Carbon Sequestration Project - 2007 Annual Implementation Report

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2007 Annual Implementation Report

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

Executive SummaryCarbon sequestration project was designed to develop the participatory resource management model suitable for arid and semi-arid areas, to address poverty alleviation and improve the land capacity for Carbon sequestration. The project started its activities in 2003 in Hosseinabad plain in Southern Khorasan province and will continue into 2009. The project covers 144,000 hectares of Hosseinabad Gheinab with 31 villages. It has been recognized as the most successful project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iran four years after its start with the efforts of those involved particularly the local community.In 2005 the project focused on gathering and organization of local community as Village Development Groups (VDGs). In 2006 the project focus shifted to strengthening and formalizing these groups and in 2007 the project objective was to set in motion the operation of Alghadir cooperative and marketing of the production from the VDGs. The project management consisted of the Project Management Committee (PMC), Project Review Committee (PRC), and the Co-Management Board (CMB) which were formed in 2005. One CMB meeting, four PRC meetings and a PMC meeting were all conducted as planned during 2007.

The monitoring and evaluation team from Birjand University continued its reporting for the second year. In 2007, the group members were available when to take soil samples to assess erosion and sedimentation, vegetation coverage and Carbon analysis. The year witnessed a training workshop by the socio-economic monitoring and evalution group. In this workshop several of the Village Development Group (VDG) chairpersons and secretaries participated along with students to familiarize themselves with completing of socio-economic forms and questionnaires. The team was able to collect the data with the collaboration of the group in five days.Documentation is a unique attribute of the Carbon sequestration project. The project has made every effort to document its activities and its findings for all those interested. In 2007 all quarterly reports were prepared as planned. The 2006 annual report was prepared and published both in Farsi and English. The first and second quarterly newsletters were published entitled “Andisheh Sabz” (Green Idea). The organization of VDG’s based on dissemination of participatory management is among the main project objectives. In 2007 four new villag development groups (mixed) were formed. Currently there are 30 active groups consisting of 7 all women, 7 all men and 16 mixed. These VDGs cover 18 villages with 1036 members 54% women and 46% men.In order to further develop the extension of participatory management several participatory activities were undertaken. With collaboration from the project VDG in Nazdasht village planted seedlings in the area around the solar water heater, the village main street and both sides of the Nazdasht road. In Janatabad village the project and the village development group planted seedlings around the area designated for the installation of the solar water purification unit. Nine members from the area’s VDGs (Group 9) were selected as voluntary Rangeland Guards to assist with the protection of rehabilitated rangelands. The project also assisted, in collaboration with the group in Bahamorz village, to build a public bathhouse with contributions from local donors.Overall the project conducted 17 training activities in 2007, 53% of which leading to income generation (Carpet weaving, improvement tapestry weaving). Remaining 43% of activities included organizational and resources control. Public awareness and advocacy activities such as publication of a puzzle for children and a brochure as well as participation in handicraft exhibitions inside and outside the province were also undertaken.Following the formation of the Community Development and Resources Management Committee (CDRMC) in 2006, approvals were received for the formation of a cooperative named Alghadir Development Cooperative was established as an umbrella legal entity that covers and support all VDGs. The Alghadir Development Cooperative in Hosseinabad Plain has been registered in the area and currently possesses 450 members. In the first quarter of 2007, the second general meeting of Alghadir Cooperative took place with the participation of chairpersons and secretaries from VDGs. During the third quarter a meeting of the Board of Directors of Alghadir Cooperative took place to plan for its activities. In 2007, 109 million seedlings (one million Haloxylon and 90,000 potted Artiplex seedlings) were successfully produced. Additionally 21,000 Haloxylon seedlings were also planted during the third quarter are growing successfully. In 2007 with assistance of the VDGs out of 2,338 hectares of rangeland in the area, seedlings were planted in 1890 hectares while seeds were cultivated in 488 hectares. Additionally, productive trees including 1,750 seedlings of barberry, and 600 almond trees were distributed among 14 and 10 village development groups respectively in 8 villages. There is a clear relationship between poverty, destruction of rangelands and Carbon sequestration. One of the important objectives of the project is the formation of a local credit fund. At the end of the 2007, 172 million Rials ($ 20,000) was available as savings from the local community. The eights meeting of the PMC took place whereby the fourth phase of income generation projects eligible for loans were approved. Up to the end of 2007, the project team was able to distribute about $31,000 of the available credit from the fourth phase between 11 VDG’s. During the year, 18 groups allocated about $18,000 to support income generation projects among their members from available savings within each group.More than 195 individuals visited the project during the year. The most important visitor of the project was Dr. Sharifi, Head of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization.Average progress of activities in 2007 was approximately ____ % and expenditures were ____% of the planned expenditures.

IntroductionIslamic Republic of Iran is among the developing countries suffering the most from desertification. Rehabilitation of degraded rangelands is among the country’s top priorities. However, in the absence of sufficient resources, the country has not been able to cover larger areas other than its allocated budgets. With people’s participation, the government and the rural communities can rehabilitate the land with lower costs. Implementation of other programs such as cultivation of wooded and fodder plants can also slow down the trend in desert advancement. This activity will not only increase Carbon sequestration but also provide fodder for livestock.UNDP’s experience in social development in Iran indicates that with the active participation of the local communities in areas with low rainfall, more sustainable rehabilitation efforts can be implemented at relatively lower costs. With introduction of incentives into current rehabilitation activities outcomes will be more pronounced and longer lasting. Financial and organizational mechanisms at the local level with the final objective to attain human development in designated remote areas can lead to increased economic activities.In early 2003, the Carbon sequestration project started with the investment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through a bilateral agreement between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and UNDP. From a global perspective the main project objective is sequestration of existing Carbon in the atmosphere. The project will show that degraded rangelands can be rehabilitated economically by the people and for the benefit of those utilizing the land. It will also exhibit the capacity of plants and soil in this area to sequester Carbon. From a national perspective, the main priorities for the government include improving land productivity in semi-arid areas and controlling desert advancement. Locally the project objective is the rehabilitation of area covered by the project in Southern Khorasan province improving the socio-economic conditions of the local communities in order to eradicate poverty and increasing Human Development Indexes in Hosseinabad area. The project used participatory methods to mobilize and empower local communities so that they could participate in rehabilitation efforts in designated area. The experience gained from the participatory land rehabilitation and the management of natural resources in the Carbon sequestration project can be replicated throughout Iran and outside the country in areas with similar conditions. Background for execution and implementation: The carbon sequestration project is currently implemented using participatory methods and mobilization of local communities in Hosseinabad‘s Ghienab area. People’s participation and views were taken into consideration during all phases of the project from planning, implementation, to monitoring and evaluation. The project is looking to achieve “Rangeland Rehabilitation with the people and for the people”.Report preparations and limitations:This report was prepared based on quarterly project reports. Quarterly reports are prepared within the framework of the working programme based on project achievements for the preceding quarter. The report is prepared by the project’s extension unit collecting information from other units. The report is reviewed by the project manger and is approved by the PRC.Project Achievements (outputs)

Mother Teresa, Nobel Prize Recipient:We do not do great work, but we do small work with lots of love and joy.

Activities and Achievements: The project successfully followed its objectives according to the annual programmes in 2007. The project was implemented activities in rangeland rehabilitation, mobilization of local communities, and organization of required public awareness and advocacy programmes, as well as development of micro-credit funds, and monitoring and evaluation. The project’s main emphasis was on strengthening and sustainability of VDGs and marketing of their products. Main project activities and achievements in 2007 in various areas include: 1) Project Management 1.1 Project Management MeetingsThe project’s management body included the PMC, the PRC and CMB established in 2005 with regular meetings conducted in 2006 and 2007.The fifth meeting of the CMB took place in late 2007 in UNDP’s Tehran office to present the project’s first year’s monitoring and evaluation report conducted by Birjand University (project implementing agency) and the continuing trend for future monitoring. Representatives from the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed management Organization, UNDP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Women affairs bureau of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture and the Management and Planning Organization attended the meeting among others. The meeting reiterated the need for timely preparation of the second annual report. In 2007, four meetings of the PRC took place with the National Project Director (NPD) as chairman. Each meeting reviewed progress during the preceding quarter as well as the quarterly and annual work plans. Main topics included disbursement of project resources, invitation of donor country representatives, hiring of two experts, organizing a workshop for evaluation of the project framework, and marketing of the products produced by VDGs.In 2007, a PMC also took place. The group discussed the ceiling for project loans to VDGs and the maximum time for repayment. The management committee also approved the request for loans by the VDGs (fourth stage) including 164 income generation activities. Table 1 Summary of Project Management Meetings

Meeting	Unit	Objective	Achievement	Achievement (%)
CMB	Number	2	1	50
PRC	Number	4	4	100
PMC	Number	8	1	12.5

With the objective to evaluate ways to extend project resources, a meeting was held with the Head of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization, UNDP Representative in Iran and UNDP officers. The most important topics included:1. Providing GEF credit to the end of 2009 for each stage based on progress of the project.2. Follow-up by UNDP and representatives of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization to ensure sustainability of the Carbon sequestration project of Hosseinabad Gheitab to be used as a model for other projects throughout the country. 3. Organization of media interviews by the public affairs bureau of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization.4. Coordination for invitation of donor country representatives to visit the Carbon sequestration project activities in Southern Khorassan province for resource mobilization.2-1 Monitoring and evaluation:

Birjand university monitoring and evaluation team continued its study for the second year. In 2007, like 2006, the team members continued taking soil samples to assess erosion and sedimentation, vegetation coverage and Carbon analysis.

During this period, the project office provided members with basic socio-economic data for monitoring and evaluation (household data and rangeland area) in collaboration with VDGs.

Based on the emphasis of project managers on participatory implementation of all activities including project monitoring, in 2007 also a training workshop led by the socio-economic monitoring and evaluation group leader. Three VDG chairpersons (1 woman and 2 men), 8 VDG secretaries (2 women and 6 men), 9 VDG members (8 women and 1 man) participated along with 15 students. Participants were acquainted with socio-economic forms and questionnaires and their completion. The monitoring team collected the information with the collaboration of the participants from villages in the area in 5 days.

The third gathering of the technical committee on desert affairs (in 2007) took place with the objective to evaluate progress during the first year monitoring of the Carbon sequestration project and addressing setbacks mentioned during the 19^th meeting of the technical committee in 2007 at the Southern Khorasan general office of natural resources held on during two days in May 2007. The meeting decided to complete various section reports from 2005-2006 (other than the socio-economic report) by 25^th June 2007 with the completion of the socio-economic report due on 20^th July 2007. The reports were sent on schedule to the bureau of desert affairs and approved by its technical committee. 3-1 Support and Documentation:Documentation is one of the unique attributes of the Carbon sequestration project which impressed many national and international visitors to the project. The project has attempted to document all its activities and experiences for all those interested. Various reports on public awareness and advocacy workshops, visits, and quarterly progress reports were prepared during the year. The 2006, annual report was prepared and published both in Farsi and English. The project also published the first two editions of its newsletters “Green Idea”.To introduce the project’s way of life in the area, the following four brochures were designed and published by the project: solar bathhouse, VDGs, solar water desalinization and rangeland protection. One hundred and fifty three information boards were published and installed in the project area (Water purification, rehabilitation activities, entrance into protected areas as well as Artiplex and Haloxylon nurseries).

News and project achievements during the year were printed in local and national newspapers as well as reputable natural resources publications and provincial and national radio and television networks. In 2007, the production of a documentary movie has progressed well with several visits by the filming staff to enhance their understanding of the project objectives and activities in various areas and filming of interviews with the locals, project managers and government representatives. The film has is its final stages of production.

The national and international success of the Carbon sequestration project has attracted the attention of many people. Four television crews filmed and televised project activities on special occasions including the celebration of the week of natural resources, desertification day, as well as the project achievements in disseminating of alternative energy. A radio interview (Green Jihad programme) was aired with the project manager on activities and achievements.A meteorological station was also installed at Hosseinabad Gheinab training station for data collection on precipitation, humidity, temperature, wind direction and wind velocity. Table 2 List of Project documents in 2007

Activity	Unit	Objective	Achievement	% Achievement
Updating website	Times	4	4	100
Informational displays	Times	135	135	100
Project news	Times	8	8	100
Quarterly reports	Times	4	4	100
2006 annual report preparation and publication	Times	2	2	100
Green Idea quarterly preparation and publication	Times	2	2	100
Puzzle preparation and publication	Times	6	6	100
Brochure preparation and publication	Times	4	4	100

2. Methods and Means of Participatory Management2.1 Formation of VDGs: The positive results obtained from the formation of VDGs and their achievements have motivated other villages in the area to proceed with the formation of such groups. The year witnessed the formation of four new groups (mixed) in four villages. All four groups were formed during the last quarter of the year. By the end of the year a total of 30 VDGs have been formed including 7 groups of women, 7 groups of men and 16 mixed groups. The groups cover 18 villages with 1036 members, 477 (46%) women and 559 (54%) men.

The formation trend of VDGs during 2005- 2007 (GRAPH)

Table 3 VDGs information from 2005 to 2007

Year		2005	2006	2007
Number of Villages		13	14	18
Number of villagedevelopment Groups	Men	8	7	7
	Women	7	7	7
	Mixed	8	12	16
	Total	23	26	30
Members	Men	454	470	559
	Women	390	444	477
	Total	844	914	1036
Total Savings (approximate $)		4,410	10,370	17,200
Average Savings per group (approximate $)		190	400	570
Average Member savings (approximate $)		5	11.35	16.60

VDG chairpersons and secretaries organized four joint meetings. Most important topics discussed included VDG training needs in 2007, approval of bylaws for Alghadir cooperative, selection of board members and cooperative chairperson and marketing of VDG products. Regular visits with the groups took place to discuss group meetings, incomet generation activities, savings and most importantly challenges faced by each group. Supplies such as paper, white out, stamp and ink were provided for the secretaries.
Table 4 The Formation trend of VDGs from 2005 to 2007

Year	Time	Number of VDGs					Group Members
Year	Time	Men	Women	Mixed	Total	Cumulative	Men + or -	Women + or -	Tot	Cumulative
2005	1^st Q	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2^nd Q	6	6	4	16	16	281	354	635	635
	3^rd Q	1	1	3	5	21	91	7	98	733
	4^th Q	1	0	1	2	23	83	29	111	844
2006	1^st Q	-1	0	3	2	25	18	52	70	914
	2^nd Q	0	0	0	0	25	-13	+1	-12	903
	3^rd Q	0	0	0	0	25	1	1	2	904
	4^th Q	0	0	1	1	26	10	-	10	914
2007	1^st Q	0	0	0	0	26	9	4	13	927
	2^nd Q	0	0	0	0	26	5	-1	4	931
	3^rd Q	0	0	0	0	26	-1	-14	-15	916
	4^th Q	0	0	4	4	30	76	44	120	1036
Total		7	7	16	30	30	559	477	1036

2-2 Design and implementation of Participatory Management ModelDevelopment, unlike rain does not flow from top to bottom. Prior to 19^th century control systems were based on social hierarchies and traditional systems. In mid 19^th and 20^th century many countries were subject to colonialism and its oppressive resource controls with centralized policies. Twenty first century witnessed the rise of democratic systems with control systems moving to people’s representatives. People were led to management through participation. It is evident therefore that only a participatory system will take into account the people and their desires.According to the Costa Rican Environment Minister, “If supported by the people, Government’s support will also be available”. In 2007 project continued its focus on further development of participatory management and participation of development groups in its development activities during the project execution.VDGs in Nazdasht village planted seedlings around the solar water heater with project support. These groups also planted the area around the village main street and both sides of the Nazdasht road. In Janatabad project and the VDG planted seedlings around the area designated for the installation of the solar water purification unit. With the participation of VDGs, two villages in Janatabad planted a green area and seedlings plantation on both sides of the village road. These activities were conducted with beautification and promotion of an environmental awareness in the area.In the context of participatory management, one of the important project activities included formation of subgroups with the objective to protect rehabilitated and protected areas. Nine members from the area’s VDGs (Group 9) were selected as voluntry Rangeland Guards to assist with the protection of rehabilitated rangelands. This is considered an important step in participatory rangeland management. The project assisted, in collaboration with the group in Bahamorz to build a public bathhouse with contributions from local donors. The project implemented the construction of public bathhouses in Hematabad and chapanjsar with participation of VDGs, and local donors.

A Short StoryThe Sun removes the water from the desert and pours the spirit of life into the body of those who liv in desert. Water is source of life and will bring development to any area. This is a universal fact. Can any water be used as drinking water? Water in different areas has different mineral content with some more than others. Consumption of water with heavy mineral content will lead to kidney problems and digestive disorders. Hosseinabad plain with 31 villages suffer from lack of suitable drinking water. Janatabad wells provide drinking water for most of the people. However, due to high mineral content many people are dealing with digestive difficulties. People have continuously requested assistance from the authorities at different stages to help provide suitable drinking water.With the objective of contributing to sustainable development in the area the project put in place a participatory exercise in Aug-Sept 2005 to prioritize people’s needs in Hosseinabad. Sanitary drinking water was identified as the most imminent need. The project targeted this challenge and communicated with relevant offices including the rural water and sewage authorities. Given the fact the project is also determined to reduce fossil fuel consumption in the area, it proceeded with a pilot solar water purification unit in the area. The people strongly supported the initiative. Two objectives were met with this activity:1) Reduction of rangeland destruction and dependence on fossil energy sources2) Provision of suitable drinking water. Janatabad was selected based on feasibility study and the approval of rural water and sewage bureau. The solar purifcation system was successfully completed from October 5^th to November 17^th 2006 with the collaboration of Forests Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization, UNDP and the project along with the local VDG. Water was provided from Janatabad wells for purification, while the village groups took responsibility for management and maintenance of the system. The cost of the system maintenance and the seedlings plantation activities was recovered from sale of purified water. Villagers designated a lady as the responsible individual. The location of the village near the main road allows access for other villages.According to village residents water is sweeter and different from before. They say that well water tastes better and helps with relieving fatigue. Hoping for a day when all of our villages can benefit from the blessing of suitable drinking water.

2-3 Public Awareness and advocacyGiven its overall holistic approach the project views public awareness and advocacy as the most important venue for the progress of a local community. In this context, 2007 also witnessed many public awareness and advocacy activities. One of the most important of such activities was the publication of the quarterly newsletter entitled “Green idea” with two editions published in 2007. 2006 annual report was also published both in Farsi and English. Designing the evaluation form for VDGs with collaboration of the project team was also among the activities of 2007. The goal of the assessment was the collection of data on attributes such as education, immigration, loans, reduced rangeland destruction, and human development index.Six types of puzzles for children were designed and published for students to promote environmental awareness in the area. Puzzles were distributed during school visits to familiarize students with environmental topics, natural resources protection and rangeland rehabilitation.In 2007, handicrafts and the production of VDGs in Hosseinabad and projects documents were presented in three exhibitions (Assadieh, Birjand and Tehran). These exhibitions were held in conjunction with the celebration for the week of natural resources, the world desertification day and the government week. During the week of natural resources a seedling cultivation programme took place in the elementary school of Konderoud to promote seedling plantation among students and to familiarization them with the benefits of plants and trees. Drawing and essay competitions were also held during the week of natural resources among students in Hosseinabad and 86 students participitated.
Table 5. List of participants in Green heritage drawing competition

Village	Grade	Girls	Boys	Unidentified		Total
Tajmir	1^st	0	2	7	1	20
	2^nd	2
	3^rd	1	1
	4^th	2	6
	5^th	0
Nazdasht	1^st	4	7	0	0	49
	2^nd	8	3
	3^rd	2
	4^th	3	4
	5^th	7	6
	Middle school	0	1
Ghaleh Sorkh	4^th	1	0	0	0	2
Ghaleh Sorkh	5th	1	0	0	0	2
Janatabad	1st	1	0	0	1	4
Janatabad	5th	2	0	0	0	4
Konderoud	6th	0	1	0	0	1
Total	16	24	30	7	15	86

A training workshop for VDG chairpersons and secretaries and project facilitators was held on management of microcredit, training of facilitators and identification of common activities among VDGs with 13 secretaries (8 men and 5 women), and 12 chairpersons (8 men and 4 women) from 19 VDGs along with 3 project facilitators.During the third quarter, two project experts (Project manager and technical expert) participated in a workshop entitled systematic thinking for sustainable development in Tehran. The two-day workshop was supported by UNDP to introduce a model along with common terminology evaluation of development issues in Iran. Additionally a one day SWOT was held with 4 project experts at Hosseinabad training station. In this workshop the project technical consultant introduced lessons learned from a study tour in the Philippines. The SWOT method is one of the most important method for the project evaluation where strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are evaluated concurrently resulting in more comprehensive and more valuable outcome. With the objective to promote health and sanitation of the local population particularly women, the project undertook a series of training in family planning, the importance of mother’s milk and application of sanitation measures by mothers. In 2007, the programme took place in 6 villages covered and 151 women participated.Table 6. Details of Family Planning classes (all participants were women)

	Title	Village	Date	Participants
1	Family Planning Education	Janatabad	June 10 2007	30
2	Family Planning Education	Janatabad	June 25 2007	30
3	Family Planning Education	Hematabad	July 19, 2007	30
4	Family Planning Education	Kanderoud	August 9, 2007	19
5	Family Planning Education	Nazdasht	August 15, 2007	35
6	Family Planning Education	Ghaleh Sorkh	September 6 2007	7

In 2007, 9 training classes were organized on income generation activities for VDG members. Total of 203 (34 men and 169 women) participated. Details presented in table 7.
Table 7 Details of Income Generation training classes

	Title	Venue	Duration (Days)	Participants
	Title	Venue	Duration (Days)	W		M	Tot
1	Native Poultry production	Hosseinabad training station	2	7	8		15
2	Wheat cultivation	Hosseinabad training station	1	8	14		22
3	Poultry/livestock vaccination	Hosseinabad training station	1	5	8		13
4	Carpet weaving	Tajmeer village	5	17	2		19
5	Carpet weaving	Hosseinabad training station	5	55	0		55
6	Carpet weaving	Hosseinabad training station	5	45	0		45
7	Advanced sewing	Hosseinabad training station	5	8	0		8
8	Tapestry	Nazdasht Mosque	5	5	0		5
9	Naeein carpet weaving	Nazdasht Mosque	5	19	2		21
Total				169	34		203

Public awareness activities included the distribution of about 3,000 chicks to ---- VDGs.In this period Mr. Nate Steppe, UNDP resident coordinator visited the project with a delegation. Following the visit and up close observation of the projects successful implementation in mobilizing and empowering of local communities, Mr. Steppe was hopeful about the possible extension of the project. The delegation also conducted a meeting with the Governor General of South Khorassan province where the Governor General informed the group about his readiness to collaborate in the progress of the carbon sequestration project activities in any ways possible. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Iran also visited the carbon sequestration project and learned about its activities and progress.A visit was also conducted by Dr. Sharifi, Head, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization who also learned up close about activities, achievement and objectives. Dr. Phalsaphi, Deputy of Extension, and Utilization Systems, Ministry of Jihad-e- Agriculture and his delegation also visited the project and its activities. He also participated in a meeting at Hosseinabad training station. The meeting agreed to the preparation of a proposal by the training center with the collaboration of the provincial office of Extension, and Utilization Systems for consideration and support at the Ministry’s Headquarters.Meeting of the Sarbisheh administrative council took place on July 11, 2006 at Hosseinabad training station after lengthy follow-up by the project and agreement of the Governor to familiarize Sarbisheh administrative offices with the project activities and improve coordination within VDGs in Hosseinabad to help with addressing concerns of the local population. 37 provincial and Sarbisheh township officials took part in the meeting. The following issues were discussed for follow-up with the coordination of the Governor’s office and related offices: 1. Establishing quick turnaround microcredit funds with assistance of related offices and downsizing administrative bureaucracy (Charity Foundation, Nomadic Affairs, Agriculture Jihad, Welfare Organization and Agriculture bank) 2. Promoting Agricultural insurance for crops, livestock and rangeland in project areas with the collaboration from Agriculture bank, Jihad-e-Agriculture Ministry and project. 3. Collaboration of responsible offices to implement the project to establish a balance between livestock and rangeland to reduce pressure on land and increase fodder production capacity, creation of alternative employment and fodder provision required by nomadic population and villagers. 4. Improving quality of training classes to increase general awareness and advocacy in collaboration of responsible offices (Vocational affairs, Jihad-e- Agriculture, Charity foundation, Health and treatment, Welfare, Governor’s office and Cooperative office) 5. Establishing of Gas distribution station and increasing rural and nomadic allocations in the area with assistance of related offices (Nomadic affairs, Governor, and the project). 6. Assist with improving quality and quantity of local production and help with marketing 7. Issuance of production and health permits for traditional syrups and the solar water desalinization unit to encourage and motivate those involved and the public in general. 2.4 Organization of participatory management The sustainability and continuation of any project is comparatively harder than its startup. It requires planning and special focus. Following its success in the formation of VDGs in Hosseinabad area, the project considered the formalization of these groups as a priority. The formation of a cooperative covering the VDGs was identified as the most suitable solution. Hosseinabad Alghadir cooperative has been officially registered with 450 members. The second general assembly meeting of Hosseinabad cooperative took place with participation of rural group chairpersons and secretaries where the board of director’s, auditors and Director General of the cooperative were selected and bylaws approved by all members. During the third quarter, the meeting of the Board of directors took place to discuss company activities with emphasis on the expansion of activities and participation in various economic activities. 2.5 Rehabilitation One of the important activities of the project is the participatory rehabilitation of degraded rangelands to promote participatory rangeland management based on sustainable development. All rehabilitation decisions from selection of species, nursery production, as well as transfer to the field, and its cultivation and protection were made with the participation of the people and taking their considerations into account. The great potential of the area for carbon sequestration process was the basis for its selection. In 2007, 1877 people (662 women and 1215 men) from 20 VDGs participated for a minimum length of five months in the production of seedlings and subsequent cultivation. The project provided about $80,000 to support this initiative. In desert land such as Gheitab Hosseinabad, nursery and rehabilitation activities are considered among the most important sources of income for people given the high rate of unemployment in the area. In 2007 109 million seedlings (one million Tamarix and 90,000 potted Artiplex seedlings) were successfully produced. During the third quarter, additional Tamarix potted seedlings were also started in the nursery with the goal to produce 21,000 seedlings which are growing successfully. These seedlings will be used for next year’s cultivation. About 7 tons of Tamarix and Artiplex seeds were collected with people’s participation and will be used in rehabilitation efforts. Irrigation of the rehabilitated area took place on schedule. In 2007 with assistance of the VDGs out of 2,338 hectares of rangeland in the area, seedlings were planted in 1,890 hectares while seeds were cultivated in 488 hectares. In order to utilize the free flowing water and improve soil, water and vegetation coverage 17 earth dams were constructed in Nazdasht covering 1500 hectares.Productive trees including 1,750 seedlings of wild berries, and 600 almonds trees were distributed among 14 and 10 rural groups respectively in 8 villages. The project is distributing non-productive trees among the development groups including bitter olive, and pine.
Table 8 Details of distributed seedlings in 2007

Village	Group	Non-productive				Location
Village	Group	Zaban Ghonjeshk	Bitter Olive	Pine	Almond	Location
Nazdasht	Hoseseinibnali, Kowsar, Hazrat Zahra, Alahd, Hazrat Zeinab, Samen, Mola, Movahedin, Almehdi	500	700	350	-	Solar water heater, Village boulevard
Janatabad	Iman collaboration	400	-	150	-	Green area, around road
Janatabad	Issar, Hemat	200	-	200	100	Green area, both sides of road, water desalinization
Tajsar	Lower Paydari, Upper Paydari	200	-	200	-	Beautification
Tchah Kashkan	Toheed	-	-	-	200	Beautification
Ghaleh Sorkh	Aliibnabitaleb	-	-	-	100	Beautification
Ben Kolanghi	Hamyaran Paydar	-	-	100	50	Beautification
Total		1300	700	1000	450

Table 9 Details of rehabilitation management and nursery production activities in 2007

Activity	Unit	Goal	Achieved	% Achieved
Collection of rangeland seed	Tons	7	7	100
Rehabilitation (seedling and seed cultivation, dams)	Hectare	2350	2350	100
Bare root Tamarix seedling production	Seedlings	1 million	1 million	100
Potted Artiplex seedling production	Seedlings	90,000	90,000	100
Potted Tamarix production	Seedlings	21,000	21,000	100

2.6 Microcredit fund Sustainable Development generally takes all social, economic and environmental constraints and challenges into account. There is direct relationship between poverty, rangeland destruction and reduced carbon sequestration. One of the main project activities is the establishment of local microcredit fund. Experience in Southern Asia has shown that microcredit fund based on people’s participation is the most effective tool for poverty alleviation implemented by UNDP. Based on the programmes implemented in Southern Asia through establishment of microcredit funds for poverty alleviation and creating an alternative livelihood this activity will be planned to meet project objectives and not limited to assistance for the people. Each VDG has a micro credit fund with savings allocated by members during weekly meetings. Up to December 2007, VDGs in Hosseinabad plains had saved approximating $20,000. The share of men, women and mixed groups is about 28, 35 and 37% respectively with average savings of $650 per group and about $200 per person. One of the project activities is the allocation of loans to employment generating activities of VDGs with particular focus on vulnerable groups and women, who despite their low incomes have the potential for diverse activities. Our objective is to strengthen group capacities to promote taking on additional responsibilities for self-help. Another objective is to leave the organization of the groups to members to promote a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

Graph – Savings of development groups up to December 2007

Graph – Level of Savings of urban development groups

The project visited several groups and allocated over $30,000 of project funds to 161 employment generating projects from 20 groups (third phase). The eighth meeting of the PMC approved eligible activities and loan recipients for fourth phase. Up to the end of 2007 the project distributed over $30,000 of 4^th phase funds among 11 VDGs. The indirect impact of these loans include: 1. Increased ceilings for loans following approval of the PMC2. Increased cattle production projects to replace small livestock Among the third and fourth phase projects there were requests for the purchase of --- gas ovens and ---- gas capsules indicating a change in culture by the people to use alternative energy sources replacing fossil fuel and importance they attached to rangelands. The project team regularly visits VDGs and is aware of their operations and performance. These visits also review the turnaround of funds and the payments to the members. VDGs also used internal savings funds to support employment generation project to increase savings. So far 18 development groups have allocated about $16,300 for this purpose.Table 10. Allocation of inter group funds (Approximate $ equivalent)

VDG	Number VDGs	Available amount	Number of people	Loan ceiling		Payment period		Type and number of projects
VDG	Number VDGs	Available amount	Number of people	Min	Max	Min	Max	Type and number of projects
M	6	3,800	45	110	2,200	1 month	1 year	10 (fertilizer, poultry, melon, fodder)
W	6	7,500	146	750	1,100	1 week	1 year	19 (carpets, Kleems, hair dressing, sewing)
Mix	6	5,000	34	220	1,100	40 days	1 year	9 ( hair, fertilizer, vegetables, cattle and turkeys)
Tot	18	16,300	225

Average loan paid from inter group savings was close to $6,000 with repayments from 7 days to one year. 51% of these projects (115 out of 225) relate to employment generating activities and remaining 100 used the funds for health or financial needs. 66% of applicants are women (148 out of 225 projects) managing 58% of employment generation projects (67 projects out of 115). During this period visit to VDGs indicated that 95 of the first phase and 45% of the second phase loans have been paid off. Project expenditures:Total project allocation from 2003 to 2008 is $ 1.7 million with Iran share of 56% as cash and cash equivalent and 44% from GEF. Total project allocation in 2007 were $ ---- with $ ---- from Iran’s share and remaining amount of $ --- from GEF/UNDP. Table 11 presents total project expenditures in 2007 --------------- $ ---- as Iran’s share and $ ---- from GEF. Table --- presents the availability of funds by Iran and GEF as --- % and --- %.Allocation of funds and the level of project activities in 2007 indicate that both the project and programmes are following a positive trend. Up to end of 2007, about ---% of the funds have been used.Table 11 Project expenditures in 2007

Key Activities	Current year Expenditures			Total Available			Remaining amount
Key Activities	TOT	GEF	GIRI	TOT	GEF	GIRI	TOT	GEF	GIRI
Project management
Monitoring/assessment
Documentation
Participatory Mgt
Rehabilitation
Microcredit
Total

Project Visitors:The carbon sequestration project has attracted attention of officials and experts as a global pilot project. Its success in mobilization of local communities and their empowerment has brought many national and international visitors to the project. Most of these visits took place for familiarization with participatory methods and mobilization of local communities and the impact on environmental protection and mitigating rangeland destruction. Iran is a participant in many international protocols including Rio, Kyoto and Development in the third millennium. The country has commitments to these agreements and the carbon sequestration project is implemented along these commitments attaching greater importance to the carbon sequestration project at the national level thus attracting general attention. In 2007 the project witnessed the presence of many visitors at the project site. More than 195 people visited the project. Most senior visitor in 2007 was Dr. Sharifi, Head of Forest, rangeland and Watershed Management organizationFollowing is a partial list of Visitors in 2007:1. Mr. Sharifi, Head, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization2. Dr. Peyman Phalsaphi, Deputy of Extension, and Utilization Systems, Ministry of Jihad-e- Agriculture3. Mr. Nat Steppe, UNDP Representative in Iran4. Mr. Nasser Moghadassi, Deputy of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization5. Ms. Alzera, Sagen Payeva, Deputy of UNDP representative in Iran6. Mr. Sefatolah Rahmani, Advisor to Deputy Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture7. Mr. Mohammadali Norouzzadeh, Director General of Extension and Development of National Utilization systems’8. Mr. Seyed Gholamhossein Tabatabaei, Director General of Utilization System9. Mr. Barati, Governor of Sarbisheh 10. Mr. Saeed Ferdowsi, Programme Officer in charge of Environment, Energy and Disaster Management, UNDP Iran11. Mr. Mehdi Kamyab, Head of the Environment, Energy and Disaster Management, UNDP Iran12. Mr. Javeed Assefi, Advisor to Head Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization13. Mr. Touraj Akbarloo, Public Relations, UNDP Tehran14. Mr. Mohammad Mehdi Zolfaghar, Director General of Nomadic Affairs, South Khorassan Province15. Mr. Taheri , Head of the Cooperative Organization, South Khorassan Province 16. Mr. Ali Tchenaneh, Director General of Public Relations and International Affairs Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization17. Mr. Ali Sadeghi Rashed, expert of Monitoring and Audit of Jihad-e-Agriculture and Environment, National Controller’s office18. Mr. Abdinejad, Director General of Desert Affairs, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization19. Mr. Habibolah Sharifi, Director General of Natural Resources, South Khorassan Province20. Mr. Mohammadreza Akbari, Director General of Jihad-e-Agriculture in Sarbisheh21. Mr. Kazem Nosrati, Nosratabadi, Head of Forest Protection Society of Iran 22. Eng. Imani, Member, High Council of Forestry, Rangeland and Watershed Management23. Eng. Ahmad Maghsoudi, Deputy Bureau of participation of Forestry, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization 24. Mr. Mohammadreza Ghangi, Auditor of the Forest Protection Society of Iran25. Mr. Asghar Tahmassebi, Deputy of arid and semi-arid areas, Office of Desertification affairs26. Mr. Ezatolah Hosseini, Technical Deputy Natural Resource Department, Semnan Province27. Mohammad Farhat, Ph.D., Project Manager, Central Zagros Project28. Ali Babakhani, Ph.D. Monitoring and Assessment Manager, Central Zagros Project29. Eng. Abbas Ahmadi, expert Bureau of International Affairs, Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture 30. Representatives from several civil societies and local communities Challenges:During its course each project will face challenges, which can be resolved by proper planning and decision-making. Despite the sincere participation of those involved the carbon sequestration project also faced the following challenges in 2007:1. Lack of collaboration from several offices with the project2. Insufficient funding in Micro-credit funds and low ceilings for loans paid to VDG members 3. Shortage of qualified trainers for seminars4. Low resources from UNDP’s Iran share to continue employment generating and rangeland rehabilitation in the area5. Shortage of expertise 6. Shortage of light and heavy machinery considering the volume of work and range of activities Risk Management and Vulnerability to Risk: Lessons Learned: Focus of activities for 2008:In 2008 the main focus will be on active operation of Alghadir Cooperative Company and marketing of its products in the area.Priorities in 2008 include:

Regular visits to area schools for implementation of environmental programs.
Organizing field trips to other participatory projects implemented in the country.
Preparation of the guideline on microcredit management and community mobilization
Publication of Green Idea newsletter
Rehabilitation activities in the framework of natural resource management units to be prepared and implementation of projects on rangeland management with VDG
Implementation the balance between rangeland and livestock in the project area.

People’s Voice:Mr. Nat Esteppi: I have witnessed the project implement all the lessons I have learned in development during 16 years of work in 4 countries.Mr. Barati:Few years ago Hosseinabad did not have very satisfactory conditions. Currently this area has been developed. Rehabilitation of destroyed rangelands on large scale and formation of VDGs by the carbon sequestration project has created significant advancements in Hosseinabad area. Mr. Nosrati Nosratabadi: The project personnel trusted the people and people trusted them in return. Planning and execution of the project with the participation of the people is a matter which should be taken into consideration in other projects.
Annex 1 List of publications and reports in 2007

	Publication/ Report Title
1	First Quarterly progress report (Farsi)
2	Second Quarterly progress report (Farsi)
3	Third Quarterly progress report (Farsi)
4	Fourth Quarterly progress report (Farsi)
5	2006 Project Annual Report (English)
6	Green Idea: First Quarterly newsletter of the International carbon sequestration project (Farsi)
7	Green Idea: Second Quarterly newsletter of the International carbon sequestration project (Farsi)
8	Report from the Visit of the UNDP Representative and his delegation of the carbon sequestration project (Farsi)
9	Report from the Visit of the Deputy UNDP Representative and delegation of the carbon sequestration project (Farsi)
10	Report from the Visit of the Deputy of Extension and Utilization systems, Ministry Of Jihad-Agriculture (Farsi)
11	Report from the Visit of representatives of civil societies and local communities (Farsi)
12	Report of the meeting of Sarbisheh Township administrative council for the project in Hossein Abad (Farsi)
13	Four brochures: Solar Bathhouse, VDGs, Solar Water desalinization, Rangeland Protection
14	Six puzzles for students on environment, natural resource protection and rangeland rehabilitation

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 June 2008 )

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