Year Four (FY23) Quarter Two Progress Report: Clean Cities, Blue Ocean

Agency for International Development (USAID) on August 28, 2019. The program aims to address the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution by addressing land-based leakage directly at its source in rapidly urbanizing countries. With an initial contract value of $48 million, the program has received additional funding to deepen its impact, increasing the total value to $52.8 million. The program's main objectives are to build capacity of engagement sites in improved solid waste management, improve the enabling environment for the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) with a focus on engagement sites, build social and behavior change for the 3Rs and improved solid waste management, and address livelihood challenges for waste workers. Additionally, the program aims to support gender equality and women's economic empowerment, strengthen public-private partnerships and/or multi-stakeholder alliances, and strengthen USAID leadership in combating marine plastics. The program has a global focus, with primary emphasis in Asia, the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The program's reporting period for this quarter two progress report is January 1 to March 31, 2023. The report highlights the program's progress in advancing its technical objectives, including building capacity of engagement sites in improved solid waste management, improving the enabling environment for the 3Rs, and building social and behavior change for the 3Rs and improved solid waste management. Focus Area 1: Build Capacity of CCBO Engagement Sites in Improved Solid Waste Management The program has made significant progress in building capacity of engagement sites in improved solid waste management. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the program has supported the development of solid waste management plans in several countries, including Peru and the Dominican Republic. In Asia, the program has provided technical assistance to local governments in Indonesia and Vietnam to improve their solid waste management practices. Focus Area 2: Improve Enabling Environment for 3Rs with a Focus on CCBO Engagement Sites The program has also made progress in improving the enabling environment for the 3Rs with a focus on engagement sites. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the program has supported the development of policies and regulations to promote the 3Rs in several countries, including Peru and the Dominican Republic. In Asia, the program has worked with local governments in Indonesia and Vietnam to develop guidelines and standards for the 3Rs. Focus Area 3: Build SBC for 3Rs and Improved SWM and Address Livelihood Challenges for Waste Workers The program has also made progress in building social and behavior change for the 3Rs and improved solid waste management, and addressing livelihood challenges for waste workers. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the program has implemented social and behavior change campaigns to promote the 3Rs in several countries, including Peru and the Dominican Republic. In Asia, the program has provided training and capacity-building programs for waste workers in Indonesia and Vietnam. Focus Area 4: Support Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment The program has also made progress in supporting gender equality and women's economic empowerment. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the program has implemented initiatives to promote women's economic empowerment in several countries, including Peru and the Dominican Republic. In Asia, the program has provided training and capacity-building programs for women in waste management in Indonesia and Vietnam. Focus Area 5: Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships and/or Multi-Stakeholder Alliances The program has also made progress in strengthening public-private partnerships and/or multi-stakeholder alliances. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the program has worked with private sector companies to promote the 3Rs in several countries, including Peru and the Dominican Republic. In Asia, the program has collaborated with local governments and private sector companies to develop public-private partnerships for waste management in Indonesia and Vietnam. Focus Area 6: Strengthen USAID Leadership in Combating Marine Plastics The program has also made progress in strengthening USAID leadership in combating marine plastics. The program has worked with USAID to develop policies and regulations to address marine plastic pollution, and has provided technical assistance to local governments to improve their waste management practices. The program has also made progress in its management and operations, including contract management and procurement, organization and staffing, communications and reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and grants management. The program has also identified implementation challenges and lessons learned, and has developed a plan to address these challenges and improve its performance.