Quarterly Report (Year 3, Quarter 1: April 1 to June 30, 2015) for the Evaluation, Research, and Communication (ERC) Project

The purpose of ERC is to create, expand, and communicate the results of evidence-based knowledge around best practices in land tenure and property rights (LTPR). ERC aims to enhance internal USAID and external USG learning, guide program design and implementation, and make the most effective use of limited development resources to accomplish key USG development objectives. The project supports achievement of USAID's Climate Change and Development Strategy under Strategic Objective 1, Intermediate Result 1.2, which includes ensuring the rights and engagement of local and indigenous communities in conjunction with a focus on improving tools and capacity for land-use planning to reduce deforestation. ERC also supports biodiversity conservation through collection and dissemination of evidence-based knowledge on how secure land tenure and property rights can incentivize sustainable land use and protection of valuable ecosystems. ERC employs a multidisciplinary approach that aligns with USAID Forward principles of learning and evidence-based programming as well as gender equality and female empowerment. The project includes five task areas: impact evaluations, research, communication, training, and pilot activities. ERC's work plan meeting with the LTRM Office took place on April 29 in Landover, Maryland, where ERC presented a vision for Year 3 activities that seeks to accomplish multiple, related goals. The proposed Year 3 work plan would build on research activities in Years 1 and 2 to increase the evidence base related to land tenure and resource governance programming. This would happen through the development of journal articles and policy briefs that leverage data collection from baseline and endline analysis under Tasks 1 and 2. The work plan also suggested continued improvements to and enhancements of ERC communications activities, including additional webinars, new tools, continuation of the e-newsletter and photo contests, as well as the development of new Issue Briefs and updates to priority Country Profiles. An important component of ERC's Year 3 activities will be the launch and maintenance of USAID's first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on land tenure and property rights. The MOOC will provide a platform for USAID staff and partners to learn about LTPR principles and programming approaches. ERC's work in Year 3 will focus on planning and preparation for activities, leveraging the analysis and reporting related to the growing evidence base resulting from ERC IE work, and expansion of activities under the two ERC pilot activities. ERC's quarterly report highlights the progress made in the first quarter of Year 3, including the work plan meeting with the LTRM Office and the development of a vision for Year 3 activities. The report also provides an overview of the proposed Year 3 work plan, which aims to build on research activities in Years 1 and 2 and increase the evidence base related to land tenure and resource governance programming.