FY 2021 Semi-Annual Report_COR Approved LCH edits (1)

The program provides demand-driven technical and logistical support services in program and activity design, implementation, management, evaluation, communications, and environmental compliance for LAC regional and bilateral environment, natural resource management, resilience, and energy programs. Task 1 of the LAC ESSC focuses on program and activity design and implementation support, with the objective of providing technical assistance and analysis to support regional program and activity planning, design, and implementation. Task 2 involves monitoring and evaluation of environment, resilience, and energy programs, with the objective of supporting USAID with monitoring and evaluation of environment programs in monitoring progress toward program and strategic goals and in performance evaluation. Task 3 provides logistical and planning support to organize, design, and deliver technical workshops for USAID environment staff in the LAC region. Task 4 involves gathering, analyzing, and organizing environment data and information and supporting in the dissemination of information on environmental innovations, best or promising new practices, tools, environmental compliance procedures, and resources. During the first half of fiscal year 2021, the LAC ESSC experienced significant growth in its delivery of environmental services, gaining recognition from Missions across LAC. The geographic scope of LAC ESSC task implementation includes an analysis of the entire LAC region as well as discrete work in 19 USAID LAC countries. Some of the accomplishments of the LAC ESSC since its launch include an Ecuador energy sector assessment, an Eastern and Southern Caribbean resilience assessment, a barriers to financing sustainable landscapes in Mexico assessment, a LAC environment and energy sectors trends analysis, and a retreat facilitation for the LAC Office of Regional Sustainable Development Environment. The LAC ESSC also supports the LAC/RSD/ENV team and LAC Missions to access environmental and energy sector services. The program has fully transitioned from start-up to more robust program delivery, and its accomplishments have been recognized by Missions across LAC. The LAC ESSC has implemented various activities, including trainings on remote meeting facilitation and presentation skills, the development and implementation of a LAC/RSD/ENV strategic communication plan, the creation of a messaging framework, and the support of a webinar on planning a virtual Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The LAC ESSC has also developed a project database housing cleared descriptions of LAC's environment and energy activities, along with other publicly available information, including contract number, start and end dates, and funding information. The program has gained recognition for its accomplishments and has been recognized by Missions across LAC for its support of environmental and energy sector services.