Monitoring, Evaluation, and Coordination Contract (MECC): Accelere! Partnerhip Review Findings Report

Agency for International Development Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (USAID/DRC) Monitoring, Evaluation and Coordination Contract (MECC). The two events were part of a two-day USAID/DRC field visit to Bukavu that centered around the official launch of USAID/DRC's new Integrated Youth Development Activity (IYDA), also known as ADIJ. The Youth Cluster Collaboration Workshop was held on Monday, November 19, 2018, and brought together select Implementing Partners (IPs), ADIJ representatives, and the USAID/DRC delegation. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration among the youth cluster, which includes organizations working on youth development, education, and employment. The event provided a platform for IPs to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination. The Implementing Partners (IP) Meeting was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, and brought together all IPs operating in Eastern DRC and the USAID/DRC delegation. The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination, and enhancing the effectiveness of IP activities. The event also provided an opportunity for IPs to share their progress, discuss challenges, and receive feedback from the USAID/DRC delegation. The MECC contract is a five-year agreement implemented by International Business and Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI) and its subcontractor, Management Systems International (MSI), to provide monitoring, evaluation, analytic, coordination, and research services to two primary USAID initiatives in the DRC. The contract supports Mission-wide objectives and provides analytical tools and services that allow the Mission to undertake performance management. The Youth Cluster Collaboration Workshop and the IP Meeting are both part of MECC's technical and logistical support to USAID/DRC under the agency-wide Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) agenda. The CLA agenda aims to advance the broader Agency organizational learning and development policy effort, and MECC supports USAID/DRC in the implementation of three types of events under CLA, including partner workshops/meetings, learning and sharing events, and an annual portfolio review workshop. The USAID/DRC delegation for this field visit included eight staff members, and MECC also attended the site visit and the launch to accompany USAID/DRC throughout the events. The full schedule of the two-day USAID/DRC field visit to Bukavu included a site visit to two Alternative Learning Centers, a meeting with the Sud-Kivu Governor, the Youth Cluster Collaboration Workshop, the IP Meeting, and the ADIJ Launch Ceremony. The MECC agreement emphasizes the importance of collaboration, learning, and adapting in the implementation of USAID/DRC's programs and activities. The two events covered in this report demonstrate MECC's commitment to supporting USAID/DRC in achieving its objectives and improving the effectiveness of its programs. The recommendations from the Youth Cluster Collaboration Workshop and the IP Meeting may be useful for USAID/DRC in planning future field visits and/or field-based partner meetings and workshops. The events highlighted the need for continued collaboration and coordination among IPs, as well as the importance of sharing best practices and lessons learned.