Quarterly Performance Report #8: PREPA Preparação Laboral para Jovens

The program aims to improve livelihood opportunities for highly vulnerable in- and out-of-school youth and members of their household. The program's objectives are to strengthen the employability and entrepreneurship skills of youth, strengthen life skills through training, particularly related to HIV prevention and adolescent reproductive health, and improve collaboration and build local capacity through alliances, partnerships, and exchanges among training institutes, youth-serving organizations, and the private sector. The target group includes orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) between the ages of 15 and 18, youth up to 24 years of age living with HIV and receiving anti-retroviral treatment (ART), and their household members (up to age 24) who are caregivers or provide economic support. The program has been implemented in two phases: the Pilot Phase in 2012 and the Program Redesign and Expansion Phase in 2013. The program has been redesigned to allow programming in Maputo province and to expand livelihoods interventions. During the current reporting period, UPA finalized a new partnership with health organization AMODEFA by signing the convention drafted in the previous quarter. Under this agreement, AMODEFA will provide testing, counseling, and male circumcision services to PREPA youth. UPA also established partnerships with two local health clinics in Boane District, AMODEFA and Boane District Health, Women and Social Action Services (MMAS). These partnerships will inform beneficiary selection and awareness seminars related to HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and family planning. As of December 31, 2014, USAID had not yet issued a modification to the PREPA cooperative agreement for a no-cost project extension to June 30, 2015. The fixed fee program contract for ICEM had also not been approved by the end of the calendar year. As a result, PREPA spending and implementation are behind the planned schedule. Once the no-cost extension has been approved by USAID, IYF hopes to award the program contract and two additional FOGs as soon as possible, depending on their approval by the Agreement Officer. IYF staff and partners focused their efforts on the following grant activities during the current reporting period. UPA conducted training activities under FOG #1, including Cycle 1 PTS, Cycle 2 PTS, and Cycle 2 vocational training. A total of 680 youth were enrolled, and 659 completed the training. UPA also conducted training activities under FOG #2, including Cycle 3 PTS, Cycle 3 vocational training, Cycle 4 PTS, and Cycle 4 vocational training. A total of 752 youth are expected to be reached through these grant activities. The PREPA program has made significant progress in strengthening OVC linkages under PEPFAR. UPA has partnered with local clinics and NGOs that work directly on HIV/AIDS, including Hixikanwe, KUBATSIRAN, and KUFUNANA. These organizations have supported UPA in strengthening its HIV/AIDS lessons and support for youth. The program has also established partnerships with two local health clinics in Boane District, AMODEFA and Boane District Health, Women and Social Action Services (MMAS). These partnerships will inform beneficiary selection and awareness seminars related to HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and family planning.