USAID Resilience ANCHORS Activity: Annual Progress Report FY2021

The project began in July 2020 and is scheduled to conclude in July 2025. The primary objective of the initiative is to enhance the resilience of local communities by promoting sustainable agriculture practices, improving access to markets, and enhancing environmental management. Co-creation and project design were the primary focus areas for the first three quarters of the project's first year. The project team worked closely with USAID and key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive project plan, including the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan, the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), and the Community Engagement Plan (CEP). Project inception meetings were held to ensure that all stakeholders were aligned with the project's objectives and scope of work. The project baseline survey was conducted to gather data on the initial conditions of the target communities. The survey provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by the communities, including limited access to markets, inadequate agricultural practices, and environmental degradation. The project team used this information to update the MEL plan and ensure that the project's interventions were tailored to address the specific needs of the communities. Significant milestones were achieved during the project's first year, including the signing of memoranda of understanding with rural district councils. These agreements facilitated the project's engagement with local authorities and ensured that the project's activities were aligned with the councils' development plans. Other key milestones included the development of a comprehensive project financial plan and the establishment of a project office in Harare. The project's focus on private sector engagement was a key area of progress during the first year. The project team worked closely with local businesses to identify opportunities for collaboration and to develop strategies for enhancing market access for smallholder farmers. Private sector engagement was seen as a critical component of the project's approach to promoting resource sustainability in the SEL region. Implementation challenges were also encountered during the project's first year. The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant logistical and operational challenges, including disruptions to project activities and difficulties in engaging with local communities. The project team worked closely with USAID and other stakeholders to develop strategies for mitigating the impacts of the pandemic and ensuring that the project's objectives were met. Lessons learned and good practices were identified during the project's first year. The project team recognized the importance of engaging with local communities and stakeholders in the design and implementation of project activities. The project's approach to co-creation and community engagement was seen as a key factor in the project's success, and efforts were made to build on these strengths in the project's second year. The project's financial performance was also a key area of focus during the first year. The project team worked closely with USAID to develop a comprehensive financial plan and to ensure that the project's expenses were aligned with the project's objectives and scope of work. The project's financial performance was seen as a critical component of the project's overall success, and efforts were made to ensure that the project's financial management systems were robust and effective. Overall, the USAID Resilience ANCHORS Activity made significant progress during its first year, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project's focus on co-creation, community engagement, and private sector engagement was seen as a key factor in the project's success, and efforts were made to build on these strengths in the project's second year.