Integration, Collaboration, Monitoring, Evaluation (ICME) Activity, Annual Report FY 2021

(IBTCI) in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mexico. The program's primary objective is to facilitate collaboration between USAID activities, integrate USAID/Mexico development objectives, promote interagency collaboration, and utilize evidence for decision-making. The ICME Activity is organized into three components: Monitoring and Related Analysis, Surveys, More In-Depth Analyses, and Evaluation, and Integration, Collaboration, and Facilitation of USAID/Mexico and other USG activities. Component 1 focuses on monitoring and analyzing relevant data from USAID partners and other sources to advance collaboration, learning, and adaptation. Component 2 involves conducting performance evaluations of USAID activities, as well as more in-depth surveys and analyses to understand specific topics. Component 3 facilitates collaboration between USAID implementing partners, as well as between USAID and other USG activities, to help USAID and its partners operate effectively within their local systems and sustain results. During the reporting period of October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, ICME implemented activities in Mexico City and conducted fieldwork in the states of Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Saltillo. The program's technical activities were organized around task areas and activities, including Rule of Law monitoring support, Analysis of external data and indicators on anti-corruption, and Mexico Private Sector Landscape Assessment. ICME personnel changes occurred during the reporting period, with the addition of new staff members, including Veronica Lara as Knowledge Management Specialist, Armando Rojas as Program Associate, and Sandra Medina as Program Manager. Consultants were also hired to support specific activities, including Mr. Óscar Padilla for Rule of Law monitoring support, Mr. Aarón Grageda for Analysis of external data and indicators on anti-corruption, and Ms. Mariam Baquedano to support the ongoing technical activities related to the Mexico Private Sector Landscape Assessment. The ICME Activity also conducted a meeting with the USAID/Mexico Mission Director, the new Deputy Mission Director, the Program Officer, and ICME's Contracting Officer's Representative. The Mission Director discussed the new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and mentioned ICME's improved delivery with regard to the capacity development evaluation. ICME representatives spoke of implementation challenges, including respondent fatigue and a limited pool of Mexican technical experts with USAID experience. The ICME Activity's personnel and consultants worked together to implement the program's activities and achieve its objectives. The program's progress and accomplishments are reflected in the indicator progress, accomplishments, and overall status, which are discussed in the following sections.