Quarterly Progress Report, April – June 2021

The project aims to improve land governance and resource management in several countries, including Mozambique, Zambia, Mexico, and others. Key accomplishments and challenges during the April-June 2021 quarter include the impact of COVID-19 on project staff, implementation of the workplan, and budget and expenditures. The pandemic affected staff productivity, delayed project activities, and resulted in increased costs. However, the project team implemented COVID-19 response activities, including remote work arrangements and enhanced health protocols. Project activities during the quarter focused on project management, project performance, and core term activities. Environmental mitigation measures and monitoring were implemented to minimize the project's environmental impact. Capacity development indicators and tools were developed to support project staff and partners. The Mobile Approaches to Secure Tenure (MAST) initiative was also implemented to improve land tenure security. In Mozambique, the project focused on management and administration, field activities, policy support, gender considerations, and sustainability and self-reliance. The project team worked with local communities to develop land use plans and improve natural resource management. In Zambia, the project focused on documenting and administering rights for economic growth, improved natural resource management, and advancing community-based planning and governance. The project also supported several completion activities, including deforestation-free cocoa in Ghana, women's economic empowerment and equality in India, and a PRINDEX sub-national assessment in Liberia. These activities aimed to improve land governance, resource management, and women's economic empowerment in the respective countries. Project-specific performance indicators were also tracked during the quarter. The project team reported progress on various indicators, including the number of land use plans developed, the number of communities benefiting from improved natural resource management, and the number of women empowered through economic activities. The ILRG STARR II IDIQ project is a collaborative effort between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Tetra Tech. The project aims to improve land governance and resource management in several countries, with a focus on women's economic empowerment and equality. The project's success will depend on the effective implementation of project activities, the development of capacity development indicators and tools, and the continued support of project partners and stakeholders.