USAID Enhance Activity: Risk Mitigation Plan – Y2

The Activity is funded by USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia and aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments and nongovernmental stakeholders in citizen-centric governance. The objectives of the Activity include strengthening communications, networking, and learning among government and nongovernmental stakeholders to increase innovations that will amplify citizen voice and accountability in local governance, and ensuring wider adoption and/or institutionalization of successful local innovations that support citizen-centric governance. The Activity is implemented throughout Thailand in select provinces, municipalities, and districts in Thailand's Deep South, North, and Northeast regions. The program operates in a complex and evolving period of Thailand's political, economic, and social development. Despite having transitioned away from direct military rule following the national election in 2019 and recent local elections, many policy and service-delivery decisions that impact citizens and are best made at the local level are still being decided at the national level. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017 enables citizens to participate in community decision-making processes, collaborate with local administrative units, and sign petitions to government agencies. The Prime Minister's Office provides statutory guidance whereby hearings are required for government programs related to economic and social development or to public health, way of life, and local community as a stakeholder. Ministry of Interior regulations specify citizen involvement in local planning and budgeting, and transparency in governance is supported through the Official Information Act 1977. The USAID Enhance Activity's Risk Mitigation Plan recognizes that certain risks, such as political instability, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and financial instability, are inherently outside the control of the Activity, USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia, Activity stakeholders, or in-country partners. However, the Activity aims to anticipate, plan for, and control these risks to the degree possible, and identify, analyze, and mitigate them if they materialize. The Risk Mitigation Plan will be reviewed and updated periodically, including summaries to be incorporated into annual work plans, as part of a holistic approach to risk management and mitigation and as consistent with the Activity's incorporation of collaboration, learning, and adapting strategies. The Activity's Risk Mitigation Plan is prepared for the second year of implementation from September 22, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The plan clarifies the roles and responsibilities for risk management and mitigation associated with this plan. Risks and control and mitigation measures will be tracked and reported on as part of Activity monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and with revisions to this Risk Mitigation Plan. The plan also recognizes the importance of collaboration, learning, and adapting strategies in addressing risks and uncertainties associated with the Activity.