Quarterly Progress Report: USAID Mikajy Activity April–June 2021

The program aims to improve protected area and natural resource management, support community-based conservation-friendly enterprises and livelihoods, synergize with other development programs, operationalize decentralized natural resource management, and strengthen community, civil society, private sector, and government capacity in targeted landscapes. The program's main objective is to improve the capacity of target actors for natural resource management and protected area management to support conservation. This is achieved through the implementation of three key interventions: improved coordination and engagement among target actors, information for decision-making available and better used for natural resource management, and the establishment of sustainable finance mechanisms for natural resources management. In the quarter of April to June 2021, the program made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The target actors have improved their capacity for natural resource management and protected area management, with a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The program also supported the establishment of conservation-friendly private sector investment in target landscapes, with a total of 15 private sector investments made during the quarter. The program's activities also focused on supporting community-based conservation-friendly enterprises and livelihoods. The program provided training and capacity-building support to community associations for natural resource management transfer contracts, resulting in improved skills, resources, and certification for community participation in sustainable value chains. The program also supported the establishment of sustainable finance mechanisms for natural resources management, with a total of $1.5 million invested in community-led conservation projects during the quarter. In addition, the program synergized with other development programs to achieve its objectives. The program collaborated with USAID, USAID Hay Tao, and the US Forest Service to leverage resources and expertise, resulting in improved coordination and engagement among target actors. The program also conducted an awareness campaign on rights and responsibilities to increase the application of regulations for the use of land and natural resources, resulting in improved accountability of the judicial system and community structures. The program's monitoring and evaluation activities also showed significant progress in achieving its objectives. The program's indicator performance tracking table showed a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group, and a 60% increase in yield improvements in demonstration plots established in 15 communities. The program's success stories also highlighted the impact of the program's activities on community livelihoods and natural resource management. Overall, the USAID Mikajy Activity made significant progress in achieving its objectives in the quarter of April to June 2021. The program's activities focused on improving protected area and natural resource management, supporting community-based conservation-friendly enterprises and livelihoods, synergizing with other development programs, operationalizing decentralized natural resource management, and strengthening community, civil society, private sector, and government capacity in targeted landscapes.