Monthly Report August 2012

The project awarded 26 grants, with 40 applications short-listed for submission to the PSC for approval. Technical reviews were completed for 170 applications received in response to the third grants cycle. The project staff worked with USAID-approved applicant organizations to improve their applications and meet requirements prior to awards. The awards process involved technical evaluations, facilitation of GMC and PSC meetings, revisions of applications, and preparation of summaries for submission to the USAID. The project staff processed applications for awards, which were pending under the second grant cycle. Monitoring and evaluation work increased, with the receipt of grantees' reports, review of reports, backstopping, approvals of project staff hired by sub-grantees, development of PMPs, and compliance with pre- and post-award conditions. Grantees started reporting their activities and progress during the month. The project staff planned M&E visits to be carried out in September 2012. Capacity building teams prepared for and implemented capacity building activities, including a 3-day training workshop in Islamabad and preparations for a quick impact training workshop for education sector grantees. Preparations were made for the fourth and fifth cycle solicitations, with draft program descriptions developed for potential themes. The procurement process for two official cars and security equipment remained under process due to technical issues related to specifications or procedural requirements. A revised procurement plan was drafted and submitted to the USAID on August 30, 2012, incorporating furniture and equipment to be purchased under the amended contract, including provision for the Election Information Monitoring System (EIMS). The project staff worked with USAID-approved applicant organizations to improve their applications and meet requirements prior to awards. The number of total awards at the end of August 2012 stood at 26, which was likely to substantially increase within a month or so. The project staff processed applications for awards, which were pending under the second grant cycle. Capacity building teams prepared for and implemented capacity building activities, including a 3-day training workshop in Islamabad and preparations for a quick impact training workshop for education sector grantees. TAF made progress in negotiating terms and conditions for partnerships with selected universities for instituting courses meant for the capacity building of development sector organizations. The project staff planned M&E visits to be carried out in September 2012. Grantees started reporting their activities and progress during the month. The monitoring and evaluation work picked up during the month, especially in terms of receipt of grantees' reports, review of reports, backstopping, approvals of project staff hired by sub-grantees, development of PMPs, and compliance with pre- and post-award conditions. Preparations were made for the fourth and fifth cycle solicitations, with draft program descriptions developed for potential themes. Several ideas for potential themes were collected, and some of those were turned into draft program descriptions. The fourth cycle would be announced as soon as the USAID approval is received, and preparations for relatively larger grants through the fifth cycle remained underway.