The proposed project is consistent with the goals of GEF Biodiversity Objective 1 "Improve Sustainability of Protected Area Systems" (BD1) and specifically the BD1 Focal areaImproved management effectiveness of existing and new protected areas Increased revenue for protected area systems to meet total expenditures required for management. The PA network in Sulawesi, as in the rest of Indonesia, is characterised by low levels of management effectiveness and the PAs are not adequately distributed across the landscape to properly represent the island's key terrestrial ecosystems. The project seeks to strengthen PA management in the endemic- rich Sulawesi island group and reduce threats to biodiversity in the PAs by putting in place measures to ensure that the highly unique and globally important biodiversity of Sulawesi will be safeguarded from existing threats to its biodiversity. By strengthening the core PA management and increasing conservation outcomes in Sulawesi, the project will serve to increase the overall effectiveness of the national PA system in which Sulawesi plays a key part. Furthermore, the project will directly contribute to the implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA), in particular: Goal 1.1: To establish and strengthen national and regional systems of protected areas integrated into a global network and to make a contribution to globally agreed goals; Goal 1.4: To substantially improve site-based protected area planning and management; Goal 2.1: To promote equity and benefit sharing; Goal 2.2: To enhance and secure involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders; Goal 3.2: To build capacity for the planning, establishment and management of PAs; Goal 3.4: To ensure financial sustainability of PAs and national and regional systems of PAs; Goal 4.1: To develop and adopt minimum standards and best practices for national and regional PA systems; and Goal 4.2: To evaluate and improve the effectiveness of PA management. The Project, furthermore, directly contributes to achievement of the Aichi Targets, in particular under the strategic goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. It contributes to Target 11 through increasing significantly the coverage and connectivity of the PA system in important regions with high biodiversity importance and significant ecosystem services, and by increasing management effectiveness of the PA system in a way that is integrated into the wider landscapes. As a signatory of the CBD and other related multilateral environmental conventions, the Government of Indonesia is committed to biodiversity conservation. The project will directly support the 2003 Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP). More specifically, it directly supports implementation of the following programmes under the IBSAP. Programme1.3 for improving the effectiveness of conservation area management based on partnership and local community participation, namely; 1.4 for developing community capacity in biodiversity management; 2.12 for developing funding strategy for biodiversity conservation and management within the IBSAP framework; 3.11 for improvement in the effectiveness conservation area management and conservation in small islands; 4.10 for improving law enforcement to protect conservation areas, including Biosphere Reserves; 4.16 for developing capacity in biodiversity valuation for local government apparatus. In addition, the project is fully in line with the National Action Plan for PAs, covering the period 2010 - 2015, directly implementing a number of priority actions that go towards meeting the five-year objectives. These include:Build and strengthen long-term support for PA protection and management amongst local people and the broader community, and improve management of PAs where possible through involvement of communities and other stakeholders; Ensure that PA management is supported by strong institutions that are recognised as priorities in government planning and budgeting processes, and that are well coordinated at national, provincial and district levels; Ensure that PAs in Indonesia have adequate funding for effective management by 2014 and that systems are in place to sustain and increase this funding for the future development of the PA system; Well trained staff with capacity to effectively implement all PA management functions by 2014; Improve effectiveness of PA management through regular systematic evaluation; Develop a comprehensive M&E system that provides effective feedback to policy-makers and managers on lessons learned regarding management strategies and which meets local, national and international reporting requirements. Furthermore, the project will directly contribute to achievements of the targets under the Five Year Strategic Plan of the Directorate Natural Resources Conservation and Ecosystem of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry covering the 2010-2014 period, including: Development of BLU (General Service Unit) in the 12UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) to support financial sustainability of national parks; 5% Reduction of conflict and pressure on protected areas; 3% increase in population of priority species compared to 2008 baseline estimates; 20% reduction in threats to biodiversity on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Sulawesi; and increase in nature tourism by 60% compared to the 2009 baseline.