Yemen Communities Stronger Together (YCST) Annual Program Performance Report YEAR 3

Launched in 2018, YCST supports local-level initiatives that mitigate conflict, strengthen social cohesion, and promote the peaceful resolution of differences in Yemen. The program is made possible with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). YCST's primary objective is to engage communities in an inclusive approach to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation projects. The program uses the Participatory Action for Community Enhancement (PACE) approach to build the capacity of community members and local leaders to develop a vision for their community and to collaboratively identify and address issues through conflict mitigation and service delivery projects. Communities choose projects that address the drivers and impacts of conflicts, while participation in the process builds social capital and skills within communities. During its third year of operations, YCST completed 14 projects that reached 288,514 people in Yemen. The program also implemented 19 capacity building initiatives, with 3 completed. YCST's achievements in Year 3 include the completion of 7 projects in Phase 1 communities, which benefited 14,351 people. Additionally, the program anticipated reaching 72,481 people in Phase 1 communities through 3 remaining projects. YCST also entered 13 new communities (Phase 2) in four governorates to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation activities. Sensitization and community entry workshops were held in all 13 communities, and hundreds of community members were surveyed and participated in focus group discussions. Community Enhancement Committees were elected in 8 of the 13 communities. The program's second objective is to build the capacity of formal and informal local leaders, organizations, and networks to serve as neutral arbitrators and peace builders and meet community and constituent needs. YCST strengthens local mechanisms and the skills of those who participate in them to identify and address unresolved grievances that can spark violent conflict at the district level and within their communities. YCST's third objective is to promote peace by piloting stabilization activities to identify effective models to create where credible and local authorities and systems can peaceably manage conflicts and prevent a resurgence of violence. Stabilization activities are implemented by YCST in areas controlled by the Republic of Yemen Government, including assisting local authorities to understand the priorities of their constituents, facilitating authorities' plans for a response to those priorities, and providing capacity building of local authorities to sustain investments, build communications with constituents, and demonstrate transparency and accountability. YCST's fourth objective is to enhance outcomes by carrying out regular and action-oriented learning and contextual analysis across YCST interventions to support adaptive management for enhanced outcomes. Action learning is integrated across YCST to examine the effectiveness of projects, initiatives, and activities, and to test, adapt, and scale-up evidence-based programming. The knowledge and data gained about local-level political economy dynamics is shared with USAID. Overall, YCST's efforts in Year 3 have contributed to the program's goal of laying the foundation for a peaceful and effective transition process in Yemen. The program's achievements and ongoing activities demonstrate its commitment to engaging communities, building capacity, promoting peace, and enhancing outcomes in Yemen.