USAID Solutions for Peace and Recovery Quarterly Report, Q2 FY2020 (January – March 2020)

The project began on August 30, 2016, and has been extended for two option years, through August 29, 2021. During Quarter 2 (Q2) of Year 4 (Y4), SPR effectively transitioned from the base period to the first option year. Resolution of budget constraints for startup of the option year period at the end of Q1 allowed SPR to finalize and submit its Y4 work plan and budget; revised monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan (MELP); revised performance indicator table (PIT) for the life of project (LOP); and grants packages for Y4 for USAID approval. Other priorities included completing a quarterly planning session for SPR staff, providing induction and refresher training for selected grantees, hosting USAID's field monitoring visit and consultations to inform the upcoming country development cooperation strategy (CDCS), presenting SPR's results and achievements by local partners and beneficiaries at the Amani Festival, and continuing data collection on conflict dynamics and resolution initiatives undertaken by the project's local peace and development committees. Key approvals and results this period include revised monitoring, evaluation, and learning documents approved by SPR's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The approved documents take into consideration base years and the option period. SPR also received approval of its Y4 work plan and budget. Nine grant awards were onboarded, with onboarding sessions taking place and five partners receiving their first payment to begin implementation in early March. Training on preventing sexual abuse and exploitation was held in February 2020, with a capacity-building session for all staff and partners on protection against sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation and ensuring a respectful workplace. The project's overall achievement against its revised PIT rose from 87 percent to 89 percent at the end of Q2. Progress toward targets is at 96 percent for Objective 1, 102 percent for Objective 2, and 69 percent for Objective 3. As the project made substantial progress during the base years, some of the indicators continue to exceed LOP performance targets. However, the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic late in the quarter severely impacted SPR project implementation, with subsequent government restrictions including border closures, cancellation of domestic and international travel, restriction of group gatherings, and citywide shelter-in-place orders in Goma and Bukavu. The project's local peace and development committees continued data collection on conflict dynamics and resolution initiatives. SPR also provided induction and refresher training for selected grantees, with onboarding sessions for partners offered in North and South Kivu. The project's staff and partners participated in a capacity-building session on protection against sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation and ensuring a respectful workplace. The project's overall progress was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but SPR continued to make progress toward its objectives despite the challenges.