USAID PROMOTE MUSHARIKAT FY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

The project established five regional offices, four of which were led by women regional directors. Regional consultative forums were held, engaging hundreds of women civil society leaders across Afghanistan to identify critical issues limiting women's participation in society. Key highlights of the project's accomplishments include the establishment of six regional consultative forums, the selection of an initial group of project partners through a competitive process, and the delivery of the Promote Musharikat National Summit in Kabul. The summit brought together over 300 leaders from 33 provinces, who decided on the highest priority issues and formed the first coalitions centered on these issues. The project also established an innovative virtual information exchange and communications platform for coalition members, which enabled safe and effective communication among participating CSOs and activists. A women's rights education campaign, "Know Your Rights," was initiated, educating coalition members on key women's rights, laws, and international conventions. In addition, the project partnered with USAID's Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan (ALBA) to conduct a legislative process and advocacy training at the Afghanistan Parliamentary Institute (API) in Kabul. Thirteen Musharikat Coalition leaders from nine provinces participated, along with 11 project technical staff. The training covered the legislative cycle, current and proposed legislation, and points of intervention for issues-based coalitions. The project is well on its way to achieving its life of project (LOP) key indicators, with the first three coalitions established and actively working to set and deliver upon coalition goals and objectives. A total of 131 CSOs are currently engaged in the initial coalitions, exceeding the life of project target. During the first half of Year 1, the project pursued an aggressive schedule in the lead-up to the Promote Musharikat National Summit in May. The home office project management team mobilized shortly after award, and key personnel were hired and on-boarded within 30 days of award. The COP and start-up team participated in the USAID/Afghanistan Musharikat post-award conference held on October 15, 2015. The project's grants strategy and manual were updated, and staff received comprehensive grants training in advance of the issuance of Musharikat's first RFA. Review of the grants will be completed in early October. Between August and October, Musharikat held a series of organizational development and planning working sessions for the three coalitions, wherein each group crafted frameworks for their work over the coming months and received training in shaping and influencing public policy.