Sustainable Independent Media Activity, South Sudan Quarterly Report FY2023 Quarter 3 – April 1 to June 30, 2023

It is implemented by the CSM-STAND consortium, with Pact as the holder of the leader award and recipient of the AA, and IREX as implementing lead of this AA. Launched on September 1, 2022, 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. SIMA approaches sustainability from three angles: financial sustainability, institutional sustainability, and social sustainability. The activity aims to contribute to the following intermediate results (IR): 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. To achieve activity goals and objectives, SIMA empowers 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 made progress in achieving its goals. The number of USG-assisted media organizations and/or institutions that serve to strengthen the independent media or journalists has increased to 4, reaching 80% of the annual target. Additionally, the number of persons in active broadcast areas potentially reached through USAID-supported radio stations has increased to 8, also reaching 80% of the annual target. Implementation progress has been made in the following areas: 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. Cross-cutting activities, such as gender equality and female empowerment, youth development and emerging leaders, trauma-sensitivity and psychosocial support, and sustainability mechanisms, have also been integrated into the activity. Despite progress, challenges have been encountered, including implementation challenges and the need for further collaboration and coordination with technical and local partners. The activity has also made progress in stakeholder participation and involvement, with a focus on engaging with local communities, civil society organizations, and government agencies. Management and administrative issues have been addressed, and lessons learned have been documented. Planned activities for the next quarter include upcoming events and the continuation of implementation progress. The Sustainable Independent Media Activity (SIMA) is a critical component of the USAID/South Sudan Strategic Framework, aiming to improve access to credible, accurate, and reliable information for South Sudanese citizens. The activity has made significant progress in achieving its goals, with a focus on empowering radio stations across South Sudan and promoting the sustainability of high-quality, independent radio operations. The geographic coverage of the activity 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 activity has a reporting period of April 1 – June 30, 2023.