USAID E3/ED Agreement # GS-10F-0406P/AID OAA-M-14-00007

The project aims to build USAID's capacity to achieve Goal 3 of the USAID Education Strategy, which is to increase equitable access to education in crisis and conflict environments. The report emphasizes the importance of convening a community of practice (COP) to share knowledge and best practices in education in crisis and conflict environments. The USAID ECCN COP has been established, and the launch meeting took place on January 29, 2015, at the US Institutes for Peace in Washington DC. The meeting brought together approximately 136 people, including USAID partners, and featured presentations by Charles, Andy, and Yolande. The report also highlights the establishment of the USAID ECCN Planning Committee, which includes representatives from ABE ACCESS IDIQ consortiums and non-IDIQ holding organizations. The Planning Committee is responsible for developing the USAID ECCN Terms of Reference and selecting the USAID ECCN Steering Group. In addition, the report mentions the formation of five initial Knowledge Share Groups (KSGs) in February, including Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Building, Teacher Professional Development, and Theories of Change. Each KSG is facilitated by a member of the Support Team. The report also notes that the East Africa Regional Meeting, initially planned to take place in Nairobi in June 2015, was postponed due to conflicts and time constraints within USAID. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and coordination among partners to achieve the objectives of the EiCC project. The report highlights the following key findings: * The USAID ECCN COP has been established, and the launch meeting took place on January 29, 2015. * The USAID ECCN Planning Committee has been formed, and the Terms of Reference are being developed. * Five initial Knowledge Share Groups (KSGs) have been formed, including Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Building, Teacher Professional Development, and Theories of Change. * The East Africa Regional Meeting has been postponed due to conflicts and time constraints within USAID. The report emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration and coordination among partners to achieve the objectives of the EiCC project. The report highlights the following recommendations: * Continue to convene the USAID ECCN COP to share knowledge and best practices in education in crisis and conflict environments. * Finalize the USAID ECCN Terms of Reference and select the USAID ECCN Steering Group. * Continue to form and facilitate Knowledge Share Groups (KSGs) to share knowledge and best practices in education in crisis and conflict environments. * Postpone the East Africa Regional Meeting until a later date.