Georgia Human and Institutional Capacity Development Activity - FY2021 Annual Report

The activity is implemented by The Kaizen Company in conjunction with its local subcontractors, including Policy Management and Consulting Group, GEC JSC, GEPRA, TBSC Consulting, PMO Business Consulting, Development Evaluation and Progress Assessment Consulting, GeoWel Research, and Personnel Management Center. The HICD Activity operates a Center of Excellence, a dynamic hub providing USAID Georgia's partners with diverse HICD knowledge, tools, research, and support to implement continuous improvement efforts. The activity's objective is to achieve lasting results in the human and institutional capacity development of key strategic partner institutions in Georgia, which play an important role in fulfilling the country's development objectives. During Year 1, the HICD Activity has successfully completed administrative and logistical start-up procedures. The activity team, in close coordination with USAID implementing partners and the USAID/Georgia Mission, researched the needs of key strategic partner institutions in Georgia. This research informed the development of a comprehensive work plan, which outlines the activity's objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes. The HICD Activity has established partnerships with various institutions in Georgia, including the Civil Service Bureau, Public Defender of Georgia, Georgian Association for Public Opinion and Research, Elections and Political Processes Implementing Partners, Mediators' Association of Georgia, Georgian National Competition Agency, Sakpatenti, the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and others. These partnerships are critical to the activity's success, as they enable the HICD Activity to provide targeted support to key strategic partner institutions in Georgia. The HICD Activity has also established a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system, which enables the activity to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. The MEL system includes a range of tools and methodologies, including performance indicators, data collection and analysis, and stakeholder engagement. In response to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the HICD Activity has adapted its implementation approach to minimize close contact with partners, service providers, and other counterparts. The activity has shifted to virtual means of communication, which has enabled the team to maintain social distance and continue with daily project activities. Overall, the HICD Activity has made significant progress in its first year, establishing partnerships with key strategic partner institutions in Georgia, developing a comprehensive work plan, and establishing a robust MEL system. The activity is well-positioned to achieve its objectives and make a lasting impact in the human and institutional capacity development of key strategic partner institutions in Georgia.