Microsoft Word - RTI International LSS for Laos - Quarterly Report Q4 FY2021 final

The project aims to provide knowledge management and capacity development services to inform decision-making for local capacity development in Lao PDR. The project has three main objectives: to provide knowledge management and capacity development services to inform decision-making for local capacity development in Lao PDR, to provide a broad range of capacity development services to USAID implementing partners and stakeholders in Lao PDR, and to establish a learning process. During the second quarter of the fiscal year 2021 (January 1 - March 31, 2021), the LSS team conducted several activities to advance the project's objectives. The team worked with the Faculty of Economic and Business Management (FEB) at the National University of Laos (NUOL) to re-design the LSS project document and request the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) to facilitate negotiations, agreement, and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RTI and FEB. The team also initiated the recruitment of a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist and continued to pilot and adapt the Participatory Local Organizational Capacity Assessment (PLOCA) process. The LSS team also improved the trainer and participant materials for the Leading from the Inside Out pilot training with the Center of Nutrition (CN) and initiated the translation of a MEL online program from English to Laotian. Additionally, the team designed and delivered a Strategic Planning and Management training with two associations in southern Laos, namely, the Salavanh of Tourism Business Association (STBA) and the State of the Hotel and Restaurant Association (CHRA). The country of Laos experienced several significant political events during the quarter, including the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the elections of the National Assembly (NA), and the inauguration of the 9th NA. The LPRP held its congress to elect the members of the party's politburo and central committee, and the NA elections were held on February 21. The 9th NA held its inaugural session and elected Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith as the new President and Mr. Phankham V. as the new Prime Minister. The LSS team worked with USAID leadership and technical staff, the Department of External Relations (DER) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE) of MOES, and the Research and Academic Office (RAO) and the External Relation Office (ERO) of NUOL to secure a project MOU. The team also updated the LSS project document, which would become the basis of an MOU between RTI and FEB. The Ministry of Education and Sports DER team organized a consultation workshop on the LSS project, which included key stakeholders. The LSS team also worked with FEB staff to discuss how LSS is aligned with the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) of the Government of Laos and the 9th Education and Sports Development Plan (ESSDP) of MOES. The team held a consultation with FEB staff to discuss the LSS project's alignment with the NSEDP and ESSDP. The Ministry of Education and Sports DER team organized a consultation workshop on the LSS project, which included key stakeholders. The LSS team also worked with USAID leadership and technical staff to update the LSS project document, which would become the basis of an MOU between RTI and FEB. The team also worked with FEB staff to discuss how LSS is aligned with the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) of the Government of Laos and the 9th Education and Sports Development Plan (ESSDP) of MOES. The LSS team also worked with the Faculty of Economic and Business Management (FEB) at the National University of Laos (NUOL) to re-design the LSS project document and request the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) to facilitate negotiations, agreement, and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RTI and FEB. The team also initiated the recruitment of a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist and continued to pilot and adapt the Participatory Local Organizational Capacity Assessment (PLOCA) process. The LSS team also worked with USAID leadership and technical staff to update the LSS project document, which would become