Sustainable Independent Media Activity Quarterly Report FY2023 Quarter 2

72066822LA00002. The program aims to improve access to credible, accurate, and reliable information for South Sudanese citizens by promoting the sustainability of high-quality, independent radio operations. SIMA approaches sustainability from three angles: financial sustainability, institutional sustainability, and social sustainability. The program's goal is to empower radio stations across South Sudan, focusing on Abyei and the 13 priority counties of the USAID/South Sudan Strategic Framework. In Year 1, SIMA plans to implement activities through coordination and collaboration with technical and local partners in Abyei and 7 of the priority counties: Baliet, Wau, Jur River, Kapoeta North, Budi, Leer, and Mayendit. As of the end of the reporting period, SIMA has achieved 40% of its annual target for the number of USG-assisted media organizations and/or institutions that serve to strengthen the independent media or journalists. A total of 4 media organizations have been assisted, exceeding the baseline of 0 and meeting the quarterly target of 4. SIMA's implementation progress is being monitored through the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP). The program is also implementing Cross-Cutting Activities, including Increased access to credible information by South Sudanese citizens leading up to and beyond national elections (IR 1), Increased sustainability of independent commercial and community radio operations (IR 2), and Improved quality of reporting from journalists and broadcasters (IR 3). The program has also made progress in addressing implementation challenges, including collaborating with local partners and adapting to the changing context in South Sudan. Additionally, SIMA has integrated cross-cutting issues and USAID Forward priorities, including Gender Equality and Female Empowerment, Youth Development and Emerging Leaders, Trauma-Sensitivity and Psychosocial Support, and Sustainability Mechanisms. The program's stakeholders have been actively involved in the implementation process, and the management and administrative issues have been addressed. Lessons learned from the program's implementation have been documented, and planned activities for the next quarter have been outlined, including upcoming events and how the implementing partner has addressed the AOR's comments from the last quarterly or semi-annual report. The geographic coverage of the program includes the following counties and areas in South Sudan: Abyei Administrative Area, Central Equatoria: Juba County, Eastern Equatoria: Kapoeta North and Budi counties, Jonglei: Akobo, Duk, Pibor, and Uror counties, Western Bahr-el Ghazal: Wau and Jur River, Unity: Panyijar, Leer, and Mayendit, and Upper Nile: Ulang and Baliet counties. The reporting period for this quarterly report is January 1 – March 31, 2023.