Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) South / Monthly Report – AUGUST 2014

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is being implemented by AECOM International Development. The program's scope encompasses four intermediate results: IR1 Governance and Stability, IR2 Access to GIRoA Services, IR3 Communication and Outreach, and IR4 Government Services and Development Projects. Key provincial events and engagements in August 2014 were reported in the provinces of Kandahar, Hilmand, Uruzgan, Nimroz, and Zabul. In Kandahar Province, the SIKA team conducted a stability analysis workshop for the district of Panjwai, while in Hilmand Province, the team provided technical assistance to the district of Nawa on stabilization issues. In Uruzgan Province, the SIKA team facilitated an inter-district entity meeting to exchange information and best practices. The program's implementation is focused on several key activities, including hiring and training a stability specialist's team, conducting training of trainers for SIKA and MRRD staff, and updating stability workshop frameworks with lessons learned. The program also aims to provide technical assistance to district entities on stabilization issues, indicators, and trends, as well as facilitate inter-district entity meetings to exchange information and best practices. In terms of access to GIRoA services, the program is working to improve the capacity of provincial line directorates to collect, manage, and report information about projects and services. The program is also assisting provincial and district entities to establish productive relations and institutionalize projects and service reports with GIRoA counterparts. The program's communication and outreach activities include periodically collecting existing population and demographic research, identifying communications management needs for provincial and district entities, and assisting to develop communication strategies to support the program teams. The program is also conducting rolling communication and outreach training activities for provincial and district entities and assisting provincial authorities and district entities to prepare and implement communications activities. In terms of government services and development projects, the program is working to submit grants manuals and activity flow charts for USAID, conduct initial development research and assessments in communities and districts, and work with district entities to identify DPP projects. The program is also providing capacity building and technical assistance to help district entities prepare grant application packages for priority projects and obtaining project approvals. The program's capacity building activities include assessing capacity, identifying gaps, and preparing capacity building plans, developing capacity building materials and expertise, and delivering training and other capacity building support. The program is also evaluating results for continuous improvement and implementing gender pilot activities. Monitoring and evaluation activities are an essential component of the program, with a focus on tracking progress and results against established indicators. The program is also implementing gender pilot activities to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Overall, the SIKA South program is making significant progress in enhancing stability in key areas of Afghanistan, with a focus on governance and stability, access to GIRoA services, communication and outreach, and government services and development projects. The program's implementation is being closely monitored and evaluated to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and making a positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens.