and youth, has affected the availability of labor to manage forest and biodiversity resources, as well as support for coordinating between local, provincial and federal institutions on local development and environment conservation. In order to implement this intervention, the activity will collaborate with different stakeholders including communities, private sector, government agencies, non-government organizations, CSO’s and academia. The activity will make necessary efforts to monitor, analyze and learn from this context to devise and adapt targeted measures to address these risks. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 3 1.2. Results Framework Figure 1 Result Framework USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 5 1.3. Geographic Focus USAID Biodiversity Priority Index Map Figure 2 USAID Biodiversity Priority Index Map USAID Biodiversity will work in the biodiversity-rich, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape. USAID Biodiversity will ensure that it focuses not only in the Terai, but also strategically in the country’s higher altitude areas that have rich biodiversity and are experiencing climate change impacts but have not received sufficient conservation investment. USAID Biodiversity used following criteria to identify high priority areas (Figure I) within the designated landscapes: protected areas, corridors, Important Bird Areas, Ramsar sites, human wildlife conflict hotspots, wildlife trafficking, climate vulnerability, forest loss, dolphin range, tiger range, rhino range, red panda range, and snow leopard range. USAID Biodiversity has selected municipalities and rural municipalities which overlapped with the high priority areas. USAID Biodiversity will emphasize activity implementation in these municipalities and rural municipalities. 2. Monitoring Plan USAID Biodiversity will adopt following approaches for effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions and outcomes: a. Clear and consistent understanding and collaboration: It is important for USAID Biodiversity’s USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 6 program team to understand the activity concept, implementation strategies, interventions, intended results, and change measurement processes right from the inception stage. It is also crucial for the team to develop plans in a transparent, participatory, and collaborative manner, in order to foster ownership and build team spirit towards achievement of the activity goal. A well informed and aware team with holistic perspectives can implement the activity interventions more effectively. Staff and communities at the sites can link the local activities to broader level results including ecosystems, watersheds, and/or human communities. The M&E unit will work closely with the activity team to ensure these concepts are applied at the sites, so USAID Biodiversity is effective in achieving its intended results. USAID Biodiversity will identify concepts, terms, strategies and standards that must be understood across the activity and prepare a glossary of key terms related to the three objectives in consultation with the program/technical lead. We will seek inputs and feedback from relevant staff and implementing units during work planning and pause and reflect sessions. USAID Biodiversity will also track any gaps in understanding at the sites during our monitoring visits and provide trainings and one on one support to our local sites. b. Synergy between M&E and the Program team: The M&E Unit will work closely with the Program team to ensure that program implementation is on track to achieve targeted results and changes brought about by the activity are measured at various levels following standard procedures. The M&E Unit will continuously update the program team, including management, on the status of performance indicators, gaps, and the status of early and midterm results and their linkage with the overall objectives. The Program team will communicate to the M&E Unit their information needs and plans to address the gaps observed during monitoring visits and revised planning to address any gaps in attaining targeted results. Indicator targets are the ultimate deliverables of the activity. Annual indicator targets will be provided to the Program team in advance of the annual work plan preparation so that the team can plan appropriate activities to achieve the targeted results in a timely manner. Once each annual work plan is prepared, it will be reviewed to identify if the planned activities are resulting in the expected outputs. Joint field monitoring by the M&E Unit and program staff (technical and/or landscape leads) will observe, analyze, document, and record next steps. Thematic monitoring will be conducted in an appropriate time frame jointly with the M&E Unit and thematic leads for wider and deeper understanding of specific themes, and especially focusing on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). This will foster ownership of the thematic leads over monitoring processes and outcomes. The M&E Unit will consistently and rigorously follow-up with the Program team if any lags are observed on achievement of targets and data discrepancies. The M&E Unit will assess and inform the status of performance indicators to management regularly according to data reporting frequency (monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, annually) c. Building on past learning and knowledge generation: For many decades, USAID has implemented various programs in Nepal on natural resources conservation and management. USAID Biodiversity will build on the learnings from past initiatives, particularly with USAID supported activities such as PAANI, Hariyo Ban Program and Digo Jal Bikas, and in general, from any other relevant or intersecting activities implemented in the landscapes. It will use knowledge resources available from these USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 7 activities, available publicly in repositories such as the Development Experience Clearinghouse and the Freshwater Center for Excellence. USAID Biodiversity will share with and learn from ongoing USAID funded activities including USAID Karnali Water Activity and Tayar Nepal. Issues of natural resources conservation have evolved over time. USAID Biodiversity is focusing on current issues such as natural resources governance, environmental crime, climate change, and GESI integration. Greater learning in these areas will contribute to knowledge and create a foundation for sound natural resources management. The activity will capture learnings as the interventions are implemented and results begin to emerge. Regular site visits will be organized both to monitor and observe changes in the natural ecosystems and human communities, including joint visits with Project Steering Committee members and other Government of Nepal functionaries as relevant. The M&E Unit will work closely with the Program team (technical and landscape leads) and Management (Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and Director of Operations) to document learning and knowledge generated from the activity interventions. After action-review reflection meetings will provide opportunities to present and discuss these learnings. d. Creating evidence of change for adaptive management: Adaptive management is defined as an intentional approach to making decisions and adjustments in response to new information and changes in context1 . Adaptive management is not about changing goals during implementation, it is about changing the path being used to achieve the goals in response to changes. Adaptive management approaches are well integrated throughout the USAID Program Cycle. The activity M&E Unit will continuously generate new information through regular data collection, site monitoring, after action-review reflection meetings, joint visits, and stakeholder meetings. The Unit will work very closely with Management to inform and update to undertake necessary course corrections to attain intended results. The M&E Unit will organize periodic meetings among Program/Technical Leads, Landscape Leads, the DCOP and the COP to share status of performance indicators and devise necessary actions to correct any gaps. Depending on the progress of the performance indicators, such meetings will be organized more frequently whenever a need is identified. M&E Unit will also keep the DCOP and COP updated about progress towards indicator targets based on the interventions planned in Annual Work Plan and facilitate the preparation of an action plan to address any gaps. The learnings captured from these sessions will support the process of adaptive management. e. Coordination with USAID: Guidance from USAID is very crucial. The M&E Unit will work closely with USAID, particularly the COR and M&E experts, to inform USAID on the progress of indicator targets, plan for data quality assessments, site visits, planning learning events, plan for evaluation and receive updates on any changes in performance monitoring. 2.1. Performance Monitoring Performance monitoring is a continuous process and includes both quantitative and qualitative information. It will determine whether the activity implementation is on track or not. Performance 1 USAID ADS 201.6 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 8 monitoring also tracks the intervention's results to the desired outputs which are linked to the expected outcomes. There are early or initial outcomes, intermediate outcomes, and ultimate or end outcomes. Performance monitoring will track these outcomes which are embedded in the theory of change of the activity. The results framework or the logic model and development hypotheses need to be well articulated and unpacked for performance monitoring. USAID Biodiversity adopts a three-tiered monitoring system: (1) Participatory monitoring of activities by the; community stakeholder: It is crucial that the communities continuously monitor and take ownership of the activities implemented in their area to empower communities to work towards producing their intended outcomes. Generally, there are internal monitoring mechanisms built into NRM groups such as CFUGs, BZUC, BZCFUG, and Water User Groups. The activity will assess the existence of such mechanisms (such as monitoring sub-committees, site monitoring practices, reporting and addressing feedback, and adaptive management) and its effectiveness. It will also encourage and support the groups to track the status of implemented activities. Feedback from communities based on their monitoring of interventions will be a source of information for further action by the activity and source of information for any emerging results. USAID Biodiversity will provide simple tools useful for monitoring by the communities and train them on their use. (2) Monitoring of outputs and early outcomes by Landscape team: The Landscape teams will track and record all the outputs produced by the activity interventions. The team will also continuously monitor and observe the early outcomes and document and report them in performance reports or in the form of case stories. The M&E unit will prepare a standard output monitoring template, orient and train the landscape team, and support them with gathering relevant information. The landscape team will coordinate with the local NRM groups to collect local monitoring data and collate the data from the different groups to report outputs and outcomes at the landscape level. The landscape team and the Kathmandu M&U Unit will work together to ensure data is collected accurately and in a timely manner. (3) Intermediate and higher-level outcomes by the Kathmandu M&E Unit: Activity level outputs, and outcomes are reflected in the performance indicators. To enhance greater learning from the indicator data, learning questions will be reviewed during pause and reflect sessions and are embedded in the MEL Plan. While the M&E Unit will periodically collect, collate, and analyze output level data, it will also prepare an outcome mapping plan and a learning plan to explain how the outcomes stated in the activity’s logic framework will be tracked and measured; and how the data from the learning question will be gathered. For all indicators, standard templates will be developed to track the progress. Similarly, relevant tools will be developed to collect information on the learning questions. The frequency of information collected on outcomes is mentioned in PIRS, and frequency for addressing learning questions, will be mentioned in the learning plan. Some outcomes can be reflected through case stories while others can be the result of the comprehensive outcome mapping process. In all cases, we will explain the relationship between inputs, outputs, intermediate and ultimate outcomes. We consider participatory M&E to be part of good governance, and a feedback mechanism, including from community stakeholders, is integrated at all levels of decision-making. USAID Biodiversity will conduct systematic collection of output and outcome information for two USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 9 purposes: (1) to track progress and inform implementation internally, which will be used by the program team to make adjustments as needed, and (2) to communicate activity progress externally to stakeholders. The collected information will be used to monitor the quantity, quality, and timeliness of activity outputs and outcomes throughout the life of the activity. USAID Biodiversity will monitor and report on select performance indicators, which include both standard and custom indicators to measure the quality and impact of programmatic activities. Population level performance indicators will be disaggregated by sex (male, female, neither, and disaggregates not available), age, caste, ethnicity, and geography. Performance indicators will be reviewed annually as part of the MEL Plan revision process to determine if this set of indicators is appropriately capturing project performance. USAID Biodiversity Standard and Custom Indicators are presented below in graphical picture: Figure 3 USAID Biodiversity Logic Model Further details on the project indicators can be found in Annex II (Performance Indicator Tracking Table) and Annex III (Performance Indicator Reference Sheets). Indicator data is collected as relevant activities are implemented and is reported quarterly, semiannually, or annually. 2.2. Context Monitoring The activity will conduct context monitoring, particularly of the operating environment including the political situation, key personnel changes, socio-economic conditions, and the Covid-19 situation. In addition, any environmental, pandemic, economic, policy related and social factors that may affect activity implementation are closely monitored based on observations by the activity staff. The following factors are likely to affect the implementation of the activity and will be the basis of USAID USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 10 Biodiversity’s context monitoring. These factors may create the need to postpone or modify some tasks to ensure the safety of the activity’s staff and stakeholders or because they create challenges to efficient implementation. a. COVID-19: Sporadic cases of COVID-19 still exist in Nepal. The program/operations team will be alert regarding the updated situation. The activity will develop and implement necessary measures in the event of any alarming situation. b. Natural disasters: We will monitor extreme meteorological and hydrological events in the activity working area using daily national news sources and data from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.2 These events include drought, floods, landslides, heavy snowfall and avalanches, among others. c. Conflict: The activity will continuously monitor conflicts/disputes that may negatively impact activity implementation and devise necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of implementing partners and targeted communities. d. Government relation: Timely input and directives from Project Steering Committee, etc. e. Economic/Financial stability: Poorly performing economic financial indicators may impact private sector investment. As an aftermath of COVID-19 there has been a significant impact on Nepal's economic growth, which is reflected by poorly performing economic financial indicators. Since private sector engagement, including its investment, is an important component of USAID Biodiversity, the activity will monitor how the economic situation unfolds in the coming days. USAID Biodiversity will also qualitatively monitor changes in context through rolling Political Economy Analysis (PEA). An activity-level framework, guidelines, and reporting protocols will be developed. These rolling PEAs will inform USAID Biodiversity activity's ongoing conflict analysis and assessment to ensure the “do no harm” principle and will identify and inform the team’s understanding of ground realities and operating/political environment. 3. Stakeholder Feedback Plan Community and other stakeholder feedback will be collected, reported, and incorporated into activity plans. Participatory monitoring and assessments will be utilized as appropriate to gather insights from local partners and community stakeholders. These will include participatory rural appraisal, participatory monitoring mechanisms/processes/methods to adopt, collect, use, and analyze data and information. An activity aimed at gathering community stakeholder feedback will follow strict protocols for gaining consent and protecting personally identifiable information. Community stakeholder feedback will be collected from site monitoring visits and incorporated in the monitoring reports. Any issues raised by stakeholders will be discussed during pause and reflect sessions to inform activity adaptations as needed. During these pause and reflect sessions the team will identify the best mechanisms for responding to feedback back to community stakeholders, such as presenting in. NRM group meetings. Community and stakeholder feedback results, including any issues that were identified and how the activity will address 2 https://www.dhm.gov.np/ USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 11 these, will be reported to USAID via the activity’s regular annual progress reports. Appropriate tools will be developed to gather stakeholder feedback. This includes, but not limited to utilizing stakeholder mapping tools, and consultation meetings and joint visits with key stakeholders. USAID Biodiversity potential stakeholders include the following: a. Government Stakeholders (Federal/Provincial/Local) ● Federal Ministry of Forests and Environment o Planning, Monitoring and Coordination Division o Environment and Biodiversity Division o Climate Change and Monitoring Division o Department of Forests and Soil Conservation o Department of Plant Resources o Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation o Water and Energy Commission Secretariat o Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation o Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development ● Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, o Environment and Disaster Management Section o Planning and Foreign Aid Coordination Division o Local Government Capacity Building Division ● Provincial Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment, Sudur Paschim, Karnali and Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, ● Municipalities and Rural Municipalities ● Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) ● National Association of Rural Municipality in Nepal (NARMIN) b. International/Non-governmental Organizations: ● National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) ● World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ● Zoological Society of London (ZSL) ● International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ● Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) ● Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation ● Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) ● Greenhood Nepal ● Forest Action Nepal ● Third Pole Conservancy ● Red Panda Network ● Wildlife Conservation Nepal ● Mahseer Trust c. Community: USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 12 ● Buffer Zone Community Forests Users’ Groups (BZCFUG) ● Buffer Zone Management Committees (BZMC) ● Community Forestry User Groups (CFUGs) ● Community-Based Anti-Poaching Units (CBAPU) ● Community Aquatic Animal Conservation Groups (CAACG) ● Community-based Forestry Supporters' Network (COFSUN) d. Civil Society: ● Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) ● Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) ● Himalayan Grassroots Women's Natural Resource Management Association (HIMAWANTI) ● National Farmers Group Federation (NFGF) ● Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (WEAN) ● National Indigenous Women's Federation (NIWF) ● National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDUWAN) ● National Federation of Irrigation Water User’s Association, Nepal (NFIUWUAN) ● Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) ● South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) ● Nepal Judges Society e. Academic Institution: ● Tribhuvan University o Institute of Forestry o Institute of Engineering o Kathmandu Forestry College ● Midwestern University ● National Judicial Academy ● Kathmandu University f. Private Sector: ● Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) ● Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) ● Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN) ● National Micro Entrepreneurs Federation Nepal (NMEFN) ● Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Nepal (FTTEN) ● Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) ● Financial Institutions (Banks, Microfinance etc.) ● Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Individual Investors) ● Jadibuti Association of Nepal (JABAN) ● Herbal Entrepreneur Association of Nepal (HEAN) ● Nepal Herbs and Herbal Products Association (NEHHPA) ● Trade Unions USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 13 ● Dabur Nepal ● Chaudhary Group ● Nimbus Probiotech ● BATAS Organization ● Transport Association ● National Allo Entrepreneurs Association Nepal USAID Biodiversity interventions intend to provide direct or indirect benefits including improved capacity (knowledge and/or skill) individually and collectively as a community, increased availability of forest products, higher quality forest and water resources, increased income to stakeholders and communities, reduced vulnerability to climatic and non-climatic events, improved recovery from the impacts of HWC to people living in targeted landscapes. Specifically, USAID Biodiversity community stakeholders include poor, women, marginalized (Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi, Muslim), vulnerable (climate, disaster, human wildlife conflict), and natural resource dependent communities. 4. Evaluation Plan 4.1. Plans for Collaborating with External Evaluators The activity will fully collaborate with an external evaluator if USAID plans an external evaluation. The activity will collaborate with the external evaluation team in the following actions: ● Reviewing and providing feedback on draft statement of work, evaluation designs, evaluation data collection instruments, and the report; ● Sharing performance monitoring data (and anonymizing person-level data prior to sharing with the evaluation team), progress reports, study/assessment reports; ● Providing written responses to an evaluation self-assessment questionnaire; ● Making staff available to answer questions related to the activity; ● Accommodating evaluation design requirements in the implementation of the activity; ● Supporting the evaluation team in identifying and obtaining access to stakeholders, beneficiaries, and sites of operation; and ● Supporting the evaluation team in holding stakeholder meetings to discuss and develop recommendations based on evaluation findings. 5. Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Approach Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) is an intentional approach to organizational learning to inform adaptation and higher-level results. USAID Biodiversity will deploy a systematic learning and adapting approach through both regular activities and designing a deliberate learning process by crafting learning questions beyond the regular learning environment. This will include devising questions pertaining to the theory of change, key issues in the current context and particular theme. This will embed a forward￾looking approach to address the gaps existing from the previous interventions made in the biodiversity conservation and climate change area. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 14 a. Collaborating: USAID Biodiversity will collaborate with a range of stakeholders including Federal/Provincial/Local Government, Community, NGO/INGO, CSO’s, Private Sector and Academia at various levels to achieve greater efficiency between stakeholders and generate buy￾in to reach intended results. Collaboration will include, for example, joint work planning, joint site monitoring, regular partner meetings that facilitate knowledge sharing, working groups and co￾creation sessions organized along geographic and/or technical lines. . Stakeholders will be identified based on the thematic area of their work, their availability and interest in collaborating with USAID Biodiversity. This will be assessed through stakeholder mapping, the PEA, GESI analysis, and through work planning and activity implementation. b. Learning: The activity will promote a deliberate learning process by developing the learning questions and preparing a plan to execute the answers. The activity will regularly reflect on progress through weekly meetings, periodic after-action reviews and annual pause and reflect sessions. Such reviews will focus on challenges and successes in implementation, changes in the operating environment or context that could affect the activity or the related project, opportunities to collaborate, or other relevant topics. Learning will be generated from the PEA analysis, the GESI analysis, monitoring performance and context data, success stories and case studies, the outcome mapping exercise, DQAs (internal and external), community stakeholder feedback, and potential evaluation findings and recommendations. c. Adapting: The working environment where USAID Biodiversity works may change rapidly due to political changes, natural disasters, and government priorities. The activity will remain flexible and adaptive to accommodate the changing environment forsmooth implementation. The ability to adapt requires an environment that promotes intentional learning and flexible project and activity design, minimizes the obstacles to modifying programming, and creates incentives for managing adaptively. The activity will use the information gained through collaboration and learning activities to improve decision making and adjust if necessary. All key learnings and changes will be recorded in the MEL data system to track activity adaptations. USAID Biodiversity will deploy a set of selected learning activities to support adaptive management of the activity and to build the knowledge base for future activities interested in using similar approaches. In addition to indicator-based monitoring, we will use outcome harvesting, annual pause and reflect workshops, and after-action reviews. Our learning plan includes a set of priority learning questions, which are designed to help the team reflect both on the implementation of individual activities and on higher￾level issues across activities. Learning will be summarized in annual performance and opportunistically in other reports, knowledge products, or relevant events. We will use an Outcome Mapping tool to collect information about the activity’s performance that may not be adequately reflected in indicator-based monitoring. As a participatory evaluation approach, outcome harvesting will allow all USAID Biodiversity staff to contribute and record any outcomes or impacts. The outcome harvesting table will include information on what happened and when, what USAID Biodiversity did that contributed to the outcome, and who can verify the information being recorded. The information recorded in the outcome harvesting table will be analyzed periodically to identify overlaps or confirmation of indicator-based monitoring results and to identify any potentially new and unexpected USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 15 outcomes. Additionally, to facilitate learning and to support adaptive management, USAID Biodiversity will use the following tools: a. After-Action Reviews (AARs): The M&E Manager will facilitate an AAR discussion following the completion of key deliverable interventions. The major topics for discussion in the AAR process include what the activity intended to do, if that was achieved, what went well, what can be improved next time. The lessons learned from these after-action reviews will be documented and incorporated into work planning sessions. b. Quarterly Progress Reviews: Quarterly, the M&E team will coordinate to review progress on performance indicators, outputs/outcomes produced from activity implementation, site situation, any issues, challenges faced by the team, future plans and key learnings. The program/technical leads, COP, DCOP, landscape leads and other relevant site staff, M&E Unit and Communications team will participate. The feedback received will be used in performance improvement and adaptive management for future interventions. c. Annual Pause and Reflect workshops: USAID Biodiversity will conduct yearly Pause and Reflect workshops in which the team will review the activity theory of change; the learning questions, assess initial assumptions; and identify what's working and what's not and suggest adaptive management responses accordingly. We will use USAID’s toolkit3 to design and implement the Pause and Reflect workshops. This workshop will inform preparation of USAID Biodiversity’s annual work plan. Learning Questions LEARNING QUESTIONS/\KNOWLEDGE GAP ACTIVITY/ TASK TO ANSWER LEARNING QUESTIONS/ FILL KNOWLEDGE GAP Human wildlife conflict: How can HWC be addressed more effectively at local level? - How is it impacting local livelihoods? - What mechanisms exist currently? - What challenges remain? - What innovations and initiatives have been taken in recent years by municipalities? - What is the level of HWC around the buffer zone? -What policy and management modifications are needed? -If local governments have increased technical capacity to incorporate biodiversity and climate change considerations and principles in resource planning and management, will local governments develop and implement laws, policies and plans for the conservation of wildlife habitats and species within their respective jurisdictions? Coordinated by Biodiversity Conservation Lead Focus-group discussions and key informant interactions with local communities, municipalities, HWC victims, national parks; review of existing plans and policies of various levels of government; workshops and expert interviews. Wildlife crime: What is the linkage between socio-economic status of people and wildlife crime? Coordinated by Environmental Crime Control Lead Focus-group discussions and key informant 3 https://usaidlearninglab.org/cla/cla-toolkit/pause-and-reflect USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 16 LEARNING QUESTIONS/\KNOWLEDGE GAP ACTIVITY/ TASK TO ANSWER LEARNING QUESTIONS/ FILL KNOWLEDGE GAP - Are crimes driven by lack of knowledge, lack of economic opportunities, limited education, and access to such networks? - What deters the people from engaging in environmental crime and what measures are more effective in doing so? interactions with local communities especially buffer zone management committee and groups, municipalities, families and victims of wildlife crime cases, national parks; review of existing plans and policies of various levels of government; workshops and expert interviews. Sustainable green infrastructure: How does the level of knowledge and human resources support local municipalities to incorporate environmentally friendly infrastructure? - What are the enabling factors responsible for successful implementation of green infrastructures? - What approaches in USAID Biodiversity have been successful in building resilience capacities of people, communities, and systems to recover from shocks and stresses? What investments provide the greatest positive results on resilience? Coordinated by Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist Key informant interactions with local municipalities, review of existing periodic and annual plans and policies and capacity needs of municipalities; workshops and expert interviews. Livelihoods and sustainable enterprise: In a rapidly changing local economies, what are the possible opportunities and scale of enterprise that can attract and engage youth while contributing to biodiversity conservation? Coordinated by Livelihoods Specialist and Private Sector Engagement Specialists Focus-group discussions and key informant interactions with local communities specially community forests, buffer zone management committee and youth, women groups, municipalities, review of existing plans and policies of various levels of government; workshops and expert interviews. Climate change adaptation: What process, mechanism and modalities are appropriate for mainstreaming climate change at local level? - What are the enabling and challenging factors for communities’ engagement and advocacy in CCA? - What hinders local government’s intentions to integrate climate change in annual planning? - What are the enabling factors that promote investment in climate change activities at local level? - What strategies and approaches can USAID Biodiversity adopt, in collaboration with other stakeholders including GON, to strengthen local government (and/or other tiers) capacity to address climate change issues? - What are the adaptation measures available for wildlife species? Which measures are effective? Coordinated by Climate Resilience Lead Focus￾group discussions and key informant interactions with local communities especially CFUGs, municipalities, marginalized and climate vulnerable households; review of existing plans and policies of various levels of government; workshops and expert interviews. Gender equality and social inclusion: What is the impact of gender inequality and social exclusion in biodiversity conservation in Nepal? - What are the approaches to scale up the positive GESI results in NRM sector at multiple scales? - What are the structural and operational barriers to inclusion of marginalized people in the biodiversity conservation sector? - How can USAID Biodiversity incorporate end-user perspectives into Coordinated by GESI Director Focus-group discussions and key informant interactions with local communities especially CFUGs, buffer zone user groups, local municipalities, marginalized communities, and households; review of existing plans and policies of various levels of government; workshops and expert interviews. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 17 LEARNING QUESTIONS/\KNOWLEDGE GAP ACTIVITY/ TASK TO ANSWER LEARNING QUESTIONS/ FILL KNOWLEDGE GAP program interventions? - What are the opportunities, or traditional practices of which women or marginalized communities are owners of that they can leverage/improve? Governance: What are the opportunities and possible mechanisms to apply successful governance provisions and practices of CFUGs to other participatory forest and freshwater management regimes? - What are the good practices/lessons and tools for integrated community-based conservation and development initiatives that can be scaled-up/replicated widely in Nepal? Coordinated by Director of Technical Integration with the support of Landscape Team Leaders Focus-group discussions and key informant interactions with local communities especially CFUGs, buffer zone user groups, local municipalities, marginalized communities, and households; review of existing plans and policies of local government; workshops and expert interviews. Private sector engagement: What are the possible opportunities and existing challenges for engagement of private sector in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation? - What are the existing good practices? - Why are they not scaled out? -What factors limit private sector’s engagement? - How can the most marginalized and climate and wildlife vulnerable communities be linked to the private sector? - What approaches and strategies for engaging with the private sector in the natural resources management sector worked well? Why? -If enterprises generate revenues, to what extent do they provide benefits to enterprise participants? Coordinated by Climate Resilience Lead and with the support of Private Sector Engagement Specialist Focus-group discussions and key informant interactions with private sector actors at local, municipal, district and provincial levels, including local communities especially buffer zone and CFUGs, municipalities, marginalized and climate vulnerable households; workshops and expert interviews. 6. Data Management Plan Data Management Plans (DMPs) are tools that guide the identification of anticipated data assets and the outlining of tasks needed to manage these assets across a full data lifecycle, including collection, analysis, repository submission, and publication and re-use. 6.1. Data Collection The data management plan of USAID Biodiversity includes developing M&E data collection tools, creating and maintaining the M&E data management system, supervising data collection, aggregating and reporting data from USAID Biodiversity activities, as well as ensuring data quality throughout the period. Once the MEL Plan is approved, data collection instruments will be developed in consultation with the activity program staff including partners considering the data need as per approved indicators and other requirements. Data will be collected on a regular basis using the standard templates developed by the team as the activity implementation begins. Data collection templates will be periodically reviewed and revised to address gaps and to make them more practical based on feedback from users. The frequency USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 18 of data collection is designed to address reporting requirements and management needs. Data on participation and beneficiaries are disaggregated by sex, age, and caste/ethnicity. Survey data will be collected using DAI Collect, which allows for data collection and geo referencing in real time. Interviews and household surveys will be conducted in person as much as possible. Biophysical data will be collected through several methods depending on the situation. Georeferencing and use of GIS: All biophysical data collection methods will be based on best practices in the site and geo referenced using GPS-enabled devices or geographic information systems. All activity locations will be geocoded and displayed in relevant maps reflecting different themes and geographic units. The activity will make appropriate use of remote sensing data for changes in biophysical conditions in the landscapes. Geo-referencing of data will be done at appropriate level. Spatial analyses will be carried out using GIS software and all protocols for spatial data manipulation and analysis will be documented by the GIS Specialist. For each indicator, USAID Biodiversity team will select the most appropriate data source, collection tool, and method, based on the data required for indicator reporting. Disaggregated data (e.g., by sex, geography, political units, and caste ethnicity) will be collected as appropriate. Please refer to the PIRS sheets in Annex III for details of each indicator, definitions, data sources, and disaggregates. 6.2. Data Quality Assurance USAID Biodiversity will pay utmost attention to maintain data integrity across all levels through appropriate mechanisms. The M&E Unit will ensure that data collection tools are appropriate, internally consistent, and applied uniformly across tasks and landscapes. Additionally, the M&E Unit will ensure that all relevant staff are trained on data MEL protocols, that data collection is timely and accurate, and that all data cleaning tasks are implemented as needed. The M&E Manager will ensure that all technical leads are familiar with the MEL Plan, including all indicators, data collection, and data reporting tools and needs. The activity will adopt multiple safeguards to ensure that data are of high quality. The activity will ensure data quality standards including validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness at all levels through actions such as standardized steps for data collection, collation, analysis, and reporting. Supervision, verification, and data quality assessment will be carried out regularly to ensure data quality. All sub￾contractor partners and grantees will receive training from USAID Biodiversity on proper data reporting, storage, integrity, and security. The M&E Manager oversees inputs from all grantees to ensure they align with the activity’s data policies and procedures. A data quality assurance plan will be prepared and circulated to all relevant staff once the data collection instruments are developed and MEL responsibilities are identified across different levels. Some of the elements of the plan include using the same data collection and recording tools to ensure consistency; multiple levels of data verification system, mechanisms to flag any errors beyond one level of verification etc. 6.3. Data Storage and Security All primary data collected as part of the MEL process will be stored securely on protected folders in DAI’s SharePoint and will be accessible only by the M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, COP, and DCOP. This USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 19 includes all quantitative and qualitative data, including but not limited to surveys, spatial data, news and media reports, and interview notes. Data reported internally by the technical staff 4 will also be stored on SharePoint. All DAI’s systems and files are backed up in real time using Microsoft OneDrive. The M&E Manager will create an appropriate file structure and file naming conventions for all MEL data submissions and storage. Technical staff will have access to their own indicator data submissions and overall indicator data summaries at any point to facilitate review, analysis, and learning. However, once indicator data are independently reviewed and verified by the M&E Manager, they will be locked from editing. These indicator data will be shared with USAID using a Google Drive folder only accessible to the USAID Biodiversity management team and all USAID staff identified by the COR as needing access. In summary, USAID Biodiversity will securely store all data using DAI’s storage system. All data collected will be stored in secured and centralized databases maintained by DAI corporate IT staff. The primary storage locations will be as follows: ● DAI Collect – DAI’s primary data collection platform, based on Kobo Toolbox. Data collected through DAI Collect is stored on a cloud-based server maintained by DAI’s Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT) and the Center for Digital Acceleration (CDA) teams, which is backed up daily. ● Microsoft SharePoint – All other records and documents will be stored in SharePoint, Microsoft’s secure, collaborative platform for document storage. 6.4. Data Aggregation Data collected from various sources will be merged and summarized to derive meaningful figures for informed decision making. Data aggregation process includes collection of unprocessed data from various sources such as different landscapes to one source and the raw data is processed and cleaned to get rid of inconsistent data, duplicates values, and error in data type. Then, the statistics are summarized using useful metrics like averages, sums, and counts and finally analyzing the summarized data to gain insights that inform decision-making. 6.5. Data Disaggregation Overall, biophysical and people related data will be disaggregated as below. However, specific data disaggregation for each indicator will be followed as described in respective PIRS. a. Landscapes: Terai Arc Landscape, Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Karnali Conservation Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape b. Political units: Provinces, Municipalities and Rural Municipalities 4 Technical staff include the GESI Director, Director for Technical Integration, Biodiversity Conservation Lead, Environmental Crimes Lead, Climate Resilience Lead, Environmental and Social Safeguards Lead, and the three Landscape Team Leads. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 20 c. Sex: a. Male b. Female, c. Neither d. Disaggregates not available Neither: disaggregate for reporting only if the participant's self-declared identity does not fit into either the Male or Female categories. d. Age: 15- 29, 30 - 40, 41 years & above. e. Caste/Ethnicity: Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others f. Disability: Person with disability; Person without disability 6.6. Data Security The M&E Unit will work with project IT staff to take all necessary and reasonable measures to protect activity data, in accordance with ADS 508 and USAID’s Privacy Policy. Such measures include restricting access to team members as needed and developing a request protocol for anybody not working directly on a task which requires specific access. All data saved to SharePoint or Google Drive will be cleaned, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) will be removed prior to uploading. Similar to the activity’s data storage approach, the M&E Unit will comply with any and all relevant guidelines regarding data security established by DAI’s IT department. All USAID Biodiversity staff take a mandatory annual IT training provided by DAI. This training orients staff on key aspects of data security, including protection of PII and mitigation of cyber security threats. 6.7. Data Analysis and Use The M&E Unit will complete a comprehensive analysis of all indicators on quarterly and annual basis. This includes comparing results against targets, re-evaluating the causal model assumptions, and spot￾checking data quality. Data from surveys and other sources will be gathered, reviewed, and analyzed to derive findings. All data will be entered into the database and statistical analysis will be completed for the collected data, where necessary. The analyzed data will be presented in charts, graphs, maps, dashboards, and reports. The activity will design a simplified Microsoft Excel database or web-based Information System for use by external partners and stakeholders to provide an overview and summary analysis of the results and progress. Geo-referencing of data will be done at appropriate level. Spatial analyses will be carried out using GIS software and all protocols for spatial data manipulation and analysis will be documented by the GIS Specialist. During the quarterly meetings, these data will be used to assess overall activity performance, determine if there are areas where progress is lagging, discuss reasons for deviations from targets and inform any adaptations to interventions. The M&E Unit will complete a comprehensive analysis of all indicators on an annual basis. This includes comparing results against targets, re-evaluating assumptions, and spot- USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 21 checking data quality. This analysis will inform annual pause and reflect sessions in order to assess activity performance and inform the following year work planning. Results from MEL data analyses will be used to inform adaptive management decisions as appropriate, through review and discussion with the technical staff. There will be close coordination between the USAID Biodiversity management team and the USAID COR to ensure that data analysis feeds into reflections and learning is used to influence management approaches and decisions. Analysis will be done in accordance with data disaggregation requirements outlined in the PITT. The M&E unit has used data visualization techniques that made the available information accessible in visual and easy to understand formats. This includes the combination of maps, tables and graphs to explain trends and analysis in easily accessible formats. Further, the Global Positioning System (GPS) points will be collected for relevant data and used in preparing relevant maps. 6.8. Data Reporting Value of data lies in their ultimate use, and data reporting is a key aspect of overall data management plan. Analyzed and final data is used in the quarterly and annual performance reports to USAID and for informed decision making by the management. Indicator based routine quantitative data will be incorporated appropriately in the quarterly and annual reports as specified by the frequency of reporting in the PIRS. Additional qualitative and outcome-focused progress will be included in the annual progress reports, informed by indicator results as well as more qualitative data collection, and reflection and analysis conducted throughout the year, including the main findings of Pause and Reflect exercises. Relevant monitoring data will be entered in USAID’s Development Information Solution (DIS) partner portal to report to USAID quarterly and annually (as appropriate by indicator PIRS). All performance indicator data will be posted to the USAID Development Data Library (DDL)5 in a machine readable, non￾proprietary format and all relevant documents are uploaded in the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) within the specified period. USAID Biodiversity will report in alignment with the USG fiscal year, including submission of a concise quarterly report 15 days after end of the reporting quarter of each year following the issuance of this contract and cover the preceding quarter (i.e., the quarterly report covering January – March is due April 15th). USAID Biodiversity team will submit a concise annual report on or before November 15 of every contract year reporting on progress of activities conducted during the prior reporting year, and milestones achieved; actual versus. targeted results and justifications for critical deviations. Report on problems encountered, with an analysis of the problem, and proposed remedial action. Separate reports for specific surveys such as baseline and end-line assessments will be prepared. These reports will be included in progress reports as well as submitted separately. 5 The DDL is USAID’s repository of USAID-funded, machine-readable data created or collected by the Agency and its implementing partners. ADS Chapter 579 - USAID Development Data USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 22 7. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a systematic method to evaluate performance for USAID Biodiversity. The activity will make its best effort to follow different performance standards pertaining to specific deliverables. USAID Biodiversity will be in constant coordination and dialogue with respective government organizations and USAID. Please refer to Annex IV for the detailed QASP. 8. Resources Resource requirements for MEL are shown in the below table which includes both base and option years. The labor and program activities line items include the cost to support the other planned assessments and learning activities. KEY MEL TASKS DIRECT BUDGET COST (US$) YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 OPTION YEAR 1 OPTION YEAR 2 TOTAL Labor (LTTA and STTA) Site Monitoring Trainings, Workshops, Events Baseline Survey Midline Survey End-line survey TOTAL 9. Roles and Responsibilities Different personnel from the USAID Biodiversity and USAID have expected roles for the implementation and follow up of this MEL Plan. The M&E unit is responsible for the development, implementation and management of the activity’s MEL system. The M&E unit oversees and coordinates data collection, analysis, learning, reporting and dissemination of results. The M&E Manager reports directly to the COP, who provides oversight and ensures accountability of M&E unit. A successful M&E approach is dependent on contributions from many members of the USAID Biodiversity team. The COP has the overall responsibility for activity performance and reporting to USAID. The M&E Manager is responsible for designing and overseeing this MEL Plan. Below table summarizes the MEL-related responsibilities of key staff. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 23 ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Chief of Party (COP) ● Overall responsibility for activity performance, reporting, and adaptive management informed by M&E information. Use data and reports generated by M&E for reporting purposes and to make strategic and management decision regarding implementation ● Serves as a liaison between USAID Biodiversity, COR, USAID M&E staff, DAI, and 3rd party evaluators on MEL issues Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) ● Oversees all technical staff and technical activities that generate results ● Responsible for assessing data for progress against targets and adapting activities ● Prompt adaptive measures in response to M&E findings and lesson learned Director of Technical Integration ● Support and guide M&E Unit in achieving and measuring intended results ● Site Monitoring to ensure activities implemented are on track towards the intended outputs and outcome ● Engage in external evaluation of the activity GESI Director ● Leads the implementation of the activity’s GESI strategy, ensuring integration of gender, youth, marginalized and vulnerable populations into program activities ● Oversees qualitative research on special needs of women, marginalized and vulnerable populations for learning agenda ● Monitors sex, marginalized and vulnerable population disaggregation to help the team adaptively manage more inclusive programming M&E Manager ● Design and oversee implementation of MEL Plan, including the activity’s research, learning, and collaboration agenda, and update MEL Plan annually ● Track performance to inform adaptive management ● Data analysis inputs to the management and technical teams on areas of performance gaps and course correction ● Design and coordination of annual pause and reflect workshops, and other learning and adaptive management events ● Design and coordinate AARs and QPRs ● Collaborate with local partners, USAID and other donor funded programs to conduct deeper analytical dives, inform interventions and support the activity’s goal and objectives ● Lead capacity building of the technical staff, guide development of the DIS data submission ● Overall management of M&E functions and MEL team ● Designs the project’s M&E system and collaborating, learning, and adapting processes in close coordination with technical and programmatic staff ● Develops and maintains M&E system, ensuring effective, timely, and accurate data collection/quality. ● Oversees data collection ● Designs and conducts MEL trainings and workshops as needed ● Generates MEL reports, including user-friendly tables for progress reports that compare results to targets ● Ensures compliance with USAID’s Open Data Policy6 6 Please refer to ADS Chapter 579 | Document | U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov) for details on USAID USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 24 ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES ● Conducts spot checks, assesses data quality, and makes recommendations for enhancing data quality Communications Manager ● Responsible for developing and overseeing the activity’s communication strategy, activities and products including the outreach materials that comply with USAID’s Branding and Marking Plan ● Manage quality control of reports and outreach products. ● Incorporate key targets and achievements from the MEL Plan into deliverables to effectively communicate achievements to key stakeholders. ● Help foster a culture of evidence-based learning, and continuous improvement. ● Designs dissemination and outreach communication activities to share results, successes and lessons learned. Senior M&E Officer ● Responsible for systematic update of database systems for both quantitative and qualitative data. ● Perform data entry, verify and maintain timely and systematic database for every activity. ● Collect/report all data/information/evidence, provide activity status updates, and periodic data reports to the supervision of M&E Manager ● Undertake routine monitoring activities and support partners/site teams to provide timely and evidence-based reporting. ● Support partners, site teams and program team on planning their monitoring and evaluation system, and to prepare monitoring and evaluation plans. ● Conduct relevant studies to assess progress over outcomes of project activities and document the findings Senior Officer - M&E & Communication ● Based in each of the four landscapes, responsible for data collection, quality control, verification, and processing of activities at the local level ● Regular supervision and monitoring of USAID Biodiversity site activities ● Conduct routine data verification and data quality assessments under the technical supervision of M&E Manager ● Verify site level data collection ● Support M&E Unit in generating project and grantee related data or information. ● Document lessons learned and success/change stories from the implementation of USAID Biodiversity ● Ensure data collected by local partners and grantees are delivered to M&E manager and integrated into project reporting GIS Specialist ● Mapping and linking USAID Biodiversity activities data to spatial data in relational database to define, measure, and communicate in a better way through maps ● Geospatial analyses Technical Site Staff ● Oversee technical activities and input data on completed activities as needed Development Data. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 25 Data Flow Chart Figure 4 USAID Biodiversity Data Flow Chart USAID Biodiversity data collection and reporting is illustrated in Figure II. The Senior Officer - M&E and Communications, based in each landscape, collects primary data. They report to Landscape Leads. They compile site data and send it to the DCOP with a copy to M&E Manager in Kathmandu. The M&E Manager oversees data collection, ensures accuracy, and consults with the COP, DCOP, GESI Director and Technical Leads to represent technical work and incorporate GESI considerations. The M&E Manager provides data for reporting to the COP. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 26 Periodic Performance Reporting Figure 5 USAID Biodiversity Periodic Performance Reporting All technical staff will share the responsibility of preparing performance reports, with the M&E Manager consolidating monitoring data for reporting and ensuring result-based reporting. Each technical staff member will write the sections of the quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports relevant to their activities. The periodic reports of Grantees will be collected by Senior Officer-M&E and Communication based in each of landscapes. Similarly, the Sub-Contractors submit the periodic report to respective Technical Leads. The Senior Officer-M&E and Communication within these team report to Landscape Leads with a copy to the M&E manager based in Kathmandu. The M&E Manager will oversee the result￾oriented outcome level reporting. The M&E Manager will consult with the COP, DCOP, GESI Director, and technical leads about data and report, ensuring that technical work is accurately represented and GESI considerations have been incorporated. The COP will have ultimate oversight on all reporting. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 24 10. Schedule of Activity MEL Plan Tasks KEY MEL TASKS FREQUENCY/ TIMES RESPONSIBILITY TASKS CALENDAR YEAR 1 NOV 2022-SEPT 2023 YEAR 2 OCT 2023-SEPT 2024 YEAR 3 OCT 2024-SEPT 2025 YEAR 4 OCT 2025-SEPT 2026 YEAR 5 OCT 2026-SEPT 2027 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Finalize MEL Plan 1 time M&E Manager/ STTA Induction workshop/ orientation on MEL Plan 1 time M&E Manager/ STTA Annual MEL Plan Update/ Revision Annual M&E Manager Annual Work Plan Submission Annual COP/DCOP/ Program/Technical Lead/ M&E Manager/Communic ation Manager Submission of Quarterly Progress Report with indicator data to USAID Quarterly COP/DCOP/ Program/Technical Lead/ M&E Manager/Communic ation Manager Development of USAID Biodiversity Database 1 time M&E Manager/ STTA Baseline / Endline Survey 1 time M&E Manager/ STTA Data collection Continuous M&E Unit Data entry into database Continuous M&E Unit Data analysis/reporting Quarterly M&E Manager Reporting in DIS Quarterly/ Annual M&E Manager USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 25 KEY MEL TASKS FREQUENCY/ TIMES RESPONSIBILITY TASKS CALENDAR YEAR 1 NOV 2022-SEPT 2023 YEAR 2 OCT 2023-SEPT 2024 YEAR 3 OCT 2024-SEPT 2025 YEAR 4 OCT 2025-SEPT 2026 YEAR 5 OCT 2026-SEPT 2027 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Internal Data Quality Assessment (DQA) Annual M&E Manager/COP/ DCOP Quarterly Progress Review Quarterly M&E Manager/COP/DCOP Pause and reflect events Annual M&E Manager/COP/ DCOP Best practices case studies Annual Communication Manager USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 25 11. Schedule of Activity MEL Plan Deliverables DELIVERABLE/ REPORT DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION TO USAID Quarterly and Annual Progress reports Activity accomplishments and actuals against the outcomes and outputs or milestones. Refer to the award document for details. Quarterly, Annual Email to COR Indicator actuals Indicator actuals along with deviation narratives and additional notes as appropriate. Quarterly, Annual DIS Partner Portal and in progress reports Activity locations Names of provinces, districts and municipalities, types of interventions, and their status, etc. Annual (or upon any changes in the location) DIS Partner Portal and in progress reports Baseline assessment report Description of baseline status Once (Year 1) Email to COR Endline report7 Description of endline status Once (final year) Email to COR Final Report Life of project activity accomplishments Once (final year) Email to COR Technical reports Studies, assessments, and reports documenting findings for the learning agenda questions Ongoing DEC and COR via email Data assets8 Dataset along with required documents such as codebook, questionnaire, consent form, final reports of baseline, endline and other surveys Annual, End of Activity DDL and COR 12. Change Log The USAID Biodiversity MEL Plan is envisioned as a living document that will be revisited annually, where specific portions of the MEL plan may be updated or modified to reflect learning or changes in implementation conditions or context. Any updates to the MEL plan will be shared annually with USAID for approval. The M&E Manager is responsible for all updates to the MEL Plan and all changes will be recorded using the table below: Change Log Table DATE CHANGE BY CHANGE TO DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE Effective date of change (mm/dd/yyyy) Person or team who made the change. Section of the Activity MEL Plan changed. If indicator is changed, include the Indicator No. Summarize the change that was made to the Activity MEL Plan and the reason the change was made. 7 Note that if option years are included, the Year 3 household survey will serve as a midline, and the endline survey will be completed in Year 5. 8 Data assets include baseline/endline household survey and any other structured quantitative datasets the activity collects USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 26 Annexes: Annex I: Activity Locations Locations are identified based on Biodiversity Index map, Watershed and River Corridors. The Biodiversity Index Map was prepared from different criteria identified by USAID Biodiversity like Protected Areas, Protected areas buffer zone, Important bird areas, biological corridors, Ramsar sites, aquatic species (Dolphin, Mahseer and Gharial), Human Wildlife Conflict Hotspots, Wildlife Trade Route Hotspots High Conservation Rivers. Figure 6 USAID Biodiversity Priority Activity Locations USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 25 Annex I(a): Administrative Boundaries Municipalities for implementation have been defined and are shown below. Interventions across all three activity components will be implemented in these areas. SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 1 Alital Rural Municipality DADELDHURA Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.520133 29.0333921 Mahakali Watershed Mahakali River Basin Thuli Gad Watershed Mahakali Watershed Karnali River Basin Setinadi Watershed 2 Annapurna Rural Municipality KASKI Gandaki Marshyangdi Watershed Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.9039256 28.6069675 Seti Watershed 3 Apihimal Rural Municipality DARCHULA Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 81.0063208 29.9826528 Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 4 Babai Rural Municipality DANG Lumbini Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 82.0799852 28.0794310 Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 5 Barahtal Rural Municipality SURKHET Karnali Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin Thuli Bheri Watershed 81.3465211 28.6491922 Babai River Basin Lohare Khola Watershed 6 Bardiya National Park National Park BARDIYA Lumbini Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin Sarada Watershed 81.3257271 28.5435031 Babai River Basin Thuli Bheri Watershed 7 Bedkot Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.2716682 28.9936994 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 8 Belauri Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.3514761 28.6982759 9 Beldandi Rural Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.2671373 28.7737239 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 10 Bhajani Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.9187182 28.4888870 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 26 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 11 Bharatpur Metropolitan City CHITAWAN Bagmati Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.418443 27.6337910 Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin Kali Gandaki Watershed 12 Bheriganga Municipality SURKHET Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.6935034 28.4577812 Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 13 Bhimdatta Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.1954647 28.9802037 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 14 Bidur Municipality NUWAKOT Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.1564698 27.8907745 15 Binayee Tribeni Rural Municipality NAWALPARASI EAST Gandaki Tinau Watershed Tinau River Basin Narayani Saptagandaki 83.8379901 27.5564911 Watershed East Rapti River Basin 16 Byas Rural Municipality DARCHULA Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 80.9806864 30.1187239 Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 17 Byas Municipality TANAHU Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.2530608 27.9593397 Marshyangdi Watershed 18 Chandani Dodhara Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 80.0856460 28.8963327 19 Chaukune Rural Municipality SURKHET Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.3046715 28.8277837 Karnali Watershed 20 Chaurpati Rural Municipality ACHHAM Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.1527690 29.1909173 21 Chhayanath Rara Municipality MUGU Karnali Humla Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.1542615 29.6516869 Mugu Karnali Watershed Karnali Watershed Tila Watershed 22 Chitawan National Park National Park PARSA Madhesh Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.5414824 27.3988202 CHITAWAN Bagmati Bakaiyanadi Watershed Bakaiya River Basin MAKAWANPUR Bagmati NAWALPARASI Tinau Watershed Tinau River Basin EAST Gandaki USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 27 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 23 Chum Nubri Rural Municipality GORKHA Gandaki Marshyangdi Watershed Budhi Gandaki Gandaki River Basin 84.5260109 28.6440223 Watershed 24 Chure Rural Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.72166 28.8859582 Thuli Gad Watershed Karnali River Basin 25 Devchuli Municipality NAWALPARASI_E Gandaki Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.2078391 27.7147695 Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 26 Devghat Rural Municipality TANAHU Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.3803823 27.8393404 Kali Gandaki Watershed 27 Dhangadhi Upamahanagarpalika KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.6833303 28.6789869 28 Dharche Rural Municipality GORKHA Gandaki Budhi Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.0741649 28.4638251 29 Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality DOLPA Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 83.0826122 29.1480502 Mugu Karnali Watershed 30 Dunhu Rural Municipality DARCHULA Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 80.6519152 29.8631279 31 Gadhawa Rural Municipality DANG Lumbini Tinau Watershed Tinau River Basin 82.6676932 27.7444528 Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 32 Gaidakot Municipality NAWALPARASI EAST Gandaki Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.3378853 27.7131126 Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin Seti Watershed 33 Ghodaghodi Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.868103 28.6237730 Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 34 Godawari Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.6488183 28.8312095 35 Gosaikunda Rural Municipality RASUWA Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin Bhotekoshi Watershed 85.5787358 28.2074727 Koshi River Basin Indrawati Watershed 36 Guthichaur Rural Municipality JUMLA Karnali Tila Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.3007807 29.2710284 Thuli Bheri Watershed USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 28 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 37 Jagadulla Rural Municipality DOLPA Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Tila Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.7798066 29.3307448 Mugu Karnali Watershed 39 Kailari Rural Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.8089340 28.5966690 40 Kalika Rural Municipality RASUWA Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.2244470 28.0271427 41 Kalimati Rural Municipality SALYAN Karnali Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.8302075 28.2717850 Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 42 Kanakasundari Rural Municipality JUMLA Karnali Tila Watershed Mugu Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.1692129 29.3506985 Karnali Watershed 43 Kawasoti Municipality NAWALPARASI_E Gandaki Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.1346375 27.6554205 44 Khaptad National Park National Park BAJURA Sudur Pashchim BAJHANG Sudur Pashchim ACHHAM Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin DOTI Sudur Pashchim 45 Khaptadchhanna Rural Municipality BAJHANG Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.1969383 29.4552452 46 Krishnapur Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.4702508 28.8613978 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 47 Laljhadi Rural Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.3519061 28.7704607 48 Lamahi Municipality DANG Lumbini Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 82.3406826 27.9315894 Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 49 Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality KASKI Gandaki Marshyangdi Watershed Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.0296589 28.5728177 Seti Watershed 50 Madhuwan Municipality BARDIYA Lumbini Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.2369631 28.3851810 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 29 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 51 Madhyabindu Municipality NAWALPARASI EAST Gandaki Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 83.9854988 27.6188556 52 Madi Rural Municipality KASKI Gandaki Marshyangdi Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.1721376 28.5094271 Seti Watershed 53 Madi Municipality CHITAWAN Bagmati Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.3730582 27.4207599 Bakaiyanadi Watershed Bakaiya River Basin 54 Manahari Rural Municipality MAKAWANPUR Bagmati Bakaiyanadi Watershed Bakaiya River Basin Narayani Saptagandaki 84.8783915 27.3914538 Watershed East Rapti River Basin 55 Marma Rural Municipality DARCHULA Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 80.8211017 29.7397871 Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 56 Mohanyal Rural Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.2516168 28.6942972 Thuli Bheri Watershed Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin Thuli Gad Watershed 57 Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality MUGU Karnali Mugu Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.4548122 29.8786359 Thuli Bheri Watershed Tila Watershed Humla Karnali Watershed 58 Narainapur Rural Municipality BANKE Lumbini Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 81.8626051 27.9283040 59 Narphu Rural Municipality MANANG Gandaki Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.1714535 28.8876061 Marshyangdi Watershed 60 Nashong Rural Municipality MANANG Gandaki Marshyangdi Watershed Budhi Gandaki Gandaki River Basin 84.286311 28.6146311 Watershed 61 Naugad Rural Municipality DARCHULA Sudur Pashchim Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 80.6664628 29.7940033 62 Naukunda Rural Municipality RASUWA Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.3521286 28.0096522 63 Panchpuri Municipality SURKHET Karnali Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.3113471 28.6985618 Thuli Bheri Watershed USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 30 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 64 Parashuram Municipality DADELDHURA Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.2737058 29.0530454 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 65 Parbati Kunda Rural Municipality RASUWA Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.3241483 28.2117467 66 Parsa National Park National Park PARSA Madhesh Bakaiyanadi Watershed Bakaiya River Basin Narayani Saptagandaki 84.8275744 27.3237943 Watershed East Rapti River Basin 67 Patrasi Rural Municipality JUMLA Karnali Tila Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.4199041 29.3300929 68 Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City KASKI Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.9906501 28.2105306 Kali Gandaki Watershed 69 Punarbas Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.4168147 28.6771971 70 Purbichauki Rural Municipality DOTI Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.1097633 29.2534986 71 Rajapur Municipality BARDIYA Lumbini Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.1388996 28.4214779 72 Rajpur Rural Municipality DANG Lumbini Tinau Watershed Tinau River Basin 82.4750777 27.7179869 Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 73 Rapti Rural Municipality DANG Lumbini Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin 82.6465390 27.9046970 74 Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality BANKE Lumbini Rapti Watershed West Rapti River Basin Sarada Watershed Tinau River Basin 82.0808049 28.0066801 Babai River Basin 75 Rubi Valley Rural Municipality DHADING Bagmati Budhi Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.0932531 28.3450581 Trishuli Watershed 76 Rupa Rural Municipality KASKI Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 84.1418168 28.1469760 77 Sanphebagar Municipality ACHHAM Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.2072405 29.2688160 78 Sayal Rural Municipality DOTI Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 80.9906176 29.4110870 79 Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality DOLPA Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.9518474 29.2490431 Mugu Karnali Watershed 80 Shuklaphanta Municipality KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.379234 28.9288624 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 31 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 81 Shuklaphanta National Park National Park KANCHANPUR Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 80.2702508 28.8573927 Mahakali Watershed Mahakalii River Basin 82 Simkot Rural Municipality HUMLA Karnali Humla Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.8883923 30.0305856 Karnali Watershed 83 Thakurbaba Municipality BARDIYA Lumbini Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.2938801 28.4551898 Sarada Watershed Babai River Basin 84 Thalara Rural Municipality BAJHANG Sudur Pashchim Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.0092807 29.4502581 85 Thori Rural Municipality PARSA Madhesh Narayani Saptagandaki Watershed East Rapti River Basin 84.5145025 27.3798580 Bakaiyanadi Watershed Bakaiya River Basin 86 Thuli Bheri Municipality DOLPA Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.7995069 28.9639048 87 Tikapur Municipality KAILALI Sudur Pashchim Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.0871181 28.4578915 Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin 88 Tripurasundari Municipality DOLPA Karnali Thuli Bheri Watershed Karnali River Basin 82.7386105 29.0209337 89 Aandhikhola Rural Municipality SYANGJA Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.8100000 28.2200000 Kali Gandaki Watershed 90 Phedikhola Rural Municipality SYANGJA Gandaki Seti Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.9000000 28.1600000 Kali Gandaki Watershed 91 Kakani Rural Municipality NUWAKOT Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.2300000 27.7900000 92 Shivapuri Rural Municipality NUWAKOT Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.3700000 27.8500000 93 Dhunibesi Municipality DHADING Bagmati Trishuli Watershed Gandaki River Basin 85.1700000 27.7200000 Bagmati Watershed Bagmati River Basin 94 Kushma Municipality PARBAT Gandaki Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.800000 28.2200000 Seti Watershed 95 Modi Rural Municipality PARBAT Gandaki Kali Gandaki Watershed Gandaki River Basin 83.8100000 28.2400000 Seti Watershed 96 Khatyad Rural Municipality MUGU Karnali Mugu Karnali Watershed Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.8900000 29.5100000 Tila Watershed USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 32 SN LOCAL LEVEL NAME LOCAL LEVEL TYPE DISTRICT PROVINCE WATERSHED COVERAGE MAJOR RIVER BASIN COVERAGE X COORDINATES Y COORDINATES 97 Soru Rural Municipality MUGU Karnali Humla Karnali Watershed Mugu Karnali Watershed Karnali River Basin 81.9900000 29.6700000 Karnali Watershed 98 Badikedar Rural Municipality DOTI Sudur Pashchim Karnali Watershed Thuli Gad Watershed Karnali River Basin 80.9600000 29.0200000 Setinadi Watershed 99 Jorayal Rural Municipality DOTI Sudur Pashchim Mahana Nadi Watershed Mahana River Basin Thuli Gad Watershed Mahakali River Basin 80.5600000 29.1100000 Setinadi Watershed Karnali River Basin Further details of interventions, such as locations where infrastructure will be rehabilitated will be defined after baseline assessments. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 33 Annex II: Performance Indicator Tracking Table Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A Objective 1: Improved health of Ecosystem in Targeted Landscapes New/ 2023 EG.10.2-1. Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of USG assistance Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 65,000 85,000 65,000 35,000 250,000 a. Ecosystem Integer 0 1. Ecosystem: Coastal￾marine - Hectares in coastal-marine ecosystems showing improved biophysical conditions Integer 0 2. Ecosystem: Terrestrial - non-forest - Hectares in non-forest terrestrial ecosystems, including freshwater, showing improved biophysical conditions Integer 0 3. Ecosystem: Terrestrial - non-forest - Hectares in non-forest terrestrial ecosystems, including freshwater, showing improved biophysical conditions Integer 0 b. Conservation Law Compliance Integer 0 1. Wildlife Trafficking Integer 0 2. Illegal logging and associated trade Integer 0 3. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Integer 0 c. Priority Landscape Integer 0 Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 Kailash Integer 0 Terai Arc Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 34 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A Karnali Integer 0 New/ 2023 EG.10.2-2. Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management, safeguards, or sustainable practices as a result of USG assistance Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 842,500 857,500 195,000 105,000 2,000,000 a. Ecosystem Integer 0 1. Ecosystem category: Coastal-marine Integer 0 2. Ecosystem category: Terrestrial-forests Integer 0 3. Ecosystem category: Terrestrial non-forests Integer 0 b. Conservation Law Compliance Integer 0 1. Wildlife trafficking Integer 0 2. Illegal logging and associated trade Integer 0 3. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Integer 0 c. Priority Landscape Integer 0 Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 Kailash Integer 0 Terai Arc Integer 0 Karnali Integer 0 New/ 2023 EG.10.2-3. Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 105,000 245,000 162,500 87,500 600,000 a. Sex Integer 0 1. Male Integer 0 2. Female Integer 0 3. Neither Integer 0 4. Disaggregates Not Available Integer 0 b. Conservation Law Compliance Integer 0 1. Wildlife trafficking Integer 0 2. Illegal logging and associated trade Integer 0 3. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 35 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A c. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10. Others Integer 0 d. Age Integer 0 1. 15-29 Integer 0 2. 30 - 40 Integer 0 3. ≥ 41 Integer 0 New/2023 CBLD-9. Percent of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance PMP (Outcome) Annual Total Percent 0% 0% 33% 60% a. Num/Denom 1. Numerator: Number of USG assisted organization with improved performance Integer 0 2. Denominator: Number of USG assisted organization Integer 0 b. Type of Organization Integer 0 1. National governmental Integer 0 2. Sub-national governmental (Local) Integer 0 New/2023 Custom 1.1. Amount of income (USD) generated by MSME with USG assistance Custom (Outcome) Annual Total Amount (In USD) Currency (USD) 0 0 a. Type of Enterprises Currency (USD) 1. Micro Enterprises Currency 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 36 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A (USD) 2. Small Enterprises Currency (USD) 0 3. Medium Enterprises Currency (USD) 0 b. Priority Landscape Currency (USD) 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Currency (USD) 0 2. Kailash Currency (USD) 0 3. Terai Arc Currency (USD) 0 4. Karnali Currency (USD) 0 c. Municipality Type Currency (USD) 0 1. Municipality Currency (USD) 0 2. Rural Municipality Currency (USD) 0 New/2023 Custom 1.2. Number of HH practicing Human Wildlife Conflict mitigation measures with USG assistance Custom (Output) Annual Total Integer 0 0 500 500 500 500 2000 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 New/2023 Custom 1.3. Number of rare and threatened species with improved management Custom (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 5 5 4 3 17 a. Priority Landscape Integer 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 2. Kailash Integer USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 37 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A 3. Terai Arc Integer 4. Karnali Integer Objective 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened New/ 2023 EG.10.2-5. Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance Standard (Output) Annual Total Integer 0 6 14 10 13 7 50 a. Stage of development Integer 0 1. Proposed Integer 0 2. Adopted Integer 0 3. Implemented Integer 0 b. Level of government Integer 0 1. National governmental Integer 0 2. Provincial government Integer 0 3. Municipality Integer 0 c. Conservation Law Compliance Integer 0 1. Wildlife trafficking Integer 0 2. Illegal logging and associated trade Integer 0 3. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Integer 0 New/ 2023 EG.10.2-6. Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 1000 1000 975 525 35000 a. Law compliance category Integer 0 1. Wildlife trafficking Integer 0 2. Illegal logging and associated trade Integer 0 3. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Integer 0 b. Sex Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 38 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A 1. Male Integer 0 2. Female Integer 0 3. Neither Integer 0 4. Disaggregates Not Available Integer 0 c. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10. Others Integer 0 d. Type of law enforcement personnel Integer 0 1. Community based anti￾poaching units Integer 0 2. Park Rangers Integer 0 New/2023 HL 8.5-1 Number of people benefiting from adoption and implementation of measures to improve water resource management as a result of USG Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 150,000 200,000 97,500 52,500 500,000 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 39 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A assistance b. Sex Integer 0 1. Male Integer 0 2. Female Integer 0 3. Neither Integer 0 4. Disaggregates Not Available Integer 0 c. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10.Others Integer 0 New/2023 Custom 2.1. Number of private sector enterprises/MSME and infrastructure projects that are integrating sustainable practices or safeguards as a result of USG assistance Custom (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 110 110 115 65 400 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 b. Municipality type Integer 0 1. Municipality Integer 0 2. Rural Municipality Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 40 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A c. Type of enterprise Integer 0 1. Micro Enterprises Integer 0 2. Small Enterprises Integer 0 3. Medium Enterprises Integer 0 New/2023 Custom 2.2. Number of zoonotic disease surveillance programs scoped and replicated Custom (Outcome) Annual Total 0 0 1 3 4 1 9 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 b. Type of Municipality Integer 0 1. Rural Municipality Integer 0 2. Municipality Integer 0 Objective 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human Systems Enhanced New/ 2023 EG. 11-4. Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for climate change adaptation as supported by USG assistance Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Currency (USD) 0 0 1,500,000 2,500,000 2,600,000 1,400,000 8000000 a. Funding type Currency (USD) 0 1. Public, domestic funds Currency (USD) 0 2. Private, domestic funds Currency (USD) 0 3. Public, international funds Currency (USD) 0 4. Private, international funds Currency (USD) 0 New/ 2023 EG.10.2-4. Number of people trained in sustainable natural resource Standard (Output) Annual Total Integer 0 0 85,000 85,000 84,500 45,500 300,000 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1. Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 41 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 b. Sex Integer 0 1. Male Integer 0 2. Female Integer 0 3. Neither Integer 0 4. Disaggregates Not Available Integer 0 c. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/ Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10.Others Integer 0 d. Age Integer 0 1. 15-29 Integer 0 2. 30-40 Integer 0 3. ≥ 41 Integer 0 New/2023 EG.11 - 6. Number of people using climate information or implementing risk reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as a result of Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 90,000 80,000 84,500 45,500 300,000 a. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1. Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 b. Sex Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 42 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A USG assistance 1. Male Integer 0 2. Female Integer 0 3. Neither Integer 0 4. Disaggregates Not Available Integer 0 c. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10. Others Integer 0 New/2023 EG. 11-2. Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by USG assistance Standard (Output) Annual Total Integer 0 0 20 29 20 21 90 a. Type of institution Integer 0 1. National governmental Integer 0 2. Sub-national governmental (Local) Integer 0 3. Other (Community Forest User Groups) Integer 0 GESI Standard and PMP Indicators New/2023 GNDR-1. Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non￾discrimination against women or girls at the national Standard (Outcome) Annual Total Integer 0 0 12 18 8 2 40 a. Stage of development Integer 0 1. Drafted Integer 0 2. Proposed Integer 0 3. Adopted Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 43 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A or sub-national level New/2023 GNDR-2. Percent of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment) Standard (Output) Annual Total Percent 0% 0% 0% 45% 0% 0% 50% a. Num/Denom 1. Numerator: Number of female program participants Integer 0 2. Denominator: Total number of male and female participants in the program Integer 0 b. Caste/Ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 2. Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri Integer 0 3. Madheshi Other Castes Integer 0 4. Hill Dalit Integer 0 5. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 6. Newar Integer 0 7. Mountain/Hill Janajati Integer 0 8. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 9. Muslim Integer 0 10.Others Integer 0 c. Age Integer 0 1. 15-29 Integer 0 2. 30-40 Integer 0 3. ≥ 41 Integer 0 New/ 2023 PMP 5.2-2. Percent of leadership positions in USG￾supported community management entities that are filled by a woman or member of a PMP (Outcome) Annual Total Percent 0% 0% TBD TBD a. Num/Denom 1. Numerator: Number of women/members of a marginalized community holding leadership positions Integer 0 2. Denominator: Total Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 44 Status/ Year Indicator Code & Name Indicator Type Reporting Frequency Data Disaggregation & Disaggregate Data Type Baseline Value (Date) FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 End of Activity T A T A T A T A T A T A marginalized community number of available leadership positions b. Type of people holding leadership positions Integer 0 1. Women Integer 0 2. Marginalized Community (includes men) Integer 0 3. LGBTQI+ Integer 0 4. Persons with disabilities Integer 0 c. Gender Integer 0 1. Women Integer 0 2. Men Integer 0 3. Others Integer 0 d. Caste/ethnicity Integer 0 1. Hill Dalit Integer 0 2. Tarai Janajati Integer 0 3. Madheshi Dalit Integer 0 4. Madeshi Other Castes Integer 0 5. Muslim Integer 0 e. Priority Landscape Integer 0 1.Chitwan-Annapurna Integer 0 2. Kailash Integer 0 3. Terai Arc Integer 0 4. Karnali Integer 0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 45 Annex III: Performance Indicator Reference Sheets Performance Indicator Reference Sheets provide consistent definitions of indicators, identify data collection methods and potential data quality limitations, and help ensure consistent understanding of the indicators by staff and others who are involved in MEL activities. Details of a total of 19 indicators including 14 standard and 5 custom indicators is given below. USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.10.2-1] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO 4: More equitable and improved natural resources and disaster risk management ● IR 4.1. Natural resources conservation enhanced ● IR 4.4 Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased Number/Name of Indicator: EG.10.2-1 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: Biologically significant areas are areas that (a) have been identified as important for biodiversity through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes, or (b) areas where sustainable natural resource management interventions have the intent to positively impact biodiversity in areas described in “(a)”. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is biophysical monitoring data showing USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 46 improvement, stability if previously declining, measurable degradation avoided, or a slower rate of decline in one or more ecosystem or species attributes, as described below. Improved biophysical conditions can include, but are not limited to, - Reduced rate of deforestation or forest degradation - Reduced rate of non-forest ecosystem (e.g., wetland, grassland, coral reef, river, etc.) loss or degradation - Increased resource production (e.g., timber, fuelwood, fish, non-timber forest products, etc.) - Increased native tree or vegetation coverage - Reduced impact of disease on specific species population(s) - Less contamination impacting specific species population(s) - Reduced frequency and/or extent of fire - Increases in targeted species population(s) size or distribution - An increased diversity of species - Reduced proportion and/or extent of invasive species - Decreased fragmentation of habitat or important corridors, including rivers - Improved soil quality and/or reduced rates of soil loss or degradation - Improved water quality (with regard to chemical and organic pollutants, temperature, sediment load) - Improved water availability If an area reported as under improved management (indicator EG.10.2-2) also shows improved biophysical conditions, then the corresponding hectares can be reported under both EG.10.2-1 and EG.10.2 indicators. Higher = better Improved biophysical condition should be reported for activities where the USG supported program was plausibly linked to the improvements observed. Partners should articulate clearly, through a short narrative, (a) the logical sequence of events (theory of change) that link the USG supported interventions with the observed biophysical change, and (b) the milestones that are being used within the program to gauge success. Hectares reported should include sustained improvements in previously reported hectares and new, additional hectares. Note on reporting frequency: Given the time required to generate significant biophysical change, data for this indicator may not be available until three to five years into an activity, depending on the specific biophysical change measured. Projects and activities that expect to generate results measurable with this indicator should set targets for future years and report on an annual basis even if those targets and annual results are zero for the first years of the program. Implementing Partner’s use of this standard indicator: Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes (priority landscapes) (a) Designated areas: Areas identified by the Government of Nepal as important for biodiversity through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes, for example: Ramsar sites, protected areas including National Parks, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife hunting reserves, Buffer Zones, Conservation Areas (b) Non designated areas: Specific areas outside designated areas that are identified and prioritized based on persistence of biodiversity and associated values, climate change vulnerability, disaster risk, environmental crime, or socio-economic dynamism where interventions have potential to positively impact biodiversity, lower human-climate conflict, or increase climate resilience. These include Community forests, leasehold forests, lakes and other biologically significant wetlands, plantation areas, grasslands, flood plain restoration areas etc. The disaggregates are defined as: USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 47 Ecosystem category (terrestrial-forests/terrestrial-nonforests/coastal-marine) • Terrestrial-forest: Hectares in terrestrial forests, including mangroves, showing improved biophysical conditions; forest can be defined broadly for the purpose of this disaggregate, and OUs may choose to refer to the definition of forests used by the local government or partner organizations (e.g., FAO). • Terrestrial-non-forest: Hectares in non-forest terrestrial ecosystems, including freshwater, showing improved biophysical conditions • Coastal-Marine: Hectares in coastal or marine ecosystems showing improved biophysical conditions Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing): • Wildlife Trafficking: Hectares showing improved biophysical conditions due to interventions that address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (ILAT): Hectares showing improved biophysical conditions due to interventions that address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of trees or tree products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, as well as unlawful deforestation clear land for another use. • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Hectares showing improved biophysical conditions due to interventions that address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable regulations. Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities. Unregulated fishing includes activities that may not be illegal but that are nonetheless inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the wildlife trafficking disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law or international conservation and management agreements. Taking is always illegal when the species has protected status in the country of origin. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. Note: The sum of the totals of the three Ecosystem disaggregate category options must be equal to the overall total number of hectares reported. The sum of the totals of the three Conservation Law Compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of hectares reported. Hectares reported under Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates may also be reported under Ecosystem disaggregates (e.g., hectares showing improved conditions due to reduced illegal logging should also be reported under terrestrial-forest hectares). Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali): Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of Hectares Disaggregated by: Ecosystem category (terrestrial-forests/terrestrial-nonforests/coastal-marine), Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing), Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Level USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 48 (Municipality, District, Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): This indicator is a reliable measure that demonstrates the magnitude of USG investments in biodiversity conservation and other natural resource sectors. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Plantation, restoration work, grassland management, flood plain management, community forest management etc. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: − Site surveys − Landscape team activity reports − Spatial analyses using remotely sensed and/or geographic information system data (e.g., Global Forest Watch) Landscape leads will define the specific methods of data acquisition for each landscape based on the expected impacts of their activities on local biodiversity and/or natural resources. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party (COP) USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Folder and Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): (a) Precision - depends on the methods used, such as whether sampling is representative of the whole area of intervention. (b) Reliability - is strong but comparability across different sites and different resources (and in different ecological zones) is difficult. (c) Biophysical change may or may not be detectable on an annual basis or even within the project cycle. Stability where it didn’t exist before is also within the definition of biophysical change. (d) Attribution to specific USG supported interventions can be challenging, therefore the need to provide a narrative explaining causal effects. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): USAID Biodiversity will make all MEL data available for any future evaluations carried out in timeframes more amenable to observation of the expected changes. The MEL team will include narrative explanations of observed or inferred linkages between USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 49 interventions and outcomes when attribution is not immediately apparent. PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. This includes measures of target vs achievement, data disaggregation and use of appropriate statistical tools. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Biodiversity Lead, Senior M&E Officer and M&E Manager USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/Technical Leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): This indicator is a reliable measure that demonstrates the magnitude of USG investments in biodiversity conservation and other natural resource sectors. Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 65,000 85,000 150,000 65,000 35,000 100,000 250,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Municipality, District, and Province. Some of the data from the lowest possible units is the activity level data. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.10.2-2] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Improved health of Ecosystem in Targeted Landscapes USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 50 Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: EG.10.2-2 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: Biologically significant areas are areas that (a) have been identified as important for biodiversity through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes, or (b) areas where natural resource management (NRM) interventions have the intent to positively impact biodiversity in areas described in “(a)”. Improved NRM includes activities that promote enhanced management of natural resources for one or more objectives, such as conserving biodiversity, maintaining ecosystems services, strengthening sustainable use of natural resources, mitigating climate change, and/or promoting community participation in NRM. Management should be guided by a stakeholder-endorsed process following principles of sustainable NRM and biodiversity conservation, resulting in improved human and institutional capacity for sustainable NRM and biodiversity conservation, access to better information for decision-making, and/or adoption of sustainable NRM and biodiversity conservation practices. An area is considered under “improved management” when any one of the following occurs: management planning and actions are informed by local site assessments, stakeholder participation and other best management practices occur; human and institutional capacity is developed; management plan actions are implemented; monitoring and evaluation is established or improved; adaptive management is demonstrated; or on-the-ground management impacts are demonstrated (e.g., illegal roads closed, snares removed, no-fishing zones demarcated). If a biologically significant area reported as showing improved biophysical conditions (indicator EG10.2-1) is also under improved natural resource management, then the corresponding hectares can be reported under both USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 51 EG.10.2-1 and EG.10.2-2 indicators. Higher = better Improved management should be reported for activities where the USG supported program was plausibly linked to the improvements observed. Partners should articulate clearly the milestones that are being used within the program to gauge success and provide a short narrative to describe the milestones that have been reached in the past year. The conversion to hectares of some management actions can be challenging. The guiding principle in these cases should be based on the theory of change behind the management action, or in other words the logic behind how the management action in question affects the threat to biodiversity. Hectares reported should include sustained improvements in previously reported hectares and new, additional hectares. Implementing Partner’s use of this standard indicator: Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape and may be: (a) Designated areas: Areas identified by the Government of Nepal as important for biodiversity through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes, for example: Ramsar sites, protected areas including National Parks, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife hunting reserves, Buffer Zones, Conservation Areas (b) Non designated areas: Specific areas outside designated areas that are identified and prioritized based on persistence of biodiversity and associated values, climate change vulnerability, disaster risk, environmental crime, or socio-economic dynamism where interventions have potential to positively impact biodiversity, lower human-climate conflict, or increase climate resilience. These include community forests, leasehold forests, lakes and other biologically significant wetlands, plantation areas, grasslands, flood plain restoration areas etc. Improved management will be defined by a stakeholder-endorsed process and may include: - adopting or following principles of sustainable natural resource management (NRM) and biodiversity conservation practices - improving human and institutional capacity for sustainable NRM and biodiversity conservation - access to better information for decision-making - adopting, updating, improving, or applying sustainable NRM of biodiversity conservation management plans The disaggregates are defined as: Ecosystem category (terrestrial-forests/terrestrial-nonforests/coastal-marine): • Terrestrial-forest: Hectares in terrestrial-forests, including mangroves, showing improved biophysical conditions; forest can be defined broadly for the purpose of this disaggregate, and OUs may choose to refer to the definition of forests used by the local government or partner organizations (e.g., FAO). • Terrestrial-non-forest: Hectares in non-forest terrestrial ecosystems, including freshwater, showing improved biophysical conditions • Coastal-Marine: Hectares in coastal or marine ecosystems under improved natural resource management Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing): • Wildlife Trafficking: Hectares under improved natural resource management due to interventions that address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (ILAT): Hectares under improved natural resource management due to USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 52 interventions that address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of trees or tree products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, as well as unlawful deforestation clear land for another use. • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Hectares under improved natural resource management due to interventions that address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable regulations. Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities. Unregulated fishing includes activities that may not be illegal but that are nonetheless inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the wildlife trafficking disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law or international conservation and management agreements. Taking is always illegal when the species has protected status in the country of origin. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. Note: The sum of the totals of the three Ecosystem disaggregate category options must be equal to the overall total number of hectares reported. The sum of the totals of the three four Conservation Law Compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of hectares reported. Hectares reported under Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates may also be reported under Ecosystem disaggregates (e.g., hectares showing improved conditions due to reduced illegal logging should also be reported under terrestrial-forest hectares). Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali): Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of Hectares Disaggregated by: Ecosystem category (terrestrial-forests/terrestrial-nonforests/coastal-marine), Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing), Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Level (Municipality, District, Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): This indicator represents progress towards sustainable natural resources practices governance and institutions. (Solution 1.1) PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Plantation, restoration. Protected area management plan preparation, landscape assessment, community forest operation plan preparation etc. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: - Site survey - Focus group discussions (FGD) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 53 - Landscape team activity reports Landscape leads will define the specific methods of data acquisition for each landscape based on the expected impacts of their activities on local biodiversity and/or natural resources. Baseline surveys will be conducted in Y1 and will form the basis of comparison. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): (a) Validity, integrity, and reliability of data are high but regular data quality analysis is necessary. (b) Precision is low: “improved management” is a relative term, and a narrative is required to explain the quality of this management improved. Equal weight is given to unequal improvements along a continuum: e.g., creating, adopting, and implementing management plans may each be an improvement over a baseline. Likewise, a small management improvement across a large area may be as important as a large improvement across a small area. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): The activity will conduct periodic check-ins with all landscape implementation teams to assess any observations that may be used to infer improvements in management or capacity. These assessments will be used to ensure that different staff are using similar attributes to describe improved management and/or capacity. The MEL team will include narrative explanations of observed or inferred linkages between interventions and outcomes when attribution is not immediately apparent. PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. This includes measures of target vs achievement, data disaggregation and use of appropriate statistical tools. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be report in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Biodiversity Lead, Senior M&E Officer and M&E Manager USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/Technical Leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 54 BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 842,500 857,500 1,700,000 195,000 105,000 300,000 2,000,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Landscape, Municipality, District, and Province. Some of the data from the lowest possible units is the activity level data. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.10.2-3] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 55 Number/Name of Indicator: EG.10.2-3 Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition: Sustainable natural resources management is defined as managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Increased economic benefits are increases in economic earnings or consumption due to sustainable management or conservation of natural resources, which can include new opportunity for wages, communal revenues yielding benefit to all, non-cash benefits, and economic benefits from ecosystem services. Activities generating economic benefit should also support conservation management of targeted resources and or aquatic species. As an example, but not limited to, number of people with improved economic benefits due to interventions that address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of aquatic (freshwater) products, as well as failure of fishers to declare fishing catch ("unreported") and failure of governments to create and/or enforce fishing policies ("unregulated"). Another example could be the positive perception of the fishing groups those were engaged in sustainable fishing or other opportunities relevant to freshwater conservation. Number of people may be a direct count, or it may be determined by multiplying number of households with increased economic benefits by the number of people per household (Higher = Better). Number is specific to each year, not cumulative. Biodiversity conservation refers to direct and indirect actions (including sustainable natural resources management) with the goal of conserving biodiversity in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Disaggregate definition: Sex (Male/Female/Neither/NA). Neither implies those that self-identify as neither female nor male. NA means disaggregate is not available. Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) • Wildlife Trafficking: Number of people with improved economic benefits due to interventions that address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (ILAT): Number of people with improved economic benefits due to interventions that address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of trees or tree products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, as well as unlawful deforestation clear land for another use. • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: Number of people with improved economic benefits due to interventions that address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Illegal fishing refers to fishing USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 56 activities conducted in contravention of applicable regulations. Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities. Unregulated fishing includes activities that may not be illegal but that are nonetheless inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the wildlife trafficking disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law or international conservation and management agreements. Taking is always illegal when the species has protected status in the country of origin. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. Note: The sum of the totals of the three Conservation Law Compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of people reported. Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali): Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes. Age: heads of households that self-identify as that age from household surveys Caste/ethnicity: heads of households that self-identify as that caste/ethnicity from household surveys Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of people Disaggregated by: Sex (M/F/N/NA), Age (15-29, 30-40, 41+), caste/ethnicity (Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others), Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and priority landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Support for start-ups, capacity building, product certification, support for inputs Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: Use of standard templates (will be mentioned specifically once they are designed). Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 57 Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Number of people with improved economic benefits does not indicate the actual or relative size of the benefit, which may be a cash or non-cash benefit. Validity is good, integrity is high, reliability and timeliness are reasonable. Precision is variable across programs but should be consistent within programs. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): The inherent limitations of these type of data are not easily resolved in the Site but will be taken into account when drawing inferences about the activity’s overall impacts. PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): The data will be gathered using DAI Collect. To meet the definition of this indicator households must have increased their economic benefit and participated in sustainable resource management. Survey responses must reflect both factors. Data will be analyzed using statistical software, to count the number of households responding positively to both factors. Data will also be disaggregated by sex, caste/ethnicity, age, and environmental law compliance. Again, a software, will be used to calculate totals based on those conditionals and the factors positively responding to the indicator. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): USAID Biodiversity Livelihoods Specialist, Private Sector Specialist, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager Team Review (optional): DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/technical leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 105,000 245,000 350,000 162,500 87,500 250,000 600,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 58 Data Reporting Units: Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Some of the data from the lowest possible units is the activity level data. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [CBLD-9] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: Percent of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance (CBLD-9) Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY 24, FY 25, FY 26, and FY 27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 59 Precise Definition(s): This indicator measures whether USG-funded capacity development efforts have led to improved organizational performance in organizations receiving organizational capacity development support. Key concepts: Capacity is the ability of people, organizations and society as a whole to manage their affairs successfully. Capacity development is the process of unleashing, strengthening and maintaining such capacity. Capacity is a form of potential; it is not visible until it is used. Therefore, performance is the key consideration in determining whether capacity has changed. Organizations with improved performance will have undergone a deliberate process undertaken to improve execution of organizational mandates to deliver results for the stakeholders it seeks to serve. USAID Biodiversity will use Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) to assess capacity. LISA is a self-evaluation tool developed by Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. This tool applied for all 753 municipalities and all the municipalities must conduct annually. In this regard, USAID Biodiversity will partner with the government to apply its Local Government Institutional Self-Assessments (LISA) to identify and prioritize gaps in capacity. Additionally, USAID Biodiversity will design and implement training programs— responsive to the LISA and the GESI assessment—with government officials empowered as trainers to fill capacity gaps. USAID Biodiversity will select the LGs based on their ecological zone and the LISA findings. USAID Biodiversity will collaborate with municipalities that have low performance scores for conservation and disaster management, and social inclusion which are two of the ten evaluation indicators to design and implement training programs. Example topics include conservation planning, watershed and forest protection, benefits of including women and Dalit in decision making, wildlife corridor management, and how to collaborate with stakeholders in a participatory manner to implement community-government co-management of habitats. To complement training, the activity must facilitate learning exchanges between provinces and municipalities to share best practices and prioritize the participation of women and vulnerable groups. For this, USAID Biodiversity will closely coordinate with Provincial and Local Government Support Program (PLGSP). PLGSP has its own institutional structure at all seven provinces and implementing various capacity building interventions targeting to local governments. Among various capacity building interventions, LISA is one of the most important tools conducting by PLGSP. LISA generally provides strength and weak areas of performance by LGs and areas of supports. Indicator Formula: This indicator should only be used when conditions (a) and (b), as described below, are met. Targets should be set and results should be reported using this formula for the overall indicator and each of the disaggregates: Numerator = number of organizations with improved performance Denominator = number of USG-assisted organizations receiving organizational capacity development support assessed Targets for both the numerator and denominator should be set for the aggregate; they do not need to be set for the disaggregates. Results should be reported for both numerator and denominator for the aggregate and disaggregate types. Denominator calculations for the process of organizational capacity development: Organizations should only be counted in the denominator if they have undergone an intentional and demand-driven performance improvement process detailed in points (a) and (b) below. (a) The activity theory of change, award documents, work plan, or other relevant documentation reflects those resources(human, financial, and/or other) were allocated for organizational capacity development. (b) An organization demonstrates that it has undergone and documented a process of performance improvement, including the following four steps: USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 60 (i.) Obtaining input from the supported organization and/or any other relevant stakeholders to define desired performance improvement priorities, (ii.) Analyzing and assessing performance gaps (the difference between desired performance and actual performance), (iii.) Selecting and implementing performance improvement solutions (or the development interventions), and (iv.) Using a performance improvement metric for which the organization will monitor and measure changes in performance. Numerator calculations for organizational performance improvement: Organizations should only be counted in the numerator if they are eligible to be counted in the denominator and have additionally demonstrated measurable improved performance. In addition to meeting conditions (a) and (b) above, organizations must meet the following condition: (c) An organization demonstrates that its performance on a key performance metric has improved. Disaggregates: Only one organization type should be selected for each organization receiving USG-funded capacity development assistance. Organization type should reflect the primary type of organization with which an organization identifies. Additional description of the mission and function of each assisted organization (such as type of services provided, role of organization in a relevant sector, etc.) should be included in the narrative. When selecting the “Other” disaggregate, please describe the type of organization in the indicator narrative. Types of organizations are: Educational Institutions (higher education, secondary, primary), Research institutions (non￾degree granting), Cooperative (formal and registered private sector firm), Producer group (informal, unregistered), Faith based organizations, Governmental agencies (national or sub-national levels), Private sector firms (excluding cooperatives), Non-governmental and not-for profit organizations, Health organizations (including service delivery, advocacy, professional associations, etc.), other. Data Type: Percent Unit of Measure: Percent of organizations with improved performance Disaggregated by: Type of organization (Governmental agencies (national or sub-national levels)), priority landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali, Level (municipality/rural municipality) Numerator = number of organizations with improved performance Denominator = number of USG-assisted organizations receiving organizational capacity development Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): Helps to understand improved capacity and internal governance of municipalities PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Awareness activities, activities that strengthen capacities of the local groups Data Source: LISA Assessment Report results, key informant interviews, roadmaps. Method of Data Acquisition: The Landscape team will work with the government to conduct LISA with standard assessment protocols. The Landscape team will assist the ministry in developing a roadmap of their priorities and a plan to help the ministries reach those priorities. Based on the roadmap, the landscape team will develop USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 61 interventions to support the ministries fill those gaps and measure if capacity has been built by identifying proof of capacity every year after measuring the baseline. The baseline surveys will be conducted in Y1 and will form the basis of comparison. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annual Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): The LISA assessment is a self-assessment conducted by ministry officials. Data will be analyzed by ministry. USAID Biodiversity will review the roadmap, proof of capacity, as well as interview notes to measure if capacity has been built. Based on the assessment, the ministry will be assigned a number out of 100. The higher the better. Those organizations that receive a number higher than baseline will be counted as improved capacity. The USAID Biodiversity team will count the total number of ministries that have improved capacity out of the total number of organizations that have received capacity assistance to get the final indicator percentage. Data is disaggregated by the numerator and denominator as well as national level ministries with improved performance and subnational level ministries with improved performance. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): GESI Director, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer Team Review (optional): GESI Director, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, DCOP, COP BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline value will be available by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): During the base period USAID Biodiversity will work with 25 municipalities, during the option year USAID Biodiversity will work with 20 municipalities for a cumulative total of 45 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 62 municipalities. Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0% 33% 60% GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Rural Municipality/Municipality and Landscapes Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. 1.1) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased). Number/Name of Indicator: (1.1) Amount of income (USD) generated by MSMEs with USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY 25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 63 Indicator Type: Custom (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): The amount in USD of annual income generated by MSMEs that participate in conservation friendly enterprises. Micro Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) strengthening refers enabling their business growth and social impacts through the intervention of support activities. The supports are access to financial services, institutional capacity building, appropriate innovative technology intervention, market system development, networking, financial literacies, policy interventions etc. Microenterprise: Microenterprises refer to efforts related to individuals’ or households’ day-to-day survival, regardless of whether they would be considered a microenterprise. These activities are largely subsistence￾based, meaning there is limited potential for the business to grow beyond improving and sustaining a livelihood, but does help move the beneficiaries out of extreme poverty. This is not based on the size of the firm, but rather the proprietor has lived or is currently living in extreme poverty based on the world bank international definition of living on less than $1.90 a day. Enterprises focused on employment for the very poor or other types of assistance for livelihoods also counts. Small and Medium-sized enterprise (SME): SMEs are enterprises with potential to grow and create new jobs, as well as those that provide goods and services to others (households, smallholder farms, other SMEs, larger companies, governments, etc.). As a general guideline, a small enterprise typically has 10 to 49 employees and a medium enterprise has 50 to 249 employees, however the key distinguishing factor is the enterprise’s role in achieving sustainable economic growth. Therefore a small enterprise also includes firms that would be considered start-ups that may only include the founder and possibly a few employees when they are beneficiaries of this programming. Conservation friendly enterprise is sustainable forest, agro-based enterprise and natural resource-based enterprise in terms of production and/or processing, and marketing that has no negative impact on the local environment, community, society and economy. Benefits from operational conservation friendly enterprises include cash income, employment and/or improved knowledge and skills instilled as a result of training, as a part of the business plan. Conservation friendly enterprise can be at group or individual level. More specifically a green enterprise must be operational, and as relevant, observe one or the other of the following conditions: • Protects and restores biodiversity and ecosystems • Any harvesting of natural resources is sustainable • Minimizes energy use and improves efficiency of raw material use • Promotes integrated pest management, with extremely limited and preferably no use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides (No USAID funds will be used to purchase chemical fertilizers and pesticides) • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions • Minimizes waste and pollution. Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali): Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes. Income data will be collected annually for last year’s income in Nepali rupees. Nepali rupees will then be converted to USD using the real time conversion rate of Nepali rupees to USD. (https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en/?from=NPR&to=USD&amount=1) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 64 Disaggregation: Size of recipient: Individuals/microenterprises; Small and medium enterprises; Large enterprises and corporations. Microenterprises employed <10 people in the previous 12 months, small enterprises employed 10- 49 people, medium enterprises employed 50-249 individuals and large enterprises and corporations employed >250 individuals. Data Type: Currency (USD) Unit of Measure: Amount of income (USD) Disaggregated by: Type of enterprises (Micro, small, medium), Municipality type (Rural Municipality/Municipality), Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Action fund support, start-up support, capacity development etc. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: The Landscape team and the Private Sector Engagement Specialist will work with partners to gather MSME income data from each MSME. The data will be captured by DAI Collect and maintained and analyzed in the Biodiversity database. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Income data will be collected for the previous year and recorded in Nepali rupees. Each entry will also report the USD amount by using the real time conversion rate. Data will be recorded in DAI Collect. The sum of the amount will be disaggregated by MSME type, priority landscape area and municipality USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 65 type by using statistical software. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Private Sector Engagement Specialist, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer Team Review (optional): Private Sector Specialist, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, COP, DCOP, Landscape Lead during AARs, thematic meetings BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline available by September 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 150,000 500,000 650,000 1,000,000 1,450,000 2,450,000 3,100,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscape, Rural Municipality/Municipality Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. 1.2) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: • New NRM user groups registered • NRM community user groups assisted with management plans • Conservation and restoration activities implemented • Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted • GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds • GESI events conducted • PA management plans updated and implemented USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 66 • HWC reduction activities implemented • Producers adopting environment friendly production practices • MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, • IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) • IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased). Number/Name of Indicator: (1.2) Number of HH practicing Human Wildlife Conflict mitigation measures with USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Custom (Output) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) refers to the interaction between wild animals and people resulting in a negative impact on people or their resources. It occurs when human and wildlife needs overlap in limitedly available natural areas. In some instances, the conflict can cause loss of human life, and/or affect livelihoods through the economic loss of crops and livestock, and property damage. Continued loss without a compensation mechanism may result in antagonistic behavior of communities towards wildlife. HWC has emerged as a serious threat to conserving key species such as the rhino, tiger, leopard, snow leopard and elephant. Incidents refer to the human death or injury due to wildlife attacks; damage and/or loss of crops, livestock or property by wildlife. Through the development and adaptation of new investigative tools, wildlife conflict case resolutions can be established, thereby aiding in processing relevant national conflict compensation plan. Human Wildlife Mitigation Measures: Reducing the human-wildlife conflict and its impacts include multiple measures which can be broadly categorized into preventive and mitigation. Preventive measures contribute to avoiding potential conflict- including separation of the wildlife habitats and human communities through fences, predator-proof corrals and grazing control for livestock, mobilizing rapid response teams, Machans (observation post) along the forest fringes, awareness on wildlife behavior, alternative crops and alternative livelihoods. When HWC incidents do occur, mitigative measures such as controlling the problem caused by animals, providing compensation and developing social support system for the victims should be practiced. Disaggregate definition: Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali): Biologically significant areas include terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscapes. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of Households Disaggregated by: Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Level (Rural Municipality, Municipality, District and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): Nepal has been successful in increasing major wildlife populations including tigers, rhinos, gharial, wild water buffalo. Nearly half of Nepal (~45%) is covered by USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 67 forest and 23.39% of the country’s land under protected areas. Despite the efforts in conservation and community engagement, wildlife caused damage on life and livelihood of marginalized communities living in the forest fringe is still high. It is one of the critical threats to biodiversity conservation. Hence, addressing HWC is pivotal for making wildlife conservation sustainable. USAID Biodiversity will employ number of interventions to reduce HWC. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Predator proof corrals, Fencing support, High beam lamp, alternative crop plantation, Community based wildlife monitoring, early warning systems, Rapid response teams mobilization. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: Surveys will be conducted annually in coordination with landscape leads Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): (a) Precision - depends on the methods used, such as whether sampling is representative of the whole area of intervention. (b) Reliability - is strong but comparability across different sites and different resources (and in different ecological zones) is difficult. (c) Biophysical change may or may not be detectable on an annual basis or even within the project cycle. Stability where it didn’t exist before is also within the definition of biophysical change. (d) Attribution to specific USG supported interventions can be challenging, therefore the need to provide a narrative explaining causal effects. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Those HH surveyed that participated in USAID Biodiversity interventions and prove to be using mitigation measures will count towards this indicator. Data will be collected in DAI Collect and totals and disaggregation’s will be calculated using statistical software. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, Landscape Lead, Biodiversity Lead, USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 68 DCOP Team Review (optional): This will be discussed during after action reviews, weekly meetings by Program team. Annual work planning sessions etc. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline values will be available by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 500 500 1000 500 500 1000 2000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Rural Municipality, Municipality, District and Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. 1.3) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: • New NRM user groups registered • NRM community user groups assisted with management plans • Conservation and restoration activities implemented • Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted • GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds • GESI events conducted • PA management plans updated and implemented • HWC reduction activities implemented • Producers adopting environment friendly production practices • MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, • IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) • IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased). Number/Name of Indicator: (1.3) Number of rare and threatened species with improved management USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 69 Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Custom (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Definition: Rare and threatened species include those species listed under threatened categories (Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered) of IUCN redlist. Many of these species are also listed under CITES-I or II. Rare species might be endemic, having small population size and/or might have confined distribution. Following are the species (total 17) selected for improved management by USAID Biodiversity from herpetofauna, mammals, birds, fish and plant species. Mammals: 1. Otter 2. Common Leopard 3. Red Panda 4. Stripped Hyaena 5. Blackbuck 6. Goral 7. Snow Leopard 8. Musk Deer Birds: 9. Cheer Pheasant 10. Bengal Floricon 11. White-rumped Vulture Herpetofauna: 12. Gharial 13. Yellow monitor 14. King cobra Fish: 15. Golden Mahasheer 16. Rara Trout Plants: 17. Bijaya sal Improved management includes prioritizing the species in Management Plans, preparation of Species Conservation Action Plan, research and studies to expand existing knowledge on the species, devising measures to address the threats to the species, work on habitat improvement, conflict reduction activities such as installing predator proof corrals, awareness activities including dissemination of information, education and communication (IEC) materials, and formation and support to the community groups to protect the species. Disaggregate definition: Priority Landscapes (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali) Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of species Disaggregated by: Priority Landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): N/A USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 70 PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: N/A Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: Reports/data from respective institutions Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): (a) Precision - depends on the methods used, such as whether sampling is representative of the whole area of intervention. (b) Reliability - is strong but comparability across different sites and different resources (and in different ecological zones) is difficult. (c) Biophysical change may or may not be detectable on an annual basis or even within the project cycle. Stability where it didn’t exist before is also within the definition of biophysical change. (d) Attribution to specific USG supported interventions can be challenging, therefore the need to provide a narrative explaining causal effects. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. Data will be analyzed using the appropriate statistical tools to calculate totals and disaggregation’s. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, Landscape Lead, Biodiversity Lead, DCOP Team Review (optional): This will be discussed during after action reviews, weekly meetings by Program team. Annual work planning sessions etc. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline values will be available by September 2023. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 71 Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 5 5 10 4 3 7 17 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscape Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. (EG.10.2-5) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Outputs: ● Law enforcement officers, CBAPUs, judges, public prosecutors and court personnel trained ● Joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement. ● Genetic databases for keystone species prepared ● Civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● CBAPUs strengthened and established ● Citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● Community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed ● Training sessions for local environmental journalists conducted Government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG. 10.2-5) Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY22, FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 72 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Output) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: Policies, laws, and regulations include those developed and formally endorsed by governmental, non-governmental, civil society, and/or private sector stakeholders to address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental issues. However, if a measure is not yet adopted, it must at least be formally proposed within an official government process to be reported. Biodiversity conservation refers to direct and indirect actions (including sustainable natural resources management) with the goal of conserving biodiversity in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. “Officially proposed” means that a relevant government official or agency with decision-making authority has proposed the measure publicly. Each piece of legislation can be counted once as “proposed” and once as “adopted,” if applicable. The indicator narrative should include an explanation of when each measure is counted. “Adopted” means officially codified or enacted by the government entity with decision making authority in their legal, regulatory, or policy system. Legal, regulatory and policy reform has a role to play by incentivizing investment in reducing threats to biodiversity or encouraging more environmentally sustainable behavior. Depending on the context, regulatory and policy reform might include zoning regulations to prevent or control development impacting biologically significant areas, standards for improved infrastructure, policies to conserve or allocate natural resources more effectively, regulations to encourage the development of renewable energy sources, or trans-boundary agreements related to the use of shared natural resources, among many others. Laws, policies, and regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes may be integrated in scope (e.g., at a certain spatial scale or political boundary such as municipal, state, or national), or may address certain relevant sectors such as water, marine resources, forests, wetlands, species, land use, pollution, air, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. For policies that may affect biodiversity indirectly, it is essential that the indicator narrative explains the connection. For interpretation of this indicator, a qualitative description must be provided to explain what the number represents. Such an explanation would answer questions like; What is the title of the measure? At what stage is it? (e.g., officially proposed, adopted, or implemented?), How does the measure contribute to advancing biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes? and What is/are the institution(s) that will be implementing and/or enforcing the measure, and at what scale (e.g., federal, provincial, municipal)? USAID Biodiversity will work with partner municipalities to prepare localized policies and guidelines for better integrated, inclusive WRM. Multi-stakeholder, gender and socially inclusive consultations on the proposed new or revised draft laws will be held. Policies, laws and regulations supported by USAID Biodiversity will incorporate equity provisions for GESI target groups. The activity will track progress towards this indicator along all phases of the policy process, from proposal to adoption to implementation. In partnership with community user groups, USAID Biodiversity will support implementation of conservation activities of geographies covered by community user groups to improve biophysical conditions. In addition, Jal Jangal will support implementation of conservation activities within officially designated protected areas. Through USAID Biodiversity’s climate-smart villages program, the activity will also support riparian restoration and invasive species removal along river stretches in the Karnali and Gandaki River basins, expected to also contribute towards the overall target of improved biophysical conditions. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 73 Conservation law compliance disaggregate definitions: • Wildlife trafficking: Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address terrestrial wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal logging and associated trade: Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of trees or tree products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, as well as unlawful deforestation clear land for another use. • Other environmental themes: Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address other environmental themes or law enforcement areas, e.g., pollution or conservation enterprises. Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law or international conservation and management agreements. Taking is always illegal when the species has protected status in the country of origin. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. Note: The sum of the totals of the conservation law compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of laws, policies, or regulations reported. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of policies Disaggregated by: Stage of development (proposed/adopted/implemented), conservation law compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade, other), Level of government (national/provincial/municipality) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Capacity building activities, policy brief preparation etc. Data Source: Government Reports and interviews Method of Data Acquisition: Review government legal reports on conservation laws, identify the laws being proposed, adopted and implemented. Then follow-up with government points of contact to confirm if these laws are in fact being proposed, adopted and/or implemented. Those laws confirmed by the government officials and in legal reports will count towards this indicator. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Bi-Annual (every 6 months) Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 74 DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): (a) Validity - If the intended result is an improved enabling environment, then the numbers of laws, policies, and regulations provides only a partial measure of success, given that effective implementation and enforcement are also critical. Laws, policies, and regulations may also not be well-designed or effective. Different scale strategies and plans have different scopes of impact. Narrative is critical for interpreting this indicator. (b) Timeliness - Preparatory studies and stakeholder relationship building may be required prior to proposal, adoption, or implementation of the measure. (c) Precision - This indicator does not capture progress made along the way in terms of convening stakeholders, gathering, and disseminating scientific evidence, fomenting inter-sector collaboration, and evaluating enforcement. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Legal reports on conservation laws will be collected and reviewed annually. Those laws that meet the requirements for conservation will be reviewed further to understand if they were proposed, adopted and/or implemented. The Objective 2 team lead will follow up with government points of contact to confirm the secondary data. Data that is confirmed as correct will be counted and recorded by its appropriate disaggregation. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): GESI Director, Director for Technical Integration, Biodiversity Lead, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/technical leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 6 14 10 30 13 7 20 50 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Municipality, Province and National level Baseline Units (optional): N/A USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 75 OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.10.2-6] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Outputs: ● Law enforcement officers, CBAPUs, judges, public prosecutors and court personnel trained ● Joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement. ● Genetic databases for key wildlife species prepared ● Civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● CBAPUs strengthened and established ● Citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● Community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed ● Training sessions for local environmental journalists conducted Government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG.10.2-6) Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25. FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: "This indicator generally includes law enforcement personnel whose actions are likely to reduce the severity of a biodiversity threat or driver. It may include community members without law USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 76 enforcement authority that support law enforcement actions as patrol participants. Examples of individuals receiving USG assistance that may count towards this indicator include but are not restricted to police, park rangers, district prosecutors, customs agents, and members of a community patrol unit. Improved conservation law enforcement practices include procedures, analyses, technologies, intelligence systems, or other means by which enforcement of laws that conserve biodiversity is expected or demonstrated to be more effective and/or efficient than the status quo. Practices include those intended to: better deter, detect or disrupt environmental crime; improve the quality, quantity or use of crime scene evidence; increase the frequency of arrest and prosecution; and increase the likelihood that penalties (fines or jail sentences) are appropriately severe and served in full. The number of people carrying out improved practices to reduce underlying consumer demand for illegally or unsustainably obtained natural resources should not be reported here. Verifying that improved practices are applied can be challenging. Official records and implementer observations are the best means of verification. Interview or survey instruments applied to law enforcement unit managers or community leaders may also be applied. Indicator targets and reporting should be based on the cumulative number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance during each fiscal year of performance reporting, regardless of when during the project cycle the assistance was provided. For example, if 30 people were trained in year 1, and 20 of them were documented as applying improved practices in year 1, report “20.” In year 2, if those 20 still apply improved practices, and another 20 were trained in and all documented as applying improved practices in year 2, report “40” (=ongoing Year 1 + additional Year 2). Higher = better For interpretation and Agency-level analysis of this indicator, disaggregates must be reported and the associated narrative should include a qualitative description of the law enforcement personnel represented, e.g., rangers, police, community fishing association members. A discussion of the number of people or percent of a law enforcement unit necessary to significantly reduce the conservation crime(s) of concern, as well as how annual targets were set to meet this threshold over the life of the project, would be appropriate. USAID Biodiversity: National Park Authorities, Divisional Forest Officials, Conservation Area Management Officials, Community Based Anti-poaching Unit members, Forest guards, Lake Conservation Authorities etc. Conservation law: DNPWC Act, Forest Act and Regulations, Forest Management Operational Plans, Protected Area Management Plans, Lake Conservation Management Plans, Conservation Area Management Plans with wildlife/forest/water conservation connotation. Conservation law compliance disaggregation definitions: • Wildlife Trafficking: Number of people working to address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade: Number of people working to address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of timber or wood products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, or timber or wood products obtained through unlawful deforestation or clearing land for another use. Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law and/or international agreement. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. The sum of the totals of the conservation law compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of people reported. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 77 Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of people Disaggregated by: Sex (M/F/N/NA), caste/ethnicity (Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others), Conservation Law Compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade/illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) and type of law enforcement personnel (park ranger, community anti-poaching units), Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Capacity building activities, awareness/orientation, site gear support etc. Data Source: forest patrolling reports, patrol staff roster results, USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: USAID Biodiversity will conduct follow-up surveys with law enforcement and community enforcement individuals that participated in USAID Biodiversity conservation law enforcement trainings/workshops. This data will be collected in DAI Collect. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Improved conservation law enforcement practices may not actually reduce conservation crime if an intervention is not sufficiently large or comprehensive. It may be difficult to obtain or verify records maintained by law enforcement units or community groups. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. Data will be analyzed using USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 78 the appropriate statistical tools to calculate totals and disaggregation’s. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Biodiversity Lead, Senior M&E Officer, USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/Technical Leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 1000 1000 2000 975 525 1500 3500 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [HL 8.5-1] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Outputs: ● Law enforcement officers, CBAPUs, judges, public prosecutors and court personnel trained ● Joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement. ● Genetic databases for keystone species prepared ● Civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● CBAPUs strengthened and established ● Citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● Community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 79 ● Training sessions for local environmental journalists conducted Government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (HL 8.5-1) Number of people benefiting from adoption and implementation of measures to improve water resource management as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25. FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: This indicator measures the number of people benefiting from an increase in equitable resource allocation, watershed protection and restoration, as well as improved water quality and availability or through reduced water-related risk. “Benefiting” is achieved through increased equitable water resource allocation, watershed protection and restoration, and improved surface and ground water quality and availability or through reduced water-related risk. Measures to improve water resources management may include: - Construction of green infrastructure, buffer zones, or reforestation - Establishment of payment for water-related ecosystem services - Implementation and enforcement of water resource management plans - Data collection to support water resource management decision making with resultant changes in programs “Adopted and implemented” means that measures must have been taken up and result in a concrete benefit, and not be limited to trainings or development of policies and plans. Measures must be implemented through USG assistance. This is an outcome measure which requires population-level data with documented benefits, such as a catchment area used as a source for water points being protected or green infrastructure completed. By themselves, training or work supporting the development of policies and plans cannot be counted under this indicator. If there are additional actions implemented under the water resource management plan across multiple years, the number of people benefiting should be reported each year additional actions are implemented, even if additional benefits are accruing to the same population. Higher = Better Sex (Male/Female/Neither/NA). Neither implies those that self-identify as neither female nor male. NA means disaggregate is not available. Data Type: Integer USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 80 Unit of Measure: Number of people Disaggregated by: Type of Measure (Water Allocation/Watershed Protection/Risk Reduction), Sex (M/F/N/NA), caste/ethnicity (Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others), and priority landscape (Chitwan￾Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: N/A Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: Data will be collected via. DAI Collect. - Representative sampling survey pre- and post-intervention to assess benefits, within a catchment area where people can reasonably be assumed to see a benefit from the activity - Number of people covered under an adopted and implemented plan or process for improving water resource management, with the assumption that all people covered by the plan benefit from having such an activity The number of people may be ascertained via a direct count, determined by multiplying the number of households with benefits by the average number of people per household, or based on public population records with a sample survey used to ascertain what proportion of the population benefitted. The number of people per household will be collected in the HH surveys. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. Data will be analyzed using USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 81 the appropriate statistical tools to calculate totals and disaggregation’s. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Environmental crime control and natural resources safeguard Lead, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager, USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Climate Change Lead, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 150000 200000 350000 97500 52500 150000 500000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. 2.1) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Outputs: ● Law enforcement officers, CBAPUs, judges, public prosecutors and court personnel trained ● Joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement. Genetic databases for keys wildlife species prepared ● Civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● CBAPUs strengthened and established USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 82 ● Citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● Community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed ● Training sessions for local environmental journalists conducted Government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO2: Broad-based and Inclusive Economic Growth Fostered, through ● IR 2.1 (Inclusive, Private Sector-Driven Growth in Agriculture promoted) and ● IR 2.4 (Marginalized Vulnerable Communities Integrated into Market Systems) Number/Name of Indicator: (2.1) Number of private sector enterprises/MSMEs and infrastructure projects that are integrating sustainable practices or safeguards as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY 24, FY 25, FY 26, and FY 27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Custom (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): Private sector enterprises/MSMEs: Private organizations (of all sizes, including micro, small and medium enterprises) (including businesses and corporations; business, industry, and trade associations; corporate foundations; social enterprises; financial institutions, investors, and impact investors), Private philanthropy (including private foundations and philanthropists), cooperatives and self-help groups and other organizations that are part of the private sector but not included in the categories mentioned. Sustainable practices: are those that will have a long-lasting positive effect and minimize harms to the environment and other stakeholders. Sustainable practices support USAID goals in achieving resilience, prevention, response, recovery and transition from disaster while protecting the environment. Safeguards: protect someone or something from harm or destruction. There are several policies and safeguards to address the environmental concerns at the private sector/MSME level. Few of these include: ● Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/Initial Environmental Examination (IEE): The companies need to conduct an EIA/IEE and get approval from the government before starting any new project that may have an impact on the environment ● National Environmental Policy (NEP): It includes the promotion for adoption of the environmentally friendly practices in the private sector based in the government of Nepal’s vision for environmental management and sustainable development of Natural resources. ● Environment Protection Act (EPA): This act sets standard and helps to regulates the management of hazardous wastes and other pollutants. There are provisions of penalties for non-compliance of the act. ● Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): In line to the commitment to achieving the SDGs, which also consists of environment protection, acknowledges the role of private sector. Infrastructure Projects and Small-Scale Construction: USAID uses a working definition of small-scale construction as construction or repair of facilities where the total surface area of the disturbed environment is under 10,000 square feet and less than $200,000 total cost. Projects of this size and cost are unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts. Construction up to several times larger than this “rule of thumb” may still be small-scale, USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 83 but significant adverse impacts become more likely and require more rigorous consideration and mitigation. This rule of thumb does not hold when complicating factors are present—e.g., the site is an environmentally sensitive area, or the activity involves rehabilitation of a structure containing toxic materials. Virtually all small-scale development activities— housing, sanitation, water supply, roads, schools, community centers, storage silos, healthcare, energy— involve construction. Construction is one or more of a set of diverse activities: demolition; site-clearing; grading, leveling, and compacting soil; excavating; laying pipe; installing equipment; or erecting structures. The development benefits of construction come not from the construction itself, but from the buildings and infrastructure that are its result. The details of the construction carried out in support of any development activity or site will have a number of specific characteristics. Construction activities in general, however, share a set of common features and potential adverse environmental impacts. 9 Environmentally friendly infrastructure in Nepal refers to infrastructure projects that are designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that minimizes their negative impact on the environment while promoting sustainable development. Such infrastructure is designed to reduce resource consumption, waste generation, and pollution, while also promoting the conservation and restoration of ecosystems. (source: Guidelines for Construction of Eco￾friendly Linear infrastructures, Department of Road) Safeguards integration in construction in the context of Nepal refers to the incorporation of social and environmental safeguards into infrastructure development projects. It is a process of ensuring that infrastructure projects are designed, constructed, and operated in a way that avoids or minimizes negative impacts on people and the environment, while maximizing their positive impacts. (source: Nepal’s Wildlife-friendly Infrastructure Construction Directives, 2022, DNPWC) Note: To count towards this indicator an entity (construction project and/or private sector/MSM enterprise) must use one practice or safeguard following the attendance of a USAID Biodiversity event. If the same entity implements one additional practice or safeguard in the following reporting years it can be counted towards this indicator for that reporting year. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of private sector/MSM enterprises and infrastructure projects Disaggregated by: priority landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Type enterprise (Micro, Small, Medium), Municipality type (Rural Municipality/Municipality) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): Knowing environmental safeguards and practices are not enough to ensure environmental compliance of the private sector/MSM enterprises and infrastructure projects. These safeguards and practices must be implemented to be sustainable. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Capacity building and awareness activities for private sector/MSM enterprises and infrastructure projects Data Source: event attendance sheets, follow-up survey, USAID Biodiversity database 9 USAID’s Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Construction (Partial Update 2014) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 84 Method of Data Acquisition: USAID Biodiversity will follow-up with private sector/MSMEs and construction companies that attend USAID Biodiversity events: workshops, awareness raising activities, trainings to see if they are incorporating sustainable practices/safeguards into their businesses and/or construction projects. The team will follow-up with participants via survey will ask if they are using sustainable practices/safeguards and to show proof of practices/safeguards. Data will be collected using DAI Collect. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Those entities that provide proof of safeguard implementation following a USAID Biodiversity event will be counted towards this indicator. Data will be downloaded from DAI Collect and the number of entities responding positively will be counted. The data will also be disaggregated by priority landscape, municipality type and MSME. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Biodiversity lead, Private sector lead, M&E Manager and Senior M&E Officer Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, Biodiversity lead, Private sector lead, M&E Manager and Senior M&E Officer during the after-action reviews, annual planning meeting, partner meeting etc. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline value available by September 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 85 0 0 110 110 220 115 65 180 400 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscape, Rural Municipality/Municipality Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. 2.2) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Outputs: ● Law enforcement officers, CBAPUs, judges, public prosecutors and court personnel trained ● Joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement. ● Genetic databases for keys wildlife species prepared ● Civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● CBAPUs strengthened and established ● Citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● Community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed ● Training sessions for local environmental journalists conducted Government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (2.2) Number of zoonotic disease surveillance programs scoped and replicated Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY 24, FY 25, FY 26, and FY 27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Custom (Outcome) USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 86 INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): Zoonotic diseases are the infectious diseases that are transmitted between species from animals to humans or vice versa (Karesh et. al 201210; Paudel, S.11; Acharya KP 201612; Slingenbergh et. al., 200413) Nearly 75% of all new, emerging, or re-emerging diseases affecting humans at the beginning of the 21st century are zoonotic (i.e. originated in animals). Notable examples of the global impact of new emergent diseases include HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Ebola and most recently Covid-19. Nepal, like many countries, is at risk for zoonotic disease outbreaks due to its high level of animal biodiversity and close proximity to animals including livestock, wildlife and domesticated pets. (Acharya et al.)14. Cultural practices, ethnic and traditional beliefs can also increase the susceptibility to zoonotic diseases. (Niroula, 2016)15. Identifying wild animals that can carry and transmit diseases to humans is of utmost importance to address the increasing threat of zoonoses. (Han et al., 2015)16 . Zoonotic diseases with epidemic, endemic, and pandemic potential are a major public health concern in Nepal because of the country's dual disease burden. Around 300 zoonotic illnesses have been detected globally, of which 60 have been shown to be re-emerging or emerging in Nepal. The department of Health Services, Nepal has listed Influenza A (Avian and Seasonal), Rabies, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Brucellosis, Salmonellosis, Leishmaniasis, Zoonotic Tuberculosis, Cystode (Cysticercosis/Hydatidis) and Toxoplasmosis as the prioritized zoonotic diseases in Nepal. Additionally, there might be cases of reverse zoonosis, going from human and/or domesticated animals to wildlife. Some of the examples of these would be tuberculosis going to humans to wildlife like elephants and rhinos, and canine distemper virus going from stray/domesticated dogs to tigers and leopards. With increasing human-wildlife interfaces (especially in buffer areas of the national parks), such likelihood of diseases originating from humans/domestic animals/animal production affecting wildlife is ever increasing. Concentrated poultry industry around Chitwan National Park, and regular and sporadic Bird Flu outbreaks in these poultry farms can threaten wild bird populations as well. Active surveillance of all these diseases is necessary to determine the burden as well as limit the transmission of 10 Karesh 2012 et. al. “Ecology of zoonoses: natural and unnatural histories”. The Lancet. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61678-X 11 Paudel, S. Scope and challenges of one health approach in Nepal,., International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 101, 399 – 400 12 Acharya KP (2016) Brucellosis in Nepal - A Potential Threat to Public Health Professionals. Current Health Sciences Journal 42(4): 396–407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12865/chsj.42.04.10 13 Slingenbergh J, Gilbert M, Balogh KD and Wint W (2004) Ecological sources of zoonotic diseases. International Technical and Scientific Journal - Office of Epizooties23(2): 467–484. 14 Acharya, Krishna Kaphle, Kshitiz Shrestha4, Bruno Garin-Bastuj5, Henk L Smits6 Prasad, et al. “Review of Brucellosis in Nepal.” epiH, vol. 38, no. e2016042, 2016, p. 10, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317099660_Review_of_Brucellosis_in_Nepal.https://dnpwc.gov.np/en/ 15 Acharya KP, Niroula N and Kaphle K (2016) Overview of Brucellosis in Nepal. Epidemiology and Health. 38: e2016042. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2016042 16 Barbara A. Han, John Paul Schmidt, Sarah E. Bowden, and John M. Drake. “Rodent reservoirs of future zoonotic diseases.” PNAS, vol. 112, no. 22, 2015, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1501598112. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 87 zoonotic diseases among human, animal and wildlife. Comprehensive surveillance plan includes a detailed description of the zoonotic diseases of concern, their potential impact, and the specific surveillance methods to be used along with the mechanisms for reporting and responding to disease outbreaks. Zoonotic disease surveillance program are programs that reflect and characterize pathogens that are found in animals and humans that transfer between humans to animals or animals to humans. Proactively looking for these pathogens in a given area- for instance a community close to wildlife habitats- and examining if these pathogens could impact humans or animals from a one health approach. Programs scoped and replicated means examining diseases prioritized by the Nepali government as are the most important diseases, and if the analyzes of the surveillance program is effective, then the process is replicated in other areas, or it can be scaled up. Currently, USAID Biodiversity will examine 10 diseases, but it may scale up since there are other disease outbreaks (human and animals) that are continuously occurring. Replication is putting the same system in other national parks where human and wildlife interfaces are very close. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of surveillance programs Disaggregated by: Municipality type (Rural Municipality/Municipality), and priority landscape (Chitwan￾Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): This will help to understand the likelihood of domestic animal diseases that are threats to wildlife and to devise necessary measures for prevention. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Awareness activities, surveillance activities Data Source: Surveillance Report results, USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: zoonotic data will be gathered from surveillance reports Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annual Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint folder and database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 88 Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): The number of programs scoped and replicated will be counted towards this indicator and disaggregated totals will be counted by municipality type and priority landscape. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Biodiversity Lead, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer Team Review (optional): GESI Director, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, DCOP, COP BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): N/A Rationale for Targets (optional): Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 1 3 4 4 1 5 9 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Rural Municipality/Municipality and landscape Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG. 11-4] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human Systems Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 89 ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO2: Broad-based and Inclusive Economic Growth Fostered, through ● IR 2.1 (Inclusive, Private Sector-Driven Growth in Agriculture promoted) and ● IR 2.4 (Marginalized Vulnerable Communities Integrated into Market Systems) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG.11-4) Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for climate change adaptation as supported by USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: "Climate change adaptation is increasing the resilience of natural or human systems (e.g., people, places, ecosystems or livelihoods) to actual or expected impacts of climate change, including through improved use of information, planning and action. Thisindicator includes finance mobilized (or leveraged), enabled by USG assistance, for actions, activities, projects, or programs that support adaptation to the effects of climate variability and change. Finance may be mobilized from the public sector (Rural Municipalities and Municipalities, e.g., other governments or public multilateral entities) or private sector (e.g., corporate investments, cooperative and self-help groups) and should help to advance the objectives established by the USG-supported program. Mobilized finance reported under this indicator should be disaggregated as domestic (e.g., national government funds to support implementation of a project within that country) and international finance is cross-border finance (e.g., a private company based in one country contributing funds for a project in a different country). Finance mobilized may be reported under this indicator at financial closure. Financial closure is when the contract or agreement is signed by all relevant parties. Finance can be mobilized through a variety of instruments and vehicles, including common funding instruments, parallel investments, or in-kind support. Examples of the types of U.S. assistance that could mobilize finance include: Investments made possible by finance interventions, such as: • Grants (or in-kind support) for technical assistance • Loans • Equity or investment shares • Support for development and structuring of other financial instruments such as Green Bonds or Real Estate Investment Trusts • Political, regulatory, or credit risk insurance and guarantees USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 90 • Trade and Business earnings • Investment for safeguards (e.g., wastewater management, solid waste disposal, pollution control etc.) Investments made possible by policy interventions and technical assistance interventions, such as: • Market assessments, financier credit product development, project incubation and preparation • Support for developing land-use planning policies, building, and permitting codes, or procurement policies that increase the climate resilience of investments • Fiscal policy support to develop preferential tax treatment for climate-friendly technologies and related taxes • Information or data-based interventions such as the provision or training in the use of satellite, geospatial, or meteorological data and systems that facilitate climate-smart investment and policies, setting up technology centers of excellence mapping of flood-plain or other climate-relevant risks. • Innovations and technological interventions like Climate Weather Information, Climate Smart Products etc. Examples of what mobilized funds may support include improving the enabling environment for adaptation actions, funding the costs of climate change activities advanced by the program, monitoring climate change outcomes; or sensitizing stakeholders to invest in their business, adhering climate risks and opportunities addressed through the program. Amount invested includes both allocated and spent amounts. Committed amount will be understood as amount invested. However, the activity will also track the actual amount of investments made by respective institutions. Data Type: Currency (USD) Unit of Measure: Amount of investment (USD) Disaggregated by: Funding type: - Public, domestic funds - Public, international funds - Private, domestic funds - Private, international funds Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Awareness, capacity building activities, joint meetings etc. Data Source: Government (federal, provincial and local) records/reports. Method of Data Acquisition: Standard formats to record amount mobilized. Amount of investment mobilized by different public and private institution and cooperative sector will be tracked annually and reported accordingly. Technical leads will gather data about the amount of finance mobilized in the past fiscal year and report through standard reporting procedures. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 91 Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Amount allocated not necessarily implemented or actually spent. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data from different sources will be collated and presented. This includes using the appropriate statistical tools to measure the total and disaggregation’s. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Climate Change Lead, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager Team Review (optional): DCOP, M&E Manager, Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Climate Change Lead, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): Climate funding, particularly by private sector is in a very initial phase in Nepal. However, without funding from multiple sectors including the private sector, effects of climate change cannot be properly addressed. Hence, the activity planned to track the amount of investment mobilized and the target was set as a moderate amount reflecting commitment and early willingness for investment. Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 1,500,000 2,500,000 4,000,000 2,600,000 1,400,000 4,000,000 8,000,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Baseline Units (optional): USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 92 OTHER NOTES (optional) Not needed. THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 [USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.10.2-4] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human Systems Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG.10.2-4) Number of people trained in sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25. FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: Number of people who have successfully completed a training course. Successful completion requires that trainees meet the completion requirements of the structured training program as defined by the program offered. Training courses are sessions in which participants are educated according to a defined curriculum and set learning objectives. The transfer of this knowledge, skills or aptitudes may occur through long-term academic USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 93 programs, long-term or short-term technical courses, non-academic seminars, workshops, verifiable online courses, or courses in the site. Sessions that could be informative or educational, such as meetings, but do not have a defined curriculum or learning objectives are not counted as training. Sustainable natural resources management is defined as managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Biodiversity conservation refers to direct and indirect actions (including sustainable natural resources management) with the goal of conserving biodiversity in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Support from the USG: This indicator counts number of people involved in training as a result of USG assistance. This assistance could include provision of funds to pay teachers, providing hosting facilities, transportation, specialized equipment/supplies, or other key contributions necessary to ensure training was delivered. This indicator does not automatically count any course for which the USG helped develop the curriculum, but rather focuses on delivery of courses that was made possible through full or partial funding from the USG. For the purpose of this indicator, USAID Biodiversity will include trainees from all 3 objectives: ● Improve health of the ecosystems in targeted landscapes ● Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened ● Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced Conservation Law Compliance Disaggregation Definitions: • Wildlife Trafficking: Number of people trained to better address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (ILAT): Number of people trained to better address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of trees or tree products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, as well as unlawful deforestation to clear land for another use. • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: Number of people trained to better address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable regulations. Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities. Unregulated fishing includes activities that may not be illegal but that are nonetheless inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the wildlife trafficking disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law or international conservation and management agreements. Taking is always illegal when the species has protected status in the country of origin. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. Note: The sum of the totals of the three Conservation Law Compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of people reported. Sex (Male/Female/Neither/NA). Neither implies those that self-identify as neither female nor male. NA means disaggregate is not available. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 94 Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of people Disaggregated by: Sex (M/F/N/NA), caste/ethnicity (Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others), and priority landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), Conservation law compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade, other), Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Different types of training Data Source: USAID Biodiversity Database Training attendance records. Method of Data Acquisition: Each training will include an attendance record and the activity will aim to collect specific demographic information from the participants to allow for disaggregation. Attendance sheets will be collated and entered into an attendance tracker. The tracker will include: ID, name, contact information, training name, type of training (including conservation law compliance), date, gender, sex, caste/ethnicity, location. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Data will be collected after each training event and aggregated bi￾annually. Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Bi-Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Some known data limitations when using this standard Indicator: In the case of multiple training events, there is a possibility of double counting people trained, and the time extent per person may vary significantly. Attendance records may be incomplete or inaccurate, especially in the case of determining whether a participant completed an entire course. The universe of countries providing this type of training can vary from year to year; thus, trends should not be interpreted from aggregate data. This indicator does not reflect the depth of skills and knowledge conveyed, or whether persons have developed the capacity to act, or taken direct action as a result of the training. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): M&E Unit will devise necessary measures to USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 95 reduce errors in keeping attendance and will only count the number of participants who fully attend the training course. PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data will be collected from attendance sheets (either paper or in DAI Collect) and tracked in a single tracker. Every attendee will be logged in the tracker. The total number of attendees will be counted by each disaggregate and by the total. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager USAID Biodiversity Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Program/Technical leads, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 85,000 85,000 170,000 84,500 45,500 130,000 300,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 07/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [EG.11-6] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 96 Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG.11-6) Number of people using climate information or implementing risk￾reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as supported by USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): USAID standard definition: “Climate information is important in the identification, assessment, and management of climate risks to improve resilience. Climate information may include, but is not limited to: (1) data such as monitored weather or climate projections (e.g., anticipated temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise under future scenarios), and (2) the outputs of climate impact assessments, for example, the consequences of increased temperatures on crops, changes in stream flow due to precipitation shifts, or the number of people likely to be affected by future storm surges. Any adjustment or new approach to the management of resources or implementation of actions that responds to climate change risks and increases resilience should be considered under this indicator. Using climate information or implementing risk-reducing practices does not always involve expenditure of funds. For instance, a farmer may choose to harvest a crop earlier or plant a different crop due to a climate-related forecast. Climate information can serve a variety of sectors such as agriculture, livestock, health, or natural resource or urban management. Using climate information may include, but is not limited to, conducting vulnerability assessments, creating plans or strategies for adaptation or resilience based on projected climate impacts, or selecting risk-reducing or resilience-improving actions to implement. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) have been developing and disseminating climate agro-forecasting system through multiple stages of interventions. This dissemination will inform to farmers and communities on available weather and climate forecasting system, agro-advisory services. Relevant provincial stakeholders are USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 97 also developing such information. Additionally, Provincial, and local governments are also customizing such weather and climate information based on federal information and disseminating to local farmers and communities. There is various dissemination mechanism available in Nepal, however, mobile messaging, smart phone, bulleting, agriculture apps, display board, hoarding board, are major mechanism. Examples of risk-reducing actions may include, but are not limited to: • In the agriculture sector, actions may include changing the exposure or sensitivity of crops, better soil management, changing grazing practices, applying new technologies like improved seeds or irrigation methods, diversifying into different income-generating activities, using crops that are less susceptible to drought, salt and variability, or any other practices or actions that aim to increase predictability or productivity of agriculture under anticipated climate variability and change. • In the water sector, actions may aim to improve water quality, supply, and efficient use under anticipated climate variability and change. • In the health sector, actions may aim to prevent or control disease incidence and outcomes under anticipated climate variability and change outcomes. • In Disaster Risk Reduction, actions may aim to reduce the negative impacts of extreme events associated with climate variability and change. • In urban areas, actions may aim to improve the resilience of urban areas, populations, and infrastructure under anticipated climate variability and change. Reporting under this indicator is not limited to the above sectors. Any individuals using climate information or implementing actions that respond to climate change risks and increase resilience with USG support should be considered under this indicator. Conservation Law Compliance Disaggregation Definitions: • Wildlife Trafficking: Number of people working to address wildlife trafficking, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of wild animals or animal parts. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the illegal fishing disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). • Illegal Logging and Associated Trade: Number of people working to address illegal logging, which is the illegal taking, possession, transport, sale or export of timber or wood products, including trade in products containing illegally obtained wood or paper, or timber or wood products obtained through unlawful deforestation or clearing land for another use. • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Number of people working to address IUU fishing. Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable regulations. Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities. Unregulated fishing includes activities that may not be illegal but that are nonetheless inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. Values reported for this disaggregate may overlap with those reported for the wildlife trafficking disaggregate (e.g., illegal harvesting of and trade in endangered, threatened, or protected marine species). Note: For all Conservation Law Compliance disaggregates, illegal taking is defined as the harvest, collection or killing of an animal or plant in violation of national law and/or international agreement. For species in which taking is regulated, it is illegal if done in violation to the corresponding regulation. The sum of the totals of the three￾conservation law compliance disaggregate category options does not have to be equal to the overall total number of people reported. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 98 Sex (Male/Female/Neither/NA). Neither implies those that self-identify as neither female nor male. NA means disaggregate is not available. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of people Disaggregated by: Sex(M/F/N/NA), caste/ethnicity (Hill Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri, Madheshi Other Castes, Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Newar, Mountain/Hill Janajati, Tarai Janajati, Muslim, Others), Conservation law compliance category (wildlife trafficking/illegal logging and associated trade, other), Level (Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): USG programs utilize this indicator to track progress in climate change adaptation. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Capacity building, awareness activities, Dissemination of climate information through Radio programs. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: Attendance sheets for capacity building and awareness activities, standard methods for estimating number of people using climate information from activities with mass audience Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annually Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data will be analyzed using a statistical software. The indicator total depends on the following conditions: 1) if they have participated or experienced USAID Biodiversity interventions and 2) if they have made a climate risk reducing action. Total responses will also be disaggregated by sex, caste and USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 99 environmental law compliance category. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Climate Resilience Lead, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, Climate Resilience Lead, Program/Technical lead, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 90,000 80,000 170,000 84,500 45,500 130,000 300,000 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – (Indicator No. EG. 11-2) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 100 ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (EG. 11-2): Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by USG assistance Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY 23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: No Indicator Type: Standard (Output) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): Institutions with improved (i.e., better, additional, or greater) capacity to assess or address climate change risks are institutions that have new or increased ability to use approaches, processes, strategies, or methodologies to adapt to climate change. The effects of climate change may occur suddenly or gradually, and can include rising temperatures, floods, droughts, storms, landslides, salinization, coastal inundation, sea level rise, desertification, heat or cold waves, and biodiversity loss, among other effects. Relevant institutions may include national, subnational, or regional government institutions (such as ministries, departments, or commissions), private sector entities, local civil society organizations (such as women’s groups or farmers’ cooperatives), and trade unions, among other governmental, nongovernmental, and private sector institutions. Indications of increased institutional capacity to assess or address climate change risks include, but are not limited to: • Using climate change data, information or analysis to inform decisions and actions • Improving administrative or organizational capacity of climate-change focused institutions • Devoting greater resources to climate change adaptation planning and action (e.g., human, financial, equipment) • Developing and/or implementing climate adaptation plans of action • Improved access to equipment or data • Engaging stakeholders and building networks related to climate change adaptation objectives • Building in-house technical expertise This indicator measures both improvements in capacity to address climate change in institutions that do not focus exclusively on climate change as well as general institutional capacity improvements in climate institutions. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 101 An institution can be reported as having its capacity improved in multiple years if it achieves meaningful improvement in each of the years it is reported. However, each institution should only be reported once per fiscal year. Implementing partners may support improved institutional capacity by engaging with institutions through a variety of methods and over varying timeframes. Implementers may be asked to provide supporting documentation as requested below in the Data Source Section. Program Areas EG.12 (Clean Energy) and EG.13 (Sustainable Landscapes) also have indicators related to institutional capacity building. If, within the reporting period, an institution’s capacity was improved to also address clean energy or sustainable landscapes issues, they may be reported under those indicators if the institutions meet the definitional standards. For USAID Biodiversity considers local institution to include: • Local Governments: USAID Biodiversity work with LGs to update VRA, conduct CCA trainings etc. • Community Forest Uses Groups: USAID Biodiversity support to develop Community Forest Operational Plan. The following information may be requested for each institution counted toward this result: 1) the name of the institution; 2) the established need for and type of additional capacity being targeted; 3) the nature and extent of the interventions utilized to improve capacity; and 4) a summation of the nature of the improved capacity for the institution(s) as a result of the specific approaches to address climate change issues. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Number of institutions Disaggregated by: Institution Type (National government, Subnational government (Provincial and Local), other (Community Forest Groups)) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): Improved governance and capable institutions are critical elements of climate change adaptation and can contribute to an activity’s long-term sustainability. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: N/A Data Source: Capacity survey results Method of Data Acquisition: USAID Biodiversity will conduct a capacity assessment of national, local and community forest groups using standard assessment protocols, such as adapting the USAID Global Climate Change Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annual Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 102 Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): The assessment will cover topics related to assessing or addressing climate change risks. Data will be analyzed by institution. Data from different sources will be collated and presented. This includes using the appropriate statistical tools to measure the total and each disaggregation. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): M&E Unit and GESI Director Team Review (optional): M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, GESI Director, Biodiversity Lead, DCOP, COP. Review will be done after the results of survey are ready and during the after-action reviews, learning events. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline values will be ready by end of September, 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): Based on existing information and likelihood of achievability from activity influence. Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 20 29 49 20 21 41 90 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscapes, Rural Municipality/Municipality Baseline Units (optional): Rural Municipality/Municipality OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 103 GESI Standard and PMP Indicators: USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [GNDR-1] Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (GNDR-1) Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26 and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Output) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): For the purposes of this indicator, “legal instrument” is meant broadly to include any official document issued by a government (e.g., law, policy, action plan, constitutional amendment, decree, strategy, regulation) designed to promote or strengthen gender equality or non-discrimination on the basis of sex at the national or sub-national level, which was drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance. To be counted, the legal instrument should have as its objective or intent one or more of the following: reducing an aspect of social, economic, or political inequality between women and men, girls and boys; ensuring that women and men, girls and boys, have equal opportunities to benefit from and contribute to social, political, USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 104 economic, and cultural development, to realize their human rights, or to have access to/control over resources necessary to survive and thrive; or preventing gender-related discrimination or compensating for past gender￾related discrimination or historical disadvantage. ● Laws—USG assistance for civil society to draft and advocate for passage of a law eliminating a barrier to women’s effective political participation. ● Policies—USG support for adoption of a comprehensive national policy on sexual harassment. Or, USG support for a Ministry of Health policy that removes restrictions (e.g., based on age, marital status or the need for third party consent) for accessing sexual and reproductive health services. ● Regulations – USG support for developing a regulation covering a land administration process that ensures that women are included in formal records of land ownership. Drafted: the process of writing the preliminary or final version of a legal instrument for review and revision by a competent authority based on input from key stakeholders Proposed: the act of formally seeking approval for adopting a legal instrument from the relevant authority, such as the legislative or executive branch of government Adopted: upon formal approval by the relevant government authority, the legal instrument has taken effect or become binding This indicator is in relation to biodiversity, therefore the indicator must meet the criteria stated in the indicator as it relates to biodiversity and gender. Data Type: Integer Unit of Measure: Legal status (drafted, proposed, adopted) Disaggregated by: Legal status (drafted, proposed, adopted) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: N/A Data Source: Reports from Parliament Secretariat, USAID Biodiversity database Method of Data Acquisition: The GESI Director will work with the national and local government to secure legal documents related to gender and the environment, in particular laws, regulations and/or policies drafted, proposed, and/or adopted related to, for instance, women’s access to land rights, water, energy, and sanitation, as well as women’s access to natural resources. This data will be reported every year, data will be counted by fiscal year and not calendar year. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annual Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 105 and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data will be analyzed and reported in a legal tracker. The regulations, polices and laws will be counted to get to the total. Disaggregation’s will also be counted by drafted, proposed and adopted. Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): GESI Director, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer Team Review (optional): GESI Director, M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, DCOP, COP BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline value will be available by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 0 12 18 30 8 2 10 40 GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Rural Municipality/Municipality and landscape. Dimensions of data, including DIS reporting. Baseline Units (optional): N/A OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Indicator No. [GNDR-2] USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 106 Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human Systems Enhanced Outputs: ● Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and climate change thematic working group meetings held ● Training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with municipalities and provinces conducted ● People participating in climate field schools ● MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape. ● Catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities. ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO 4: More equitable and improved natural resources & disaster risk management ● IR 4.1. Natural resources conservation enhanced ● IR 4.4. Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased Number/Name of Indicator: (GNDR-2) Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income, or employment) Performance Plan and Report Indicator: Yes If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26, and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: Standard (Output) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): Productive economic resources include: assets – land, housing, businesses, livestock or financial assets such as savings; credit; wage or self-employment; and income. Programs include: • micro, small, and medium enterprise programs; • workforce development programs that have job placement activities; • programs that build assets such as land redistribution or titling; housing titling; agricultural programs that provide assets such as livestock; or programs designed to help adolescent females and young women set up savings accounts. This indicator does NOT track access to services, such as business development services or stand-alone employment training (e.g., employment training that does not also include job placement following the training). The unit of measure will be a percentage expressed as a whole number. The resulting percentage should be expressed as a whole number. For example, if the number of females in the program (the numerator) divided by the total number of participants in the program (the denominator) yields a value of .16, the number 16 should be the reported result for this indicator. Values for this indicator can range from 0 to 100. The numerator and denominator must also be reported as disaggregates. Data Type: Percent Unit of Measure: Percent of female participants USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 107 Disaggregated by: Age (15-29, 30-40, 41+), caste/ethnicity (Brahmin/Chhetri, Janajati, Dalit, Madhesi, Newar, Muslim, others), Num/Den (Numerator = Number of female participants engaged in livelihood interventions, Denominator = Total number of male and female participants engaged in livelihood interventions) Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): This indicator represents progress towards achieving gender inclusion in interventions designed to increase alternative income sources and conservation enterprises PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: Livelihoods support activities, capacity building and awareness activities, excursion tours etc. Data Source: USAID Biodiversity training attendance records Method of Data Acquisition: Each training will include an attendance record and the activity will aim to collect specific demographic information from the participants to allow for disaggregation. Attendance sheets will be collated and entered into an attendance tracker. The tracker will include: ID, name, contact information, training name, type of training (including conservation law compliance), date, gender, sex, caste/ethnicity, location. Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Data will be collected after each training event and aggregated bi￾annually. Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Bi-Annually Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): COP, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): TBD in consultation with USAID Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): N/A Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): N/A PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): Data will be collected from attendance sheets (either paper or in DAI Collect) and tracked in a single tracker. Every attendee will be logged in the tracker. The total number of self-identifying female attendees will be counted by each disaggregate and by the total. Numerator = Number of female participants engaged in livelihood interventions Denominator = Total number of male and female participants engaged in livelihood interventions USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 108 Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS and in annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): Livelihoods Specialist, GESI Director, Senior M&E Officer, M&E Manager Team Review (optional): COP, DCOP, M&E Manager, GESI Director, Livelihoods Specialist, Senior M&E Officer will review the data and analyze its implications for management and further planning and implementation. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): The baseline values will be ready by September 2023. Rationale for Targets (optional): N/A Baseline YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 45% 50% GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: The geographic units are fixed as Landscape, Municipality, Rural Municipality, District, and Province. Although there may be data disaggregated at units below Municipality level, the reporting units are Municipality or District or Province. Baseline Units (optional): 0 OTHER NOTES (optional) Not needed. THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 07/17/2023 Version: 1.0 USAID Biodiversity Performance Indicator Reference Sheet – Custom (Indicator No. PMP 5.2-2) Goal: Reduce multiple threats to the ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well￾being, and safeguard the future Outcome 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes Outputs: ● New NRM user groups registered ● NRM community user groups assisted with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities implemented ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment (LISA) conducted ● GESI assessments conducted for municipalities in target watersheds ● GESI events conducted ● PA management plans updated and implemented USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 109 ● HWC reduction activities implemented ● Producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned, strengthened Linkage(s) to USAID/Nepal Results Statements (be specific): DO4: More Equitable and Improved Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management, through ● IR 4.1 (Natural resources conservation enhanced) and ● IR 4.4 (Resilience of women, marginalized and vulnerable groups increased) Number/Name of Indicator: (PMP 5.2-2) Percent of leadership positions in USG-supported community management entities that are filled by a woman or member of a marginalized community Performance Plan and Report Indicator: No If yes, for which Fiscal Year(s): FY23, FY24, FY25, FY26 and FY27 Performance Management Plan Indicator: Yes Indicator Type: PMP(Outcome) INDICATOR DESCRIPTION Precise Definition(s): Community management entities are defined as: group of people associated with particular purpose for the public interest, such as school management committees, health facility operation and management committee, forest user group, farmer groups/cooperatives, market planning committees, trade and business associations, water user groups, self-help groups, working groups, forums, or mechanisms to carry out actions as per the mandate. Marginalized communities are those who have traditionally been excluded from power and access to resources, and may include indigenous peoples, other minorities, LGBTQI+ populations, women and girls, youth, individuals with disabilities, or other similar groups. Marginalized groups: People who are typically denied access to legal protection or social and economic participation and programs (i.e., police protection, political participation, access to healthcare, education, employment), whether in practice or in principle, for historical, cultural, political, and/or other contextual reasons. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, women and girls, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+ people, displaced persons, migrants, Adivasi/Janajati, youth and the elderly, religious and linguistic minorities, Dalit castes, and people of diverse economic class and political opinions. The groups most likely to be most marginalized are those facing “intersecting inequalities' - those whose economic disadvantages intersect with socially and culturally defined identities, locational disadvantage and lack of voice and representation. They are also described as “excluded” and "underrepresented”. For the purpose of this indicator, marginalized groups generally include the most marginalized caste/ethnic groups (Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Madheshi Other Castes, Tarai Janajati, and Muslim), women, LGBTQI+ people, and persons with disabilities. Leadership position: To be counted in this indicator, women or members of a marginalized group should be responsible for sharing information and representing the entity s/he is associated with in public forums; to help define the issues, problems, and solutions that the entity works on; and to influence decisions and outcomes USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 110 associated with the entity or its initiatives. Leadership positions may be voluntarily obtained, appointed or elected. Examples: • Persons serving as executive or head administrators of community management entities (in title) • Persons representing the entity in official consultations with the GON and others Total number of leadership positions available on community managed entities should include titled positions (chairperson, vice-chair, president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer or the like). On non-formal committees, count available leadership positions as at least one per committee. To calculate percent, use the following calculation: Numerator: Number of leadership positions held by women/members of a marginalized community Denominator: Total number of available leadership positions To disaggregate, use the total number of women (both from marginalized and non-marginalized communities), and members of marginalized communities (men, women, and others). Details of caste/ethnic groups: 1) Hill Brahmin/Chhetri: Hill Brahmin castes groups, Chhetri, Thakuri, Sanyasi, Dashami 2) Madheshi Brahmin/Chhetri: Brahmin, Kayastha, Rajput, Nurang 3) Madheshi Other Castes: Badhae, Kamar, Baniya, Kathabaniya, Baraee, Bin, Binda, Bhediyar, Gaderi, Hajam, Thakur, Haluwai, Kahar, Kalwar, Kanu, Kewat, Koiri, Kushwaha, Kumhar, Kurmi, Lohar, Mali, Mallah, Nuniya, Rajbhar, Sonar, Sudhi, Teli, Yadav, Amat, Dev, Dhandi, Dhankar, Dharikar, Dhuniya, Kalar, Kori, Natuwa, Rajdhob, Sarbaria, Tarai Others 4) Hill Dalit: Badi, Damai, Dholi, Gaine, Kami, Sarki 5) Madheshi Dalit: Bantar, Sardar, Chamar, Harijan, Ram, Dhobi, Dom, Dusadh, Pasawan, Pasi, Halkhor, Khatwe, Musahar, Tatma, Tatwa, Chidimar, Dalit others 6) Newar: All Newar caste groups 7) Mountain/Hill Janajati: Bhote, Walung, Bote, Brahmu, Byasi, Chepang, Chhantyal, Danuwar, Darai, Dura, Bhujel, Gurung, Hayu, Yholmo, Jirel, Kumal, Lepcha, Limbu, Magar, Majhi, Pahari, Rai, Raji, Sherpa, Sunuwar, Tamang, Thakali, Thami, Yakha, Aathpariya, Bahing, Bantawa, Chamling, Dolpo, Ghale, Khaling, Kulung, Kusunda, Lhopa, Lohorung, Mewahang Bala, Nachhiring, Raute, Samgpang, Thulung, Topkegola, Yamphu, Janajati others 8) Tarai Janajati: Dhanuk, Dhimal, Gangai, Jhangad, Kisan, Koche, Meche, Munda, Mudiyari, Rajbansi, Santhal, Tajpuria, Tharu, Pattharkatta, Kushwadiya, Khawas 9) Muslim: All Muslim groups 10) Other: Marwadi, Bengali, Panjabi/Sikh, foreigners, and unidentified others Data Type: Percent Unit of Measure: Percent of leadership positions Disaggregated by: gender (men, women, other), caste/ethnicity (Hill Dalit, Madheshi Dalit, Madheshi Other Castes, Tarai Janajati, and Muslim), LGBTI+ people, persons with disabilities, women, and priority landscape (Chitwan-Annapurna, Kailash, Terai Arc, Karnali), NRM regimes (CFUG, Buffer Zones Management Committees, BZUC, BZUGs), Numerator: Number of women/vulnerable people holding leadership positions, Denominator: Total number of available leadership positions USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 111 Rationale or Management Utility, Integration Approach(optional): GESI being an integral part of the activity, it is important to measure how the women and marginalized communities have benefited from the interventions made by the activity. Unless these sections of the community hold leadership positions and have their voice in decision making, NRM cannot be effective. Hence, this indicator was selected for informed decision making and integration of GESI in overall natural resources conservation. PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION BY ACTIVITY Sub-Activities/Sub-contracts/Sub-awards: GESI awareness and training activities Data Source: Leadership survey results Method of Data Acquisition: Survey each of the community groups USAID Biodiversity works with. USAID Biodiversity will count the total number of leaders in the community groups they are working with and record their information. The data collection team will need to ask each of them their gender, caste/ethnicity, title in the group, the location, if they have a disability, if they are LGBTQI+. This information will be updated annually (fiscal year). Frequency and Timing of Data Acquisition: Annual Frequency and Timing of Data Reporting to USAID: Annual Individual(s) Responsible for Data at USAID: COR Individual(s) Responsible for Providing Data to USAID (optional): Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Location of Data Storage (optional): USAID Biodiversity SharePoint Database. Data will be saved by Indicator and by Year in a SharePoint folder and linked to the recorded indicator data as verification. DATA QUALITY ISSUES Date of Most Recent Data Quality Assessment and Name(s) of Reviewer(s): N/A Date of Future Data Quality Assessments (optional): N/A Potential Data Limitations and Significance (optional): Managing consistent records for leadership positions requires attention to detail and understanding of definition. There may be some limitations about receiving accurate and disaggregated data from the community management entities. Actions Taken or Planned to Address Data Limitations (optional): Ensure every individual is given a unique ID along with their name and contact information. PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS, REVIEW, & REPORTING Data Analysis (optional): USAID Biodiversity will analyze the data every fiscal year (Oct-Sept). Count the total number of women in leadership positions. Count the total number of marginalized people in leadership positions. Divide that out of the total number of people in leadership positions. Then count each of the disaggregation's. Numerator: Number of women/ member of a marginalized community holding leadership positions Denominator: Total number of available leadership positions USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 112 Presentation of Data (optional): Internally, data will be recorded in a database and presented in simple bar graphs. This includes target vs achievement within the reporting period. Externally, the data will be recorded in the DIS, USAID/Nepal’s PMP Additional Cross-Cutting Indicator Data folder, annual and quarterly reports for USAID. Initial Review Conducted by (optional): M&E Unit and GESI Director Team Review (optional): M&E Manager, Senior M&E Officer, GESI Director, Biodiversity Lead, DCOP, COP. Review will be done after the results of survey are ready and during the after-action reviews, learning events. BASELINE AND TARGETS Baseline Timeframe (optional): Baseline values will be ready by end of September, 2023 Rationale for Targets (optional): Based on existing information and likelihood of achievability from Project influence. Total target percent means adding the two disaggregates (total number of women (both from marginalized and non-marginalized communities), and members of marginalized communities (men, women, and others)). Baselin e YR1 YR2 YR3 Base Total YR4 YR5 Option Total LOP Total 0 TBD TBD TBD= USAID Biodiversity is waiting for baseline results to set the base and LOP target totals. GEOGRAPHIC DIMENSION Data Reporting Units: Landscapes, NRM regimes (CFUG, Buffer Zones Management Committees, BZUC, BZUGs) Baseline Units (optional): Rural Municipality/Municipality OTHER NOTES (optional) THIS SHEET WAS LAST UPDATED ON: 7/17/2023 Version: 1.0 Annex IV: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Contract Number: 72036723C00001 Contract Description: USAID Biodiversity Contractor’s name: DAI (hereafter referred to as the contractor) 1. PURPOSE This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a systematic method to evaluate performance for the USAID Biodiversity. This QASP explains the following: What will be monitored? USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 113 Various activities with involvement of federal, provincial, local government and USAID How monitoring will take place? Joint Monitoring Visits, After Action Review, USAID Biodiversity Weekly Coordination Meeting, Bi-weekly meeting with USAID COR and Periodic Progress Review Who will conduct the monitoring? USAID Biodiversity, COP, DCOP, Technical Leads, M&E Manager; USAID COR How monitoring efforts and results will be documented? M&E Team will document monitoring processes and prepare monitoring reports. This QASP does not detail how the contractor accomplishes the work. Rather, the QASP is created with the premise that the contractor is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract. In addition, the QASP recognizes that unforeseen and uncontrollable situations may occur. USAID Biodiversity will make its best effort follow different performance standard pertaining to specific deliverables. USAID Biodiversity will be in constant coordination and dialogue with respective government organization and USAID. 2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES USAID Biodiversity will be responsible for regularly conducting quality control monitoring and reporting the results to the Contracting Officer (CO). The COR is responsible for overseeing the monitoring compliance of the contractor in accordance with the QASP mechanisms. ROLE RESPONSIBILITY COP Provides oversight to the QASP mechanisms as appropriate. Reviews the measurement report. Updates the COR on key issues. DCOP Oversees corrective actions, if needed. Provide required support to M&E Manger, during the surveillance processes. M&E Manager Specifies data collection and storage procedures for monitoring each deliverable. Writes a brief report after every QASP related monitoring event. Updates the findings of the monitoring report in periodic review meeting. Updates the QASP annually or on an as￾needed basis. USAID Biodiversity Obtains all reports issued from the monitoring. Follows up with questions and provides feedback, when needed. Assigns and oversees corrective actions, if needed. Provides guidance on the monitoring process. COR The COR is responsible for technical administration of the contract and shall assure proper Government surveillance of the contractor’s performance. Provides input to the QASP. Receives updates from COP. Assigns corrective measures, if needed, and provides guidance on how to strengthen the QASP process. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 114 3. METHODS OF QA SURVEILLANCE ● USAID Biodiversity Weekly Coordination Meeting: Discussion on overall activity performance, monitoring schedules, coordination with COR, USAID and status of USAID Deliverables ● Bi-weekly meeting with USAID COR: Discussion together with COR USAID and USAID Biodiversity COP, DCOP, Technical Leads, M&E, Communication, Finance and operations lead. With major focus in overall activity performance, learning, challenges, and way forward. ● Joint Monitoring Visits: This includes, site monitoring, on site observation, identification of issues and gaps, verification against Acceptable Quality Level (AQL), whether the sub-contractor grantee exceeds the requirement, meets the requirement or does not meet the requirement. Operating environment with COR, Government official sub-contracting representative, COP, DCOP, Technical leads, Landscape leads. ● Periodic Review: COR, COP, DCOP, Technical Leads, M&E Manager discuss and share key finding from monitoring visit, discuss on key issues and identify measures for solution and plan for future visit or other monitoring methods. ● Reviews and address feedbacks to the schedule reports: These reports include periodic report (Quarterly and Annual), Annual Work Plan, Baseline report. USAID Biodiversity will submit a final version of each deliverable incorporating feedback from USAID by the deadline specified in the contract. 4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Performance standards define desired services. The Government performs surveillance to determine if the contractor exceeds, meets or does not meet these standards. The Performance Requirements Summary Matrix includes performance standards. The Government shall use these standards to determine contractor performance and shall compare contractor performance to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). DELIVERABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL) METHOD (s) AND FREQUENCY Start-up Deliverables Y1 Work Plan (AWP) High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 52 days of completion of multistakeholder co-design work planning workshop 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 15 days after COR approval of Year 1 AWP 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 25 days after COR approval of Year 1 AWP 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 115 DELIVERABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL) METHOD (s) AND FREQUENCY GESI Analysis Report High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 30 days after COR approval of Year 1 AWP 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 GESI Action Plan High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 15 days after submission of GESI analysis Report 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 Baseline Survey Report High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 90 days after COR approval of MEL Plan 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 Literature Review and Political Economy Analysis (PEA), Scope of Work High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 45 days after COR approval of AWP 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after end of Year 1 Standard Contract Deliverables Objective 1: Improve health of the ecosystems in targeted landscapes Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of U.S. Government (USG) assistance (EG.10.2-1) Y1-Y517 standards: 250,000 - End Year of 5 (FY2027) Y1: 0 Y2: 65000 Y3: 85000 Y4: 65000 Y5: 35000 Unit: Hectare 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, biennial (once every two years) Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management, safeguards, or sustainable practices as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2- 2) Y1-Y5 standards: 2000,000 Y1: 0 Y2: 842500 Y3: 857500 Y4: 195000 Y5: 105000 Unit: Hectare 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, biennial (once every two years) Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-3) Y1-Y5 standards: 600,000 Y1: 0 Y2: 105000 Y3: 245000 Y4: 162500 Y5: 87500 Unit: Number of people 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually 17 The target includes both Base and Option Years USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 116 DELIVERABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL) METHOD (s) AND FREQUENCY Percent of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance (CBLD-9) Y1-Y5 standards: 60% Y1: 0 Y2: 0 Y3: 33% Y4: 0 Y5: 60% Unit: Percent of organization 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Objective 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2- 5) Y1-Y5 standards: 600,000 Y1: 6 Y2: 14 Y3: 10 Y4: 13 Y5: 7 Unit: Number of laws and policies 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-6) Y1-Y5 standards: 3500 Y1: 0 Y2: 1000 Y3: 1000 Y4: 975 Y5: 525 Unit: Number of people 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Number of people benefiting from adoption and implementation of measures to improve water resource management as a result of USG assistance (HL 8.5-1) Y1-Y5 standards: 500000 Y1: 0 Y2: 150000 Y3: 200000 Y4: 97500 Y5: 52500 Unit: Number of people 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Objective 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced Amount of investment mobilized for climate change adaptation (EG.11-4) Y1-Y5 standards: 8000000 Y1: 0 Y2: 1500000 Y3: 2500000 Y4: 2600000 Y5: 1400000 Unit: Amount of investment in USD 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Number of people trained in sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity Y1-Y5 standards: 300000 Y1: 0 Y2: 85000 Y3: 85000 95% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 117 DELIVERABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL) METHOD (s) AND FREQUENCY conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-4) Y4: 84500 Y5: 45500 Unit: Number of people Number of people using climate information or implementing risk reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as a result of USG assistance. (EG.11-6) Y1-Y5 standards: 300000 Y1: 0 Y2: 90000 Y3: 80000 Y4: 84500 Y5: 45500 Unit: Number of people 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by USG assistance (EG. 11-2) Y1-Y5 standards: 90 Y1: 0 Y2: 20 Y3: 29 Y4: 20 Y5: 21 Unit: Number of institutions 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually GESI Standard and PMP Indicators Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level (GNDR-1) Y1-Y5 standards: 40 Y1: 0 Y2: 12 Y3: 18 Y4: 8 Y5: 2 Unit: Number of legal instruments 90% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment (GNDR-2) Y1-Y5 standards: 50% Y1: 0 Y2: 0 Y3: 45% Y4: 0 Y5: 5% Unit: Percent 95% of annual performance standard Periodic inspection, annually Ongoing and End-of-Contract Activities Subsequent Years Annual Work Plan (final) High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted by August 15. 100% of performance standard 100% inspection after submission of report Quarterly Progress and Financial Report Quarterly Progress Report: High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 15 days following the end of each quarter 100% of performance standard Periodic inspection, quarterly USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 118 DELIVERABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL) METHOD (s) AND FREQUENCY Financial Progress Report: High-quality, with minimal errors, and submitted within 30 days after end of reporting quarter Annual Performance Report High-quality, with minimal errors, due November 15 of every contract year. 100% of performance standard Periodic inspection, annually USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 119 Annex V: Logic Model MAJOR INTERVENTIONS /TASKS TO REDUCE MULTIPLE THREATS TO ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE SPECIES TO CONSERVE NATURE, ENHANCE HUMAN WELL￾BEING, AND SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE. EXPECTED RESULTS KEY SERVICES, OUTPUTS YEAR 1-3 (1-5) SOLUTIONS INDICATORS Objective 1: Health of Ecosystems Improved in Targeted Landscapes 1.1.1 Review, update, harmonize, and draft policies, regulations, and plans at local, municipal, and provincial levels 1.1.2 Strengthen government communication, coordination, and implementation capacity 1.1.3 Partner with training academies and create the Nepal Wildlife Institute ● Local Government Institutional Capacity Self￾Assessment (LISA) in 3 (5) provinces and 25 (40) municipalities ● Capacity building for 50 (75) municipalities and three provinces, including training of 625 (1,125) participants ● Assist with adoption and implementation of 30 (50) laws, plans and policies Solution 1.1: Strengthen natural resource governance capacity at municipal and provincial levels • Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of U.S. Government (USG) assistance (EG.10.2-1) • Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management, safeguards, or sustainable practices as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-2) • Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-3) • Percent of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance (CBLD-9) • Amount of income generated by MSMEs with USG assistance (Custom 1.1) • Number of HH practicing Human Wildlife Conflict mitigation measures with USG assistance (Custom 1.2) • Number of rare and threatened species with improved management (Custom 1.3 ) 1.2.1 Conduct rural appraisals and baseline livelihood information at project sites 1.2.2 Register new and strengthen existing community conservation management groups and popularize best practices 1.2.3 Support integrated activities to improve ecosystems health and wildlife conservation ● Baseline appraisal and GESI assessments for 50 (75) municipalities in target watersheds ● 35 (60) new NRM user groups registered ● Assist 125 (250) NRM community user groups with management plans ● Conservation and restoration activities on 120,000 (240,000) hectares ● GESI events and sensitization conducted in 50 (75) municipalities Solution 1.2: Improve community management of freshwater and forest resources 1.3.1 Support the implementation of management plans in PA, buffer zones, and forests 1.3.2 Expand HWC compensation scheme for wildlife damage to new areas of Nepal and promote HWC best practices. 1.3.3 Improve research and scientific management of the PA system ● Update 5 (7) PA management plans and implement 30 conservation activities in Pas ● 20 (30) HWC reduction activities ● Support 12 (24) activities that support scientific management of PAs Solution 1.3: Improve management and connectivity of conservation areas and reduce HWC 1.4.1 Promote environment-friendly production practices. 1.4.2 Strengthen community-based, private sector-led enterprises that reduce threats to ● 2,500 (4000) producers adopting environment friendly production practices ● Strengthen 50 (100) MSMEs, including at least 50 percent women owned Solution 1.4: Increase alternative income sources USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 120 MAJOR INTERVENTIONS /TASKS TO REDUCE MULTIPLE THREATS TO ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE SPECIES TO CONSERVE NATURE, ENHANCE HUMAN WELL￾BEING, AND SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE. EXPECTED RESULTS KEY SERVICES, OUTPUTS YEAR 1-3 (1-5) SOLUTIONS INDICATORS biodiversity 1.4.3 Support adoption of certification and standards such as FairWild18 and National Forest Stewardship Standards 1.4.4 Establish Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in key basin areas such as at drinking water and hydropower sites ● 4 PES programs are operational returning benefits to local communities and conservation enterprises Objective 2: Environmental Crime Control and Natural Resource Safeguards Strengthened 2.1.1 Update understanding of environmental crime networks, harmonize regulatory frameworks for wildlife trade, and develop capacity strengthening plan 2.1.2 Strengthen capacity of law enforcement and judiciary 2.1.3 Improve transboundary cooperation in environmental crime. 2.1.4 Expand innovative DNA databases to new species ● Train 500 (800) law enforcement officers, CBAPUs and 200 (300) judges, public prosecutors and court personnel ● Updated laws, protocols and procedures for enforcement and prosecution ● 20 joint patrols and exposure visits with regional law enforcement ● Genetic databases for 3 (5) keystone wildlife species Solution 2.1: Improve enforcement and prosecution of environmental crime • Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-5) • Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-6) • Number of people benefiting from adoption and implementation of measures to improve water resource management as a result of USG assistance (HL 8.5-1) • Number of private sector enterprises/MSME and infrastructure projects that are integrating sustainable practices or safeguards as a result of USG assistance (Custom 2.1) • Number of zoonotic disease surveillance programs scoped and replicated (Custom 2.2) 2.2.1 Strengthen watchdog organizations and enhance community monitoring and reporting 2.2.2 Enhance public awareness on the consequences of environmental crime and importance of NRM ● 5 civil society watchdog organizations strengthened ● 20 (30) CBAPUs strengthened and eight established ● 300 (500) citizen scientists reporting on ecosystem health ● 40 (60) community scorecards of municipal NRM effectiveness completed ● 4 training sessions for local environmental journalists ● 50 (75) multi stakeholder dialogues to address NRM issues with women and vulnerable groups reporting that their concerns were addressed Solution 2.2: Partner with communities, civil society, and the private sector to improve transparency and accountability in NRM decision￾making 18 The FairWild Standard helps ensure wild plant collection doesn’t put a strain on species or habitats. For details, please visit FairWild Foundation USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 121 MAJOR INTERVENTIONS /TASKS TO REDUCE MULTIPLE THREATS TO ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE SPECIES TO CONSERVE NATURE, ENHANCE HUMAN WELL￾BEING, AND SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE. EXPECTED RESULTS KEY SERVICES, OUTPUTS YEAR 1-3 (1-5) SOLUTIONS INDICATORS 2.3.1 Support uptake of environmentally friendly green infrastructure development 2.3.2 Strengthen municipal and provincial capacity to oversee and enforce safeguards for infrastructure development and pollution 2.3.3 Incentivize businesses that demonstrate full compliance with EPA and EIA requirements 2.3.4 Improve water resource management (WRM) 2.3.5 Establish an active zoonotic disease surveillance response and mitigation program ● 70 (100) infrastructure projects integrate environmental sustainability features ● Green infrastructure planning tools integrating into 10(30) municipal and 3 (4) provincial governments ● 200 (400) government, civil society and private sector staff trained on environmental impact assessment system for infrastructure ● 400,000 (600,000) people benefit from improved water resource management ● Zoonotic disease surveillance pilot in Bardiya NP Solution 2.3: Improve natural resource safeguards and security during development planning and execution Objective 3: Climate Resilience of Natural and Human System Enhanced 3.1.1 Catalyze platforms for climate change policy coordination and implementation. ● 5 (9) Inter-ministerial Climate Change Coordination Committee meetings and 8 (16) climate change thematic working group meetings held Solution 3.1: Support national￾level climate change planning and implementation • Amount of investment mobilized for climate change adaptation. ((EG. 11-4) • Number of people trained in sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-4) • Number of people using climate information or implementing risk reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as a result of USG assistance. (EG.11 - 6) • Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by USG assistance (EG.11-2) 3.2.1 Sensitize and strengthen the capacity of elected representatives and officials in climate change adaptation 3.2.2 Review or conduct climate vulnerability and risk assessments (VRAs) 3.2.3 Integrate climate change into community, municipal, and provincial planning 3.2.4 Implement resilience activities via climate-smart villages and climate field schools ● 12 (20) training workshops on national climate change adaptation priorities with 40 (60) municipalities and 3 (5) provinces ● 40 municipalities with updated VRAs and adaptation funds earmarked or committed ● 3 provinces with climate change adaptation funds earmarked or committed ● 72 (120) climate smart villages in practice at ward level, with 150,000 (250,000) people participating in climate field schools ● 80 (120) MSMEs offering climate smart products/ services in USAID Biodiversity target landscape Solution 3.2: Integrate climate change into plans, budgets, and activities at community, municipal, and provincial levels USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 122 MAJOR INTERVENTIONS /TASKS TO REDUCE MULTIPLE THREATS TO ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE SPECIES TO CONSERVE NATURE, ENHANCE HUMAN WELL￾BEING, AND SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE. EXPECTED RESULTS KEY SERVICES, OUTPUTS YEAR 1-3 (1-5) SOLUTIONS INDICATORS 3.3.1 Develop a Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Action Plan 3.3.2 Convene Climate Resilient Business Roundtables and facilitate PPPs 3.3.3 Expand availability of and access to innovative, private sector resilience products ● Business Perception Survey results shared with 40 municipalities and three provinces ● 3 (5) roundtables held (annual) ● US $ million in private sector investment committed to implement climate change adaptation activities ● At least 20 (35) catalytic grants disbursed through USAID Biodiversity Action Fund for climate resilience activities Solution 3.3: Engage private sector to increase finance for adaptation 3.4.1 Conduct climate and weather information (CWI) services stakeholder assessment 3.4.2 Strengthen capacity of CWI producers, communicators, and end-users to develop, disseminate, and apply climate and weather data ● Climate and Weather Information (CWI) needs assessment ● CWI incorporated into 40 (60) municipal plans and 3 (5) provincial plans ● USAID Biodiversity Action Fund catalytic grants disbursed to developers of CWI dissemination services ● 50,000 (300,000) people accessing CWI (i.e., subscribed to CWI dissemination service and receiving SMS, etc.) Solution 3.4: Promote innovative transmission of climate and weather information for farmers and fishers and other stakeholders GESI Standard and PMP Indicators: • Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level (GNDR-1) • Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment (GNDR-2) • Percent of leadership positions in USG-supported community management entities that are filled by a woman or member of a marginalized community (PMP 5.2-2) Assumptions/Risks: COVID-19 or other pandemic diseases will not escalate to significantly impact on activity implementation. Political situation including social harmony will remain relatively stable for smooth implementation of activity interventions. Economic situation will not further deteriorate to demotivate private investors. Local employment conditions for trained human resources on entrepreneurship will not change substantially during the life of activity. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 123 Annex VI: Glossary of MEL Key Terms Term Definition Activities The things the project / program team does to achieve the aims of the project. Activity MEL Plan A plan that describes how USAID and its partner(s) will jointly manage an activity by stating how monitoring data will be collected, analyzed, and reported; how implementers will actively engage with any evaluations conducted; and how information gathered from monitoring and evaluation efforts will be used for learning purposes. Assumptions Things that you believe but that are not supported by evidence. Examples include: participants will be allowed to join this activity, participants who have learned financial skills will want to save money Baseline The value of an indicator before the implementation of activities begins. Baseline data enable projects to track the changes that occurred during the activity with the resources allocated by that activity. Collaborating, Learning, Adapting (CLA) CLA involves strategic collaboration, continuous learning, and adaptive management. CLA approaches to development include collaborating intentionally with stakeholders to share knowledge and reduce duplication of effort, learning systematically by drawing on evidence from a variety of sources and taking time to reflect on implementation, and applying learning by adapting intentionally. Context Indicators A means to monitor factors outside the control of USAID that have the potential to affect the achievement of expected results. Context indicators measure conditions relevant to project/program performance. These might be macro-economic, social, or political conditions and critical assumptions of the results framework and LogFrame. Context indicators do not directly measure the results of project activities, but rather factors that are beyond the control of the project/program, which are important to successful delivery. Context Monitoring The systematic collection of information about conditions and external factors relevant to the implementation and performance of an OU’s strategy, projects, and activities. Context monitoring includes the monitoring of local conditions that may directly affect implementation and performance (such as non-USAID programming operating within the same sector as USAID programming) or external factors that may indirectly affect implementation and performance (such as macro￾economic, social, or political conditions). Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Five-year country development cooperation strategy with host country and other USG agencies to focus investment in key areas. They set forth a high-level Goal supported by Development Objectives (DOs) or, in the case of a regional strategy (RDCS), Regional Development Objectives (RDOs), that each Mission, in collaboration with its development partners, will work to address during the strategy period. Custom indicators Measures used in combination with standard indicators to monitor progress towards intended results. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 124 Term Definition DAI Collect A multi-platform form builder based on Kobo Toolbox that allows you to build and deploy forms via web or mobile platforms (both iOS and Android). A user creates a data collection application with data fields via a web-based platform, then publishes the application to be deployed for data collection on a smart phone. The application enables the user to collect data and generate aggregated reports. Data management Tools and processes for storing, organizing, and accessing data. Includes the following aspects: Data access, data integration, data quality, data governance (security), data preparation/cleaning (in order to conduct analysis) Data Quality Assessment (DQA) An examination of the quality of performance indicator data in light of the five standards of data quality (validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness) to ensure that decision-makers are fully aware of data strengths and weaknesses and the extent to which data can be relied upon when making management decisions and reporting. Development Data Library (DDL) USAID's public repository of Agency-funded, machine-readable data. Data (and any documentation) for USAID projects is required to be submitted to the DDL. Development Experience Clearing House (DEC) The largest online resource for USAID funded technical and project materials for international development, with assets dating back to 1945. Reports and deliverables for USAID projects are required to be submitted to the DEC. Evaluation The systematic collection and analysis of information about the characteristics and outcomes of strategies, projects, and activities conducted as a basis for judgments to improve effectiveness and timed to inform decisions about current and future programming. Evaluation is distinct from assessment or an informal review of strategies, projects, or activities. External Evaluation Evaluations that are both: 1. Commissioned by USAID or others, rather than by the implementing partner responsible for the activities being evaluated, and 2. Have a team leader who is an independent expert from outside the Agency with no fiduciary relationship with the implementing partner. Serves the purpose of validating the standard of independence, which aims to mitigate bias and ensure credibility and integrity to the evaluation process. The importance of an evaluator’s independence from program management often provides greater credibility of the evaluation findings and report. Final Evaluation Evaluations that occur toward the end of a strategy, project, or activity. USAID evaluation policy does not distinguish between mid-term and final evaluations, and there are no requirements for one that are different from the other. Typically, these are timed to inform decisions about follow-on or new strategies, projects or activities, and/or to understand and document the performance of what is being evaluated, and any learning associated with it. Geographic Information System (GIS) A computer-based tool that allows users to explore spatial relationships between datasets and to store, manipulate, analyze, and visualize those data. A GIS can link very different types of data together through a specific location and can provide a USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 125 Term Definition much more powerful way to examine information and make decisions. GIS can help project teams query, analyze, and plan using information based on location, and track impacts. Most often the outputs of GIS analysis are maps. Indicator A quantifiable measure of a characteristic or condition of people, institutions, systems, or processes that may change over time. Indicators can be quantitative or qualitative. Logic Model A graphic or visual depiction of a theory of change, illustrating the connection between what the project will do and what it hopes to achieve. Mid-term Evaluation Evaluations that occur before the end of a strategy, project, or activity. USAID evaluation policy does not distinguish between mid-term and final evaluations, and there are no requirements for one that are different from the other. Typically, ‘mid-term’ evaluations are timed to inform decisions about the management of that strategy, project, or activity. Monitoring The ongoing and systematic tracking of data or information relevant to USAID strategies, projects and activities. Outcome Indicator Measures the condition of people, systems, or institutions affected by interventions. Output Indicator Measures what is produced as a direct result of activities. Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS) A comprehensive description of a given performance indicator that includes a precise definition and rationale, how the data for that indicator should be collected and how often, and data quality issues. USAID requires missions to have PIRS for all CDCS (program), project, and activity performance indicators that are being tracked in the mission's PMP. Performance Indicators Means to monitor expected outputs and outcomes of strategies, projects, or activities based on a Mission’s Results Framework or a project’s or activity’s logic model. Performance indicators are the basis for observing progress and measuring actual results compared to expected results. Performance Management Plan (PMP) A Mission-wide tool to plan and manage the process of monitoring strategic progress, project performance, programmatic assumptions and operational context; evaluating performance and impact; and learning from evidence in order to inform decision-making, resource allocation, and adaptation at the strategy level. Performance Monitoring How we gauge the status of our projects and whether they’re making progress toward our expected results. It is the continuous collection of data that we gather using a range of tools: from sign-in sheets for events, to large-scale surveys, interviews with key informants, and direct observation. Performance monitoring also includes measuring the quantity, quality, and timeliness of outputs that are within the project’s control. Performance Plan and Report (PPR) The Performance Plan and Report (PPR) is an annual data call for performance information to all Operating Units (OUs) in USAID and the Department of State (DoS) that implement foreign assistance programs. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Defines the performance management approach taken to monitor, inspect and take appropriate action on the contractor’s performance against expected outcomes or performance objectives communicated in the PWS. USAID BIODIVERSITY - MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING PLAN – August 2023 126 Term Definition Standard (F) Indicators Standard indicators have several origins stemming from different Agencies, initiatives, and offices. Standard indicators are developed and used to enable consistent collection of comparable indicator data from multiple operating units at once. All standard indicators have indicator reference sheets that include precise definition and critical information to facilitate the collection and then aggregation of data across the Agency or other cross-sections of interest. Standard definitions cannot be edited. Standard Foreign Assistance (F) indicators are collected via the PPR. Standard (F) Indicators are organized according to 7 categories: (1) Peace and Security, (2) Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, (3) Health, (4) Education and Social Services, (5) Economic Growth, (6) Humanitarian Assistance, and (7) Cross￾cutting (including Gender, Youth, Capacity building, Special Studies, Resilience, and Private sector engagement). Note that “F” means Foreign Assistance in this case. Thus, these indicators may be called “Standard Indicators” or “F Indicators” (but mean the same thing). Targets These are the numbers or percentages that you would like to reach. Targets are the specific, planned level of results, to be achieved within a specific timeframe, with a given level of resources. Targets should be ambitious but achievable given a project's number of inputs and with a given level of resources. Theory of Change A narrative statement and is analogous to a development hypothesis or a project hypothesis. A diagram can be used to map out a TOC. It is usually more comprehensive and follows the format of: If we do x then y will change because of z. It adds underlying logic or assumptions and how the activity will address the assumptions.