YCST Monthly Program Update – October 2021

The program is being implemented by Global Communities in partnership with the Field Medical Foundation, Build Up, and Partners for Good, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). YCST aims to lay the foundation for a peaceful and effective transition process in Yemen by engaging communities, building capacity, and promoting peace. Objective 1 of the program focuses on engaging communities in an inclusive approach to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation projects. As of October 31, all 10 projects identified under Phase 1 of Objective 1 were completed, with four projects assessed in previous months for maintenance and found functional. The Dar Sa'ad Electricity Rehabilitation Project, completed in October, is expected to provide a reliable supply of electricity to 61,231 residents of five communities in the Dar Sa'ad district, Aden governorate. Objective 2 of the program focuses on building the capacity of formal and informal local leaders, organizations, and networks to serve as neutral arbitrators and peace builders. In October, YCST modified and extended in-kind agreements for three Innovation Sub-fund initiatives until the end of December 31, 2021. A total of 15 initiatives were underway in October, with updates on requests for applications available on page 11 of the monthly report. Objective 3 of the program focuses on promoting peace by supporting local authorities' efforts to identify and pilot projects that can peaceably manage conflicts and prevent a resurgence of violence. As of October 31, eight projects were completed, one was being implemented, and one had been cancelled. A tender process was ongoing to solicit applications from vendors to work on the Al-Obar Sanitary Drainage Cleaning Project, located in the Khanfir district, Abyan governorate. Objective 4 of the program focuses on enhancing outcomes through regular and action-oriented learning and contextual analysis to support adaptive management for enhanced outcomes. In October, third-party monitoring was conducted for the Al-Shaheed Abdulaziz School Rehabilitation Project, which found the project was "relevant to the needs of the Al-Shaheed Abdulaziz School and the community." YCST also carried out a broad range of activities to enhance its outcomes, including joint monitoring, enhancing accountability, and updating the Realtime Information Management System. In October, refresher trainings were conducted by YCST's partner, Field Medical Foundation, with six Community Enhancement Committees (CECs) to enhance the sustainability of three completed projects. The trainings involved updating the status of projects completed in the communities and reviewing concepts from previous trainings to ensure the sustainability of the projects. Community entry activities were also conducted in five communities situated within the governorates of Abyan, Aden, and Lahj, involving meetings with CECs, communal activities, household surveys, and participatory conflict analysis trainings for CECs.