Semi-Annual Progress Report: Capacity Building of Cambodia’s Local Organizations Program

The program is implemented under the leadership of IESC, with VEGA serving as the lead implementer, in partnership with Kanava International. The program's primary objective is to improve the ability of local organizations to effectively implement USAID-funded activities. The CBCLO Program is supported by USAID/Cambodia's Office of Finance Management (OFM) and is allocated $2,180,851 USD, including $216,171 USD in cost share. The program's period of performance is from February 7, 2014, to February 6, 2019. The program's ultimate objective is achieved through two components: targeted capacity building to Cambodia's local organizations and support to USAID/Cambodia's Annual Program Statement (APS) mechanism. During the reporting period from February 7, 2014, to September 30, 2014, the CBCLO Program underwent start-up operations, including the hiring of local staff, attending the post-award conference, and establishing the program's operations and personnel manual. Initial drafts of the CBCLO Work Plan and M&E Plan were submitted on May 7, 2014, and final versions were accepted by USAID on June 20, 2014. The program also developed training curriculums for USAID Standard Provisions for Non-US Based Organizations and basic M&E concepts, which were used in two training sessions and two outreach events. On July 24, 2014, the CBCLO Program organized an event to formally introduce the program and provide greater clarity on the standard provisions of USAID. IESC Volunteer Expert, Ms. Pamela Stevens-Hayden, presented on the "Why and How of U.S. Foreign Aid" and the USAID Standard Provisions for Non-US Based Organizations. On July 31, 2014, an outreach event was hosted at the CBCLO's office in Phnom Penh for 15 participants from 9 USAID partners and sub-partners. During the event, Ms. Pamela Stevens-Hayden provided a half-day training on USAID Rules and Regulations, with particular emphasis on tips for identifying if an organization's current policies fully addressed all the necessary USAID regulations. Additionally, Ms. Angela Wasson, M&E Director at IESC HQ, conducted a one-week trip to the CBCLO field office to provide M&E capacity building to CBCLO's M&E Manager, Ms. Leakhena Ith. The CBCLO Program is on target to achieve project goals, with major achievements including the completion of start-up operations, submission of the Work Plan and M&E Plan, development of training curriculums, and hosting outreach events. The program's progress toward results is summarized in the following objectives: Objective A, Strengthen Institutional Capacity of Local Organizations, and Objective B, Support USAID Grant Mechanisms. The program's performance indicators are also summarized, highlighting the program's progress toward achieving its objectives.