Sustainable Independent Media Activity, South Sudan Quarterly Report FY2023 Quarter 1 – October 1 to December 31, 2022

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 will contribute to three intermediate results: IR 1, Increased access to credible information by South Sudanese citizens leading up to and beyond national elections; IR 2, Increased sustainability of independent commercial and community radio operations; and IR 3, Improved quality of reporting from journalists and broadcasters. As of the end of the reporting period, SIMA had submitted the first version of its Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) to USAID, but had not finalized indicators or targets. Progress toward indicators will be more effectively assessed beginning in Q2. The program 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. SIMA will empower radio stations across South Sudan, focusing on Abyei and the 13 priority counties of the USAID/South Sudan Strategic Framework. The program will contribute to the following intermediate results: IR 1, Increased access to credible information by South Sudanese citizens leading up to and beyond national elections; IR 2, Increased sustainability of independent commercial and community radio operations; and IR 3, Improved quality of reporting from journalists and broadcasters. The program's geographic coverage 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. SIMA's goal is to improve access to credible, accurate, and reliable information for South Sudanese citizens by promoting the sustainability of high-quality, independent radio operations. The program will empower radio stations across South Sudan, focusing on Abyei and the 13 priority counties of the USAID/South Sudan Strategic Framework.