FY2021 QUARTER 3 PROGRESS REPORT: Feed the Future Kenya Livestock Market Systems Activity - Expanding Economic Opportunities Award (AA1)

The program focuses on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening institutions, and promoting collaborative action and learning for market systems change. The program operates in five target counties in Northern Kenya: Isiolo, Marsabit, Garissa, Turkana, and Wajir. During the quarter of April 1 to June 30, 2021, the program achieved several key accomplishments. Private sector engagement was accelerated to promote productive and sustainable sectors, and joint monitoring visits were conducted by the program and county governments to build ownership of the activities. The program also strengthened Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), cooperatives, and Livestock Marketing Associations. In addition, the program engaged in local partnerships to strengthen county governments' institutions and departments and empower communities towards inclusive and transformational development. The program worked jointly with the Strengthening Communities Capacities (AA2) award to implement mutually reinforcing activities, addressing some of the impediments that affect people and communities to benefit from economic activities. Key highlights from Quarter 3, FY 2021 included the joint monitoring of LMS activities by four of the five counties, which resulted in strengthened shared vision and relationships between leaders, policymakers, and citizens. The program also spearheaded the validation and completion of the COVID-19 business stimulus grants verification of 567 businesses in four LMS counties. Furthermore, the program trained 15 Livestock Marketing Associations on leadership and governance, resulting in improved management of the markets. Despite the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program supported 3,572 individuals with market system development initiatives and reached 7,489 individuals during the financial year 4. The program's commitment to transparency and accountability was demonstrated through the co-creation of workplans with county governments, which resulted in the alignment of proposed activities to county government sectoral priorities. The program's qualitative impact was evident in the strengthened relationships between leaders, policymakers, and citizens, as well as the improved management of markets and the increased support for market system development initiatives. The program's quantitative impact was also significant, with 567 businesses verified for COVID-19 business stimulus grants and 15 Livestock Marketing Associations trained on leadership and governance. The program's focus on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening institutions, and promoting collaborative action and learning for market systems change has contributed to the improvement of livelihoods for rural communities in Northern Kenya. The program's achievements demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability and its ability to adapt to challenging contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.