Quarterly Progress Report: USAID Mikajy Activity FY’2021 Q1

The activity is divided into five strategic approaches, each with specific key results. Strategic Approach 1, Improve Protected Area and Natural Resources Management (NATURE), aims to enhance the capacity of target actors for natural resource management and protected area management. Key Result 1.1 reports that target actors have improved capacity for natural resource management and protected area management to support conservation. Key Result 1.2 indicates that improved coordination and engagement among target actors have been achieved, with coordination mechanisms for protected areas in the landscape established. Strategic Approach 2, Support Community-Based, Conservation-Friendly Enterprises and Livelihoods (WEALTH), focuses on increasing conservation-friendly private sector investment in target areas. Key Result 2.1 reports that conservation-friendly private sector investment has increased in target areas. Key Result 2.2 indicates that communities have skills, resources, and certifications to participate in sustainable value chains. In the Menabe region, the activity has made significant progress in implementing the strategic approaches. In Strategic Approach 1, target actors have improved capacity for natural resource management and protected area management to support conservation. Key Result 1.2 reports that improved coordination and engagement among target actors have been achieved, with coordination mechanisms for protected areas in the landscape established. Strategic Approach 2 has also shown positive results in the Menabe region. Key Result 2.1 reports that conservation-friendly private sector investment has increased in target areas. Key Result 2.2 indicates that communities have skills, resources, and certifications to participate in sustainable value chains. The activity has also made progress in synergizing with other development programs, operationalizing community-based land and resource tenure policy, and strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders to advocate for and engage in improved community-based land and natural resource management. In terms of targets of opportunity, the activity has identified several areas for further development, including the promotion of gender and youth participation in conservation efforts and the integration of global climate change considerations into the activity's programming. The activity has also engaged in collaboration and knowledge sharing with other USAID activities, the government, and other stakeholders. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are ongoing, with a focus on assessing the activity's progress and impact. In terms of administration, the activity has a robust human resources system in place, with a focus on staff development and training. Procurement and administration and finance functions are also well-established. Overall, the USAID Mikajy Activity has made significant progress in its first quarter of implementation, with positive results in all five strategic approaches. The activity continues to work towards its goals of improving protected area and natural resources management, supporting community-based conservation-friendly enterprises and livelihoods, synergizing with other development programs, operationalizing community-based land and resource tenure policy, and strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders to advocate for and engage in improved community-based land and natural resource management.