Year 2 Annual M&E Report

The project focuses on strengthening municipalities to promote responsive, inclusive, and effective socio-economic development while reducing local vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and natural disasters. Key performance indicators for the project include the number of activities and projects developed and/or implemented in coordination with other USG and USAID Guatemala partners in the Western Highlands Integrated Program. In Year 2, 8 activities and projects were developed and/or implemented, with a cumulative total of 20 by the end of the year. The project also aims to promote civic participation of women, with 15 activities designed to strengthen women's participation in local governance. Additionally, 365 youth participated in USG-supported activities, with 215 assuming leadership roles within their communities. The project also focuses on strengthening public financial systems in municipalities, with 40 accountability presentations made by municipalities to the COMUDEs in Year 2. Furthermore, 1835 individuals received USG-assisted training, including management skills and fiscal management, to strengthen local government and/or decentralization. The project also aims to promote participatory planning and budgeting, with 21 municipalities practicing participatory planning and budgeting by the end of Year 2. In terms of economic development, the project aims to improve levels of economic growth and social development in the Western Highlands. The percentage of monthly average increase in municipal own-source revenues was -3% in Year 2, with a target of 4% increase over baseline. The project also aims to promote community-led development, with 423 projects presented and/or prioritized by municipalities in coordination with communities/civil society. The project's geographic focus is on the Western Highlands of Guatemala, with a specific emphasis on the 30 municipalities targeted by the Western Highlands Integrated Program. The project's timeframes are focused on Year 2 of the project, with a cumulative total of activities and projects implemented by the end of the year. The project's recommendations for future implementation include continued focus on strengthening public financial systems and promoting participatory planning and budgeting in municipalities.