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AFRICA-Selected IRG Projects
Regional
| Environmental Monitoring and Capacity Building in Vector Control Interventions (EMCAB), 2008-2011 |
| USAID and EMCAB Wiki |
| The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) represents an historic $1.2 billion, five-year expansion of U.S. government resources to fight malaria in 15 high burden countries in Africa to dramatically scale up highly effective malaria prevention and treatment interventions. To support the PMI, IRG is providing technical services in environmental monitoring and mitigation related to the prophylactic measures used to combat malaria, including the use of DDT and other pesticides for indoor residual spraying (IRS) and the use of insecticide treated bednets (ITN). In close collaboration with USAID Mission compliance teams and counterparts in host country ministries and local governments, NGOs and private sector entities, IRG is conducting direct environmental monitoring of spraying programs and related pesticide management activities to ensure compliance with country- and program-level environmental monitoring and mitigation plans; IRG is also ensuring that environmental compliance is incorporated throughout the program’s policy, procedural and communication elements. |
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| Framework Strategic Planning
and Program Analysis for Environmental Investments, 2003-2004 |
| USAID |
| IRG assisted USAID's Bureau for Economic Growth,
Agriculture and Trade and Bureau for Africa in supporting field-based
activities that accelerated environmentally sound sustainable
development in Africa. More specifically, IRG enabled USAID
missions and partners to make better resource management choices
by providing effective tools, methods, and approaches to environmentally
sound resource management. The scope of this project included
not only strategic planning, but also environmental trend analysis
and capacity building. |
Related Publication:
2004-10 Nature Wealth Power-Revitalizing Rural Africa.pdf (727Kb) |
| Support to Environment
and Natural Resource Management Programs, 1999-2004 |
| USAID |
IRG helped USAID achieve specific objectives in natural resource management (NRM) using six project components:
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Stock Taking and Information Dissemination
IRG formed a core group of natural resource management
leaders to collect information on experiences, and supported
their responses to natural resource initiatives. Information
was disseminated through multimedia channels, including
a continually updated Internet database-NRM Tracker.
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Environmental Trend Analysis
Building on previous work, IRG conducted documentation
reviews, data collection, and analyses to develop a
framework using Stella software. The model identified
key factors and driving forces in environmental trends.
IRG also developed scenarios to test the model and carried
out a series of training sessions in Frnacophone and
Anglophone Africa. In the most recent phase, IRG has
also promoted the development of communities of practice
among graduates of the training sessions and others
actively using the models and other applications.
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FRAME
FRAME is a tool for the strategic analysis of USAID's
environmental investments in Africa. IRG's efforts included
assisting meetings, disseminating knowledge, and widening
use of the Frame site.
FRAME includes both the interactive Website and a gouping
of over 100 senior scholars and practitioners in Africa.
Coupled with the stock taking and anyalytic work, IRG
actively promoted developing FRAME into a premier knowledge
sharing system; a synthesis of trends and inventory updates of USAID
environmental activities was also undertaken.
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Related Publication:
2003-06
Mainstreaming NRM Workshop Proceedings.pdf (428Kb)
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Strategic Environmental Analysis and Monitoring/ENCAP
The IRG team analyzed future environmental considerations
for USAID mission program design and strategic planning,
developed tools for these processes, assisted with training
programs for environmental and program officers, and
helped missions develop, review, monitor, and evaluate
the strategic plans. |
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Related Publications:
2003-06
Mainstreaming NRM Workshop Proceedings.pdf (428Kb)
2003-05
ENCAP Program Review.pdf (518Kb)
2002-03
ENR Accounting and Potential Applications-Africa.pdf
(137Kb)
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Urbanization and Environment
As a follow-up to IRG's study, Urbanization Issues
and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Urbanization
and Environment: Next Steps for ENR, IRG developed
further strategic options and investment recommendations.
IRG then prepared a briefing for USAID on the findings.
IRG also assisted the Urban Program in rethinking their
strategic objective, results framework, and performance
plan. IRG facilitated the redesign, validation, and debate
over a major reassessment of their strategic plan. |
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| ACSS Golden Spear-Phases
II and III, 2001-2002 |
| Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and US Department of Defense |
| ACSS Golden Spear aimed to determine the need for and the means to achieve a regional disaster strategy in eastern and central Africa. For the project, IRG used a comparable assessment tool to determine the overall degree of readiness of each country, then provided written analyses of disaster management strengths and weaknesses. |
| Support to the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat-Phases I, II,
and III, 2000-2002 |
USAID |
| For the three phases of this program, IRG provided technical
assistance and logistical support for regional and national
meetings to establish a multi-sector disaster management strategy.
IRG designed and implemented an activity to develop an information
coordination project within the disaster management entity and
provided the process that resulted in an assessment of regional
needs, an action plan, and a directory of information sources
available to SADC. IRG also trained participants to implement
the regional disaster plans. |
Related Publications:
2001-01 SADC Disaster Management Seminar Vol I-Africa.pdf (106Kb)
2001-01 SADC Disaster Management Seminar Vol II-Africa.pdf (106Kb) |
Ethiopia
| Humanitarian Assistance and Socioeconomic Study of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR), 2003 |
| USAID/Ethiopia
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| IRG assessed the extent and nature of the humanitarian crisis
in SNNPR in Ethiopia. Working with several partners, IRG was
able to mobilize a project team within 72 hours of task order
award. The first team worked with the Disaster Assistance Response
Team (DART) to perform a timely and accurate assessment of the
humanitarian crisis in the SNNPR, as well as provide recommendations
on areas that needed a more focused response. A second team
worked on a more in-depth socioeconomic study with the goal
of clarifying the overall needs of the population, and provided
possible strategies to address these issues. |
| Rural Energy Study, 2002-2003 |
| Biomass Technology Group |
| IRG provided expertise in fuelwood supply enhancement as part
of the World Bank-supported National Rural Energy Strategy Study,
designed to formulate strategies to meet the biomass energy
demands of rural Ethiopia. IRG's main objective was to define
and prioritize geographical areas with fuelwood and other biomass
supply problems, and discuss and test potential supply-based
corrective actions. |
Guinea
| Promoting Investment and Private Enterprise: Debt Conversion, 2000-2001 |
| USAID/Guinea |
| Population growth and high unemployment have forced Guinean
communities to seek new land for agriculture in reserved forests.
IRG conducted an environmental assessment that detailed the
activities of communities and government authorities, and identified
areas with potential for forest co-management. |
Related Publication:
2001-04 Co-Managemement of Reserved Forests-Guinea.pdf (714Kb) |
Liberia
| Emergency Power Program, 2006-2009 |
| USAID |
| After a 12-year civil war, IRG was tasked to manage fuel procurement, billing and revenue collection, and information management for restoration of electricity in Monrovia to rebuild the institutional capacity of the power sector, particularly the Liberian Electricity Corporation (LEC). In only nine months, IRG helped LEC reach the target goal of generating 70% of electricity capacity. Under two concurrent USAID projects, IRG helped LEC secure over 1,000 customers and connected up to 2,500 customers. Nearly 300 prepayment meters installed to ease logistical burden on poor consumers, reduce collections costs and reduce arrears. At the same time IRG trained LEC in theft identification and energy management and provided wide ranginging training IRG coordinated the USAID program with EU, African, and international donors. |
Madagascar
| Support Sustainable Environment and Forest Ecosystems Management, 2004–2008 |
| USAID |
To assist Madagascar in achieving effective management and control of its forest ecosystems, USAID contracted IRG to provide technical assistance, training, and grants. The project focuses on restructuring and revitalizing public sector environmental and forest institutions that are critical to improving the forest management systems. Foremost, IRG is helping revitalize the Malagasy Forest Service to ensure sustainable forest management. Additional areas of involvement include: developing mechanisms for sustainable finance, formulating and securing adoption of applicable environmental policies, and strengthening environmental sector management capacity. |
| Enabling Conditions for Sustainable Organization and Policies in Madagascar, 1999-2002 |
| USAID/Madagascar |
| IRG helped USAID/Madagascar in its efforts to manage and protect
biologically diverse ecosystems in priority conservation zones.
Providing technical assistance, training, and grant administration
for the project involved establishing sustainable financing
mechanisms; implementing adaptive management practices; developing
and applying environmental policies, legislation, and procedures;
and bolstering strategic planning, communication, management,
and monitoring. IRG helped create a sustainable finance commission
with representation from the public and private sectors, NGOs,
and donors to set the direction for trust fund development and
other finance mechanisms. |
Related Publications:
2002-07 PAGE Final Report-English.pdf (480Kb) |
Mali
| Mali Bamako-Senou Airport and Industrial Park Project Assessment and Development, Millenium Challenge Corporation, 2006 |
| USAID |
| IRG was tasked with providing pre-feasibility analyses and definitional studies conducted on behalf of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for Mali's Bamoko-Senou Airport and Industrial Park. This was the first phase of the MCC's due diligence process for preparation of an Investment Memorandum with the Government of Mali. The project envisioned infrastructure and building improvements to the airport and development of a 200-hectare Industrial Park within the airport domain. As a subcontractor, IRG was responsible for the environmental, social, economic, and financial impact studies of this project. |
Mozambique
| Support to the Southern African Development Community Secretariat (SADC): Developing a Regional Disaster Management Strategy, 2001 |
| USAID/Mozambique |
| IRG provided technical assistance to USAID and SADC in facilitating a ministerial meeting to develop regional disaster mechanisms. IRG produced a final report on resolutions reached by the delegates. |
Namibia
| Linking Communities and Environmental Conservancies, 2004-2009 |
| USAID/Namibia |
| Under the Namibia (Living in a Finite Environment) LIFE projects, IRG played a primary role in building the institutional capacity of Namibia’s nascent nature conservatories with the support of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) through the Namibia Association of CBNRM Support organizations (NASCO). Technical assistance was provided for conservancy management plans and for developing linkages between emerging Community Land Boards and their interactions with communal area conservancies including training, enhancing communication among NASCO partners, sharing best practices with the FRAME project, and developing a sister-college relationship between Namibian and US universities to promote CBNRM research. The scope of LIFE was later expanded to assist Namibia’s conservancies become democratically directed from its membership, driven by income-generating enterprises beyond wildlife and tourism, and given the legal authority to integrate management of an expanded number of natural resources. |
| LIFE II Mid-Term Review, 2001 |
| USAID/Namibia |
| IRG assessed the Living in a Finite Environment Program (LIFE),
an activity under USAID/Namibia's natural resource management
activities. The program focused on strengthening Namibia's local
NGOs and Ministry of Tourism to ensure that community-based
natural resource management efforts continued when USAID funding
ceased. IRG evaluated differences in the management capacities
of USAID's partners and identified future institutional strengthening
measures, including sustainable financing, monitoring, and generating
benefits. |
Related Publication:
2001-10 Mid-Term Review of LIFE II-Namibia.pdf (840Kb) |
Nigeria
| Renewable Energy Workshop Assistance, 2001 |
| US
Department of Energy (USDOE) |
| At two training workshops for Nigerian government officials,
co-sponsored by the World Bank, USDOE, and USAID, IRG presented
analyses and identification of implementation opportunities
based on reviews of current local initiatives and stakeholders.
IRG also prepared a paper that summarized preliminary implementation
strategies to introduce grid-based renewable energy technology. |
Rwanda
| Profitable Ecotourism through Improved Biodiversity Conservation, 2006-2010 |
| USAID/Rwanda |
| Bringing an integrated approach to conservation of the Nyungwe National Park (NNP), destinationNyungwe was designed to promote livelihood changes and economic development in NNP and the surrounding communities through conservation and eco-tourism efforts. The project’s goals included promoting tourism products, developing tourism-related enterprise in surrounding rural communities, strengthening NNP staff capacity in biodiversity conservation, improving conservation awareness, integrating conservation concerns into zone planning documents, and increasing health education and awareness in the surrounding communities to NNP. The Small Grants Program was vital to providing financial resources to the people, communities, and local businesses in support of ecotourism development that accounts for conservation in small enterprise development around the park. |
Senegal
| Support for Accelerated Growth and Increased Competitiveness for Trade (SAGIC), 2005-2011 |
| USAID/Senegal |
Increased economic growth is one of the highest priorities of USAID/Senegal and the government of Senegal. The SAGIC IQC builds on USAID/Senegal’s successful work on competitiveness enhancement, the considerable potential of the $200 million African Global Competitiveness Initiative announced by President Bush in 2005, the West Africa Trade Hubs in Dakar and Accra, and the IRG-implemented Agricultural and Natural Resource Management Program, also known as Wula Nafaa, which helps local communities increase trade in non-traditional products and natural resources.
SAGIC is enhancing livelihoods through a value chain approach to deliver business tools and techniques to the agricultural sector. We provide technical support to implement public-private partnerships, help put in place policies that enhance business opportunities and export competitiveness, and increase investments and export revenue. IRG helps USAID/Senegal identify outside funding for economic growth and partnership initiatives. |
| Wula Nafaa Program, 2008-2013 |
| USAID/Senegal |
Under Wula Nafaa in its second phase, IRG is providing technical services to help USAID/Senegal and its partners achieve sustainable, profitable, decentralized management of Senegal’s agricultural, marine, and natural resources. IRG is increasing the productivity of agriculture and other rural production systems by strengthening community-based organizations, supporting policies that clarify local rights, training communities in sustainable land use, and developing non-traditional agricultural enterprises. The project is designed to increase rural household incomes and promote local investment in the regions of Fatick, Tambacounda, Kedougou, Kolda, and Ziguinchor. These rural enterprises have increased direct revenues from natural resources and non-traditional agriculture by $1.7 million and another $2.3 million in exports over five years. IRG's efforts are helping to reduce conflicts over resource competition and promoting the cooperative management of natural resources.
This activity builds on USAID’s five-year Senegal Agriculture and Natural Resource Management project (Wula Nafaa), which was also implemented by IRG. Wula Nafaa is organized around the Nature, Wealth and Power framework, which emphasizes the role of governance and economic incentives to enable individuals and communities to manage natural resources sustainably and profitably. |
| Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Program, 2003-2008 |
| USAID/Senegal |
| With a focus on increasing the productivity of agricultural
and rural production systems, this project developed a synergy
between rural governance programs and private-sector enterprise
development by strengthening community-based organizations and
rural entrepreneurs, supporting policies that clarify local
rights and responsibilities, training communities in sustainable
land use, and developing and expanding non-traditional agricultural
enterprises. IRG also managed a small-grant fund to further
enable participation of local organizations. |
Tanzania
| Natural Resource Management Program, 1997-2001 |
| USAID/Tanzania |
| IRG helped to establish environmentally sustainable management
practices in Tanzania in six areas: natural resource management
and environmental policy, institutional strengthening, community
conservation and game reserve regimes in Ugalla, community conservation
and national park regimes in Tarangire/Lake Manyara, partner
support, and program performance monitoring. IRG was primarily
responsible for coordinating national policy issues. IRG developed
resource management information networks, facilitated program
reporting, established a policy framework, and supported field
studies, data collection, and training. IRG also supported preparation
of enabling legislation, regulations, and guidelines for policies,
including community-based wildlife management and conservation
programs. The project's top priorities were wildlife policy,
corridor and buffer zone management, hunting concessions, NGO
participation, and integrated coastal management. IRG also conducted
studies in game ranching, joint ventures, and economic opportunities. |
Related Publication:
2001-10 Financing, Revenue, Taxation in Wildlife Management-Tanzania.pdf (334Kb) |
Uganda
| Uganda Renewable Energy Loan Appraisal, 2000-2001 |
| World Bank |
IRG ensured the timely preparation of grid-connected renewable
energy subprojects and renewable energy generation components
of isolated grid systems. These subprojects and components
incorporated international best practices for the Uganda Energy
for Rural Transformation project and other projects supported
by the Africa Rural and Renewable Energy Initiative. A unique
feature of this project was not only providing energy access,
but also facilitating private sector-led, commercially oriented
rural electrification, with smart subsidies designed to increase
affordability in a commercial environment. |
Zimbabwe
| Food Security Analysis, 2001 |
| USAID/Zimbabwe
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| IRG conducted a comprehensive analysis of the food security
situation and the complex origins of the current food crisis,
working closely with staff from USAID/Zimbabwe, Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance's Regional Food Security Advisor, Famine
Early Warning Systems Network, and Food for Peace. |
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