2023-07-15_USAID PLUS_2023Q3 Quarterly Progress Report

The program is implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP under a task order with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program focuses on three key areas: PLUS management, core funding technical activities, and USAID Mission and OU buy-in activities. PLUS management involves the program's leadership and technical delivery. In the third quarter of FY2023, the PLUS team onboarded a new Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) who will serve as the technical lead of the program. The team also brought on two new members of its consortium: Arup and the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP). These additions will enhance the program's technical delivery capabilities, particularly in areas such as urban planning and sustainable transportation. The PLUS team developed guidance for PLUS Activity Managers to ensure a consistent approach to delivery and management across technical and buy-in activities. Additionally, the team added a project page on UrbanLinks, USAID's website, to highlight the program's work and make it more accessible to a wider audience. Core funding technical activities are a key component of the PLUS program. In the third quarter of FY2023, the PLUS team received the activity buy-in scope of work and worked with USAID to develop a work plan, which was approved in early June. The work plan involves three tasks: conducting consultations with select USAID Missions, developing a report on greenhouse gas emissions associated with USAID solid waste management and ocean plastic program activities, and developing a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting guide. The PLUS team conducted five one-on-one consultations with select Missions to understand current and planned solid waste management and ocean plastic activities. The consultations revealed various initiatives across the solid waste management value chain, including waste reduction and minimization, source separation, waste collection and transportation, processing and treatment, and final disposal. The PLUS team used the consultations, existing USAID and CCBO documentation, and desktop research to begin drafting the Task 2 and Task 3 outlines. The PLUS team will finish drafting and deliver Task 2 and Task 3 outlines to USAID for initial review in early July. The team will review and respond to USAID feedback on the outlines and move forward with drafting Task 2 and 3 reports. The Task 2 report will be a 15-20-page report on greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire solid waste management value chain and mitigation opportunities and recommendations for USAID. The Task 3 report will be a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting guide with links to detailed visual or graphical explanation of existing greenhouse gas emission tools for the waste sector. The PLUS team also worked on the performance evaluation of USAID's Oceans Plastics Portfolio to inform the Save our Seas Initiative (SOSI). The team worked closely with USAID's Green Cities Division to complete the codesign of the SOSI evaluation, including the development of the USAID Evaluation Statement of Work (SOW) and the PLUS Work Plan for this activity. The evaluation SOW has been approved, and the PLUS Work Plan is in final stages, with formal approval expected in early July. In addition to these activities, the PLUS team also worked on the Indonesia IKN Forest City Planning Activity. The team submitted and presented an overview of IKN Master Plan Analysis deliverable to the Government of Indonesia (GOI), including recommendations and key findings to update the Master Plan to integrate and address key forest city concepts. The team also worked closely with GOI, USAID Inclusive Development team, and a social engagement advisor to complete a work plan, itinerary, and trip to visit Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in the IKN area. The team hosted 9 GOI officials on a study tour to DC, Atlanta, and NY, and hosted two half-day virtual trainings and an in-person, two-day training on topics including green space management, climate finance, and governance.