Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS) Fourth Quarter/Annual Report October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015

The project works closely with local government entities across Somalia in a rapidly changing political environment. Key events in the reporting period include the establishment of the Interim Southwest Administration of Somalia (ISWA) in November 2014, the election of Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke as the new Prime Minister in December 2014, and the formation of the Jubbaland State of Somalia in May 2015. TIS has administered 351 grants valued at $26,334,186.60, with 283 grants worth $17,228,147.52 completed or closed, and 66 grants worth $8,953,304.56 under implementation. The project facilitated 29 events, in which 2403 people from the community and government participated. Events held this quarter included six community dialogue events, one consensus-building meeting, and 18 workshops for government entities and communities. TIS also supported three new sub-national government entities by strengthening their capacity to deliver public services. The project improved the livelihoods of 175 citizens through infrastructure projects and livelihood skills training courses. TIS applied a new programming approach, which includes a tailored set of engagement criteria for rapid response programming. The project dedicated approximately $1 million for USAID's new Strategic Response Fund (SRF) almost exclusively for South Central Somalia. Security remains a continual challenge, with reduced access due to Al-Shabaab activity in Xudur, Bardale, and Garbahaarey delaying construction. Despite this setback, TIS completed the borehole in Dhobley. Road construction in Kismayo faced delays due to lack of availability of heavy equipment. Additional challenges with contractors in Garbahaarey and Galdogob led to stop work orders pending engineering adjustments to ensure the construction met TIS specifications. TIS plans to increase confidence in all levels of governance through the delivery of targeted, strategic interventions that improve service delivery for six governors offices and three ministries of ISWA. The project will continue to implement activities in the relatively new areas of Garbahaarey, Matabaan, and Galdogob. TIS will document lessons learned in a consolidated manual and capture and highlight programming impact in three-minute videos, weekly reports, snapshots, and focus group discussions. The project's programming is designed to build community consensus, strengthen government outreach to communities, and improve public service delivery. TIS promotes local administration engagement of citizens in planning, decision-making, and monitoring processes that ensure the government is responsive to the community's needs. The project strategically strengthens the delivery of public services through improved public infrastructure, equipment, and skills. TIS has made significant progress in improving the performance of local government, with a focus on building trust between local governments and their constituents. The project has strengthened the delivery of public services through improved public infrastructure, equipment, and skills. TIS has also improved the livelihoods of 175 citizens through infrastructure projects and livelihood skills training courses. The project's new programming approach includes a tailored set of engagement criteria for rapid response programming. TIS dedicated approximately $1 million for USAID's new Strategic Response Fund (SRF) almost exclusively for South Central Somalia. The project will continue to implement activities in the relatively new areas of Garbahaarey, Matabaan, and Galdogob. TIS will document lessons learned in a consolidated manual and capture and highlight programming impact in three-minute videos, weekly reports, snapshots, and focus group discussions. The project's programming is designed to build community consensus, strengthen government outreach to communities, and improve public service delivery. TIS promotes local administration engagement of citizens in planning, decision-making, and monitoring processes that ensure the government is responsive to the community's needs. The project's strategic interventions aim to improve service delivery for six governors offices and three ministries of ISWA. TIS will continue to support three new sub-national government entities by strengthening their capacity to deliver public services. The project will also improve the livelihoods of citizens through infrastructure projects and livelihood skills training courses.