1. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Status of CAFI support
Brussels, 29 November 2018

2. Status of CAFI Preparation Grant (1)
Grant agreement ($700,000) signed in April 2017
REDD+/CAFI project implementation unit in place and operational, working in tandem with the climate change coordination team as well as with the World Bank investment on Natural Resource Governance (forestry and minerals)
Approximately $233,000 disbursed as an advance for ongoing and planned activities (consultations, NIF and detailed options study launch, workshops)
2018 Workplan delay due to 1) slow procurement (e.g. establishing and convening selection committees etc.) and 2) delays in financial reporting to the Bank (corrective action plan over September-October 2018)

3. Status of CAFI Preparation Grant (2)
Reflection Day on Land-use Planning in CAR (August 2018)
REDD+ NIF and options studies – Launch by Jan with selected consortium (Nov. 2018)
TEREA – Terre Environnement Aménagement
IRAM – Institut de recherches et d’applications des méthodes de développement
LERSA – Laboratoire d’Economie Rurale et de Sécurité Alimentaire
CIRAD – Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le Développement
No-cost extension of CAFI grant to December 31, 2019 requested in order to cover activities (CAFI, FCPF) and follow-up engagement (e.g. Letter of Intent)

4. National REDD + planning in CAR
CAR has opted for the development of a national REDD + strategy complemented by a NIF
NIF will partially integrate feasibility studies for the implementation of priority programs identified for the period with a view to accelerating the implementation of investments
 CNI will be developed so that it:
Be consistent and support the implementation with the country's development vision "Becoming an emerging country, built on a diversified, sustainable and harmoniously distributed economy on the national territory, a modern state open to the world, committed to ethics and technological innovation”
Respects the guidelines and criteria set by CAFI, as well as other financial partners and climate funds that can support its implementation

5. Detailed options studies
In addition, the country has already identified 7 potential projects to address deforestation and forest degradation:
1. 10 MWh biomass plant installation
2. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) valorization project
3. Identification of technical alternatives in agroecology and agroforestry in forest areas
4. Technical and economic analysis of a revitalization of fruit production for national and or international markets.
5. Development/ revitalization of coffee and cocoa production in the forest areas and expected impacts
6. Bush fire dynamics in various agro-ecological zones and definition of management strategy
7. Relationship between livestock, pasture management and forest cover in CAR 

6. Proposed contents of the NIF
Executive Summary, Introduction, National Context
Priority measures identified for and Theory of Change
Implementation Framework
Risks and risk mitigation measures
Costs and financing of NIF implementation
Results Framework for NIF implementation
Projects and programs
Annexes: Feasibility studies of identified programs, stakeholder consultation plan

7. Next steps in CAR
No-cost extension of CAFI grant December 31, 2019 approved by CAFI Board – Nov. 2018
Finalization of negotiations and contract signing with TEREA – IRAM – CIRAD – LE on NIF and detailed options study – Dec. 2018
Finalization of procurements process for main activities under FCPF (e.g. national strategy, SESA etc.) – Dec. 2018
Launch NIF and detailed options study – Jan. 2019
Finalization of a comprehensive workplan to coordinate CAFI and FCPF activities – Feb. 2019
Launch of FCPF main activities – Feb. 2019

8. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION