Annex X: Environmental and Social Management Framework Process Framework Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Planning Framework

The document provides a comprehensive safeguards framework for a GEF-funded project in Central Vietnam aimed at biodiversity conservation and climate vulnerability reduction. It outlines procedures for managing environmental and social risks, specifically addressing the rights of ethnic minorities and the potential for restricted access to natural resources. The framework mandates the use of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for ethnic minority groups and the development of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs) to ensure that local communities do not become worse off due to project activities. It also integrates gender-responsive strategies and a grievance redress mechanism to handle complaints, including those related to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).

• The project aims to improve management across 299,500 hectares of protected areas and biodiversity corridors, restore 10,260 hectares of degraded ecosystems, and mitigate at least 5.43.9 million tCOe over 20 years.
• The project area covers six provinces in Central Vietnam: Ngh An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam, as well as Da Nang city.
• The project area is home to 50 ethnic minority groups, accounting for 8.2% of the total population across the seven provinces, with the highest concentration in Ngh An at nearly 15%.
• A primary social risk is the potential for restricted access to natural resources (such as fuel wood and non-timber forest products) due to improved law enforcement and the expansion of the SMART patrol system in protected areas.
• The framework mandates a Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process for ethnic minority communities to ensure they can give or withhold consent to decisions affecting their lands, territories, or livelihoods without coercion.
• To mitigate livelihood loss, the project will implement Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs) to ensure affected individuals restore their livelihoods to at least pre-project levels, regardless of formal land title.
• The project identifies risks of Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH), particularly where law enforcement officials might misuse power or where changes in power dynamics empower women.
• The project prohibits several activities, including those leading to private land acquisition, physical displacement, the use of genetically modified organisms, or the procurement of pesticides in WHO classes IA, IB, or II.
• A multi-tiered grievance redress mechanism (GRM) will be established, allowing stakeholders to file complaints through the Project Management Unit, WWF, or the GEF Secretariat Conflict Resolution Commissioner.

APA

Toan, N. H. (n.d.). Annex X: Environmental and Social Management Framework Process Framework Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Planning Framework. WWF International. https://assets.worldwildlife.org/www-prd/documents/Annex_F_Environmental_and_Social_Management_Framework_1.pdf

Chicago

Toan, Ngo Huy. Annex X: Environmental and Social Management Framework Process Framework Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Planning Framework. WWF International, n.d. https://assets.worldwildlife.org/www-prd/documents/Annex_F_Environmental_and_Social_Management_Framework_1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Toan |first1=Ngo Huy |title=Annex X: Environmental and Social Management Framework Process Framework Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Planning Framework |publisher=WWF International |url=https://assets.worldwildlife.org/www-prd/documents/Annex_F_Environmental_and_Social_Management_Framework_1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{toanndannex, author = {Toan, Ngo Huy}, title = {{Annex X: Environmental and Social Management Framework Process Framework Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Planning Framework}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://assets.worldwildlife.org/www-prd/documents/Annex_F_Environmental_and_Social_Management_Framework_1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }