Support mission during a transition phase between the 10th and 11th EDF environment / agriculture in the DRC

Background: Between 2009 and 2016, the DRC received EU support for the implementation of projects concluded under the 10th EDF, in the forest and nature conservation sectors. During the same period, with the creation of an Environment Unit, financed by the EU, and led by a senior international expert, the Ministry in charge of these sectors received multifaceted support for the definition of sectoral strategies and the monitoring of the corresponding actions. At the end of 2015, as part of the 11th EDF, the DRC and the EU signed a Financing Agreement concluded for a €120m Sustainable Environment & Agriculture programme over 72 months (the programme). This programme is multisectoral, covering both nature conservation within protected areas and socio-economic development in their peripheries. The overall objective of this mission is to provide International Technical Assistance (TA) that will contribute to the achievement of the expected results, objectives and impacts of the program. This TA ensured: (i) an effective transition from the 10th to the 11th EDF; (ii) a transition from the current phase of the programme (formulation of actions) to that of a concrete implementation of the interventions being planned; and (iii) the definition of the prerequisites for the effective entry into force of the future Programme Coordination Unit. Activities: Support/ advice to the Ministry of the Environment, nature conservation and sustainable development (MENCSD) in areas common to the 10th and especially the 11th sectoral EDF Establishing a network of high-level sector leaders, which includes members of relevant administrations or political cabinets- MENCSD & ICCN; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock (MAFL); Ministry of Rural Development in Provinces (MRDP) and Ministry of Transport (MT); Informing the network of advances, difficulties and solutions envisaged; Definition of a cross-sectoral approach for ministries and institutions; Launch of the various proposals and projects within the broader framework of the 11 EDF programme; Support for the distribution of information in support of management and governance; Project implementation of the planning-monitoring-evaluation system and the contributions made by the sectoral focal points; Critical analysis of the relevance and feasibility of project proposals to be funded; Supporting the elaboration of an internal technical audit system; Organisation of up to two steering committees; Development of reflections for the implementation of agricultural activities around beneficiary protected areas. Available: Formal notes in anticipation of or at the end of the meetings. Quarterly reports on the evolution of funding decisions and the level of implementation of approved projects; Final TA report: achievements and difficulties encountered, recommendations, budget proposal for the proper functioning of the Coordination Unit.