Capacity Building for the FATA Development Program: Sixth Quarterly Report, July – September 2009

The project seeks to support the building of civilian/paramilitary cooperation in FATA development, build capacity of FATA institutions to plan, implement, and manage funds, and communicate effectively with constituents and communities to ensure that development initiatives are aligned with local needs and expectations. During the quarter of July - September 2009, the project made concerted efforts to realize its deliverables and commitments despite serious security risks. Key highlights include the finalization of the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) composition in consultation with key stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Nominations were secured from key private sector representative bodies in NWFP for membership to IPB, and CBP will facilitate the registration of the board in the next quarter, subject to the availability of funds. The project also initiated a Labor Policy Study to identify changes that need to be made to the existing labor laws to comply with Core Labor Standards (CLS). Along with the study, CBP facilitated a Labor Policy Workshop to seek stakeholders' feedback and recommendations on key aspects of CLS as given in ROZ legislation. Later, an Inception Report delineating the major findings of the Labor Policy Workshop was submitted by the CBP. In addition, the project installed, configured, and optimized all software related to USAID's Activity Tracking System (ATS) in the US Consulate of Peshawar. CBP organized two orientation workshops on GIS ATS with USAID partners, including PAIMAN, Save the Children, Safe Drinking Water, LDP North, LDP South, and CBP Staff. The objectives of these workshops were to introduce partners to the improved version of the GIS system and to test the system through use by the partners. The project also carried out 219 monitoring visits in continuation to its mandate of establishing a Monitoring and Verification (M&V) framework for select USG projects in FATA. Furthermore, CBP facilitated seven training courses benefiting 92 staff from FATA Secretariat and FDA, with pre and post training evaluations administered to assess the amount of knowledge acquired in these trainings. During the quarter, CBP team completed LAN connectivity for the FDA main building and its sub-offices. FATA Secretariat has five blocks (buildings) in Peshawar, and this quarter, IT networking was successfully established in two blocks of the FATA Secretariat. In total, CBP has provided networking for the FDA Main Building, for two sub-offices of FDA, and for two blocks of the FATA Secretariat. The project also delivered 486 pieces of IT equipment to the FS and FDA, with the number of IT equipment distributed to public sector partners since the project's inception being: FS (328), FDA (273), and Government of NWFP (57). Additionally, CBP collected 393 PC-Is (both hard and soft copies) from the FATA Secretariat covering all 15 sectors of FATA ADP 2008-09. In Component D, CBP completed a database on "FATA-based CSOs Directory," which contains short descriptions and contact details of all partner CSOs within FATA. Twenty-one grant proposals were approved by the COTR, pertaining to the institutional support and development of strategic plans of FATA-based CSOs. CBP also facilitated three training sessions in which 59 community representatives participated, focusing on strengthening proposal writing, financial management, and IT-related skills. Using POCAT, CBP facilitated an institutional assessment and strategic planning sessions for 6 CSOs of FATA. In Component E, the Civil Military Coordination Committees (CMCCs) based in Bajaur Agency and Mohmand Agency were established. The project portfolio for Bajaur Agency was approved, including thirteen projects, including 6 water-supply rehabilitation projects and 7 electricity distribution rehabilitation projects. During the quarter, CBP held extensive meetings with all key stakeholders to secure their buy-in on CMO Doctrine and CMAG. A list of potential members of CMAG was prepared and shared with Joint Staff Head Quarters. A final list will be available after approval is received from the concerned stakeholders. In Component F, CBP facilitated production and broadcast of 79 programs of 'Da Ulas Ghag' (Voices of People) from Radio Peshawar. Additionally, 78 studio-based programs of 'Kadam Pa Kadam' (Step by Step) were produced and broadcasted from PBC Peshawar, and 94 Peace Radio Programs were broadcasted from Radio Burraq. CBP also facilitated 7 training sessions that benefited 25 media professionals of FATA. During the quarter, CBP facilitated the establishment of radio station, 'Amn' (Peace) in Mardan.