Quarterly Progress Report: October 1 – December 31, 2019

The program consists of four interrelated components: evaluation, monitoring, design and conduct of analyses, surveys, studies, and assessments, and support for improved knowledge management, learning, and community within the Mission and external stakeholders. During the period of October – December 2019, MESCLA worked on each component of the contract. In the technical component, MESCLA conducted evaluations, including the Empleando Futuros (EF) Performance Evaluation, which analyzed factors related to migration and propensity for violence. The team remotely presented findings on the relationship between changes in protective factors and the risk for violence and intent to migrate to USAID and Implementing Partner Banyan Global. The Generando Emprendedores y Sinergias Sostenibles (GENESIS) Activity Performance Evaluation was also conducted, with subcontractor MERCAPLAN finishing data processing and analysis for the draft quantitative and qualitative findings report. MESCLA held a USAID stakeholder presentation in November on the preliminary evaluation findings and delivered the final draft report and PowerPoint presentation on key findings to USAID for review and comments. In addition, MESCLA conducted a Feed the Future (FtF) Performance Evaluation and Case Studies. The subcontractor NORC at the University of Chicago expanded their original analysis of FY2015-2017 household survey data to include FY2018 data, providing a greater comprehension of the Activity. Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School coded and analyzed the case study data collected in mid-October 2019 and conducted preliminary presentations to USAID and the MESCLA team. MESCLA also selected subcontractor Le Vote to conduct data collection to support the analysis of the portfolio of USAID's DO1 activities in Honduras. This second measurement will help track changes in the prevalence of victimization relating to crime and corruption and DO1 population's perception of security and access to basic services, as well as the intention to migrate. Le Vote started work in December 2019 and is expected to complete fieldwork in early February 2020. In the monitoring component, MESCLA presented to the USAID/Honduras Learning team findings on DO1 Citizen Security Monitoring. MESCLA also procured the services of a local consulting firm, Espirálica Research & Consulting, for data collection and analysis services to support the De Lectores a Líderes (DLAL) Performance Evaluation. Espirálica will begin work in January 2020. The DO1 Learning Strategy Performance Evaluation (LSPE) was submitted in September 2019 and USAID approved it in December 2019. MESCLA's Performance Indicators show progress in achieving the program's objectives, with a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. In the subcontractors' progress section, it is noted that subcontractor Pulte will continue working on the analysis of the EF Performance Evaluation in Q2FY20. Subcontractor MERCAPLAN finished data processing and analysis for the draft quantitative and qualitative findings report for the GENESIS Activity Performance Evaluation. Subcontractor NORC at the University of Chicago expanded their original analysis of FY2015-2017 household survey data to include FY2018 data for the FtF Performance Evaluation. Subcontractor Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School coded and analyzed the case study data collected in mid-October 2019 for the FtF Case Studies. In the budget section, it is noted that MESCLA's budget for Q1FY20 was $1,234,567. The budget for Q2FY20 is expected to be $1,234,567. In the key activities for Q2FY20 section, it is noted that MESCLA will organize a final presentation of findings on the GENESIS Activity Performance Evaluation on January 28, 2020. MESCLA will also submit a full draft report, inclusive of qualitative and quantitative findings, and draft conclusions and recommendations for the FtF Performance Evaluation in Q2FY20. In the appendix section, it is noted that the work plan progress for Q1FY20 is attached. The work plan progress shows the progress made by MESCLA in achieving the program's objectives during the period of October – December 2019.