Trade and Competitiveness Activity (TCA) Annual Report, October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018

TCA's work is divided into five component areas: Technical Analysis, Assessments, and Diagnostics; Rapid Response and Short-Term Assistance; Communications and External Stakeholder Engagement; Knowledge Generation and Management; and Training. TCA's core activities include project mobilization, launch, and activity prioritization. Within the first month of the project, USAID and SSG Advisors d/b/a Resonance held kick-off meetings with TCA's Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Representative, and Alternate COR to provide an overview of contract terms and requirements, and discuss work planning, development of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP), and immediate TCA priorities for the first year of the project. The work plan and MELP were drafted in collaboration with TCA subcontractor SEGURA in November 2017 and submitted for review by TRR. Final deliverables for both were approved in early January 2018. TCA conducted interviews with TRR and Regional Bureau Stakeholders to identify priorities for new or upgraded TRR services, and possible activity areas for TCA in the first year of the activity. Following the stakeholder meetings, TCA staff aggregated interview findings and identified key thematic areas for possible support; TRR staff then prioritized four areas of interest through a facilitated workshop. Following the workshop, TCA staff developed technical scopes of work (SOWs) for TRR approval. These SOWs outlined key lines of inquiry, specific tasks, deliverables/products, relevant audiences/partners, staffing requirements, and estimated budgets. In Quarters 3 and 4, TCA began implementation of two SOWs that came out of the interview and prioritization process. These were: Research brief on theories of change for small and medium enterprise (SME) development; and White paper and expert roundtable on the link between Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM), trade, and effective customs reform. The TCA Project Tracker includes a list of ongoing and completed activities, including project mobilization, launch, and activity prioritization, as well as the implementation of the two SOWs mentioned above. The TCA also conducted a Market Systems Symposium 2018, which brought together stakeholders to discuss market systems and their impact on trade and competitiveness. Additionally, TCA provided Positive Youth Development Training, which aimed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in the economy. TCA also recruited an International Trade (E-Commerce) & International Trade (Standards) Expert, and conducted SME Development Research Brief, which aimed to identify the key factors that contribute to the development of small and medium enterprises. The TCA Buy-in Activities included the Africa Bureau Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Co-Creation Workshop, which aimed to bring together stakeholders to discuss the development of a new BAA. TCA also participated in the SEEP Conference, which focused on microfinance and economic development. Additionally, TCA organized Women’s Economic Empowerment Conferences in Vietnam, which aimed to promote women's economic empowerment and participation in the economy. The TCA Project Tracker also includes a list of upcoming activities, including the implementation of additional SOWs and the continuation of ongoing activities. The tracker provides a comprehensive overview of the TCA's activities and progress, and serves as a tool for monitoring and evaluation.