Project Title: International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) Bridging Period

Duration of the Project: 5 months 
Commencing:January 2001 
Completion:May 2001 

Requesting Agency:
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 

Implementation:
UNEP in association with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)/International Coral Reef Information Network (ICRIN), The World Fish Center (ICLARM), UNEP-WCMC, and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat.

Brief Description: 
The International Coral Reef Action Network, a joint initiative by UNEP, ICLARM and a number of UN and non-UN partners, is an umbrella project designed to reverse the decline of the world's coral reefs. ICRAN consists of a set of highly inter-linked, complementary activities which, operating together, will facilitate the proliferation of good practices for coral reef management and conservation. The project consists of a two-year start-up phase, now ongoing and a four-year action phase from mid-2001 to mid-2005. The start-up phase was designed to allow the project to develop a strategy for implementation of the second phase of ICRAN together with project partners, to develop the fund raising component of the strategy and to initiate start-up activities in three regions (Caribbean, Eastern Africa and South East Asia). The bridging project complements the start-up project with additional activities in preparation for the action phase.

Background

The Bridging Project

The bridging project will allow implementation of crucial activities to maintain momentum pending final development and submission of the ICRAN Action Phase project proposal, within the framework of the Strategic Plan, to UNFIP/UNF for consideration and approval.

This project consequently relates closely to the activities and provisions of the ICRAN Startup Phase, and should be seen as a necessary complement to that extended phase. UNF and UNFIP approved the extension of the Startup Phase and it was agreed that the bridging project would be run in parallel to it. The principal reason for the extension was to enable the Donor’s Meeting, scheduled under that project, to take place immediately after UNF approval of the ICRAN Action Phase, so that momentum could be maintained and the collaboration arrangements built with other potential donors. The current project will run in parallel with the extended Startup Phase.

Background to ICRAN

Coral reefs are among the most productive, valuable, and biologically diverse of the world’s ecosystems. However, these ecosystems are also among the most threatened on earth. The Reefs at Risk study, released in mid-1998 jointly by UNEP, ICLARM, the World Resources Institute and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (then WCMC), shows that as much as 60 percent of the reefs are at risk from overfishing, destructive fishing, pollution and sedimentation from the erosion of coastal lands.

To address the trend of the global decline of coral reefs, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), was launched in 1994 by Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, Philippines, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA. ICRI is a partnership among governments, NGOs, e.g. IUCN, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and organizations such as UNEP, ICLARM and the World Bank.

The first ICRI International Workshop, (Philippines, 1995) endorsed the ICRI Call to Action and developed the ICRI Framework for Action. The Call to Action outlines the threats to coral reefs and the broad principles and direction for the ICRI partnership; while the ICRI Framework for Action responds to the identified threats with actions in four principal areas: improved coastal management, capacity building, research and monitoring, and review. The 1995 ICRI Framework for Action has since then been endorsed by over 80 governments and a number of NGOs and funding agencies. ICRI has been further endorsed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), UNEP, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC of UNESCO) and by the eighth International Coral Reef Symposium in Panama.

The value of coral reefs was emphasized by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Agenda 21. Specifically –

• The Convention on Biological Diversity Jakarta Mandate specifically addresses marine and coastal issues and identified Integrated Coastal Management as the primary tool for conservation of coastal ecosystems. 

• Agenda 21, Chapter 17. Protection and Management of the Oceans, including enclosed and semi-enclosed Seas, and Coastal Areas and the Protection, Rational Use and Development of their living Resources, emphasizing the sustainable utilization and development of marine resources, achieved through the protection of marine ecosystems exhibiting high levels of biodiversity and productivity and other critical habitat areas, giving priority to coral reef ecosystems, and integrated management plans for oceans, seas and marine resources. 

• Agenda 21, Chapter 26. Recognizing and strengthening the role of indigenous people and their communities, which stresses the role of indigenous people in the management of natural resources and conservation strategies. 

• Agenda 21, Chapter 36. Education, Training and Public Awareness highlighting the crucial role of information in the understanding of the close ties between human activities and the environment and invites countries to encourage all sectors of society to train people in environmental management. 

• Agenda 21, Chapter 40. Information for Decision-making which highlights the need for information at all levels to ensure that decisions are based on sound information. 

The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) is a partnership developed collaboratively by UNEP, the World Fish Center (ICLARM, previously called the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management) and other partners from ICRI. ICRAN aims to catalyze the implementation of the ICRI Framework for Action. The now ongoing ICRAN startup phase (1999-2001) is funded by the UN Foundation through UNFIP. During the Startup Phase, ICRAN partners developed the ICRAN Strategic Plan for activities in the proposed Action Phase (2001-2005), which is still subject to funding. The Strategic Plan was endorsed by the ICRI Coordination and Planning Committee (ICRI CPC) in its meeting in Noumea, 25-26 May 2000. During the Startup Phase, ICRAN undertook pilot activities in Eastern Africa, Caribbean and South East Asia.

The ICRAN Action Phase activities will build on activities identified by ICRAN partners within the ICRAN Strategic Plan. In the Action Phase, ICRAN will facilitate implementation of effective coral reef management in coral reef areas of the world, which affect hundreds of millions of people who depend on coral reefs for food and livelihood. ICRAN has been designated as one of three operational networks under the ICRI framework to facilitate coral reef action, and ICRI will contribute to the long-term sustainability of ICRAN.

The combined suite of projects, including this proposal, can be deemed an exclusively charitable project because, as described in the objectives, activities and other sections of this project document, it is intended to enhance the livelihoods and social conditions of the poor peoples who depend on coral reefs for their economic well-being. It is also intended to promote advancements in education and science of management of coral reefs.

Project Contribution to overall Sub-Programme implementation

The ICRAN project is complementary to the Decision 19/15 of the nineteenth Session and Decision 20/21 of the twentieth Session of the Governing Council of UNEP, the International Coral Reef Initiative. This GC Decision endorses the ICRI Call to Action and the Framework for Action and the ICRI regional strategies. Further, it encourages UNEP to continue to play an active and leading role in the development, implementation and coordination of the International Coral Reef Initiative and help promote the establishment of regional programmes in each ICRI region. The Governing Council especially noted that the Regional Seas Programme of UNEP provides an important foundation for implementing the priorities identified in the regional strategies of ICRI.

This project is directly complementary to priority issues, defined by the UNEP Programme of Work for the 2000 - 2001 biennium as approved by the Governing Council of UNEP, at its 20th session in February 1999. It contributes to the objectives of Sub-programme 1: Environmental Assessment and Early Warning, more specifically in Programme element 1.2: Systems and Networks for Data/information Generation, Analysis, Observing and Early Warning. It also closely relates to Programme element 1.3: Environmental Science and Research, specifically objective 1 Promote targeted scientific research of key environmental issues to improve policy formulation and decision-making for sustainable development.

The ICRAN project will maintain close cooperation with and exchange information with the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) and the proposed Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA).

In addition, it relates to Sub-programme 6: Environmental Conventions, Programme element 6.3 Coordination of the provision of UNEP programmatic support to the implementation of the work programme of conventions and related international agreements and processes, particularly the work of the regional seas conventions and action plans.

NEEDS AND RESULTS

Overall Need

The ICRAN Bridging project provides for a transition from evaluation to implementation of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) and therefore addresses the same overall need to reverse the trend of global degradation of coral reefs and to maintain the biodiversity and health of coral reefs through promoting proliferation of improved practices in management of coral reef areas, in line with the International Coral Reef Initiative, the Convention on Biological Diversity and Agenda 21.

Specific Needs

The specific need to be addressed by the ICRAN bridging project is to maintain a framework for the transition from the Startup Phase into the ICRAN Action Phase, specifically the need to:

• Establish a structure to govern the ICRAN project able to implement the international partnership for action on coral reefs and to guarantee the smooth transition to and implementation of the ICRAN action phase. 

• Enhance public awareness of the plight of coral reefs and support for coral reef protection among the general public, especially among donors, decision- and policy-makers. 

• Develop sustainable and predictable financing mechanisms for coral reef conservation as a means to enhance future capacity for coral reef conservation action. 

This project will bridge the ICRAN startup phase and Action Phase. The following will be the results of the bridging period:

• Project document for the ICRAN Action Phase finalized in close consultation with ICRAN partners and submitted to UNFIP 
• The Regional Seas component prepared and coordinated with the other components of the ICRAN Action Phase 
• A functional governance structure for the ICRAN Action Phase established 
• Support for coral reef protection enhanced among the general public, especially coastal dwellers, communities and policy makers, through effective communication of the value of and the actions needed to maintain coral reef health 
• The basis for financing coral reef conservation enhanced through financial support from the private sector and foundations in conjunction to the ICRAN Donors Meeting 

The success of the project depends on:

• Full cooperation of ICRAN founding partners and other partners involved in the implementation of ICRAN. 
• Continued support by Governments and the active participation of the institutional basis and staff within their countries in carrying out ICRAN activities. 
• Continued expertise available from project partners and participating governments, NGOs and institutions. 

OUTPUTS

• An operational ICRAN Coordinating Unit with the ICRAN Project Director 
• Reports of Meetings of the Steering Committee, including: 
• Procedures of the Steering Committee as adopted by the members of the Committee 
• Criteria for selection of additional members to the Steering Committee 
• Status report on the establishment of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) 
• Regional Seas capacity to implement the Action Phase established: 
• The Regional Seas well prepared for the implementation of the Action Phase 
• Inter-regional coordination strengthened and consolidated for the Action Phase 
• Coordination increased between the various components of ICRAN 
• Continued ICLARM coordination and employment of consultant resulting in: 
• ReefBase webpages updated to include the Coral Reef Status reports and Reefs at Risk Report 
• Report of the Donors Meeting (funded under Startup Phase) 
• Additional financial support for ICRAN 
• Revised ICRAN Strategic Plan as agreed by the ICRAN partners 
• ICRAN public awareness initiated: 
• Easy-to-read informative flyers on ICRAN 
• ICRAN Information kits targeted to the Donor’s Meeting and other donor consultations 
• Database on coral reef public and awareness public educational materials, including each region’s existing public awareness materials, techniques, capacity and needs, developed and made available to the Regional Seas and other ICRAN partners 
• Regional and sub-regional networks for gathering, translating and distributing ICRAN information in the Action Phase identified and documented 
• Potential sources of funding identified in coordination with the Regional Seas and other ICRAN partners. 

Activities

During the bridging period, UNEP will continue coordination of and extend ICRAN project activities initiated during the Startup Phase to ensure an orderly transition to, and prepare for the rapid launch of, the ICRAN Action Phase activities after the approval of the UNF Board. The range of activities is detailed in Table 1 – Workplan and Timetable and in the terms of reference for the supporting organizations (Appendices I - V). In summary – 

Recruit Project Director and establish ICRAN Coordinating Unit (Appendix I)
The ICRAN Project Director will be recruited and the ICRAN Coordinating Unit established within the bridging period to ensure that the governance structure is in place and prepared for the launch of the Action Phase. 
As outlined in the ICRAN Strategic Plan, the ICRAN Coordinating Unit consisting of a Project Director and support staff will be responsible for the implementation and day-to-day management of the ICRAN project during the Action Phase. 

Convene meetings of the ICRAN Steering Committee (Appendix II)
Meetings of the Steering Committee will be convened in close consultation with UNEP Headquarters. 
During the meetings of the ICRAN Steering Committee, the members will: 

• Adopt procedures for the operation of the Steering Committee; 
• Establish the criteria for appointment of additional members to the Steering Committee; and 
• Agree on the composition and Terms of Reference of the Technical Advisory Group. 

Continue coordination and consultancy for ICLARM (Appendix IV)
Continued coordination of ICLARM activities is required during the extension of the Startup Phase, as well as updating ReefBase webpages to include outputs of the Startup Phase (Reefs at Risk in south east Asia) and coral reef status report. The ICLARM consultant for the ICRAN project will organize the Donor’s Meeting (funded in the ICRAN Startup Phase), prepare and liaise with potential donors in anticipation of the Action Phase and support to the development and revision of ICRAN Strategic Plan. Fund raising activities will be coordinated with UNEP’s resource mobilization unit. 

Initiate the ICRAN awareness campaign (Appendix V)
To initiate the ICRAN awareness campaign, CORAL will: 

• Produce and disseminate information material (ICRAN flyer and information kit) for use in Donors Meeting and other consultations with potential donors; 
• Develop inventory on database of each region’s existing public awareness materials, techniques, capacity and needs in preparation for the ICRAN Action Phase; 
• Identify networks of regional and sub-regional coordinators and relays for gathering, translating and distributing ICRAN information in the Action Phase; and 
• Identify potential sources of funding in coordination with ICRAN partners. 

Budget
(The budget is not included in this web document). 

Institutional Framework

The project will be implemented under the overall supervision of the Coral Reef Unit in the UNEP Division of Environmental Conventions (DEC) in close consultation with the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA). The Coral Reef Unit comprises two officials, of whom one is a full time senior officer responsible for the overall direction of UNEP’s coral reef-related work during the bridging project. Further support is provided to the unit during the bridging period by an experienced P3 Officer from DEC, with close links to the Regional Seas Secretariats. 

UNEP will oversee the terms of reference for the supporting organizations (Appendices I - V). The ICRAN Coordinating Unit responsible for implementation of the ICRAN Action Phase will be hosted by the UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) under the responsibility of the UNEP Coral Reef Unit. 

In order to facilitate the coordination of ICRAN, UNEP will: 

• Engage an ICRAN Project Director (TOR in Appendix I) who will, under the substantive direction of the Steering Committee, effect the orderly transition to, and undertake the day to day management of the components of the ICRAN Action Phase. When appointed, the ICRAN Project Director will also be a member of the DEC Coral Reef Unit; 
• Ensure effective internal coordination between UNEP operational elements through the established internal working group on coral reefs including the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) and the Division for Environmental Conventions (DEC) to identify and address operational and developmental issues and opportunities related to the ICRAN project. 

ICLARM will be responsible for coordination of activities of the Startup Phase as outlined in project document MT/1100-99-02, and for convening the Donors Meeting. 

The Coral Reef Alliance will be responsible for initiating the ICRAN public information activities. 

Outputs:

• Project Director recruited (Terms of Reference below) 
• The ICRAN Coordination Unit established 

• Recruit the ICRAN Project Director 
• Establish the ICRAN Coordination Unit 

• Coordinate the implementation of projects conducted as part of ICRAN 
• Provide regular reports to UNEP, donors to ICRAN, ICRAN partners, and the ICRI CPC: 
• reviewing of the progress of projects in the ICRAN Program; 
• identifying current priorities for further action; 
• presenting proposals to keep the ICRAN Strategic Plan up to date. 

• For those Regional Seas Coordinating Units involved in ICRAN: 
• to facilitate coordination and partnership between these RCUs; 
• to develop capacity within the Regional Seas to implement the ICRAN Action Phase. 

• In liaison with the ICRAN Management Board, to identify and maximize opportunities to secure funding and in-kind support for: 
• the ICRAN Program as a whole; 
• for specific components of the Program. 
• Maintain a high level of liaison with the ICRI CPC, ICRAN partners and others in the ICRI Framework for Action 
• Prepare and revise ICRAN project documents 
• Assist ICRAN implementing partners in developing applications for ICRAN project support 
• Represent ICRAN in scientific, management and other relevant forums and raise awareness about ICRAN, the work of its partners and the status of coral reefs 
• As Executive Officer, provide support to the ICRAN Management Board and ICRAN Steering Committee 
• Ensure that ICRAN is undergoing periodic review and programme monitoring 
• Appoint and direct staff or consultants to assist in carrying out the responsibilities of ICRAN 

• Several (10+) years implementation and management experience working with a diverse range of government and international agencies, NGOs, community groups, and donors. 

• Extensive experience in the conduct of projects or programs addressing environment protection, conservation or sustainable use of natural resources, preferably in the 

marine environment.

• Qualifications and experience in natural resources management, especially in working with Integrated Coastal Management and Marine Protected Areas, knowledge of the coral reef conservation community and current initiatives is essential. Research in a relevant area of natural science would be an advantage. 

Reporting Responsibilities

• Financial, personnel and overall program implementation: the Director of the Coral Reef Unit in the UNEP Division of Environmental Conventions in consultation with the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) 

• Program development and review: the ICRAN Steering Committee (consisting at first of the ICRAN founding partners) and the Director of the Coral Reef Unit in the UNEP Division of Environmental Conventions in consultation with the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) 

Outputs:

• Report of Meetings of the Steering Committee, including: 

• Procedures of the Steering Committee as adopted by the members of the Committee 
• Criteria for selection of additional members to the Steering Committee 
• Technical Advisory Group (TAG) established by the Steering Committee 

• Convene Meetings of the ICRAN Steering Committee 

Adopt procedures for the operation of the Steering Committee; 

Establish the criteria for appointment of additional members to the Steering Committee; and 

Agree on the composition and Terms of Reference of the Technical Advisory Group. 

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) consisting of five experts will be selected by the Steering Committee on the basis of their technical capacity. The TAG will be responsible for providing scientific and technical advice on the programme strategy, action plan and activities of the project to the Steering Committee and the Project Director. The TAG will also review and evaluate project performance and progress and provide guidance and direction for improvements and revisions to the Project Director.

Workplan and Timetable:

Activity	Duration	Responsibility
Meeting of Steering Committee	April - May 2001	UNEP-WCMC / Project Director or ICRI Secretariat in close consultation with UNEP Headquarters
Establishment of procedures for the Steering Committee	April - May 2001	Members of the Steering Committee (ICRAN partners)
Development of criteria for additional membership to the Steering Committee	April - May 2001	Members of the Steering Committee (ICRAN partners)
Establishment of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG)	April - May 2001	Members of the Steering Committee (ICRAN partners)

• The Regional Seas well prepared for the implementation of the Action Phase 
• Inter-regional coordination strengthened to generate synergy in the Action Phase 
• Coordination increased between the various components of ICRAN 

• Meetings and consultations with the Regional Seas Coordinators from the regions, including those that will participate in the ICRAN Action Phase 

Workplan and Timetable:

Activity	Duration	Responsibility
Meeting of Regional Seas Coordinators	April - May 2001	ICRI Secretariat or UNEP-WCMC/ Project Director in close consultation with UNEP Headquarters

• ICRAN widely advertised at the Donors Meeting and other donor consultations 
• Easy-to-read informative flyers on ICRAN 
• ICRAN Information kits targeted to the Donor's Meeting and other donor consultations 
• Inventory on regional public awareness developed and made available to the Regional Seas and ICRAN partners 
• Regional and sub-regional networks for gathering, translating and distributing ICRAN information in the Action Phase identified and documented in a format available to the Regional Seas and ICRAN partners 
• Potential sources of funding identified in coordination with the Regional Seas and other ICRAN partners 

• Produce, print and distribute an easy-to-read informative flyer on ICRAN 
• Post basic ICRAN public awareness information on the Internet 
• Produce information kits for the Donor's Meeting and other donor consultations (targeted to specific donor types, foundations, corporations, individuals, etc) 
• Develop inventory of each region's existing public awareness materials, techniques, capacity and needs 

• Identify networks of regional and sub-regional coordinators and relays (including RCUs, NGOs and government agencies) for gathering, translating and distributing ICRAN information in the Action Phase 
• Identify potential sources of funding in coordination with the Regional Seas and other ICRAN partners