Annual Progress Report – FY2: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support (MELS) Activity

(IBTCI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project aims to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to undertake evaluations and assessments, and to provide technical assistance to USAID's Feed the Future (FTF) and Environmental (ENV) activities. During Quarter Four of Fiscal Year 2018, IBTCI completed several project management tasks, including the submission of quarterly activity reports, weekly calls with the Contract Officer's Representative (COR), and quarterly financial accruals. The team also submitted a draft MELS work plan for Fiscal Year 2019. Under Objective 1, the performance evaluation of Malawi Improved Seed Systems & Technologies (MISST) activities was completed. The draft evaluation report was submitted on July 2, 2018, and the final report was submitted on September 18, 2018. Additionally, the team conducted a performance evaluation of the Sustainable Livelihoods Project. Under Objective 2, the team conducted a survey for AgDiv farm level outcome indicators. The survey firm was selected on August 9, 2018, and training for supervisors and enumerators was completed on September 21, 2018. Field work for the annual survey began on September 25, 2018. The team also verified Ag Div reported indicators, submitting a revised verification report to USAID on July 10, 2018. Under Objective 3, no activities were planned for the past quarter. However, the team conducted a capacity building workshop under Objective 4, which aimed to strengthen local capacity to undertake evaluations and assessments. The workshop report was finalized and submitted to USAID on August 1, 2018, and a revised report was submitted on September 21, 2018. For Quarter One of Fiscal Year 2019, the team plans to finalize the table for the AgDiv annual beneficiary survey, submit the final survey report, and submit a plan for AgDiv indicator verification. The team will also conduct verification activity and submit a report to USAID, begin planning for next year's capacity building activity, conduct the SANE midterm evaluation, and obtain approval from USAID for the MELS work plan. The team faced no serious challenges during the past quarter, but plans to address potential issues and challenges in the upcoming quarter. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of local organizations and provide technical assistance to USAID's FTF and ENV activities in Malawi.