FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

MINISTRY OF WATER, IRRIGATION, AND ENERGY

ETHIOPIAN ELECTRIC UTILITY

and

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF ETHIOPIA

PROJECT:

Accelerating Distributed Electricity and Lighting

Program in Ethiopia (ADELE) – P171742

Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)

January 2021
Contents
1. Project Background ............................................................................................................................... 2
2. Project Components .............................................................................................................................. 2
3. Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts ....................................................................................... 5
4. Objectives of the ADELE Stakeholders Engagement Plan ................................................................... 9
5. ADELE Stakeholder Engagement ........................................................................................................ 9
6. Stakeholder Engagement During ADELE Project Preparation........................................................... 10
7. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis ............................................................................................. 16
8. ADELE Stakeholder Engagement Plan - Methods and Tools ............................................................ 20
9. Resources and Implementation Arrangements for the SEP ................................................................ 20
10. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) .......................................................................................... 21

1
1. Project Background

The proposed Access to Distributed Electrification and Lighting in Ethiopia Project (ADELE)
provides financing for (i) grid strengthening for improved reliability and quality of supply in Addis Ababa
and other key urban areas, (ii) off-grid solutions (mini-grids and solar home systems) in rural and remote
rural areas, and (iii) standalone systems for electricity supply to education and health facilities. Besides,
the project provides a comprehensive account of priority technical assistance and capacity building
activities for the effectiveness and efficiency of the program. It also contains a set of interventions to
engage women in service delivery e.g. focusing on financing and business skills gaps in female
enterprises and upskilling programs for solar engineers. At the beneficiary level, it provides information
on affordability constraints and product preferences of women versus men. More specifically, the project
aims at providing 1.45 million Tier 1 and above solar off-grid solutions, and isolated mini-grids, designed
to handle grid-level loads, for 230,000 households and 11,500 enterprises. The project also provides a
coordinated combination of these technology solutions as well as standalone solar systems for 1,400
social institutions.

The proposed operation will support the delivery of energy services with the potential to enable
productive use in peri-urban, rural, and deep-rural areas thus contributing to post-COVID recovery. The
delivery of energy services through off-grid solutions can support productive and income-generating
activities in agriculture (i.e. irrigation and processing) and commercial sectors, improving the livelihoods
of fragile and vulnerable communities, and opening opportunities for women and youth,
disproportionately affected by unemployment and lack of productive opportunities.
The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access to reliable electricity for households,
social institutions, and enterprises in Ethiopia.

2. Project Components
The project has five components: (1) Network strengthening for improved reliability of supply
in urban areas; (2) solar-hybrid mini-grids for rural economic development; (3) Solar home
systems for households, small-holder farmers, and small businesses; (4) Standalone solar systems
for health and education facilities; and (5) Capacity building, technical assistance, and
implementation support. These five components provide a synergetic package of investments to
ensure that reliable electricity services are made available to all Ethiopians regardless of their
location and economic status.
Component 1: Network strengthening for improved reliability of supply in urban areas (US$100
million): This component will improve the reliability of supply in Addis Ababa and other key
urban areas, where near-universal access to electricity has been achieved, but deficiencies in
availability, quality, and reliability of supply remain a challenge. This component would address
the network strengthening requirements to achieve higher reliability, quality, and duration of
electricity supply, enabling electricity consumers to take full advantage of the benefits of
electricity service. The network upgrade and rehabilitation will include infrastructure investments
in EEU's jurisdiction, including medium voltage and low voltage equipment as well as support for
the Revenue Protection Program (RPP). Activities will focus on rehabilitation and expansion of
more than 600 km of medium voltage (MV) lines. It will also cover the rehabilitation of the

2
distribution network of ten regional capitals and key zonal towns, while also supporting the
1
implementation of EEU’s RPP investments at the level of distribution transformers .
Component 2: Solar-hybrid Mini-Grids for Rural Economic Development (US$265 million).
This component will finance the roll-out of solar mini-grids along with battery storage and/or
diesel backup. The mini-grids supported under the Project will be rolled out through a
combination of public and private sector-led approaches based on a pipeline of prioritized sites
pre-identified using geospatial planning. These are: (1) EEU operated mini-grids, and (2) Private
sector-led demonstration projects operated by local and international private mini-grid
developers, as well as cooperatives. In addition to greenfield sites, investments will be made to
hybridize the existing EEU-operated diesel-based mini-grids. It is estimated that with an average
investment of around US$1,000 per connection, around 240,000 connections could be provided
under this component, benefiting over a million people.
Sub-Component 2.1: EEU-led mini-grids (proposed IDA US$215 million in financing). EEU
will lead the EPC/Rollout of greenfield solar-hybrid mini-grids. New solar-hybrid mini-grids will
be deployed by the EEU through Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and short-
term (e.g. 3 or 6 months) Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contracts. Upon conclusion of the
short-term O&M period, the mini-grids would be operated either directly by EEU or under a
follow-on long-term O&M contract. Also, this sub-component will include the hybridization of
existing diesel-fueled mini-grids currently operated by EEU across Ethiopia (primarily in the
Somali region).
Sub-Component 2.2: Private sector-led mini-grid pilot (proposed IDA US$50 million in
financing). In line with the goals and ambition set out in the NEP 2.0, the component will support
the demonstration of different private sector-led approaches to leverage local and international
private sector financing for mini-grid scale-up. EEU will be the implementing entity for the two
approaches in this sub-component. Private sector/cooperatives will be expected to procure, install,
own, operate, monitor, and maintain the generation and distribution of assets, including meters
and software. This component will finance through a competitive process for (i) Minimum
Subsidy Tender (MST), and (ii) Performance-based Grants (PBG).
Component 3: Solar home systems for households, small-holder farmers, and small businesses
(US$50 million): This component will expand the availability and affordability of off-grid solar
systems for households, small-holder farmers, and small businesses in rural areas, with a
particular focus on deep rural and other underserved areas. This will be done by facilitating
foreign currency to importers of quality-certified systems and providing local currency financing
to off-grid solar companies, distributors, and consumers to increase the offering and adoption of
quality off-grid solar products in underserved areas on affordable terms.
Sub-Component 3.1: Incentivizing Market Expansion into deep-rural areas and Innovation (IDA
US$10 million equivalent). This sub-component will set up a Results-Based Financing (RBF)
facility, offering competitively awarded incentives to off-grid solar companies to accelerate off-
grid solar expansion in Ethiopia, with a focus on deep-rural areas. The RBF is expected to
contribute to faster and deeper penetration of off-grid energy solutions by supporting scale and
expansion in areas that would otherwise be too hard and costly to reach. The RBF payments will
partially offset the initial costs and risks associated with off-grid solar companies expanding their

1 Complementary RPP investments are being implemented at the MV level through ENREP.

3
operations and setting up their sales and service infrastructure in new regions, thereby
incentivizing the private sector to serve more rural and underserved areas.

Sub-Component 3.2: Access to Finance to Increase Off-grid Solar Penetration (IDA US$40
million equivalent): Enterprises operating in the off-grid market require access to (a) foreign
exchange funding for the importation of off-grid energy systems and (b) working capital
financing for day-to-day operations like the establishment and expansion of the supply chains,
funding of operations and logistics, and financing the value chain. Financing is also needed for
consumers especially in rural and deep rural areas where consumers' purchasing capacity is a
constraint. End-user financing can also drive the uptake of bigger systems that provide a wider
range of electricity services and can power income-generating activities. Therefore, companies
and MFIs also need (c) capital for the provision of consumer financing via supplier financing or
PAYGo business models or micro-loans to households and businesses.

Component 4: Standalone solar systems for health and education facilities (IDA US$50 million
equivalent). This component will finance the supply and installation of standalone solar systems
for health and education facilities identified under the NEP 2.0. The project will target health
centers and secondary schools that are located in underserved and remote rural areas and are
identified as a priority by MoWIE, in coordination with federal and local education, health, and
energy agencies. Under this component, around 1,400 secondary schools and health centers will
be electrified using standalone solar systems.
Component 5: Capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation support (US$35
million). This component will finance various sector studies and technical assistance, capacity
building and implementation support activities to ensure EEU, MoWIE, DBE, EEA, the local and
international private sector, cooperatives, mobile network operators, financial institutions, and
other sector stakeholders have adequate technical, planning, and operational capacity to
implement the electrification program. The project will support general sector studies and
technical assistance as they become relevant to the sector and the implementation of ADELE with
a subcomponent 5.3 Environmental and Social Risk Management Technical Assistance and
Capacity Building (US$3 million) - implemented by MoWIE, EEU, and DBE.
Project Beneficiaries: ADELE's main beneficiaries are households, small-holder farmers, small
businesses, commercial, and industrial users, and health and education facilities in the peri-urban,
rural, and deep-rural areas serviced through the grid and off-grid solutions leveraging public and
private delivery modalities.
Component 1 will benefit urban households, businesses, industry, hospitals, international
organizations, water supply systems, government establishments, and the general public (from
improved public lighting) in the city of Addis Ababa as well as ten regional capitals and key
zonal towns.
Component 2 will benefit rural communities by providing access to electricity for households,
businesses, and commercial and industrial users through solar-hybrid mini-grids. It is estimated
that the component will provide access to grid-level electricity to an estimated 240,000
households (i.e. around 1.2 million people), and 11,500 business, commercial, and industrial
users.
Component 3 will directly benefit approximately 750,000 households (i.e. around 3.75 million
people) by providing access to off-grid energy solutions such as solar home systems and income-

4
generating appliances. Out of these, around 120,000 systems (~16 percent) will be used in
support of small businesses getting access to electricity for lighting and productive uses.
Component 4 will benefit health and educations centers with access to sustainable and reliable
electricity. It is expected that 400 health centers and 1,000 schools will be electrified through
standalone solar systems.
Sector institutions, especially MoWIE, EEU, and EEA, will benefit from the activities under
Component 5 providing capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation support.
These activities are expected to improve their planning, technical, fiduciary, and institutional
capacity to deliver and support the electrification agenda in Ethiopia, beyond the timeline under
the proposed ADELE project. Furthermore, DBE and the PFIs will be strengthened and their
capacity enhanced to adequately serve the off-grid solar value chain, particularly small and
medium enterprises, rural businesses, and rural consumers. The inclusion of technical assistance
on gender equality will enable the financial institutions to enhance their servicing capacity and
targeting of women-led businesses and women consumers.
3. Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts

This section presents implementing agency-based component-wise potential risks and impacts of the
proposed projects with proposed risk management alternatives identified during the stakeholder
consultations.
EEU led Component 1, 2, 4, 5 Potential Environmental and Social Risks:

From an environment and social risk management perspective, the proposed project is not complex or
large in scale and does not involve activities that have high potential risks for harming people or the
environment. The potential impacts that will be generated are expected to be temporary, reversible, low in
magnitude, and site-specific. Thus, the anticipated environmental and social impacts and risks associated
with ADELE are not likely to be significant. The ADELE project environmental and social risk and
impacts mainly emanate from project activities, which focus on the upgrading and rehabilitation of
medium and low voltage network, the installation, construction, and implementation of solar mini-grids,
local distribution network, off-grid solar home system, etc. throughout the country.

The social risks in this regard emanate from the sharing of project benefits; such as targeting for accessing
technology, affordability, and after-sales services as proposed to be delivered in remote rural and
underserved areas. The social risk management actions are assessed based on the scope of the proposed
project components and commensurate with potential risks and impacts. The social risk management
approach will divulge on (a) strategic stakeholder and community engagement and functioning grievance
redress accessible for all affected communities; (b) social development plan informed by the enhanced
social assessment for people meeting the requirements of ESS-7 (Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan
African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities) especially in Afar, Somali, Gambella,
Benishangul-Gumuz and pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of SNNPR and Oromia; (c) IDP areas social
tensions and violent conflict, (d) gender dimensions including GBV; and (e) unintended labor issues,
including regarding worker health and safety, child labor, and non-compliance with labor laws.

The project could involve temporary and/or permanent economic and physical displacement for people
living in or near the Rights of Way for the rehabilitation of distribution networks in Addis Ababa and
other major urban areas under ADELE component 1 as well as solar hybridized mini-grids under
component 2 and component 4. The project risks and impacts would lead to the loss or the disruption of

5
income or livelihood activities for individuals or groups of people. The land is also required temporarily
or permanently for construction of stores, camps, installation of equipment, and putting mini-grid solar
panels and other associated structures. The proposed project components like solar systems for health and
education institutions will be implemented based on demand at the beneficiary facilities level and or on
the existing institutional footprint. Thus, land expropriation is not expected for the health and education
institutions, however, if needed will be governed by the project resettlement framework.
MoWIE led Subcomponent 3.1: Incentivizing Market Expansion into deep-rural areas and
innovation Potential Environmental and Social Risks:

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy (MoWIE) and the
Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU). From ADELE project components, MoWIE will be an implementer for
Component 3.1- incentivizing market expansion and innovation and will also take part in Component 5.2
under the capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation support. This Stakeholders
Engagement Plan (SEP) will describe the specific components and subcomponents of ADELE; whereby,
MoWIE has a role for the environmental and social risk management responsibilities in deep-rural areas
and innovation, the project is utilizing Solar Home System (SHS) Technology for a home energy source
to be fixed in the rooftops of houses.

Further, MoWIE will benefit from Sub-Component 5.2: Enhancing MoWIE’s monitoring and technical
capacity to oversee the off-grid electrification program. This sub-component will support the capacity
strengthening of MoWIE to oversee the efficiency and effectiveness of ADELE in general, and
specifically to increase their capacity as implementing agency for Components 3.1 and effectively oversee
the environmental and social requirements of ADELE implemented by EEU.

Solar Home Systems (SHS) are solar photovoltaic (PV) units that provide zero-emissions electricity
supply to homes for a variety of uses, such as lighting, television sets, radio, charging of mobiles, and
other small appliances. Each system will consist of at least a PV module to convert solar energy into
electrical energy, a battery to store the electrical energy, a charge controller to protect the system from
attaining an overcharged and undercharged condition, and cables and connecting devices. Solar home
systems capacities are expected to range between approximately 10 and 200 Wp. Only units that have a
warranty period of one-two (1-2) years will be eligible to be included in the project. The proposed
beneficiaries of this initiative are expected to be households that relied on kerosene lamps for lighting,
most of which are relatively inefficient tin lamps with a simple wick and no cover. In the baseline, off-
grid lighting would have been provided by kerosene while batteries or diesel generators would have
charged small appliances. The burning of kerosene and diesel generates CO2.

Based on the nature of ADELE project activities under this subcomponent implemented by MoWIE-
Incentivizing Market Expansion into deep-rural areas and innovation through SHS technology, key
environment, and social risks include waste management (disposal and recycling of solar panels, used
SHS units, and especially lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, which are considered hazardous wastes), the
safety of OHS practices for solar companies' workers, labor issues and gender-related risks. No land-
related issues including involuntary resettlement, land acquisition, and restriction of access and use of
natural resources are expected as the installation takes place on the rooftop of individual houses.

The workers involved in installation may have to climb the roof of the consumer's house which could be
about 3 to 5 meters high, using ladders or other climbing gears. No hazardous materials are involved in
solar panel installation.

6
The social risk management actions are assessed based on the scope of the proposed project component
and commensurate with potential risks and impacts. The social risks in this regard emanate from the
sharing of project beneficiaries; such as, (a) targeting for accessing technology, affordability, and after-
sales services as proposed to be delivered in remote rural and underserved areas; (b) functioning
grievance redress accessible for all affected communities; (c) IDP areas social tensions and violent
conflict, (d) gender dimensions including GBV; and (e) unintended labor issues, including regarding
worker health and safety, child labor, and non-compliance with labor laws. Some gender-related risks
might involve gender-based violence, the risk of underserving/ excluding female-headed households, and
the need to close gender gaps in access to credit in deep rural and Historically Underserved areas.

From an environment and social risk management perspective, the Subcomponent 3.1 implemented by
MoWIE is not complex or large in scale and does not involve activities that have high potential risks for
harming people or the environment, emerging from project activities of installation of Solar Home
System (SHS) in underserved regions of the country.
DBE led Sub-Component 3.2: Access to Finance to Increase Off-grid Solar Penetration (IDA
US$40 million equivalent): Potential Environmental and Social Risks.

Under sub-component 3.2- Access to Finance to Increase Off-grid Solar Penetration, the project is
utilizing Solar Home System (SHS) Technology for a home energy source to be fixed in the rooftops of
houses and implemented by the Development Bank of Ethiopia.

Solar Home Systems (SHS) are solar photovoltaic (PV) units that provide zero-emissions electricity
supply to homes for a variety of uses, such as lighting, television sets, radio, charging of mobiles, and
other small appliances. Each system will consist of at least a PV module to convert solar energy into
electrical energy, a battery to store the electrical energy, a charge controller to protect the system from
attaining an overcharged and undercharged condition, and cables and connecting devices. Solar home
systems capacities are expected to range between approximately 10 and 200 Wp. Only units that have a
warranty period of one-two (1-2) years will be eligible to be included in the project. The proposed
beneficiaries of this initiative are expected to be households that relied on kerosene lamps for lighting,
most of which are relatively inefficient tin lamps with a simple wick and no cover. In the baseline, off-
grid lighting would have been provided by kerosene while batteries or diesel generators would have
charged small appliances. The burning of kerosene and diesel generates CO2.

Based on the nature of ADELE project activities under this subcomponent implemented by DBE Access
to Finance to Increase Off-grid Solar Penetration, key environment and social risks include waste
management (disposal and recycling of solar panels, used SHS units, and especially lead-acid and
lithium-ion batteries, which are considered hazardous wastes), the safety of OHS practices for solar
companies' workers, labor issues and gender-related risks. No land-related issues including involuntary
resettlement, land acquisition, and restriction of access and use of natural resources are expected as the
installation took place on the rooftop of individual houses. The workers involved in installation may have
to climb the roof of the consumer's house which could be about 3 to 5 meters high, using ladders or other
climbing gears. No hazardous materials are involved in solar panel installation.

Some gender-related risks or might involve gender-based violence, the risk of underserving/ excluding
female-headed households, and the need to close gender gaps in access to credit in deep rural and
Historically Underserved areas.

7
The social risk management actions are assessed based on the scope of the proposed project component
and commensurate with potential risks and impacts. The social risks in this regard emanate from the
sharing of project beneficiaries; such as, (a) targeting for accessing technology, affordability, and after-
sales services as proposed to be delivered in remote rural and underserved areas; (b) functioning
grievance redress accessible for all affected communities; (c) IDP areas social tensions and violent
conflict, (d) gender dimensions including GBV; and (e) unintended labor issues, including regarding
worker health and safety, child labor, and non-compliance with labor laws. Some gender-related risks
might involve gender-based violence, the risk of underserving/ excluding female-headed households, and
the need to close gender gaps in access to credit in deep rural and Historically Underserved areas.

From an environment and social risk management perspective, the Subcomponent 3.2 implemented by
DBE is not complex or large in scale and does not involve activities that have high potential risks for
harming people or the environment, emerging from project activities of installation of Solar Home
System (SHS) in underserved regions of the country.

Risk Description
Temporary Visual Intrusion  This may also affect the visual amenity of nearby houses.
 Used panels, used batteries, and units (both lead-acid and lithium-ion)
are hazardous wastes.
 The potential emissions associated with solar energy could be GHG
Waste management emissions, mercury, and cadmium emissions. These elements are used
in making solar components. However, there is no evidence that these
(Electronic waste, chemical elements are released from solar panels, except during disposal.
pollution) Improper management may causes, poisoning, including air, soil, and
water contamination; lead entry into the food chain resulting in diseases
and fatalities.
 Mismanagement of used batteries will be a significant risk.
 Additional waste issues are related to plastic material, polystyrene
residues, aluminum, copper, steel, etc.
Worker/ occupational  Slips and trips fall
health and safety  Injuries, lack of protective equipment, etc.
Labor issues  Child or forced labor.
 Improper grievance redress for workers.
 Unfair terms of employment (especially women).
Consumer/user health and  Safe installation and use of panels and batteries.
safety
Gender-related risks  Women are disproportionately affected by a lack of reliable access to
energy.
 Gender-based violence
 Female-headed households unable to targeted/ underserved for the SHS
Social risks  Associated with the potential exclusion of poor and vulnerable
households, including Female-Headed Households (FHHs)
Supply chain  Awareness-raising on E&S risks (e.g. child labor) in supply chains of
SHS equipment

8
4. Objectives of the ADELE Stakeholders Engagement Plan

The overall objective of this Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is to define a program for stakeholder
engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation, throughout the construction and
operation of the proposed ADELE project. The SEP outlines how EEU, MoWIE, DBE and
contractors/subcontractors, private sector companies, enterprises will communicate with stakeholders and
includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or file complaints.

5. ADELE Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder and Community Engagement is tailored to the various implementing entities, project
components, cultural, livelihood, and linguistic context. These platforms will be used to create awareness
about the potential environmental and social risks and impacts through meaningful consultations
including the avenue for feedback and complaints mechanism.

The SEP and related operational steps are defined based on the local context, language, preferred media,
cultural values. The SEP will define: (a) the disaggregate audiences at different levels; (b) preferred
media; (c) instruction language; (d) receive feedback from the communities; (e) mechanisms to reach
historically underserved people and vulnerable groups; and (f) approaches for IDP outreach.

The SEP will be publicly disclosed before appraisal and outlines commitments to releasing routine
information on the project's overall and environmental and social performance. Along with the respective
components of ADELE, EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will engage in meaningful consultations with all
stakeholders throughout the project cycle, paying attention to the inclusion of historically underserved
peoples, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (including the elderly, persons with disabilities, women,
female-headed households and orphans and vulnerable children). A grievance redress mechanism (GRM),
as part of SEP, will be established to allow for feedback on the inclusiveness of the project and associated
design and planning decisions.

All ESRM instruments developed by EEU, MoWIE, and DBE and other subsequent and applicable site-
specific instruments (once the scope is defined and feasibility studies and designs for these subprojects
are undertaken) shall be consulted upon with key stakeholders in the country and are disclosed in EEU,
MoWIE, DBE, MoF’s website and relevant public platforms as well as World Bank’s external website.

As per ESS 10: Stakeholders Engagement and Information Disclosure, implementing agencies should
provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable, and accessible information, and consult with
them in a culturally and linguistically appropriate and intergenerationally inclusive manner, which is free
of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination, and intimidation. The project will apply the
following principles to meet best practice approaches for stakeholder engagement:
 Openness and life-cycle approach: public consultations for ADELE will continue during the whole
project lifecycle from preparation through implementation. Stakeholder engagement will be free of
manipulation, interface, coercion, and intimidation;
 Informed participation and feedback: information will be provided and widely distributed among
all stakeholders in an appropriate format; conducted based on timely, relevant, understandable, and
accessible information related to the project; opportunities provided to raise concerns and assure that
stakeholder feedback is taken into consideration during decision making;
 Inclusiveness and sensitivity: stakeholder identification is undertaken to support better
communications and building effective relationships. The participation process for the project is

9
 inclusive and the stakeholders are always encouraged to be involved in the consultation process.
Equal access to information is provided to all stakeholders. Sensitivity to stakeholders' needs is the
key principle underlying the selection of engagement methods. Special attention is given to
vulnerable groups, particularly women-headed households, youth, the elderly, and the cultural
sensitivities of diverse ethnic groups.

6. Stakeholder Engagement During ADELE Project Preparation

During ADELE’s various ESRM instruments preparation for different components, including ESMF, RF,
and SA preparation, a stakeholder consultation was made with relevant Federal, Regional, Woreda sector
institutions and community representatives with the objectives to increase awareness about ADELE
project, inform and get views, engage and maintain active participation and support of relevant
stakeholders and communities to be involved in various phases of the project. The community
consultation process was shaped by hiring data collectors from the region and woreda levels. The data
collectors, (i) speak the local language and culture; (ii) they were informed to carry out inclusive
discussion and consultation with various community representatives (clan leaders, community leaders,
religious leaders, and community development representatives), (iii) take precautionary measures for
COVID19 prevention.

Stakeholders and community interests, priorities, concerns, community’s aspiration to ADELE’s

proposed project components have been voiced and identified potential risks and impacts with mitigation
measures. The outcomes from such stakeholder engagements are incorporated into the ESRM instruments
and informed the project design, and a synthesis of outcomes are included in subsequent sections of this
SEP.

At the federal level, stakeholder consultations were conducted with 8 participants from 3 federal
institutions (MOWIE, EEU, and MOA); at the regional level, 5 regional bureaus (Afar, Benishangul
Gumuz, Gambella, Amhara, and Oromia Regions). Also, 4 woredas including Kuri (Afar Region),
Dasenech (SNNPRS), Jor (Gambela Region), and Janamora Woreda in Amhara Region. In general,
consultations were made with 10 participants from different regional bureaus and 17 participants from
stated woredas.

Further, for the project sub-component proposed for implementation by DBE, higher-level stakeholder
consultations were conducted from December 1-3, 2020 with Amhara Credit and Saving Institution S.C,
Benishangul Gumuz Micro Finance S.C. Bussa Gonofa Micro Finance S.C, Omo Micro Finance S.C,
Oromia Credit and Saving S.C, Eshet MFI and Private company (VERA PLC, Universal PLC, and Bicad
PLC) managers and higher experts.

ADELE's stakeholder and public consultations were conducted under the constraints of physical
consultation due to the COVID19 situation, which is also restricted by the State of Emergency (SOE)
enacted by the Government of Ethiopia for the Tigray region, unrest in some parts of the country and
travel restrictions. Thus, phone interviews and email exchanges with relevant stakeholders as well as
deploying of experienced field researchers at regional and woreda level consultations (having the required
skills in the local languages, ability to discuss on the environment and social safeguard topics, etc.). For
conducting stakeholder consultation at different levels, consultation guides and key informant interviews
(KII), and focus group discussion (FGD) checklists were prepared and used.

10
The below table summarizes the stakeholders and community groups consulted and their main concerns,
issues raised during the preparation of environmental and social risk management instruments for the
ADELE project.

11
Concerns, views, and mitigation measures identified during stakeholder engagement facilitated by EEU
S/N Administration levels Consulted Stakeholders and Experts Comments and Views Forwarded by Consultations Participants
1 Federal MoWIE-Alternative Energy Technology Development  Participants believe that it is necessary to implement formal laws and through the
and Promotion Directorate-Director involvement and participation of local community clan leaders, to manage any adverse
MoWIE-Alternative Energy Technology Development impacts and issues likely to arise about the implementation of the proposed project.
and Promotion Directorate-Rural Electrification Fund  In pastoral communities, general risks/vulnerabilities include drought, rainfall shortage,
Coordinator and uncertainty, rangeland degradation, conflicts over resources among regions, salinity,
MoWIE-Climate Change Directorate-Director lower down of water table, livestock and human diseases outbreak, flood, wind, pests and
MoWIE-Climate Change Directorate-Geologist insects, and loss of livelihood.
EEU- Projects Portfolio Management Directorate  Problems with regards to range/pasture includes-management problems (the local
Director- Technical advisor development committees are not well-organized), free/communal grazing, bush
EEU- Projects Portfolio Management Directorate encroachment (physically protective and chemically toxic), degradation of rangelands,
Director- Social and Environmental Safeguard
degradation of traditional rangeland management, overgrazing, conflicts with adjacent
Specialist
districts/regions and moisture stress.
MoA-Land Administration and Use Directorate-
 Conflict as a result of competition over natural resources, mainly water, and rangelands.
Director
MoA-Land Administration and Use Directorate-
Participants expressed that similar solar off-grid projects have been implemented in the
Lawyer
region for cooking/ baking and lighting. These include a solar home system for household
2 Afar Region Head- Regional Bureau of Water, Irrigation, and
and social institutions. Major problems and constraints associated with supplying energy with
Energy
off-grid and mini-grid electricity technologies and support services identified by the
Head Regional Land Administration
participants include:
Head-Regional Environmental Protection
Woreda level-Kuri Clan leader  Coordination gap between federal and regional energy institutions, such as maintenance
Religious leader issue at all levels;
Woreda community development committee head  Budget constraints for the alternative energy sector at the regional level
3 Gambela Region Mines and Energy Directorate-deputy director  Lack of alternatives energy technology suppliers;
Climate measurement and follow-up expert  Lack of installation and maintenance/troubleshooting capacity for non-functional
Woreda Level-Jor Woreda administrator technologies;
Woreda Water Supply bureau-head  Lack of vehicles and motorcycles for experts’ transportation.
Woreda Women, Child and Youth Affairs Bureau-head
Woreda Agriculture and Natural Resources Participants proposed awareness creation, capacity building, and training for experts
Management Bureau-head specifically practical training on alternative energy technologies.
4 Oromia region Oromia Water Mining and Energy Bureau Directorate-  Participants expressed their views that they are willing to provide the land required for any
Director community development projects.
5 SNNP region
 Participants raised concerns and issues that the off-grid and mini-grid electrification
Woreda level- Religious leaders

12
 Dasenech Woreda Community Development Committee member project could cause and bring the following negative socio-economic and environmental
Clan and community leader impacts on the local community.
6 Amhara region  Community members may lose their land and livelihood;
Janamora Woreda Woreda Administrator  There may be the removal of the vegetation cover as a result of the implementation of the
Woreda IT expert project;
Community members, including elders and women  In some instances, dissatisfaction may arise about land acquisition and compensation
representatives processes;
7 Benishangul Gumuz BOWIE-Energy sector directorate-director  Vulnerable households shall be assisted by providing appropriate compensation for their
region Bureau of Environmental Protection and Land land and property that they will lose and arranging different income-generating means for
Administration-Environmental Protection them;
Regularization Directorate-Director  If there is any grievance, it shall be resolved through discussion at different levels.
Bureau of Environmental Protection and Land
Administration-land administration directorate-director The following are key and relevant stakeholders identified and mandated to carry out
activities to the proposed ADELE project:

 Administration bodies (regional, zone; woreda and kebele levels)

 Water and energy resource development structures (region to woreda)
 Environment, Forest and Climate Change Authority (region to woreda)
 Land Administration structure (region to woreda)
 Agriculture and Natural Resource structure (region to woreda)

Proposed capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation support:

 Study and design of off-grid and mini-grid electrification;

 Monitoring and evaluation of projects;
 Compensation and income generation arrangement for vulnerable;
 Project management;
 Operation and maintenance of scheme management.
 Participants identified criteria for vulnerability within the community that needs special
consideration and support. These include the poor, women, orphans, elders, households
with more family members & people living with HIV AIDS.
 If the implementation capacity and skill of the technicians and other experts involved in
the project are not well established, the electric power fluctuation can destroy household
equipment and devices.
 The project sites are assumed to be located within the inner place of the town or woreda,
so it is better if it is relocated to the outskirt of the woreda;

13
  Since the electric power supply sector demands huge costs if the technicians and experts
are not well trained it will end up scoring major resources and cost loss.
 Problems with regards to range/pasture includes-management problems (the local
development committees are not well-organized), free/communal grazing, bush
encroachment (physically protective and chemically toxic), degradation of rangelands,
degradation of traditional rangeland management, overgrazing, conflicts with adjacent
districts/regions and moisture stress.
 Conflict as a result of competition over natural resources, mainly water, and rangelands.

Major problems and development priorities of the community include access to electricity,
potable water, road, education and health services, and supply of agricultural inputs. The
following are suggested by participants:

 Access to information to all project stakeholders

 Providing equal opportunities to all households and community
 Awareness creation about ADELE project
 Payment of compensation and replacement of land, as needed
 Providing special support to a vulnerable group of the community

Finally, participants confirmed that they are very happy about the project and ready to
support the implementation of the proposed project in all aspects.

 Concerns raised by the bureaus for a limited budget, high initial cost, and shortage of
logistics to carry out promotion activities regarding off-grid energy technologies;
 The limited supply of quality off-grid solar technologies (solar lanterns and SHS),
 Affordability problem of the communities and limited credit facilities and manpower to
conduct study and design of solar mini-grids and to implement the projects;
 weak/inadequate coordination among the concerned stakeholders and the community
members will lose their land and livelihood due to the project’s land expropriation;
 There may be an impact on the vegetation cover of the area as a result of the project
implementation if some vegetation will be removed.

Concerns, views, and mitigation measures identified during stakeholder engagement facilitated by DBE
S/N Administration levels Consulted Stakeholders and Comments and Views Forwarded by Consultations Participants
Experts
1 Amhara Credit and Saving Institution S.C Regional, Operations Director The consulted stakeholders agree that the introduction of distributed energy systems solar home

14
2 Omo Micro Finance S.C Regional, Higher Expert systems have benefited societies, businesses, and the environment (reducing deforestation and
3 Eshet MFI Federal, Higher expert forest degradation) in the country especially areas that are far from the national grid. Such
4 Benishangul Gumuz Micro Finance S.C Regional technologies have significant benefits both for the society's health, education and, etc. (especially
5 Bussa Gonofa Micro Finance S.C Federal for women and children) and the environment.
6 Private company representative (VERA Federal, General Directors,
PLC, Universal PLC, and Bicad PLC) Managers, Experts It was also found out those key aspects of stakeholder/beneficiaries and experts on the day-to-day
7 End users (Ambo woreda and Toke Community end-users collaboration and networking for sound implementation of the solar system subprojects.
Kutaye Woreda)
Oromia Credit and Saving S.c Regional Private sectors view off-grid electric systems into three (a) home systems, (b) mini-grids, and (c)
standalone applications. Their involvement in the Solar home system and the need of the society is
very high and encouraging. But there is some bureaucracy regarding different governmental
institution like Revenues and Customers and, etc. If such issues are resolved for private sectors,
remarkable progress will be achieved in off-grid electric distribution.

The end users pointed out that the introduction of Solar systems have contributed and help to their
children’s for education, health (no indoor air pollution) the environmental protection by reducing
pressure on forest resource and minimizing the use of kerosene for lighting that have high health
impact and costs on the users. The users also benefited from clean lighting, mobile charging, and
access to media (close to information) via radios and television. Productive time is saved that
otherwise was being used for firewood collection, reduce money for kerosene, improve learning
and teaching system and health of the community. It may help also their interaction and social
networking.

The end users raised their concern that there is a gap with PSEs, micro technicians, Micro
Finances, woreda energy offices regarding maintenance and replacement as warranty tracking and
the supply of maintenance equipment does not meet the demand of the community. There is a
concern about the maintenance and battery management of an un-functional solar system.

Views of the interviewee indicated that to increase access to clean and modern energy the
introduction of solar systems has played a significant role especially in the remote and inaccessible
parts of the country. The technology possesses minimum negative impacts that are well
manageable compared to others.

15
The ADELE project implementing entities will implement this Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) at the
federal, regional, woreda, and kebele/community levels and will be adjusted to the local context that shall
be outlined in the site-specific Environment and Social Management Plans (ESMPs). The table below
summarizes potential stakeholders who have varying levels of involvement for different activities under
the proposed project components. The SEP will be updated as the project preparation and implementation
advances at different stages of the project cycle. The SEP is developed to ensure stakeholders'
inclusiveness to serves as a guiding tool for consultations and dialogue.

The stakeholders constitute the Ethiopian Electric Utility, Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and
Energy, Development Bank of Ethiopia, Micro Financial Institutions, Ethiopia Energy Authority, their
respective regional, Woreda counterparts. Further, stakeholders could encompass civil society
organizations, including associations for solar energy development and others, World Bank-financed
projects working in off-grid and solar energy projects, communities. The mapping of stakeholders,
respective interests, roles, and responsibilities will be defined and updated.

Ethiopian Electric Utility, Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Development Bank of
Ethiopia prepared and are required to implement this SEP proportional to the nature and scale of the
project and associated environmental and social risks and impacts. A draft of this SEP will be disclosed
before project appraisal. EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will seek stakeholder feedback and engagement
throughout the project life cycle, ensuring that all consultations are inclusive and accessible (both in
format, language, culture, and location) and through channels that are suitable in the local context. If
major changes are made to the SEP, a revised SEP should be reviewed, cleared by the Bank, and publicly
disclosed. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through quarterly progress reports,
to be shared with the World Bank.

7. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

The first step in the stakeholder engagement process is to identify the key stakeholders to be consulted
and involved. The stakeholders stated in this SEP include those currently associated with the ADELE
project and those who will be linked with the project at a later stage during implementation. Stakeholders
are identified and categorized into:

i) Project affected parties.

ii) Other interested parties; and,
iii) Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Stakeholders are individuals, institutions, CSOs, or groups who are affected or likely to be affected by the
ADELE and who may have an interest in the project. The term “project-affected parties" includes "those
likely to be affected by the project because of actual impacts or potential risks to their physical
environment, health, security, cultural practices, well-being, or livelihoods. These stakeholders may
include individuals or groups, including local communities". The term "Other interested parties" (OIPs)
refers to "individuals, groups, or organizations with an interest in the project, which may be because of
the project location, its characteristics, its impacts, or matters related to the public interest. For example,
these parties may include regulators, government officials, the private sector, the scientific community,
academics, unions, women's organizations, other civil society organizations, and cultural groups".
Disadvantaged/vulnerable individuals or groups are potentially disproportionally affected and less able to
benefit from opportunities offered by the project due to specific difficulties to access and/or understand
information about the project and its environmental and social impacts and mitigation strategies.

16
 EEU, MoWIE, and DBE are committed to engaging in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders,
paying attention to the inclusion of Historically Underserved Peoples2, vulnerable and disadvantaged
groups (including the elderly, persons with disabilities, female-headed households and orphans, and
vulnerable children).

The table below presents the type of stakeholders expected to engage in ADELE (EEU, MoWIE, and
DBE), with the mode of engagement and the planned schedule throughout the project cycle.

Type of Level of Frequency of

Stakeholder Method of Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement Engagement
Project Affected Direct Local See site-specific plan which will have to Multiple and
People (People identify appropriate techniques to reach these continuous
residing in project groups.
area affected by the Public meetings, separate meetings
right way). specifically for women and vulnerable; Face-
to-face individual interviews; visits to
affected vulnerable groups and individuals;
Disclosure of written information - posters,
flyers,
Information desks at woreda/ kebele offices;
Grievance mechanism, by EEU/ PIU,
Contractors, Kebele Admin.
Disadvantaged/ Direct Local See site-specific plan which will have to Multiple and
Vulnerable groups/ identify appropriate techniques to reach these continuous
individuals groups.
Public meetings, separate meetings
specifically for women and vulnerable; Face-
to-face individual interviews; visits to
affected vulnerable groups and individuals;
Disclosure of written information - posters,
flyers,
Information desks at woreda/ kebele offices;
Grievance mechanism, by EEU/ PIU,
Contractors, Kebele Admin.
Communities (not Indirect Local See site-specific plan (community Continuous
directly affected by consultations, FGD) by Woreda and/or
project activities) Kebele
Ministry of Water, IA and Federal Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Irrigation, and regulator for Media Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Energy (MOWIE) EEU Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.

2Historically Underserved Peoples, in Ethiopia, includes communities in Gambella, Afar, Ethiopia Somali, and
Benishangul, as well as in some parts of Oromiya and SNNPR.

17
 Type of Level of Frequency of
Stakeholder Method of Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement Engagement
Ethiopian Electric IA Federal Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Continuous
Utility (EEU) Community Awareness; Social Media
Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.
Development Bank IA Head Face-to-face meetings, Follow-up, Continuous
of Ethiopia (DBE) office/Branch monitoring, workshops; Social Media
and its branches Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
, telegram, Disclosure of written information
–website, Information desks.
Ethiopian Energy IA Federal Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Authority (EEA) Media Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.
An Off-Grid Unit Implementin Federal Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
(OGU) in EEU, g Agency Media Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
which will be Disclosure of written information -
tasked with the Brochures, posters, flyers, website
implementation of Information desks.
Components 2 and
4
Social service Beneficiary Federal, Woreda/ Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
providing & Kebele Media Communication - Facebook;
institutions Disclosure of written information -
(education, health, Brochures, posters, flyers, website
etc.) Information desks.
Environment, Regulatory Federal/ Meetings, Environmental and Social Periodic
Forest and Climate Regional instruments/ documents clearance, training,
Change workshops.
Commission
(EFCCC)
Battery Recycling Federal/ Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Enterprises/ Regional Media Communication - Facebook;
Individuals Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Ministry of OIPs Woreda Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Women and Media Communication - Facebook;
Children Affairs Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website, GRM
(GBV/ SHA).
Battery Recycling IA Federal/ Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Enterprises/ Regional Media Communication-Facebook;
Individuals Disclosure of written information-Brochures,
posters, flyers, website.

18
 Type of Level of Frequency of
Stakeholder Method of Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement Engagement
Small and Micro Loan-related Head Face-to-face meetings, workshops; At least
Finance Institutions activities office/branches Community awareness sessions; Social monthly
Media Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks; GRM.
Contractual / Progress Reporting
SHS Importer and Importing, Company Face-to-face meetings, workshops; At least
Distributor Distributing, /branch Community awareness sessions; Social monthly
Enterprises/Associ Installing, Media Communication-Facebook, Twitter;
ations, Installations and Disclosure of written information -
and maintenance maintenance Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Associations of SHS Information desks; GRM.
Contractual/Progress Reporting
Woreda and LGUs Local Face-to-face meetings, workshops; Social Continuous
Kebele level Local Media Communication - Facebook;
Governments3 Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website, GRM
Ministry of IA Federal Progress Reporting Quarterly
Finance (MoF)
World Bank Funding Federal Progress Reporting and Implementation Continuous,
Support Missions with,
Quarterly,
6-monthly
annual reports
Contractors Contract Federal/Local Face-to-face meetings, workshops; At least
Community awareness sessions; Social monthly
Media Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks; GRM.
Contractual / Progress Reporting
Academia Interested P. Federal Meetings, workshops; Social Media Periodic
Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.
Ethiopian society Interested P. Federal Meetings, workshops; Social Media Periodic
Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.

3Woreda and Urban Administrations are the most important local government units and are given by law the mandate for the
expropriation and acquisition of land for public benefit purposes. Responsibilities of these Administrations: (i) Pay and cause the
payment of compensation to holders of expropriated land under proclamation No.1161/2019 and provide them with rehabilitation
support to the extent possible; (ii) Maintain data of properties removed from expropriated landholdings particulars and conditions of
maintaining; (iii) Designate Property Valuation Committees; (iv) Establish Grievance Redress Committees; (v) Decides to
expropriate a landholding, it shall notify the landholder, in writing, indicating the time when the land has to be paid.

19
 Type of Level of Frequency of
Stakeholder Method of Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement Engagement
CSOs/NGOs Interested P. Federal Meetings, workshops; Social Media Periodic
Communication - Facebook, Twitter;
Disclosure of written information -
Brochures, posters, flyers, website
Information desks.

8. ADELE Stakeholder Engagement Plan - Methods and Tools

ADELE intends to utilize various methods of engagement as part of its continuous interaction with the
stakeholders. The format of every consultation activity should meet general requirements on accessibility,
i.e. should be held at venues that are easily reachable and do not require a long commute, entrance fee or
preliminary access authorization, cultural appropriateness (i.e. with due respect to the local customs and
norms), and inclusiveness, i.e. engaging all segments of the local society, including disabled persons, the
elderly, and other vulnerable individuals.
Those engagement methods shall include small size meetings at the targeted Woredas/ Kebeles and
announcements through the religious worship centers (churches and mosques) and marketplaces, Kebele
centers, health posts, etc. at the villages or localities. If a large audience is expected to attend a public
meeting or a training workshop, necessary arrangements will be made to ensure audibility and visibility of
the presentation involved. Taking records of the meeting is essential both for transparency and the
accuracy of capturing public comments. A summary description of the engagement methods and
techniques that will be applied by ADELE that presents the approaches to facilitate the processes of
information provision, information feedback as well as participation and consultation. The following
methods will be used to document the SEP processes of EEU, MoWIE, and DBE, including:

 Taking written minutes of the meeting;

 Reports
 Photography and Videos
 Questionnaires and others

9. Resources and Implementation Arrangements for the SEP

EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will mobilize human, financial, and logistics resources required to implement
the SEP and manage the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). Environmental and Social Safeguard
Experts at federal, regional levels will be the main focal points through the design and construction phase
and will follow up on the implementation of the SEP. Experts shall include stakeholder engagement
activities, including communication with the local communities and the different stakeholders to ensure
proper awareness and engagement in their periodic reports submitted to WB.

Moreover, EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will be responsible for the preparation and production of information
material concerning the project's activities and the GRM. The material resources that will be mobilized
may include, but are not limited to, a stakeholder engagement register; a Facebook page; printed
documents (manuals, brochures, posters, etc.) that will be used, based on the needs of the SEP.

20
Major Roles and Responsibilities of EEU in ADELE SEP Activities:
 Planning and implementation of the SEP;
 Leading stakeholder engagement activities;
 Management and resolution of grievances;
 Allocate adequate resources (human, logistics, and financial) for the implementation of the SEP
 Coordination/supervision of contractors on SEP activities;
 Planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Resettlement Plans (if applicable);
 Monitoring of and reporting on environmental and social performance to Project Management
and the World Bank.
10. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

The Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) addresses grievances in an efficient, timely, and cost-effective
manner, that arise in the Project, either due to actions by EEU, MoWIE, DBE, or the contractor/sub-
contractors employed, from affected communities and external stakeholders. A separate grievance redress
mechanism is developed to address worker grievances. EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will be responsible for
managing the GRM and cascade the responsibilities to contractors and subcontractors engaged with the
respective implementing entity. EEU, MoWIE, and DBE environmental and social experts shall monitor
the grievance resolution process at different levels and respective implementing entities.

Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and other potential complainants should be fully informed of the GRM,
its functions, procedures, timelines, and contact persons both verbally and through written materials
(often used Kebele Center notice boards for posting) and information brochures during consultations
meetings and other stakeholder engagement activities. EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will keep a log of the
complaints at hand.

EEU, MoWIE, and DBE will implement an effective GRM, to help third parties to avoid resorting to the
judicial system as far as possible. Complainants can seek redress from the judicial system at any time.
The step-by-step process does not deter them from approaching the courts. All grievance related
correspondence shall be documented, and the grievance resolution process will be systematically
tracked.
Basic Grievance Management Process
The Social Safeguard expert at EEU will be assigned to follow up complaints related to the project. The
complaint, to be filed, should be related to the project components and/or to its implementation and
management. The grievance resolution process involves the following main steps:
 Receipt of grievances: anyone from the affected communities or believing they are affected by
the Project can submit a grievance (written, verbal, telephone, etc. as appropriate for the
complainant).
 Registering the complaint: the focal point who received the complaint will use the GRM
logbook for registering.
 Referral and examination of complaints: a GRM Committee shall be established at each project
implementation site/ Kebele (comprising of members from EEU, MoWIE, DBE, PAPs, elders, a
representative from Woreda Women and Children Affairs office, etc.) who will examine the

21
 complaint, resolve, or refer.
 Notifying the complainant: the decision/solution/action by the grievance committee shall be
communicated to the complainant as per the stipulated timeline.
 Closing the complaint: where the decision/solution of the complaint is accepted by the
complainant, or complaint that is not related to the project or any of its components, or a
Complaint that is being heard by the judiciary will be closed following the appropriate
procedure.

World Bank Grievance Redress System

Communities and individuals who believe that they are adversely affected by the World Bank (WB)
supported project may submit complaints to existing project-level grievance redress mechanisms or the
WB’s Grievance Redress Service (GRS). The GRS ensures that complaints received are promptly
reviewed to address project-related concerns. Project-affected communities and individuals may submit
their complaint to the WB‟s independent Inspection Panel which determines whether harm occurred or
could occur, as a result of WB's non-compliance with its policies and procedures. Complaints may be
submitted at any time after concerns have been brought directly to the World Bank's attention, and
Bank Management has been allowed to respond. For information on how to submit complaints to the
World Bank’s corporate Grievance Redress Service (GRS), please visit
http://www.worldbank.org/GRS. For information on how to submit complaints to the World Bank
Inspection Panel, please visit www.inspectionpanel.org.
ADELE GRM Management Process

Process Description Time Frame Other Information

Establishment of GRM  GRM Committee will be established at the Before project Training will be
Committees at Kebele subproject kebele level comprising of members implementation provided by MoWIE
Level from local elders, beneficiaries (Women and for the GRM
Men), Woreda/ Kebele WoWIE representative, Committee members
Woreda Women Youth and children officer, EEU and beneficiaries
representative, DBE representative.
Identification of  Face to face; telephone; letter; mail; e-mail; 1 Day Telephone no., an
grievance website; recorded during public/community Email address;
interaction; others
 The grievance can also be passed through other
parties, such as the Woreda Energy and Mines
Office if the public is more conversant with this
office.
Grievance assessed and  Significance assessed and grievance recorded or 3-6 Days Significance criteria:
logged logged (i.e. in a logbook). Level 1 –one-off
 It will be prudent to have a grievance record book event; Level 2 –
where the grievances are recorded for follow up. complaint is
Grievances concerning sexual exploitation and widespread or
abuse/gender-based violence should be treated as repeated;
confidential. Only the nature of the complaint and Level 3- any
the processing outcome should be recorded. complaint (one-off or
Woreda Women, Children, and Youth Offices in repeated) that
the subcomponent implementation area will be indicates a breach of
responsible for GBV GRM. EEU, MoWIE, and law/ policy
DBE shall allocate budget to this office for

22
 capacity building and related GBV aspects.

Grievance is  Acknowledgment of grievance through 3 Days

acknowledged appropriate medium.
Development of  Grievance assigned to the appropriate party for 4-8 Days
response resolution.
 Response development with input from GRM
Committee/relevant stakeholders.
Response signed off  Redress action approved at appropriate 8-15 Days
Implementation/  Redress action implemented and update of 5-9 Days
communication of progress on resolution communicated to the
response complainant.

23