Quarterly Performance Report: October 1 – December 31, 2021

Key project staff were recruited, and subgrants to project partners, Panos and Bloggers, were fully executed. The development and completion of foundational documents have paved the way for activities to begin in the next quarter. The project has received approval to implement activities in six of Zambia's ten provinces: Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Lusaka, Muchinga, and Southern. Nineteen radio stations, consisting of community, commercial, and faith-based stations, have been selected to receive support. Additionally, a five-member Advisory Council (AC) has been established, comprising three males and two females. The AC has a two-year mandate to guide the strategic work and will hold an inaugural meeting in the next quarter with consortium partners. The AC members bring diverse expertise, including community activism, diplomacy, law, communications, and media consulting. Their roles will be crucial in shaping the project's direction and ensuring its alignment with USAID's objectives. The project's focus on strengthening independent media, promoting digital literacy, and creating inclusive online spaces is expected to have a significant impact on Zambia's media landscape. The project's implementation will involve a range of activities, including journalism training programs, public interest story production stipends, and digital literacy and safety trainings. These initiatives aim to enhance the capacity of media professionals, promote freedom of expression, and create a more enabling environment for independent media. The project's success will depend on the effective collaboration between project partners, the Advisory Council, and the Government of the Republic of Zambia. In the next quarter, the project will focus on implementing these activities and achieving the desired outcomes. The project's performance will be closely monitored and evaluated to ensure that it meets the expected standards and contributes to the development of a vibrant and inclusive media ecosystem in Zambia.