Quarterly Report 5 (FY2014, Q1) for Building Human and Institutional Capacity in Albania

The project's overarching goal is to support Albania's European integration through strengthened democratic institutions and inclusive economic growth. BHIC focuses on building capacity to address two Development Objectives: strengthened rule of law and improved governance, and conditions created for broad-based, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth. By the end of the three-year period, BHIC aims to achieve several results, including strengthening the performance of at least 5 Albanian central and local governmental organizations, 15 non-governmental organizations and private sector entities, and building the performance of at least 45 leaders and 45 technical specialists. The project also aims to improve the performance of at least 5 government institutions and 15 non-governmental institutions by removing barriers or constraints to improving performance. During the first quarter of FY2014, BHIC made progress towards its goals. The project hired two staff members, including a senior project coordinator and a program officer, and a consultant to develop a grants management manual. Assist Impact also developed a poster and brochure highlighting examples of capacity building programs and continued to refine documentation for the financial management center in Sarajevo. The project received guidance from World Learning on compliance and PIA training, and began to develop proposals for other projects. BHIC's achievements during this period are summarized in the following indicators: 1) Number of government institutions receiving capacity building assistance, 2) Number of non-governmental institutions receiving capacity building assistance, 3) Number of government institutions that have removed a barrier/constraint to improving performance, 4) Number of non-governmental institutions that have removed a barrier/constraint to improving performance, 5) Number of leaders trained, mentored, receiving technical assistance or grants, 6) Number of technical specialists trained, mentored or receiving technical assistance or grants, 7) Number of leaders whose performance has been improved, and 8) Number of technical specialists whose performance has been improved. The project's main activities during this period included project management, capacity building, and technical assistance. BHIC continued to refine its documentation and financial management systems, and began to develop proposals for other projects. The project also received guidance from World Learning on compliance and PIA training, and began to develop its own contracting with US partners.