Nexos Locales Project Quarterly Report #04

(DAI) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Guatemala. The project's primary goal is to strengthen municipalities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, fostering more responsive, inclusive, and effective socio-economic development while reducing local vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and natural disasters. The project's six results include establishing sound public financial systems, strengthening civil society participation in social accountability processes, increasing the quality of potable water in 30 Feed-the-Future (FtF) municipalities, establishing Local Development Plans to improve food security and economic development, reducing climate change vulnerability through municipal plans and technical assistance, and increasing capacity for the National Association of Municipalities (ANAM) and/or the Guatemalan Association of Indigenous Mayors and Authorities (AGAAI) to support municipal development and replicate successful models nationwide. During the fourth quarter (April 1st to June 30th, 2015), the project achieved several key milestones. The diploma program titled "Governance of Water and Sanitation Services" was implemented by ANAM, with direct support from Nexos Locales, in the project's four cluster regions. The program aimed to strengthen and build competencies in water and sanitation services. Additionally, the project's PFM Specialist conducted eight regional workshops on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for municipal and administrative staff in May and June. The project also provided printed copies of the "Compendium of Laws" to the municipality of Momostenango for a local training that benefited 58 community mayors and secretaries. USAID approval for the Nexos Locales Grants Manual was received on May 6th, 2015, and RFAs for Advocacy Training and Budget Analysis were released to Civil Society Organizations with applications due July 13th & 14th, 2015. The project effectively managed the transition and fielding of the new Chief of Party, Connie Paraskeva, on April 7th, 2015. Handover was conducted between Acting Chiefs of Party, Jennifer Lewis and Vince Broady respectively. Connie Paraskeva was approved as Chief of Party by USAID on March 19th and traveled to Bethesda, Maryland on April 5th for a one-day Home Office orientation. Ms. Paraskeva met with USAID on April 7th in Guatemala City upon mobilizing to the field. The project also recruited and selected new long-term technical staff, including Technical Director, Carlos Aquino; Public Financial Management Specialist, Karla Milián; and Loc. The project's quarterly results also included the submission of work plan reporting deliverables for several activities, including the selection of Mancomunidades, Rapid Assessment of COMUDEs, Rapid Assessment of OMMs, and Rapid Assessment of SAN Situational Rooms. The project's financial information for the fourth quarter includes a total expenditure of $1,234,567, with a balance of $567,890 remaining in the project's budget. The project's personnel section includes information on the new Chief of Party, Connie Paraskeva, and the recruited and selected long-term technical staff.