Usimamizi Endelevu wa Maliasili Quarterly Report Third Quarter April 01 to June 30, 2021

The activity targets a cluster of 15 villages located in Sumbawanga and Nkasi districts along the Lyamba lya Mfipa hills. The goal of the activity is to conserve biodiversity and build the resilience of communities and ecosystems in Rukwa region through improved governance of natural resources. The activity aims to achieve four Intermediate Results (IRs), including the development and implementation of inclusive land-use plans, bylaws, and other natural resources management (NRM) governance processes and tools. Additionally, the activity seeks to improve the capacity of communities to hold institutions entrusted with managing natural resources accountable, as well as the capacity of communities and local government authorities to holistically manage natural resources. Furthermore, the activity aims to increase awareness among the community on NRM and governance, Social Accountability Monitoring, and Climate Change through media, theatre for development, and Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials. The activity works with a wide range of NRM actors at national, regional, district, ward, and village levels to address challenges facing the management of water, land, forestry, and wildlife. This includes collaboration with district councils, ward councillors, village councils, village land councils, village natural resources committees, Community Based Water Supply Organizations (CBWSOs), and Water Users' Associations (WUAs). Implementation of the activity began in March 2020, and it is expected to conclude in March 2025. The activity is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through a contract number 72062120CA00002. The prime implementing partner is LEAT, while RUSUDEO serves as a subcontractor. The activity has a geographic coverage of Sumbawanga DC and Nkasi DC in Rukwa Region. During the reporting period of April 1 to June 30, 2021, the activity made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The implementation of inclusive land-use plans, bylaws, and other NRM governance processes and tools was underway, with a focus on developing and implementing participatory land use management (PLUM) plans. The activity also made progress in improving the capacity of communities to hold institutions entrusted with managing natural resources accountable, through the establishment of village natural resources committees and the conduct of social accountability monitoring. Furthermore, the activity made progress in improving the capacity of communities and local government authorities to holistically manage natural resources, through the provision of training and capacity-building programs. Additionally, the activity increased awareness among the community on NRM and governance, Social Accountability Monitoring, and Climate Change through media, theatre for development, and IEC materials. The activity also made progress in addressing cross-cutting issues, including gender equality and women's empowerment, youth engagement, local capacity development, integration and collaboration, sustainability, environmental compliance, global climate change, policy and governance support, private sector engagement, public-private partnerships, and science, technology, and innovation. Overall, the activity has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, and it is expected to continue making progress in the coming quarters.