Stability In Key Areas (SIKA)-West Agreement No: AID-306-C-12-00004 FY2014 Quarter III July 31st, 2014

The program is designed to assist provincial authorities and district-level government entities in improving government performance in the area of stabilization programming and providing priority basic services to increase citizen confidence in and support for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). The SIKA-West program is led through the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), in collaboration with Overseas Strategic Consulting Ltd (OSC) and International City/Country Management Association (ICMA). The program's objective is to train and assist District Entity (DE) officials and provincial authorities in developing a better understanding of community problems using the Stabilization Analysis Mechanism (SAM)/District Stability Matrix (DSM) and monitoring of stability trends. The program focuses on three key interventions: developing a better understanding of community problems, finalizing District Project Portfolios (DPP) and successfully carrying out select projects that enhance stability and good governance, and continuing the design and implementation of communication strategies that improve the relationship between provincial authorities, DEs, and their citizens. The program is active in the provinces of Farah, Badghis, Herat, and Ghor, with a focus on 16 target districts. During the reporting period of April, May, and June 2014, the SIKA-West program achieved several key results. In stabilization programming, 42 GIRoA-led Komite Sobate Woleswali meetings were held, providing an opportunity to identify and discuss district community "major problems" and propose solutions. In communications and public outreach programming, the district entities successfully completed 62 public outreach activities, including producing factsheets, conducting coordination meetings, and disseminating awareness-raising messages. The program also made significant progress in community development programming, with 295 grants valued at $6,673,380 approved across all 16 target districts. These projects include rehabilitation of irrigation canals, road networks, and culverts, schools, and boundary walls, flood protection walls, and gabions. As of the reporting date, 190 grants projects valued at $2,580,560 have been completed, with 80 projects valued at $3,280,468 currently being implemented. In governance programming, the SIKA-West Governance Department mentored 160 District Government staff in the SIKA-West districts of operation, improving inventory/record keeping, organizational charts, report writing, and computer skills training. The program also made progress in gender mainstreaming programming, targeting gender awareness initiatives and training programs, improving women's access to DEs, and creating space for female voices and participation. However, the program faced several challenges during the reporting period, including low attendance by DDA members at Komite Sobate Woleswali meetings, restricted movement due to the Presidential Election, and security incidents in some districts. The program also implemented a work-from-home policy for project staff due to security restrictions, resulting in a reduced number of field activities being implemented. The SIKA-West program has made significant progress in promoting stability in key areas of Afghanistan, with a focus on improving government performance, providing priority basic services, and enhancing community development. The program's achievements in stabilization programming, communications and public outreach programming, community development programming, governance programming, and gender mainstreaming programming demonstrate its commitment to supporting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its efforts to improve governance and stability in the country.