AFFORESTATION AND EROSION CONTROL III

Supporting forest rehabilitation, afforestation and erosion control activities in Turkey during the period of 2016-17 through the Ministry of Forestry and Water Works.

The purpose of the operation is to maintain the Bank’s support to the Turkish Ministry of Forestry and Water Works’ nationwide programme of investments on afforestation, erosion control and forest rehabilitation during the period of 2016-2017.

Afforestation projects are included in Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, but rarely do competent authorities require a full EIA in the case of afforestation/reforestation of existing forestry land. The project will focus on afforestation, erosion control and forest rehabilitation works. It is likely to deliver multiple environmental benefits particularly climate change mitigation and adaptation and improved natural resource management, contributing to both EU and Turkish environmental policy objectives. Technical features of the project and relevant EIA procedures will be analysed during appraisal.

Tendering and subcontracting procedures for site preparation, planting, maintenance and other works will be examined during the appraisal process. These are subject to Turkey’s public procurement legislation (PPL), which is modelled on the EC Public Procurement Directives and is in line with these directives in several key aspects. Turkey’s public procurement system has significantly improved since the adoption of the PPL in 2002 and is currently seen as of a high standard.

This operation is covered by the EU Guarantee for EIB loans outside the EU.