USAID Child Blindness Program Year 3, Quarter 1 Report

The program is implemented by prime contractor Integrative Sciences (IntSci) and subcontractor International Eye Foundation (IEF). The contract period of performance is from August 23, 2018, to August 22, 2023. CBP utilizes a competitive global grants program to provide project funding to organizations delivering eye care to children and other vulnerable populations with limited access to sight-saving services. The program consists of two interrelated components and corresponding objectives. Component 1 aims to increase the number of children provided with quality sight-saving eye health services, while Component 2 advances the global knowledge base on best practices and innovative approaches for pediatric eye health programs. During the first quarter of Year 3 (October 1-December 31, 2020), CBP strategically optimized communications, processes, and tools to implement the third annual competitive grant selection and award cycle successfully. The program continued to execute activities for Grant Round 1, working in close coordination with active grantees to monitor impacts from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and modify program activities as needed. CBP also hired a new Grants Assistant to support the management of the rapidly expanding grant portfolio and piloted virtual site visits to sustain effective monitoring and evaluation during the pandemic. Major activities initiated or completed during the reporting period include obtaining USAID approval for nine GR2 grant packages, launching GR3 successfully, hosting four interactive webinars with GR3 applicants, receiving over 150 Letters of Interest (LOIs), and piloting innovative "virtual site visit" Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) approach. However, the program faced continued challenges resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including GR1 grantees reporting suspensions to activities due to travel restrictions, school closures, and reductions in hospital services. CBP's efforts to address the pandemic's impact on the program included working closely with active grantees to monitor impacts and modify program activities as needed. The program also required new grantees to address gender equality in their implementation efforts as a condition for receiving an award. In the coming period, CBP will continue to build upon these investments and further grow its capacity to deliver high-quality pediatric eye health programming. The program's progress is reflected in the collective actions taken by IntSci, IEF, USAID's Department for Global Health, and local grant recipients to deliver high-quality pediatric eye health services to children in need. The program's success is dependent on the continued collaboration and support of all stakeholders involved.