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

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is being implemented by AECOM International Development. The program focuses on four key areas: governance and stability, access to GIRoA services, communication and outreach, and government services and development projects. The governance and stability component aims to improve the capacity of provincial and district entities to deliver services and promote stability. This is achieved through the hiring and training of stability specialists, conducting training of trainers for SIKA and MRRD staff, and providing technical assistance to districts on stabilization issues. The access to GIRoA services component aims to improve the capacity of provincial line directorates to collect, manage, and report information about projects and services. This is achieved through providing training to provincial line directorates, assisting provincial and district entities to establish productive relations, and institutionalizing projects and service reports with GIRoA counterparts. The communication and outreach component aims to improve the communication capabilities of provincial and district entities. This is achieved through periodically collecting existing population and demographic research, identifying communications management needs, and developing communication strategies to support program teams. The government services and development projects component aims to improve the capacity of district entities to identify, design, and implement development projects. This is achieved through submitting grants manuals and activity flow charts for USAID, conducting initial development research and assessments in communities and districts, and providing capacity building and technical assistance to help district entities prepare grant application packages for priority projects. The program also focuses on capacity building, which involves assessing capacity, identifying gaps, and preparing capacity building plans. This is achieved through developing capacity building materials and expertise, delivering training and other capacity building support, and evaluating results for continuous improvement. In terms of results, the program has achieved significant progress in promoting stability and governance in the region. The program has also made significant progress in improving the capacity of provincial and district entities to deliver services and promote stability. Additionally, the program has improved the communication capabilities of provincial and district entities and has helped district entities to identify, design, and implement development projects. The program has also made significant progress in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The program has implemented gender pilot activities in various components, including governance and stability, access to GIRoA services, communication and outreach, and government services and development projects. These activities have helped to improve the participation and representation of women in decision-making processes and have promoted women's access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Overall, the Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) South program has made significant progress in promoting stability and governance in the region. The program has improved the capacity of provincial and district entities to deliver services and promote stability, improved the communication capabilities of provincial and district entities, and promoted gender equality and women's empowerment.