Quarterly Report 10, Year 3 – January 2016 – March 2016: Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development and Investment - Capacity Building (BALADI CAP)

This marked the completion of a two-year capacity-building program. To assess the degree of institutional change and progress achieved by Cohort 1 partners, BALADI CAP conducted final 24-month Post-Benchmark Assessments. The results showed that 85% of Cohort 1 partners exceeded their performance targets as set in the BALADI CAP Activity M&E plan. The assessments revealed significant progress in key component areas, including institutional development, financial management, and program management. The majority of Cohort 1 partners demonstrated a high level of institutional change, with many exceeding their targets in multiple areas. The results of the Post-Benchmark Assessments are detailed in Annex 2. A Graduation Ceremony was held on April 1, 2016, to commemorate the completion of the program. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including the USAID Mission Director, the U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires, and the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Bureau. Each Cohort 1 partner received a certificate indicating their successful completion of the program, along with individualized policy and procedure manuals. Under the CBC component, BALADI CAP also finalized the selection of its Cohort 2 CSO partners and conducted a Kick-Off event on March 18th to launch the second round of its capacity development program. Representatives from all 13 new Cohort 2 partners attended the event to become oriented on the program and technical assistance that will be provided. The BALADI CAP team also completed introductory visits with all new Cohort 2 partners and 11 out of 13 initial Benchmark Assessments, with the remaining 2 assessments to be completed. The BALADI CAP team has made significant progress in implementing its capacity-building program, with a high level of institutional change and progress achieved by Cohort 1 partners. The program's success has been recognized by high-ranking officials, and the team is poised to launch the second round of its capacity development program with Cohort 2 partners. The Capacity Building Component (CBC) of the BALADI CAP program has been providing training and technical assistance to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Lebanon. The program's goal is to build the capacity of CSOs to effectively manage their programs and institutions. The CBC component has been working with two cohorts of CSOs, with Cohort 1 completing its two-year capacity-building program in the second quarter of Year 3. The BALADI CAP team has been conducting Benchmark Assessments and developing Action Plans for Cohort 2 partners. The assessments aim to determine the degree of institutional change and progress achieved by the CSOs. The results of the assessments will be used to develop tailored technical assistance and support to help the CSOs achieve their goals. The program's success has been recognized by high-ranking officials, including the USAID Mission Director, the U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires, and the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Bureau. The BALADI CAP team has been working closely with the CSOs to build their capacity and support their development. The program's success has been recognized by high-ranking officials