E&S Safeguards

Environmental & Social (E&S) Safeguards for the SAFER Project

The SAFER Project (Supporting Access to Finance and Enterprise Recovery) incorporates robust Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards to ensure that the project’s activities comply with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards and minimize any potential negative impacts on the environment and society. The National Treasury, in collaboration with the Apex Financial Institution and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), is committed to upholding these safeguards throughout the project lifecycle. Key E&S Safeguard Frameworks for the SAFER Project:

1. Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS): The ESMS, developed by the National Treasury, outlines the policies and procedures for managing environmental and social risks associated with financial intermediation activities under the SAFER project. The ESMS provides guidance on E&S screening, categorization of risks (high, medium, and low), and due diligence processes for sub-projects financed by the PFIs​.
2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Action Plan: This action plan focuses on preventing and addressing risks of Gender-Based Violence, including Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) that may arise from project activities. The plan establishes referral pathways for survivors and integrates GBV risk mitigation into the broader E&S safeguards framework​. 
3. Labor Management Procedures (LMP): The LMP sets forth the mechanisms for addressing labor issues in compliance with national labor laws and international best practices. It ensures the protection of workers' rights, adherence to occupational health and safety standards, and provides a grievance mechanism for addressing labor-related complaints​.
4. Social Assessment: The social assessment ensures that vulnerable and marginalized groups, including indigenous communities, are considered in project planning and implementation. The assessment identifies potential social risks and outlines measures to enhance positive social outcomes while mitigating adverse impacts​.

These frameworks ensure that the SAFER project upholds responsible environmental and social practices, mitigates risks, and promotes positive outcomes for all stakeholders, including MSMEs owned by marginalized individuals, groups and vulnerable local communities.