Pact/ADVANCE Programmatic Report for Quarter 2 of FY09

The project's primary objectives are to strengthen civil society organization (CSO) capacity for effective program and financial management, increase CSO capacity for effective advocacy for key policy reforms, and strengthen public-private partnerships to fight corruption through public oversight agencies and initiatives. The project is funded by USAID/Nigeria under the Strengthened Foundations for Democratic Governance (SO11) program, with a total estimated contract/agreement amount of $8,000,000.00. As of the end of Quarter 2 of Fiscal Year 2009, the project had obligated $7,623,848.00, leaving an effective pipeline amount of $1,291,420.00. During the quarter, Pact Nigeria supported existing partner CSOs through fund disbursements, oversight, and mentoring. The organization processed no-cost extension modifications for several partner CSOs and finalized the capacity building workplan for the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre (IMC). Pact also held a strategic planning training workshop for IMC and continued to provide technical assistance and mentoring to partner CSOs in project implementation and reporting. In addition, Pact Nigeria continued to track cost share contributions of CSO partners and processed the financial close out of completed but unclosed projects. The organization prepared and released the latest subgrants Request for Application (RFA), which focused on building on the progress made by the ADVANCE program in FY 08 in the context of the ADVANCE FY 09 work plan and prevailing ADVANCE budget and USAID Nigeria priorities. The ADVANCE project has made significant progress in strengthening CSO capacity for effective program and financial management, increasing CSO capacity for effective advocacy for key policy reforms, and strengthening public-private partnerships to fight corruption through public oversight agencies and initiatives. The project has also demonstrated its commitment to transparency and accountability through the release of the latest subgrants RFA and the provision of regular mentoring and oversight support to partner CSOs. The project's success can be attributed to the strong partnership between Pact Nigeria and the CSO partners, as well as the effective management and oversight provided by Pact Nigeria. The project's continued progress and success will depend on the ability of the CSO partners to effectively implement their projects and the continued support and oversight provided by Pact Nigeria. In the next quarter, Pact Nigeria plans to continue providing regular mentoring and oversight support to partner CSOs, track cost share contributions of CSO partners, and process the financial close out of completed but unclosed projects. The organization also plans to continue implementing the ADVANCE FY 09 work plan and prevailing ADVANCE budget and USAID Nigeria priorities.