KDAD Annual Report FY 2017

The project began its activities in October 2013 and manages a range of knowledge management, communications, training, assessment, and information technology systems projects. The focus is on three major platforms: Agrilinks.org, Microlinks.org, and FeedtheFuture.gov. KDAD supports buy-ins from various USAID bureaus, including the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment, the Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning, the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, the USAID Center for Resilience, and the Asia Bureau. The project includes six portfolios that manage the tasks and activities of the project: Assessing and Learning (A&L), Communications, Knowledge Management, Monitoring Infrastructure Support (MIS), Training, and Web. In FY 2017, KDAD saw significant changes at the project level and within the management team. The MIS Portfolio formally took shape to manage the BFS Feed the Future Management System (FTFMS) with the addition of a portfolio manager, a programmer, and help desk and quality assurance staff. The addition of FTFMS to KDAD marks an important evolutionary step in the project's ability to better apply information for decision making through both systems support and closer integration with the A&L portfolio. A&L began a series of analyses and data visualization efforts to bolster the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team's services to BFS. This year also marks a change in project reporting thanks to innovative use of systems and changes in routine procedures. KDAD is no longer required to submit quarterly reports to USAID, and with that reporting time freed up, KDAD has begun to focus on documenting case studies to capture learning and project experience in supporting BFS. The Operations team took on coordination and oversight of two important purchase orders. The Asia Bureau funded a study and related multimedia products of the Bangladesh Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) project to share lessons learned and techniques for engaging market systems to boost agricultural productivity. The USAID Center for Resilience also commissioned a series of country studies, workshops, and webinars to expand the knowledge base on effective approaches to strengthening resilience. KDAD provided documentation, data, and mailing lists, and also participated in a mid-project performance review requested by BFS. The review was completed in anticipation of a final report in December 2017. The KDAD Results Framework is included as Annex A, and the KDAD Indicator Table is included as Annex B. The Assessing and Learning (A&L) portfolio conducted a series of analyses and data visualization efforts to bolster the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team's services to BFS. The portfolio also supported the development of the Evidence Base for Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (EB4CLA) framework, which aims to improve the effectiveness of USAID's programs by promoting evidence-based decision making. The Communications portfolio managed the development and dissemination of knowledge products, including reports, briefs, and infographics. The portfolio also supported the development of the Agrilinks.org platform, which provides a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among agricultural development stakeholders. The Knowledge Management portfolio managed the development and implementation of knowledge management systems, including the Feed the Future Knowledge Management System (FTFMS). The portfolio also supported the development of the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) and the Global Learning and Evidence Exchange (GLEE) initiative. The Monitoring Infrastructure Support (MIS) portfolio managed the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems, including the Feed the Future Monitoring System (FTFMS). The portfolio also supported the development of the Performance Management Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMMEP) and the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The Training portfolio managed the development and delivery of training programs, including the InnoVATE program, which aims to improve the skills and knowledge of agricultural development professionals. The portfolio also supported the development of the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) and the Women's Leadership in Small and Medium Enterprises (WLSME) initiative. The Web portfolio managed the development and maintenance of the Agrilinks.org, Microlinks.org, and FeedtheFuture.gov platforms. The portfolio also supported the development of the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) and the Global Learning and Evidence Exchange (GLEE) initiative. KDAD's work in FY 2017 focused on supporting the development of agricultural value chains in Bangladesh, strengthening resilience in the face of climate change, and improving the effectiveness of USAID's programs through evidence-based decision making. The project's work in FY 2017 laid the foundation for future success and helped to achieve the goals of the Feed the Future initiative.