Preliminary consultations and briefings on Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF)

Preliminary consultations and briefings on Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF) held

May 11-15, 2020: Consultative sessions on Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) were conducted with the representatives of 16 Municipal Corporations (MCs) as part of Punjab Cities Program (PCP).

These capacity building sessions were aimed to brief the Environment and Social Management Focal Persons (ESFPs) regarding their roles and responsibilities and to disseminate preliminary information of ESMF, and environmental and social impacts that may emerge during the execution of PCP’s sub-projects.

During the training sessions, the ESFPs were apprised regarding the procedures of environmental and social compliance and incorporating their feedback in the ESMF.

The ESMF highlights the complete framework for environmental and social management of all eligible investments that will be carried out under PCP. The Program Officer (Environmental and Social Management) (PO-ESM) being the focal person for the compliance of ESMF of PCP has developed training plans and manuals to build the capacity of the staff of 16 MCs regarding the implementation of ESMF and environmental and social policies and procedures.

The representatives of 16 MCs who received training were notified focal persons from the Local Government & Community Development Department (LG&CDD). They showed keen interest in the presentations, as they were sensitized regarding the various environmental legislations and the prevalent environmental and social issues in Punjab.

The consultative sessions were conducted while maintaining the social distancing rules as per the directives of the Government of Punjab.