USAID MITRA KUNCI INITIATIVE QUARTERLY REPORT JANUARY – MARCH 2021

The initiative is implemented under the Youth Power IDIQ Contract AID-OAA-I-15-00014, with the primary goal of enhancing the employability and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. The program is led by DAI Global, LLC, and is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The initiative focuses on several key areas, including partnership engagement and knowledge sharing, leveraging public and private sector resources, and employment and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. The program involves a range of activities, including the development of a platform for community-based learning, the provision of technical assistance to partners, and the facilitation of youth councils for PYD advocacy teams. One of the key objectives of the initiative is to equip university students with entrepreneurship skills, with a focus on developing an e-learning platform for KKN/PKL-TKWU. The program also aims to engage the private sector in promoting gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and inclusive workforce development, through coordination and cooperation with private sector partners in three provinces. The initiative also places a strong emphasis on employment and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, with a focus on gathering accurate data on persons with disabilities at the community level, expanding access to data on internships, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities, and empowering disabled persons organizations (DPOs) at the district level. The program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with notable achievements including the development of a platform for community-based learning, the provision of technical assistance to partners, and the facilitation of youth councils for PYD advocacy teams. The initiative has also engaged with a range of stakeholders, including private sector partners, universities, and disabled persons organizations. The USAID Mitra Kunci Initiative has also faced several challenges, including the need to address the limited availability of data on persons with disabilities and the need to engage with private sector partners in promoting GESI and inclusive workforce development. However, the program has implemented a range of solutions to address these challenges, including the development of inclusive guidelines for TVET and private sector partners. The initiative has also made significant progress in terms of personnel and operations, with a strong team in place to implement the program. The program has also established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, with regular reporting and evaluation of progress towards the program's objectives. Overall, the USAID Mitra Kunci Initiative is a significant program aimed at promoting inclusive workforce development in Indonesia. The initiative has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, and has implemented a range of solutions to address the challenges it has faced. The program is well-positioned to continue making a positive impact in the lives of persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in Indonesia.