FY 2021 Q2 Quarterly Report: January 1 – March 31, 2021 for Shejeh Salam (Promoting Peace)

The initiative began its program implementation in the reporting period, with four grants cleared, one completed, and two initiated. The completed activity, a peace conference in Pieri, Jonglei State, was well-received by its participants and encouraged the design of two additional grants. Shejeh Salam conducted a two-week orientation program in Juba for its entire staff, providing training on USAID and DT Global systems, processes, and procedures. The initiative also opened three new offices in Akobo, Leer, and Wau and mobilized its field staff, including Regional Program Managers and Grants and Procurement Officers. Shejeh Salam operationalized its security platform by engaging a contractor for various security services, including static guards, security training, and project risk manager services. The initiative approved several deliverables, including the Activity Manual and annexes, Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, Environmental Manual, and Project Safety and Security Plan. Shejeh Salam also began recruiting for a construction expert to be based in Juba in preparation for infrastructure-focused activities anticipated for Year 2. The Jonglei Peace Conference, supported through JON001, was the first Shejeh Salam activity completed during the reporting period. The conference led to an agreement signed between Dinka, Nuer, and Murle participants representing their respective communities from Greater Jonglei. This agreement resulted in the return of 60 abducted children. Shejeh Salam funding provided the necessary resources for the logistics of the meeting to successfully proceed. The initiative reinforced the importance of close coordination with partners, as seen in the successful implementation of the Jonglei Conference. Shejeh Salam's flexible and dynamic approach to grant making and the utility of the Rapid Response Mechanism were highlighted in this instance. The initiative also emphasized the need for partners to start the System for Award Management (SAM) registration process in advance to avoid unnecessary delays. In the coming quarter, Shejeh Salam expects to complete the Activity Baseline Report and Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion Analysis. The initiative aims to clear a minimum of 10 grants in Q3 with a commitment of more than $350,000. Shejeh Salam will also begin recruiting for a construction expert to be based in Juba in preparation for infrastructure-focused activities anticipated for Year 2. The initiative's first activity completed during the reporting period was the Jonglei Peace Conference, which led to an agreement signed between Dinka, Nuer, and Murle participants representing their respective communities from Greater Jonglei. This agreement resulted in the return of 60 abducted children. Fifty-three of the active participants in the Pieri meeting count towards one of the Shejeh Salam indicators. The baseline will be completed in Q3, laying the foundation for many of the activity indicators. Shejeh Salam's establishment of field offices in Akobo, Leer, and Wau was a critical step in furthering the design and clearance of new grants and achieving the initiative's objectives. Field staff have begun the work of introducing the Activity to key stakeholders and cementing Shejeh Salam as a foundational peacebuilding partner. The initiative's flexible and dynamic approach to grant making and the utility of the Rapid Response Mechanism were highlighted in the successful implementation of the Jonglei Conference.