Project Description
The EBRD is providing a sovereign loan of up to EUR 8 million to the Republic of Armenia for on-lending to the Yerevan landfill management company (the company), a special purpose company wholly owned by the city of Yerevan (the city).
The Project is co-financed by a EUR 8 million sovereign loan from the European Investment Bank ("EIB"), by an EU NIF investment grant of EUR 8 million and an Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership ("E5P") grant of EUR 2 million.
Project Objectives
The proceeds of the loans and grant will be used to finance the construction of an EU compliant landfill in Yerevan, a city of 1.1 million inhabitants.
The investment will be complemented by a TC package comprising implementation support as well as corporate development support to the company. The company will also receive support with the implementation of an Environmental and Social Action Plan as well as a Livelihood Restoration Framework.
Transition Impact
ETI score: 80
The project's transition impact derives from the following factors:
Introduction of a cost-recovery tipping fee and sustainable financing through cost- reflective waste disposal fees for residential and commercial end-users;
Establishment of a contractual relationship between the city and the company in order to promote predictability and accountability for the relevant stakeholders;
Demonstration of new environmental standards beyond the current local norms by replacing the current use of dumpsites and the promotion of hygienic and EU compliant landfill operations;
Introduction of new processes through the installation of gas capturing equipment.
Client Information
ARMENIA SOVEREIGN
The Republic of Armenia, the company and the City of Yerevan.
EBRD Finance Summary
EUR 8,000,000.00
EUR 8 million sovereign loan to the Republic of Armenia to be co-financed by a EUR 8 million sovereign loan from EIB, a capital grant of EUR 8 million from NIF and investment grant of EUR 2 million from E5P.
Total Project Cost
EUR 27,440,000.00
The total project cost is EUR 26.0 million including co-financing provided by EIB, EU NIF and E5P.
The project will also benefit from technical cooperation assignments to support corporate development of the company and help with project implementation.
Environmental and Social Summary
The project has been categorised A in accordance with the Bankis 2008 Environmental and Social (iE&Si) Policy (the project was originally considered in 2011 before the 2014 ESP was in place [note: the outcome of the Project under 2008 or 2014 E&S policies would be the same]). An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (iESIAi) package fit for the purpose of public disclosure was prepared in accordance with the Bank's Performance Requirements (iPRsi), and was disclosed locally and on the Bank's website on 24 June 2015. The approval of the local ESIA prior to the start of construction will be covenanted.
The project will result in significant improvements with regard to the quality of solid waste management services in the City; improvements to public health by reducing the vectors (rats, dogs and insects) that can spread disease; elimination of current underground fires; and reduction in noise and odours. The project will result in the subsequent closure of the current dumpsite maintained by the City, which will result in significant benefits not only for public and worker health and safety, but also for the environment. The existing dumpsite will be closed with surface sealing financed under the proposed project and additional measures to be financed by EIB under a separate arrangement.
During the preparation of the National Solid Waste Strategy, waste sorting facilities were considered as an option. Due to affordability constraints, these were not included in the Strategy. Regional sanitary landfills were selected as the most cost-efficient waste management option considering the current conditions in Armenia. Based on this solution, EBRD has been approached for the financing of the construction and operation of an EU compliant landfill in the City and the project has been structured to meet the relevant EU landfill requirements (Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfilling of waste). However, EU requirements related to waste sorting and recycling cannot be applied at the level of the project and this is considered to be outside the influence of the project under consideration. The landfill will have a liner system for protecting soil, surface water and groundwater from leachate and subsequent contamination. The leachate will be collected and recirculated to the landfill. Landfill gas will be collected and flared. To prevent surface water from being polluted, the current leachate stream from the dumpsite will be collected in the leachate reservoir. The contaminated soil of this leachate stream bed will be removed, temporarily stored and finally deposited in the new landfill when operations start.
There are around 160 - 200 people who make their living by sorting out recyclable materials on the existing dumpsite and resell it to buyers. These families live in settlements or scattered houses close to the landfill site under poor conditions. For the active waste pickers, the closure of the existing landfill means a significant loss of livelihood and economic displacement. A Livelihood Restoration Framework (LRF)has been prepared in accordance with EBRD PR5 requirements addressing the economic displacement issues.
Measures to address the potential environment and social impacts and to bring the Company's operations into compliance with the EBRD's PRs have been incorporated into the ESAP. The main issues addressed in the ESAP, among others, cover working conditions at the landfill, occupational health and safety, livelihood restoration, rehabilitation of the landfill site after closure, monitoring, stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanism.
The Company will provide the Bank with annual environmental and social reports, including updates on the implementation of the ESAP. The Bank may also conduct monitoring visits, as required.
Update (May 2022)
The procurement of landfill construction tender is expected to be completed in 2022. A Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) has been prepared covering Nubarashen and Ajapnyak dumpsites. The LRP will be updated and implemented 6 months prior to commencement of construction. A PIU consultant has been assigned to assist the Company with the implementation of the ESAP. ESAP implementation is on-going for pre-construction actions.
Technical Cooperation and Grant Financing
The Company will provide the Bank with annual environmental and social reports, including updates on the implementation of the ESAP. The Bank may also conduct monitoring visits, as required.
Pre-Signing
TC1: Technical Feasibility Study to assist the Bank with the technical, financial and operational analysis for the proposed Project. EUR 140,000, financed by the Government of Austria.
TC2: Environmental and Social Due Diligence to carry out an ESIA, including an environmental and social review of the existing facilities and activities, in accordance with the EBRDis 2008 Environmental and Social Policy. EUR 160,000, financed by the Government of Austria.
TC3: Update of Financial Projections to assist the Bank with the financial analysis for the Project. EUR 7,000 financed by the Bankis own resources.
Post-Signing
TC4: Project Implementation Unit Support, Engineering Design Services, Procurement and Contract Supervision to include assistance with the prequalification of applicants, preparation of tender documents, evaluation of tenders, contract award and contract supervision. EUR 450,000, financed by the Government of the Czech Republic.
TC5: Corporate Development Programme and Stakeholder Participation Programmes (iCDPi) to include assistance with the development and introduction of a PSC, a Financial and Operational Performance Improvement Programme (iFOPIPi) and a Corporate Business Plan. EUR 500,000, proposed to be funded by an international donor or the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund (iSSFi).
TC6: Support for Livelihood Restoration Plan and Local ESIA to support the preparation of the LRP and local ESIA and the approval process. EUR 180,000, proposed to be funded by an international donor or the SSF.
Company Contact Information
Nora Martirosyan
nora.martirosyan@yerevan.am
+ 374 10 52 09 73
www.yerevan.am
1/3 Byuzand, Yerevan 0010, Yerevan, Armenia
PSD last updated
25 May 2022
Understanding Transition
Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here.
Business opportunities
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Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
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Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
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General enquiries
Specific enquiries can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Environmental and Social Policy (ESP)
The ESP and the associated Performance Requirements (PRs) set out the ways in which the EBRD implements its commitment to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”. The ESP and the PRs include specific provisions for clients to comply with the applicable requirements of national laws on public information and consultation as well as to establish a grievance mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of stakeholders’ concerns and grievances, in particular, about environmental and social performance of the client and the project. Proportionate to the nature and scale of a project’s environmental and social risks and impacts, the EBRD additionally requires its clients to disclose information, as appropriate, about the risks and impacts arising from projects or to undertake meaningful consultation with stakeholders and consider and respond to their feedback.
More information on the EBRD’s practices in this regard is set out in the ESP.
Integrity and Compliance
The EBRD's Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) promotes good governance and ensures that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all activities of the Bank in accordance with international best practice. Integrity due diligence is conducted on all Bank clients to ensure that projects do not present unacceptable integrity or reputational risks to the Bank. The Bank believes that identifying and resolving issues at the project assessment approval stages is the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of Bank transactions. OCCO plays a key role in these protective efforts, and also helps to monitor integrity risks in projects post-investment.
OCCO is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, corruption and misconduct in EBRD-financed projects. Anyone, both within or outside the Bank, who suspects fraud or corruption should submit a written report to the Chief Compliance Officer by email to compliance@ebrd.com. All matters reported will be handled by OCCO for follow-up. All reports, including anonymous ones, will be reviewed. Reports can be made in any language of the Bank or of the Bank's countries of operation. The information provided must be made in good faith.
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
