USAID SELARAS Quarterly Progress Report: Year 1, Quarter 1

The program is implemented under the USAID-Bappenas Grant Implementation Agreement (GIA) Urban Water, Sanitation, Solid Waste and Hygiene (UWASSH), signed on December 30, 2020. The GIA supports the Intermediate Result 3.2 Urban Environmental Management Strengthened of the USAID-GOI Bilateral Development Cooperation Framework (BDCF) 2020-2025. The USAID SELARAS team uses a strategic system approach to target high-impact, catalytic interventions and customize activities by evaluating enabling factors, identifying champions, and co-designing solutions. The team provides technical assistance to the Government of Indonesia, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to achieve five objectives: (1) Strengthened Solid Waste Sector Governance and Financing; (2) Improve and Expand Solid Waste Management Services; (3) Strengthen Local Markets and Businesses for Plastic Waste; (4) Improved Social Behaviors and Practices Toward Inclusive and Sustainable Solid Waste Management; and (5) Improve Systems for Tracking and Reducing Methane Emission from Indonesia's Solid Waste Sector. This is the first quarterly report for the USAID SELARAS Activity, covering the period of October 16, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The work conducted during this period was operational and foundational in nature rather than technical. The Activity focused on establishing relationships with various stakeholders and partners, including USAID Indonesia, various ministerial directorates that play a role in the solid waste management sector, and other sector-relevant donor projects. The Activity also focused on putting together the initial suite of contractual deliverables. Key personnel were recruited and personnel were identified for short-term technical assistance. The site selection process was initiated, and coordination with the Government of Indonesia was established. The Activity also began to develop a strategic systems approach to address the solid waste management challenges in Indonesia. The USAID SELARAS Activity aims to support Indonesia in achieving its development goal of reducing ocean plastic pollution by improving urban solid waste management through public institution strengthening and private sector partnerships. The Activity will work closely with the Government of Indonesia, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to achieve its objectives and contribute to the country's development goals. The Activity's objectives are aligned with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024 target of 80 percent of waste handling and 20 percent of waste reduction in urban areas, as well as the National Waste Management Policy and Strategy (Jakstranas) target of solid waste reduction by 30 percent and solid waste handling by 70 percent nationwide. The Activity will also contribute to the reduction of the country's contribution to ocean plastic pollution by 70 percent by 2025. The USAID SELARAS Activity will be implemented over a period of five years, with the first quarterly report covering the period of October 16, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The Activity's work will be operational and foundational in nature, with a focus on establishing relationships with various stakeholders and partners, developing a strategic systems approach, and putting together the initial suite of contractual deliverables.