Quarterly Report: USAID/Mexico Local Capacity Development Activity (LCDA) Quarter 3 2016 (April – June 2016)

The project consists of two components: (1) design, deliver, and improve the Diplomado course to train Mexican CSOs and their leadership teams in necessary organizational management skills, and (2) build the capacity of Mexican implementing partner Fondo Unido México to take over the sustainable management and delivery of the Diplomado course. Component 1 of the project is a capacity building program for Mexican CSOs working on the front lines of socio-economic development in Mexico. The project has developed a certificate course (Diplomado) to train Mexican CSOs and their leadership teams in organizational management skills, processes, and tools. Institutional capacity of participating organizations is assessed utilizing LINC's PICKS organizational self-assessment tool before and after the course is completed. The Diplomado course focuses on strategic planning, program design, management, and implementation, fundraising, human capital management, financial strategy, knowledge management, board development and leadership, communication and public relations, law and ethics, and improvement and change. In this reporting period, Component 1 progressed from planning and preparation to implementation, starting the Diplomado training in April with a pilot cohort of 20 CSOs. The participants were actively involved in the course during classroom sessions, through interactive online discussions with topic experts, and through moderated peer-to-peer learning communities. The team has collected feedback from the participants in the pilot Diplomado, which has been very positive, but includes constructive suggestions for improvement. This feedback will be incorporated into plans for further Diplomado development. Regarding Component 2, LCDA staff continued to work closely with FUM to achieve progress according to the Institutional Capacity Strengthening Plan. This reporting period focused primarily on Activity Based Costing and implementation of an organization-wide timesheet system. LCDA staff have held regular meetings with FUM leadership to discuss progress and challenges in implementing the Capacity Strengthening Plan. FUM has reported that as a result of the implementation of the Plan through end-Q3, the organization has gained clarity on policies and procedures and improved internal communication. The LCDA team conducted a targeted selection process for participant organizations, and then conducted a preliminary assessment of each participating organization's institutional capacity utilizing LINC's PICKS (Pre-Investment Capacity and Knowledge Scorecard) organizational self-assessment tool. The LCDA-adapted version of PICKS scores each CSO on indicators and attributes in 8 functional areas: strategy, administration, resource development, financial management, project management, HR, governance, and strategic relations. In addition to implementing the Diplomado, the LCDA staff continued outreach activities to key stakeholders in the sector to promote the program and its sustainability. Implementation of the first Diplomado involved organization selection, with the team concluding the invitation and selection process in early April. Approximately 70 organizations were invited to apply, and 25 applications were received. The selection committee composed of representatives from USAID, LINC, and FUM reviewed the applications and selected 25 applicants to participate in the cohort, based on the following criteria: the organization's work history, results, and their capacity to address organizational change, and the organization's explanation of their training needs and the factors that motivated them to apply for the Diplomado course. The pilot cohort provided invaluable insight into how to improve future Diplomado coursework and implementation. The LCDA team conducted a preliminary assessment of each participating organization's institutional capacity utilizing LINC's PICKS organizational self-assessment tool. The LCDA-adapted version of PICKS scores each CSO on indicators and attributes in 8 functional areas: strategy, administration, resource development, financial management, project management, HR, governance, and strategic relations.