USAID’s Child Blindness Program YEAR 3 QUARTER 2 Report

The program is implemented by prime contractor Integrative Sciences (IntSci) and subcontractor International Eye Foundation (IEF). The contract period of performance is from August 23, 2018 to August 22, 2023. CBP utilizes a competitive global grants program to provide project funding to organizations delivering eye care to children and other vulnerable populations with limited access to sight-saving services. The program consists of two interrelated components and corresponding objectives. Component 1 aims to increase the number of children provided with quality sight-saving eye health services, while Component 2 advances the global knowledge base on best practices and innovative approaches for pediatric eye health programs. The program's objectives include expanding the availability and accessibility of quality eye health services, enhancing the administrative, technical, and financial capacity of grant recipients, and strengthening the monitoring, evaluation, and learning approach and review process of grant-funded activities. Additionally, the program seeks to expand evidence-based and innovative approaches in testing, design, and scale-up for eye health in various country contexts and broaden communication and networking platforms to share program experiences and grantee resources. During the second quarter of Year 3 (January 1-March 31, 2021), CBP marked a pivotal period of program implementation, culminating in the selection of 20 full applications for award in Grant Round 3, in addition to 2 FAs carried over from Grant Round 2, for a total of 22 FAs. This represents the largest grant pool in the program's 30-year history. CBP continued to execute and close out activities for Grant Round 1 while finalizing negotiations and launching implementation for Grant Round 2, all amid the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In preparation for the unprecedented volume of work associated with negotiating and awarding grants in Grant Round 3, CBP strategically expanded and integrated additional staffing, expedited timelines, and adapted tools and processes further, drawing on lessons learned from the previous two cycles. As a result of these key investments, coupled with clearer communications with USAID regarding approval processes and requirements, CBP is confident of its capacity to execute negotiations successfully in line with the program's financial, programmatic, and strategic goals and objectives. The report details the main activities implemented during the January 1–March 31, 2021 timeframe and reinforces the collaborative efforts among IntSci (prime contractor), IEF (subcontractor), USAID's Department for Global Health, and local grant recipients to deliver high-quality pediatric eye health services to children in need. Major activities initiated or completed during the reporting period include the fully executed and launched nine grants under Grant Round 2-specific interventions, the completion of the Grant Round 3 Phase II-FA Review and Evaluation Committee meeting, and the launch of a formal Steering Committee to oversee preparations for the program's activities. CBP's collaborative efforts have resulted in the expansion of quality eye health services, enhanced capacity of grant recipients, and strengthened monitoring and evaluation approaches. The program's strategic investments and adaptations have enabled it to execute negotiations successfully, ensuring the delivery of high-quality pediatric eye health services to children in need.