USAID OCEAN PLASTICS REDUCTION ACTIVITY Q2 Y1 PROGRESS REPORT

This transition followed a workshop held on January 20, 2023, in Colombo, and a meeting held on February 15, 2023, with the Maldives Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology. These meetings aligned the Activity's goals and objectives with those of the respective governments and set a solid foundation for the implementation phase in both countries. The main highlights of Q2 FY2023 work included submitting a revised work plan and a project fact sheet draft, selecting provinces in Sri Lanka where the Activity will focus efforts, and organizing government sector consultative workshops in Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Activity also undertook introductory meetings with senior officials at national, provincial, local, and island levels in Sri Lanka, as well as national officials and representatives of various island councils in Maldives. Additionally, the Activity consulted with key players in the private sectors of both countries via systems mapping and technology scouting efforts, held discussions on the Project Submission Form with senior ministry officials in Sri Lanka, and met with relevant donor agencies in both countries. The Activity carried out a range of technical activities, including organizing government sector consultative workshops, conducting technology scouting exercises in Sri Lanka and Maldives, advancing private sector work, and organizing an event to launch Ocean Plastics Reduction in Maldives on March 8, 2023. The Activity also updated political economy analyses in both countries and refined the revisions to the work plan submitted during this period. The implementation of the Activity in Q2 FY2023 was marked by several challenges, including the need to refine the work plan and identify entry points for engagement with government institutions. However, the Activity was warmly welcomed by both ministries and set a solid foundation for the implementation phase in both Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Activity identified potential partnerships at all levels and refined the revisions to the work plan submitted during this period. The Activity's progress in Q2 FY2023 was also marked by several accomplishments, including the submission of a revised work plan and a project fact sheet draft, the selection of provinces in Sri Lanka where the Activity will focus efforts, and the organization of government sector consultative workshops in Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Activity also undertook introductory meetings with senior officials at national, provincial, local, and island levels in Sri Lanka, as well as national officials and representatives of various island councils in Maldives. The Activity's work in Q2 FY2023 was guided by the Activity's goals and objectives, which include reducing plastic waste in Sri Lanka and Maldives, promoting sustainable waste management practices, and supporting the development of a circular economy in both countries. The Activity's progress in Q2 FY2023 was also guided by the Activity's work plan, which outlines the Activity's objectives, activities, and deliverables for the period of January 1–March 31, 2023. The Activity's progress in Q2 FY2023 was also marked by several lessons learned, including the importance of refining the work plan and identifying entry points for engagement with government institutions. The Activity also learned the importance of consulting with key players in the private sectors of both countries via systems mapping and technology scouting efforts. The Activity also learned the importance of updating political economy analyses in both countries and refining the revisions to the work plan submitted during this period. The Activity's progress in Q2 FY2023 was also marked by several lessons learned, including the importance of refining the work plan and identifying entry points for engagement with government institutions. The Activity also learned the importance of consulting with key players in the private sectors of both countries