Jesyon Entegre Ekosistèm Marin: Yon Evalyasyon Aprantisaj

Integrated Marine Ecosystem Management: A Learning Evaluation September 2023 This document was produced for review by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Environmental Incentives, Foundations of Success, and ICF for the Measuring Impact II (MI2) Contract. CONTRACT INFORMATION This program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of its requisition number REQ-EGEE-18-000127 (Measuring Impact II), implemented by prime recipient Environmental Incentives, LLC in partnership with Foundations of Success and ICF International, Inc. Measuring Impact II has been issued under contract number GS-00F-193DA Order No. 7200AA18M00013 and supports the same program objectives as described in RFQ number 7200AA18Q00020. Measuring Impact II is funded and managed by the USAID Biodiversity Division in the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation. PREPARED BY Beatriz Slooten, Tahira Vargas, Angeline Bell, Lexine Hansen, Alison Howard Environmental Incentives, LLC SUBMITTED BY Shelly Hicks, Chief of Party Environmental Incentives, LLC SUBMITTED TO Sara Carlson, Contracting Officer’s Representative USAID Biodiversity Division Center for Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure FOR MORE INFORMATION Environmental Incentives, LLC 725 15th Street NW, Floor 10 Washington, D.C. 20005 www.enviroincentives.com DISCLAIMER This publication is made possible by the support of the American people through USAID. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Environmental Incentives, LLC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Front Cover Photo: Steep cliffs project into the sea at El Moro National Park in the Dominican Republic, one of those supported by IMEM activities. Photo by Tahira Vargas. Back Cover Photo: The mangroves at El Yuti National Park in the Dominican Republic have been made more resilient by the recanalization efforts of IMEM-supported community associations. Photo by Tahira Vargas. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 INTRODUCTION 8 EVALUATION PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY 9 LIMITATIONS 10 EVALUATION STAGES 11 FINDINGS 12 1. INTENDED GOALS AND RESULTS 13 2. BEST PRACTICES 22 3. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE COUNCILS 25 4. WHOLE SYSTEM IN THE ROOM 26 5. SUSTAINABLE TOOLS AND STRATEGIES 27 6. MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT 28 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS 29 CONCLUSIONS 31 ANNEXES 33 ANNEX A. EVALUATION DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 33 ANNEX B. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS 34 ANNEX C. LIST OF PERSONS INTERVIEWED 36 ANNEX D. DOCUMENTS REVIEWED AND REFERENCES 40 TABLE OF FIGURES FIGURE 1. IMEM THEORY OF CHANGE 9 FIGURE 2. IMEM RESULTS FRAMEWORK 14 ACRONYMS CODOPESCA Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Consejo Dominicano de Pesca y Acuicultura) IMEM Integrated Marine Ecosystem Management Program MI2 Measuring Impact II NGO Nongovernmental organization USAID U.S. Agency for International Development 4 USAID EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The coastal regions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti are facing severe overexploitation of fisheries and degradation of marine ecosystems, threatening ecological collapse. Through its Integrated Marine Ecosystem Management (IMEM) activity, a $1.8 million cooperative agreement implemented by Counterpart International from September 6, 2019, to September 5, 2022, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed to strengthen local governance and participatory management of marine protected areas in the northern coastal border area of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, promoting sustainable fishing and farming practices to reduce pressures on biodiversity within coastal and marine ecosystems. The project pursued three objectives: implement participatory management provisions in designated marine protected areas in both countries; foster local-level, cross-border collaboration and experience-sharing; and disseminate and implement best practices in fishing, farming systems, and ecotourism. While IMEM worked extensively with partners in Haiti, the evaluation team was unable to evaluate the impacts of IMEM in that country due to worsening security conditions during the evaluation period. Under USAID’s Evaluation Policy, evaluation “has two primary purposes: to ensure accountability to stakeholders and to learn to improve development outcomes” (USAID 2020a, p. 3). This evaluation was focused on learning from IMEM’s community engagement activities to inform future marine programming in the region. The evaluation provides an analysis of the activity’s effectiveness in helping communities address environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices in the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It reveals that IMEM has achieved significant milestones in its efforts to protect and preserve natural resources, engage local communities, and foster inter-institutional collaboration. Overall, the evaluation found that IMEM’s interventions achieved their desired results, especially in engaging local fishers and communities. Key findings highlight the successful implementation of participatory and adaptive management approaches, with the formation and strengthening of fisher and rice producer associations, training programs, and dialogue platforms. These initiatives have facilitated community involvement, resulting in a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship and the adoption of responsible fishing, farming, and tourism practices. Notably, the activity’s identification card program for fishermen’s association members has played a pivotal role in promoting a sense of belonging and unity, facilitating recognition by government institutions and encouraging responsible fishing behaviors. Community participants lauded IMEM’s implementation, identifying eight specific actions IMEM took that helped beneficiaries: 1. Raising awareness among fishermen’s associations about responsible fishing practices and their potential economic benefits. 2. Developing binational cooperation activities between Haitian and Dominican fishermen to exchange experiences and promote responsible fishing practices. 3. Building a relationship between fishermen’s associations and government institutions by creating a follow-up committee. IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 5 4. Providing technical training to government personnel on environment, tourism, marine species, and protection mechanisms to promote governance. 5. Providing technical training to personnel from government agencies on the environment, tourism, marine species, and protection mechanisms to ensure the sustainability beyond the life of the program. 6. Helped fishermen transition to alternative livelihoods. 7. Increased awareness in the tourism sector about the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem. 8. Fostered participatory governance through the implementation of the identification card program. The evaluation identifies several challenges that hindered IMEM’s implementation, such as lack of resources and support from relevant Ministry staff, and the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. The evaluation also reveals some unintended outcomes of the project, such as the creation of alternative sources of income and the development of new relationships with naval forces. The evaluation also identifies several factors that facilitated IMEM’s successes, such as including well-connected local stakeholders throughout all phases, and emphasizing intersectoral and interinstitutional coordination. Based on these findings, the evaluation offers four lessons and associated recommendations for future marine programming: Lesson 1: Empowering local associations, while challenging, transformed community attitudes and behaviors and strengthened marine protections, but without monitoring data, the impacts on the ecosystems are unknown. Recommendation: Focus on building capacities of local community organizations to strengthen marine protections. Build trust with community leaders and influencers. Tie short-term benefits of new behaviors to long-term durable improvements. Track threat reduction and ecosystem health data. Lesson 2: Establishing co-management committees, which empower local and national government as well as local community members to protect marine areas, dramatically strengthened marine protected area management. However, partners, such as the local enforcement bodies, need adequate resources to contribute to the joint efforts. Recommendation: Replicate the approach of establishing co-management committees. Build strong partnerships and collaborative networks to align efforts, pool resources, and work toward common goals. Include support and advocacy for adequate monitoring and enforcement funding. Lessons 3: Co-management committees provided a platform for local communities to actively participate in joint monitoring. IMEM’s whole system in the room approach ensured all relevant stakeholders contributed to strategy development and ensuring buy-in. Recommendation: Replicate the successful practice of joint monitoring to benefit from community stewardship and collaboration, traditional knowledge, and informed decision-making. Lesson 4: Official recognition of fishermen, through an identity card program, promoted responsible fishing practices and enhanced community engagement. 6 USAID Recommendation: Identify ways that officials can recognize and support good actors to change their behavior. Foster a sense of belonging and collective responsibility among stakeholders. Overall, the evaluation concludes that IMEM had positive impacts on the targeted communities, including the development of responsible fishing practices and the empowerment of the fishing sector to protect marine resources. The evaluation recommends USAID continue to support efforts to engage communities in sustainable management of marine resources in the Caribbean region. IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 7 INTRODUCTION The coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti face severe overexploitation of fisheries and degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems, threatening ecological collapse. Mangrove forests, critical for marine health and providing ecosystem services, are also under pressure from agriculture and charcoal production. National policies in Haiti and the Dominican Republic fail to address the integrated nature of marine ecosystems. Further, they do not consider the relationship between communities and the environment, as poverty and lack of sustainable alternatives hamper compliance with regulations. Both countries have established marine protected areas, but need more resources, stakeholder buy-in, and livelihood alternatives to manage and conserve the region’s biodiversity. The most vulnerable coastal communities face challenges in achieving the behavior change necessary for effective management and conservation. Through its Integrated Marine Ecosystem Management Program (IMEM), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aims to strengthen local governance and participatory management of marine protected areas along the northern Haitian-Dominican border, promoting sustainable fishing and farming practices to reduce pressures on biodiversity within coastal and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the activity aims to minimize economic and cultural disruption for communities that depend on those ecosystems, and ideally create new economic opportunities for those communities. IMEM collaborates with local sub-grantees, the Foundation for Protection of Marine Biodiversity in Haiti, and AgroFrontera in the Dominican Republic, to consider local resource use practices, politics, culture, history, and economics in both countries. Coastal and marine ecosystems on the northern coastline of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are under significant pressure due to pollution from agricultural runoff, habitat conversion, and overexploitation of natural resources (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Designed to address these challenges, IMEM’s theory of change (Figure 1) emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two countries, strengthening participatory and adaptive management in the governance of marine protected areas, and sharing best practices in alternative livelihoods, sustainable fishing, and farming practices. By fostering an inclusive and diverse community-led effort, IMEM aims to reduce local pressures on biodiversity, enhance the effectiveness of marine protected areas, and strengthen the local economy. The program also addresses underlying economic issues in the Dominican Republic by introducing integrated nutrient, water, and residue practices in rice production, while simultaneously promoting the increased protection of mangroves. Through these efforts, the program strives to support environmental sustainability and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. 8 USAID Figure 1. IMEM Theory of Change, from the Cooperative Agreement between USAID/Dominican Republic and Counterpart international (USAID 2019). IMEM built on existing work, ensuring effective local governance for legally-recognized marine protected areas and facilitating dialogue between fishers and farmers in both countries. It also supported the adoption of sustainable practices and alternative economic opportunities, such as by transforming fishing systems, introducing eco-friendly farming practices, and promoting locally-based ecotourism opportunities. This report presents an evaluation of the responses of various beneficiary stakeholders to IMEM’s interventions. An independent research team carried out the evaluation by traveling to the target areas and conducting qualitative research. The evaluation ran from late November 2022 to May 2023. The team carried out local research trips to Montecristi and El Morro in the Dominican Republic for focus groups and face-to-face interviews in February, and conducted phone interviews with stakeholders in Haiti throughout March. EVALUATION PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY This evaluation report examines IMEM’s performance and outcomes to share lessons learned and recommendations, delving into best practices, success stories, and challenges encountered and resolved. USAID can use this report as a resource, applying the outcomes as appropriate, including using lessons learned from IMEM during the design and implementation of similar current and future regional marine biodiversity conservation activities in the Caribbean and other regions. IMEM is a $1.8 million cooperative agreement implemented by Counterpart International and managed by the USAID/Caribbean Biodiversity Program. The team collected and analyzed qualitative data from internal and external sources to address the evaluation questions, which focused on the process and performance of the activity. These sources included: ● Documents and other written information, including activity reports, planning documents, and other resources. ● Stakeholders and partners, including IMEM, USAID, and local and regional governments. ● Beneficiaries, including local community members, fishers, and training recipients. IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 9 Data collection methods included semi-structured or open-ended interviews and focus group discussions, which were held in person during the team’s site visits to the Dominican Republic, and virtually with participants in Haiti. The team thematically analyzed the data around the evaluation questions. This kind of qualitative research is at risk of researcher bias, e.g. “the selection of data that fit the researcher’s existing theory or preconceptions and the selection of data that ‘stand out’ to the researcher” (Maxwell 1996, 90), and reactivity, e.g. “the influence of the researcher on the…individuals studied” (Maxwell 1996, 91). To guard against these risks, the team used triangulation, “collecting information from a diverse range of individuals and settings, using a variety of methods” (Maxwell 1996, 93). Thus not only did the team collect data from multiple sources, they have also integrated quantitative information the IMEM team collected when relevant to a research question. LIMITATIONS Like any research project, conditions outside the control of the evaluation team introduced bias into the findings presented here. First, the results were geographically biased. The team gathered a significant amount of information from individuals in the Dominican Republic about activities involving both coasts. However, due to safety concerns, it was not feasible to travel and conduct in-person interviews in Haiti. To overcome this challenge, the team tried to gather as much information as possible through phone conversations with Haitian fishermen and other stakeholders, yet the number of contacts were quite limited. This resulted in limited information from Haiti, so we were unable to adequately investigate the Haiti activities and their impacts. Moreover, as the situation in Haiti has deteriorated, we were unable to ascertain which activities the IMEM partners were able to implement in Haiti. Thus, throughout the findings, we only include Haiti when we were able to confirm the finding was relevant to Haiti. Second, the evaluation more prominently incorporates feedback from benefited stakeholders than other stakeholders, which may bias the findings. This is partly due to the complexity of the intervention, including its diversity of activity approaches, the absence of control sites, and the number of stakeholders working in the same intervention areas with the same counterparts and beneficiaries. Furthermore, the activity ended in 2022, and by the time of the evaluation in early 2023, there had been changes in government officials, leading to changes in points of contact and staff. The evaluation team found many new staff were unfamiliar with the project’s implementation. To counteract this bias, this evaluation includes the perspective of new government officials as much as possible. As a result of the preponderance of data from beneficiaries, the evaluation focused on the perceptions of beneficiaries and was unable to fully uncover IMEM’s impacts on government stakeholders or on the relationships between government officials and local community members. This assessment focused on how IMEM activities influenced the beneficiaries and other local stakeholders. Thus the team gathered qualitative data from discussions with those stakeholders. Quantitative data about most of the research questions do not exist to validate some of the specific results stakeholder mentioned; however, the team has included activity quantitative data relevant to the research questions when available. 10 USAID EVALUATION STAGES The research team conducted the evaluation in three phases. 1. Inception: To begin, the researchers consulted with the IMEM team and reviewed activity data to better understand the activity and its results. They also: a. Consulted with the IMEM activity team to collect information about key informants for interviews and focus groups and priority sites to visit, as well as refine the evaluation questions. This step secured IMEM support for the evaluation. b. Reviewed activity documents and monitoring and evaluation data (see Annex D. Documents Reviewed and References). c. Developed a draft evaluation work plan and methodology. The USAID point of contact reviewed and approved these documents. The team developed the evaluation work plan and methodology in English (see Annex A. Evaluation Design and Methodology). They developed the data collection tools in Spanish and Creole (see Annex B. Data Collection Instruments). 2. Investigation: Next, the team conducted qualitative, open-ended interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including USAID and IMEM staff, partners, and beneficiaries (see Annex C. List of People Interviewed). The team completed two site visits in the Dominican Republic. During the visits, the team conducted focus groups and interviews, including: a. Thirteen key informant interviews, using structured and focused interview guides. i. These interviews included sub-grantees and key informants, such as the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. ii. Due to privacy concerns in the region, the team did not record or transcribe the interviews. The researcher made notes for each interview and focus group. iii. The team conducted interviews in Spanish and Creole. b. Six focus group discussions, using structured and focused discussion guides. i. Informants included activity beneficiaries and communities. ii. The team did not record or transcribe the focus group discussions. iii. The team conducted the focus group discussions in Spanish 3. Insights: Finally, the team conducted thematic data analysis to synthesize participant responses and literature to respond to the evaluation questions and generate relevant recommendations, including: a. Thematic analysis of documents and informant notes. b. Iterative drafts of the evaluation report. c. Review and vetting of the report by USAID and IMEM staff. d. Final report publication. IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 11 FINDINGS This report presents the findings of a comprehensive field evaluation conducted by a group of researchers from November 2022–March 2023, focusing on stakeholders involved in the IMEM project in the Dominican Republic and, as possible, Haiti. Through formative research, the team gathered valuable insights and data to systematically evaluate the activity’s effectiveness and contributions towards improved management and conservation of marine ecosystems on the northern coasts of Haiti and DR. The learning questions serve as essential categories of analysis in this evaluation. They provide a framework for evaluating the extent to which IMEM achieved its intended goals and results, validated the hypothesis in its theory of change, identified factors that facilitated or hindered its success, and uncovered any unintended outcomes. Additionally, the learning questions explore the level of community involvement in the implementation process, identify best practices and lessons learned, assess the effectiveness of management and governance councils, examine the benefits of the program, evaluate the sustainability of tools and strategies provided, and highlight the role of monitoring information in guiding activity implementation and adaptive management. Organizing the evaluation findings around these learning questions allows for a comprehensive understanding of IMEM’s performance and the creation of informed recommendations for future improvements and interventions. LEARNING QUESTIONS: Evaluation Questions 1. To what extent did IMEM achieve its intended goals and results as defined by the results framework? a. Did the observed achievements validate the hypothesis in the IMEM theory of change? b. What factors facilitated IMEM’s ability to realize the desired results? c. What challenges hampered the activity’s ability to do so? d. What unintended outcomes resulted from the implementation of this activity? e. How did IMEM involve community members in the implementation, and what resulted from that involvement? Did the involvement address the gaps identified in the Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program evaluation? 2. What did stakeholders identify as the activity’s best practices? What contribution did these best practices have to the targeted communities? 3. Were Management and Governance Councils an effective mechanism for managing marine protected areas? Why or why not? What other factors, if any, facilitated or hindered marine protected area management? 4. What benefits, if any, did the “whole system in the room” approach to the activity have? Did stakeholders in the activity value it, and if so, why? 5. How sustainable are the tools and strategies provided to beneficiaries for their use beyond the life of the activity? 6. How did monitoring information inform activity implementation and adaptive management? 12 USAID 1. INTENDED GOALS AND RESULTS Evaluation Question 1. To what extent did IMEM achieve its intended goals and results as defined by the results framework? IMEM’s Results Framework (Figure 2 below), detailed the activities IMEM would undertake to achieve its goal of improving, “the management and conservation of marine ecosystems on the northern coasts of Haiti and the [Dominican Republic] while minimizing economic and cultural disruptions for communities that depend of those ecosystems.” The Results Framework organized IMEM’s partner’s activities around three outcomes, each of which would support a key result. When all three key results were achieved, IMEM’s goal would be achieved. The Results Framework also included the indicators that IMEM planned to track to monitor progress toward their outcomes. Goal: Improve the management and conservation of marine ecosystems on the northern coasts of Haiti and DR while minimizing economic and cultural disruption for communities that depend on those ecosystems. Result 1: Coastal communities will find an understanding of common barriers and opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of coastal and marine resources and improved livelihoods through sharing best practices and lessons learned. Outcome: Foster local-level, cross-border collaboration and experience-sharing related to participatory governance of MPAs Activities: Conduct a Socioecological Assessment and Survey Build capacity of local actors to lead in the governance of MPAs Modify adaptive management plans for MPAs and empower effective participation of local stakeholders in their revision. Indicators: Number of normative documents approved by IMEM Governance Councils for implementation of MPAs Result 2: The Dominican and Haitian governments have a legal mandate to manage them in a way that safeguarded and enhances the biodiversity of the coastal and marine ecosystems while contributing to improved and sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Outcome: Implement participatory and adaptive management provisions established in the management plans for the marine protected areas of Mangroves of Estero Balsa National Park, Cayos Siete Hermanos Wildlife Refuge and El Morro National Park in DR and Three Bays National Park in Haiti Activities: Create and sign MOW for Cross Border MPA Working Group Launch bi-national fisher and manager roundtables Result 3: Farmers and fishers are motivated to adopt more sustainable practices and they have the skills and resources they need to do so. This will also reduce pressure on natural resources, particularly in Haiti, by generating alternative economic opportunities. Outcome: Disseminate and implement best practices in fishing and farming systems and ecotourism Activities: Promote martine biodiversity conservation through responsible fishing practices and improve the fish market economy. Promote adoption of sustainable farming practices in the DR Promote Best Practices in sustainable farming in Haiti Promote locally-driven alternative livelihoods Indicators: Number of farmers certified by the Sustainable Rice Platform IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 13 Number of established participatory mechanisms, partnerships established by and between local partners and beneficiaries, and advocacy activities that foster participation in the public policy decision-making process Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance. (EG.10.2-3) with Cross Border MPA Working Groups Indicators: Number of agreements/MoUs signed between Haitian and Dominican stakeholders on MPA management common practices Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management as a result of USG assistance. (EG.10.2-2) Number of people trained in sustainable natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-4) Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, estimated in metric tons of CO2 equivalent, reduced, sequestered or avoided through sustainable landscapes activities supported by USG assistance (EG.12-6) Percentage decrease in highly toxic pesticides applied by the beneficiary farmers. Percentage decrease in the amount of irrigation water used for rice production. Figure 2. IMEM Results Framework, replicated from graphic shared by USAID. To answer this research question, the evaluation team considered how stakeholders discuss their interactions with the activity and how their lives have changed as a result. Most stakeholders considered all IMEM activities as a package and didn’t differentiate any particular activity as leading to a particular outcome. Thus, the research team could not tease apart whether one specific activity was more or less effective. Instead, we sought to understand whether or how stakeholders reported outcomes aligned with the activity’s three key results. The evaluation found that overall, the IMEM interventions did result in the three key results, especially in engaging local fishermen and communities. Regarding result 1: Coastal communities gained an understanding of common barriers and opportunities to enhance biodiversity and improve livelihoods through sharing best practices and lessons learned. Through IMEM, fishermen from the Dominican Republic and Haiti participated in binational joint awareness and training processes, leading to agreements on proper fishing methods and tools. These efforts have led to significant outcomes, including providing resources and training for Haitian and Dominican fishermen’s associations on responsible fishing practices. Fishermen's associations were also empowered to take on monitoring roles for sustainable fishing practices, demonstrating their commitment to the conservation of marine resources. Regarding result 2: The Dominican and Haitian governments have a legal mandate to manage fisheries in a way that safeguards and enhances biodiversity while contributing to sustainable livelihoods. In addition to sharing best practices, the binational processes of joint awareness and training, IMEM facilitated open conversations between the nations. For example, the groups agreed to refrain from using prohibited and acidic small mesh nets within the Bay of Manzanillo. IMEM’s most notable achievement was to overcome communication and interaction barriers between 14 USAID Haitian and Dominican fishermen, who engage in the same economic activity on the border. This has contributed to reducing tensions between the two groups. Regarding result 3: Farmers and fishers are motivated to adopt more sustainable practices and have the necessary skills and resources to do so. With support from sub-grantees, the activity motivated and trained rice producers and fishers in Haiti to adopt more sustainable practices, including over 500 people in its multiple trainings (Radosti 2022). It empowered rice producer associations to decide on fertilizer applications and soil management, reducing production costs and unnecessary chemical applications. According to IMEM’s Final Report (Radosti 2022), IMEM rice farmers reduced their application of toxic pesticides by 81%. Specifically, the IMEM rice farmers completely eliminated 12 out of 21 harmful chemicals used in conventional rice farming. This significant progress was a result of the program's success and the data analysis conducted after the second rice harvest. IMEM also extended the dissemination of sustainable agricultural practices for rice production to other rice farmers beyond the initial beneficiaries and educational institutions, promoting the adoption of eco-friendly techniques to enhance the quality and yield of rice while preserving natural resources. Furthermore, the activity achieved results through its ecotourism initiative in the Dominican Republic’s San Fernando de Montecristi (the capital of Montecristi Province) and Pepillo Salcedo-Bahía de Manzanillo (a municipality in Montecristi Province that includes the Bay of Manzanillo). It trained people to defend the marine ecosystem and guide tourist groups in the region, which respondents reported was helping reduce the extinction of fish. The training covered how to become a marine ecosystem defender and how to guide tourist groups visiting the province. The project also provided training to tour operator groups in economic resource management and environmental management. Overall, the project team achieved several key results, including promoting collaboration between fishermen from both countries, facilitating the formation of fishermen’s associations, empowering rice producer associations, disseminating sustainable agricultural practices, and promoting ecotourism. Subquestion 1a. Did the observed achievements validate the hypothesis in the IMEM theory of change? Data from stakeholders as well as from the IMEM final report confirm much of the IMEM theory of change. The activity fostered collaboration, strengthened participatory MPA management, and shared best practices and these actions seem to have resulted in more inclusive community-led MPA management and more effective MPAs. IMEM’s final surveys noted that participants were better off economically after the activity (Radosti 2022). However, the evaluation team did not have access to information that could confirm the hypothesis that these actions, at the scale of IMEM, would decrease the local pressures on biodiversity within coastal and marine ecosystems as threat reduction data was not collected. The evaluation team gathered information in the Dominican Republic from a wide variety of stakeholders, including the AgroFrontera technical team; various local government agencies such as the Dominican Republic Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism, and the Environment; and fishing, rice production, and ecotourism associations. Stakeholders engaged in many activities reported a IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 15 variety of positive outcomes, at the national and bi-national level, and at the local level. IMEM also strengthened transboundary collaboration both by building continuous consultation, mediation, dialogue, monitoring, and interaction between government agencies and associations. At the national level, the activity promoted responsible fishing practices by offering binational processes of joint awareness and training for Dominican and Haitian fishermen. The two nations held meetings and agreements to establish proper fishing methods and tools. They agreed to refrain from using prohibited and acidic small mesh nets within the Bay of Manzanillo. These efforts have led to significant outcomes, including supporting additional resources and training for Haitian fishermen’s associations on responsible fishing practices. However, the most notable achievement reported was overcoming communication and interaction barriers between Haitian and Dominican fishermen, who engage in the same economic activity on the border between their countries. This has contributed to the reduction of tensions between the two groups. However, the security situation in Haiti and the resulting violent tension on the border poses a challenge to maintaining sustained relationships between Haitian and Dominican fishermen in dialogue and mutual agreements, and the evaluation team was unable to determine if the Haitian fishermen are still able to engage in dialogue. IMEM formed and supported community associations through which they trained members in association management, helped establish cooperatives, created a space for dialogue and consensus-building, and empowered the people involved in marine fishing, rice production, and ecotourism. These associations seem to have helped IMEM achieve its strong results. IMEM introduced and promoted improved integrated nutrient, water, and residue practices in rice production. Such practices also support the increased protection of mangroves, critical to coastal ecosystems. In conversations with the evaluation team, the fishermen and rice producers demonstrated what they learned from the IMEM activity, such as a recognition of the harms of the indiscriminate use of chemicals and water, and shared a clear commitment to sustainability through the protection and preservation of natural resources. Their responses aligned with the IMEM final report which noted a significant decrease in the use of toxic chemicals and thus reduced pollution (Radosti 2022). They noted that their participation in the associations has resulted in improved economic benefits by reducing production costs and enhancing the quantity and quality of their fish, crab, and rice. Rice is a staple food in the Dominican Republic, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices for its production has benefited the economy. The Lower Yaque region alone contributes to 30 percent of national rice production. Rice producer associations have acknowledged the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to sustainable production practices, and rice producers themselves have reported positive effects on soil profitability. There are even expectations of expanding rice production to foreign markets with AgroFrontera’s support. The evaluation team found that rice producers are committed to adopting good practices that reduce production costs and improve socioeconomic conditions. For example, trainings about the integration of soil analysis techniques led many rice producers to reduce their fertilizer use and gain a better understanding of their natural environment. Additionally, rice producers were receptive to IMEM´s efforts to eliminate polluting practices to contribute to environmental protection. “The AgroFrontera team has also taught us to analyze the soil to 16 USAID determine which fertilizer it needs. Sometimes we would throw away a fertilizer the soil already had, applying too much of it. Soil analysis is conducted to determine which fertilizer the soil needs, thus reducing production costs.” –Rice producer association focus group participant Subquestion 1b. What factors facilitated IMEM’s ability to realize the desired results? IMEM’s ability to achieve its desired results can be attributed to several factors. The efforts of sub-grantee AgroFrontera, an organization that supports sustainable rural development, were crucial in promoting cross-border collaboration and responsible fishing practices. Building on the group’s strong engagement with the community, the activity organized meetings, covered expenses for Haitian fishermen’s associations to participate in joint awareness and training processes, and distributed sustainable fishing equipment to support their livelihoods while protecting the environment. With AgroFrontera’s support, the activity also collaborated with Haitian environmental authorities, providing boats equipped with motors to more effectively monitor fishing practices for sustainability. In addition, AgroFrontera trained and sensitized fish buyers to prioritize purchasing fish caught using responsible fishing practices. To promote marketing of sustainably caught fish, the activity brought together several fishermen's associations to create the Confederation of Fishermen's Associations. IMEM worked to encourage fishermen associations to recognize responsible fishing practices and participate in voluntary beach cleaning. The activity also empowered crab catchers to harvest crabs without affecting their reproduction. Furthermore, the activity provided nets for crab catchers to pursue alternative income sources during the closed season, as well as distributed loans to fishermen’s associations that helped support their economic livelihoods. This community engagement, particularly with the crab catcher association, has yielded significant positive changes. Previously, crab catchers would indiscriminately catch crabs of all sizes and genders for sustenance. However, with the activity’s intervention, including workshops led by a local community member on the AgroFrontera team, the crab catchers gained a deeper understanding of the environmental harm caused by their practices. As a result, sustainable measures, such as refraining from catching females and small crabs, are growing more widespread. This shift in behavior has not only reduced their ecological impact, but has also brought about practical benefits, such as a significant decrease in the distance fishermen need to travel to find an abundant food source. By practicing selective harvesting and avoiding the capture of small crabs and females, fishermen contribute to the faster reproduction of the population and ensure a constant availability of food resources. According to participants, the project’s teachings and the community’s commitment have led to more responsible and efficient crab catching practices, ultimately improving both environmental conservation and the livelihoods of the crab catchers in San Fernando de Montecristi. IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 17 “We try to practice environmentally friendly responsible fishing because AgroFrontera has opened our eyes to the fact that ‘EL Morro’ the national park from Manzanillo to Montecristi, is our wetland treasure.” –San Fernando de Montecristi fishermen’s associations focus group participant IMEM also helped recover mangroves in the Dominican Republic as a result of its work with fishermen as well as the activity’s water recanalization measures, with AgroFrontera’s support. By redirecting water from sanitation outflows to the mangroves, the activity restored mangroves and strengthened fish hatcheries. These efforts provided economic benefits to beekeepers and goat breeders. Moreover, the activity disseminated information about sustainable agricultural practices for rice production, initially targeting rice producers’ associations and then extending their efforts to other rice farmers and educational institutions. These practices promote the adoption of eco-friendly techniques to enhance the quality and yield of rice while preserving natural resources. “Our mangroves were drying up due to dust, heat, and lack of fresh water. We talked to a community member part of the AgroFrontera team and looked for a solution. The solution was to recanalize fresh waterways that carried out sanitation work. There is a honey-producing mangrove, the black mangrove, which has flowers during the flowering season, and bees. We, beekeepers, move the bees to the mangroves. It was not possible because the mangroves were drying up due to salinity. The water began to flow with the canalization, regenerated the mangroves, tilapias arrived abundantly, and the black and red mangroves were reestablished. Goat breeders benefit because the mangroves drop seeds and leave the goats to eat. The mangrove has recovered by 150 percent.” –San Fernando de Montecristi fishermen’s associations focus group participant Overall, the combination of cross-border collaboration, responsible fishing practices, community engagement and empowerment, and sustainable agricultural practices played a crucial role in IMEM’s ability to achieve its desired results. “Another benefit for all fishermen who have been volunteers for cleaning the protected area is that we have time to come together to carry out operations to clean the mangroves, sediments, and nets that get trapped in the reefs among the mangroves. We have been volunteers.” –-San Fernando de Montecristi fishermen’s associations focus group participant Subquestion 1c. What challenges hampered the activity’s ability to do so? 18 USAID Several challenges and barriers hampered the activity’s efforts to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect the environment. In Haiti, the key barriers identified were insecurity and limited resources. The evaluation team was unable to visit any Haitian sites and could only contact a few Haitian contacts, so our data for the Haiti work is limited. What those stakeholders did report was that even when people could participate in bi-national and local IMEM activities, the external challenges were too severe to increase sustainable fishing practices. For example, fishermen interviewed expressed their inability to counteract the cutting of mangroves for charcoal production. Haitian respondents also noted that there was a lack of government support, including a lack of resources, to sustainable fishing efforts. In the DR, the team gathered more data on challenges to IMEM’s success. One of the key barriers there is the resistance from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment to implement measures aimed at eliminating plastic in Montecristi, despite agreements reached through negotiations between various associations, groups, and the Montecristi Municipal Council. This resistance has made it difficult to enforce the law prohibiting plastic use in coastal areas. Another challenge is the need for more resources for the provincial Ministry of Environment team, which currently depends on AgroFrontera´s sponsorship to carry out coastal monitoring efforts. Without government resources, the local team struggles to monitor and prevent illegal fishing activities. The lack of monitoring and governance then limits the functioning and continuity of the co-management councils that monitor protected areas. Finally, the lack of government resources also limits the support available to fishermen to generate alternative incomes. Fishermen have submitted proposals to the government to gain funding to build ponds for fish farming, which could help achieve sustainable fishing. However, they have to date not received government support. “In the cays [Cayos Siete Hermanos islands, a wildlife refuge on the north coast of the Dominican Republic], part of the protected area I manage, constant monitoring must be carried out. … [However, our boat] fuel is insufficient to travel inter-daily to the cays and only allows us to go twice a month. That is getting out of control, and the Haitians are there. In the morning, more than 20 Haitian boats engage in illegal fishing.” –Representative environmental team focus group participant Both Haitian and Dominican fishermen in the region struggle with low quality boats. Inadequate boats not only pose risks to fishermen safety, but also limit their catch and potential earnings by restricting their capacity for extended sea fishing and catching larger fish. Additionally, the absence of necessary supplies and equipment further exacerbates their difficulties. Without access to appropriate tools and gear, the fishermen struggle to optimize their fishing efforts and improve their productivity. As a result, they become reliant on fish markets that provide financial support for their fishing activities. This dependency on external financing, rather than government loans, reinforces their vulnerability and restricts their economic growth and autonomy within the industry. In the Dominican Republic, ecotourism development is negatively impacted by deficiencies in Montecristi Province’s Office of the Environment functioning, such as its lack of budget, IMEM LEARNING EVALUATION 19 insufficient personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and limited capacity to meet the growing demand for environmental services. Moreover, rice producers in the Dominican Republic encounter a challenge in securing sufficient financing from the state, and instead the private sector provides the majority of funding. However, the private sector is involved in selling unsustainable fertilizers and agrochemicals to producers, creating a potential conflict of interest. This dynamic raises concerns about the objectivity and impartiality of the financing process, as the private sector may prioritize their own products over sustainable agricultural practices and products. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is limited in its certification of rice produced through sustainable agroproduction. When producers lack certification, they have reduced profits and are unable to access premium markets willing to pay higher prices for sustainably produced rice. The dependence on the private sector for financing and the limited certification options highlight the need for greater support and investment from the state to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure fair and unbiased practices in the industry. “They are private lenders. They finance the harvest; they set the rules of the game. They charge 12 percent interest and up to 20 percent. They have high rates—they put the products at whatever price they want, and buy the rice at lower prices.” –Rice producer association focus group participant In summary, the challenges and barriers to promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting the environment include resistance from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment, lack of resources for monito