U.S. Ambassador’s Fund Program: Fortnightly Report – Oct-19-30, 2015

During the reporting period of October 19-30, 2015, SGAFP received a total of 1,821 applications, with 1 new application received under the Women’s Issues Sector. This brings the cumulative total of applications received in new priority sectors to 719 since January 2013. The applications received are distributed across various provinces, with Punjab receiving 395 applications, KPK receiving 475 applications, and Sindh receiving 244 applications. The applications are categorized under various sectors, including Women’s Issues, Cultural Preservation, Entrepreneurship, and Water Sanitation & Hygiene. The cumulative total of applications received in these sectors is 719. SGAFP shared 1 new application with USAID for initial review during the reporting period. Cumulatively, SGAFP has shared 639 applications with USAID for initial review of the Grant Review Committee (GRC). USAID's GRC did not review any applications during the reporting period, bringing the cumulative total of applications reviewed to 611. SGAFP completed the desk review of 9 applications during the reporting period, bringing the cumulative total to 1,761. SGAFP submitted 3 grant summaries to USAID during the reporting period, bringing the cumulative total to 401 fully processed grant summaries. Of these, USAID has approved 159 grants, declined 201, and has 41 cases under process. The approved grants are distributed across various regions, with AJ&K receiving 6 grants, Punjab receiving 32 grants, and Sindh receiving 23 grants. SGAFP disbursed US $135,151 during the reporting period, bringing the cumulative total to US $9.64 million (74% of approved grant funds of US $13.11 million). The province and sector-wise update on projects and funds approved and disbursed is presented in Annex IV. SGAFP's field teams and project office staff conducted field monitoring and support visits of 12 grantee organizations during the reporting period. The visits were conducted in Balochistan, Islamabad, and Sindh provinces. The field teams also conducted institutional assessments of applicants cleared by USAID GRC as part of the grant summary preparations. A consolidated summary of SGAFP's overall achievements since the start of the program in September 2010 is presented in Annex VI.