Project Title Project Preparation: “Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines” Project Description In June 2019, the project concept entitled “Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines” with a budget proposal of USD4,384,000.00 was cleared by GEF CEO. The project aims for the Nagoya Protocol implemented effectively in the Philippines by strengthening the national Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, building national and local capacities and developing critical experience in ABS agreements. Specifically, the project is envisioned to address the following barriers: Barrier 1: Inadequate and weak enforcement of policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks on ABS implementation. The granting of access is delegated to three government agencies: DENR, DA, and PCSD which implement differently the existing procedures and approval process and there is a weak coordinating mechanism among these agencies including possible streamlining and harmonization of their processes and procedures; Barrier 2: Lack of awareness and weak capacity of key stakeholders on ABS implementation at the national and local level : The academic community, local government units, and industry have limited awareness on the basic rules and rationale of existing ABS policies resulting in poor compliance and indifference. As a result, very few have actually applied for access to genetic resources, negotiated bioprospecting agreements, and developed ABS products. Similarly, there is low awareness on patent information by researchers and scientists which contributed to the low patent applications from local researchers in the country.; Barrier 3: Absence of good practices on ABS implementation from the initial stage of bioprospecting to research and development, product innovation and commercialization : Since the passage of relevant ABS laws and issuance of policies to facilitate bioprospecting as early as 1995, there has not been a single case to cite as best practice in the whole continuum of ABS process from securing FPIC to conducting of R&D up until the commercialization of research products and to the sharing of benefits down to local communities. To detail out the project concept into a full-blown project proposal, the GEF has provided a project preparation grant. This PPG aims to prepare and develop the following documents for final submission and approval by the GEF: 1. UNDP-GEF Project Document (ProDoc), using the 2017 standard template. 2. Mandatory annexes to the ProDoc, including gender analysis and action plan, and stakeholder engagement plan, among others, and project specific annexes (e.g. landscape profile, institutional and legal analysis, feasibility studies etc). 3. GEF CEO Endorsement Request. 4. Validation Workshop report (as appropriate for projects with a moderate and high SESP risk rating). The project preparation grant (PPG) has an allocation for the hiring of a Gender Specialist to analyse the differentiated impacts of access, use, control and benefit sharing practices, or lack thereof, on men, women and youth and the implications for the environment and livelihoods of the local groups and communities in the project area using a Gender Analysis Template and Guide to Conducting a Participatory Gender Analysis for projects supported by UNDP with GEF financing. The assessment will guide the project team to mainstream gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment into project implementation, taking into account the differences, needs, roles and responsibilities of men, women and youth. The gender assessment will at a minimum utilise the UNDP GEF Guide to Gender Mainstreaming in UNDP Supported GEF Financed Projects for conducting gender analysis and will seek to provide guidance for the project to be gender responsive or gender transformative using the following gender results effectiveness scale as outlined in the UNDP evaluation of gender mainstreaming in UNDP: Gender negative: result have a negative outcome that aggravate or reinforce gender inequalities and norms. Gender blind: results pay no attention to gender and fail to acknowledge the different needs of men, women, girls and boys, or marginalized populations. Gender targeted: results focus on the number or equity (50/50) of women, men or marginalized populations that targeted. Gender responsive: results address differential needs of men or women and equitable distribution of benefits, resources, status and rights but did not address root causes of inequalities in their lives. Gender transformative: results contribute to changes in norms, cultural values, power structures and the roots of gender inequalities and discriminations. The aim is to redefine systems and institutions where inequalities are created and maintained. Guidance should facilitate the mainstreaming of gender equality considerations into the Project Strategy and Result Framework through a process of assessing the implication for women and men of any planned action, in all areas and at all levels. The project strategy should ensure that women’s, men’s, youth and other marginalised groups’ concerns and experiences are an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects so that all stakeholders benefit equally from the project interventions. |