YEMEN COMMUNITIES STRONGER TOGETHER (YCST) MONTHLY PROGRAM UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2020

During the month of February, YCST made significant progress on service delivery projects to meet the needs of communities within the targeted areas of the PACE and stabilization components. A total of five proposals were submitted to USAID for review and approval, and public advertisements of three solicitations for services were issued and released. Submissions of additional proposal packages for the remaining communities are planned for April.

YCST continued to move forward with the Peacebuilding and Women, Peace and Security grants effort, reviewing full grant applications submitted by applicants whose concept papers met requirements. Considerable strides were made under the Innovation Grant Sub-fund and began with the launch to announce the sub-fund in target communities in , Lahj, and Abyan. This was followed by the first innovation workshop, which introduced participants to best practices and innovative approaches to peacebuilding.

On the learning front, an adaptation workshop was held in Aden to enable YCST prioritize Year 1 lessons and develop a plan for their adaptation.

The team has also made progress on the management front. During the reporting month, Global Communities submitted a no-cost extension (NCE) request to modify the YCST end date to May 15, 2022. Additionally, the recruitment process for a new Chief of Party (COP) was initiated. In the meantime, the current Deputy Chief of Party has been appointed as Acting COP.

OBJECTIVE 1: ENGAGE COMMUNITIES IN AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT SERVICE DELIVERY AND CONFLICT MITIGATION PROJECTS FINALIZE DESIGN OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND CONFLICT MITIGATION PROJECTS FOR YEAR 1 COMMUNITIES

ABYAN: YCST’s engineering team organized efforts to finalize the environmental impact assessments (EIA) and bills of quantities (BoQs) per the results of the water quality and pumping tests required for approval of the Al Mahfad Water Supply Enhancement Project (MWSEP) located in the Al Mahfad community, Al Mahfad District, Abyan Governorate. Under the MWSEP YCST, through its solicited subcontractor, shall replace the two diesel-operated water pumps with two solar-powered submersible and energy efficient water pumps, install a solar energy system, rehabilitate the stone reservoir, and replace damaged pipes in the water distribution network. YCST will also provide technical training and maintenance kit to operate and maintain the project for community committees, operators and engineers to ensure that the project is well-maintained. YCST aims to submit the proposal for the MWSEP to USAID for review and approval during the next reporting period.

Similar to the MWSEP, YCST’s Jayshan Water Supply Enhancement Project (JWSEP), located in the Jayshan community, Jayshan District, Abyan Governorate, aims to replace the diesel-operated water

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 72027918CA00001 YCST MONTHLY REPORT – MONTH 2019 | 1 pump with a solar-powered submersible and energy efficient water pump, install a solar energy system, rehabilitate the stone reservoir, and replace damaged main pipeline of the water distribution network that feeds the reservoir. It will also provide technical training and maintenance kit to operate and maintain the project for community committees, operators and engineers to ensure sustainably. The proposal package for the JWSEP shall be submitted to USAID for review and approval during the following reporting month.

ADEN: The Al-Rabash Sanitary Drainage Network Project (RSDNP), located in the Al-Rabash Community, Dar Sa’ad Al-Gharbia, Aden Governorate is designed to rehabilitate the sanitary drainage network in Al-Rabash community. The proposed project aims at replacing damaged manhole covers, establishing two additional secondary lines, cleaning clean sanitation pipes, installing iron and plastic plates for inspection rooms, connecting the sub-sanitation network to the main network, and repairing the sewage pump station. This intervention will solve the technical problems that arose in the community sanitation networks.

On February 16, YCST submitted a request for approval to USAID for the Dar Sa’ad Electricity Rehabilitation Project (DERP). The project will be implemented in the five communities of Al-Ulfi and Abd Albari (in eastern Dar Sa’ad) and Ali Jahis, Al-Loqaia and Ibn Al-Basir (in western Dar Sa’ad) in Dar Sa’ad District, Aden Governorate, . The DERP will rehabilitate and upgrade the power utility network for the five above-mentioned adjoining communities in the Dar Sa'ad District in partnership with the Aden Public Electricity Company (PEC) by replacing and installing transformers, service stations, switch gears, distribution boards, grid cabling, and low voltage cables. YCST, with input from the, will supply the equipment and materials required for maintaining and expanding the system and PEC will be responsible for the installation of equipment and materials, and providing oversight given that it is the sole authority for the electrical grid. A Memorandum of Understanding between YCST and the PEC will clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party and help ensure PEC officials work with local authorities to resolve issues that may arise during the project as well as sustainability of the operation of the rehabilitated network following project completion. A formal handover ceremony between YCST and PEC, in the presence of the CECs and the Dar Sa’ad District head, will mark the completion of the implementation phase of the project; and PEC will commit to maintaining the system after operation commences.

LAHJ: On February 25, YCST submitted a proposal package to USAID for the Al-Nabyah Water Supply Enhancement Project (NWSEP). This project is located in Al-Nabyah village in Al-Suqaya and Al-Nabyah community in Al-Madaribah Wa Al-Arah District, Lahj Governorate. The community’s double name reflects the fact that it is composed of two villages: Al-Nabyah (mountainous) and Al- Suqaya (coastal). The proposed project will: (1) replace the damaged pipeline which runs from the existing well to the eastern side of the wadi with a buried galvanized steel pipeline; (2) construct a water tank to supply the existing distribution network in the eastern section of Al Nabyah; (3) install a chlorine dosing pump at the well; (4) install a well borehole cover; (5) replace fittings and valves as required; and (6) conduct training for the CWA staff in operating and maintaining the installed system using the maintenance kit provided by the contractor.

On February 5th, YCST received approval from USAID to move forward with the Ras Al-Aarah Water Enhancement Supply Project (RWESP) in the Ras Al-Aarah community, located in the Al-Madharibah Wa Al Aarah district of Lahj governorate. The RWESP will install a solar-powered submersible pump with electrical equipment (including solar panels, bracing, inverter, combiner and cables), replace damaged steel pipes in the pumping line, rehabilitate an existing concrete water tank, construct a new tank, and conduct a training course in system operation and maintenance using the maintenance kit

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provided by the contractor. The team has visited the community to inform them that the project had been approved and was in its final stages of preparations.

YEAR 2 COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO GENERATE BUY-IN AND COMMUNITY MAPPING During the reporting month, the YCST PACE team conducted field visits in Lahj (Tur Albaha, Al Hawath, Hisham Al Sayad, Harah Al Qaisi, and Al Musawa districts), Aden (Al-Buraiqa and Crater districts), and Abyan (Khanfir district) to identify community representatives to participate in the community mapping efforts for Year 2 communities (14 communities). YCST was looking for community members that include local authority, social figures, community leaders and/or members of civil society organizations. Following the selection of community members, the PACE team conducted focus group discussions to introduce members to the YCST and the PACE methodology, as well as to collect community data.

OBJECTIVE 2: 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

SELECTED WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS FOR PEACEBUILDING GRANTS FUND AND WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY GRANTS SUB-FUND The grants team received draft Full Grant Applications (FGAs) from both the Abyan and Lahj branches of the Yemen Women’s Union (YWU), as well as one from the Yemeni Women's Pact for Peace and Security (Tawafuq). All applications were reviewed and feedback was shared with the respective organizations. The grants team, with the help of the YCST MEL team, is working on reviewing the two log frames from YWU to ensure all objectives are clear and indicators are measurable. Pending minor revisions, the team expects to seek USAID approval to issue awards during the coming month.

Some concerns were raised after close review of the application by the Yemeni Women's Pact for Peace and Security (Tawafuq), which was submitted with the assistance of UN Women and in partnership with local NGO, and focuses on trainings to build the capacity of the Tawafuq staff. These trainings will cover topics such as the peace and security, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and gender in peacebuilding, among others. On February 26, the grants team held a meeting with a UN Women Program Analyst to discuss the application and the best methods of intervention. Both teams wanted to ensure that there would be no duplication of activities and that the courses mentioned in the proposal are useful and purposeful.

As a response to the issues raised by both teams, the YCST grants team has developed some scenarios on how to approach this FGA and will be discussing the approaches with all teams. Once a decision has been made, YCST will seek USAID approval to make an award.

PEACEBUILDING AND WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY GRANTS

During the reporting month, the evaluation committee successfully reviewed 25 concept papers from the second round of the Annual Planning Statement (APS). Following evaluations, the team declined 11 concept papers, 11 others were returned to applicants with requests for clarification (5 were Women, Peace and Security Grants, and the remaining 6 were Peacebuilding Grants), and 3 concept papers were processed and teams were asked to submit FGAs (all were Peacebuilding Grants). The grants team also noticed a diverse geographic split in the applications received. Of the processed

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 72027918CA00001 YCST MONTHLY REPORT – MONTH 2019 | 3 concept papers, two were from Taiz and one was from Aden. Of the 11 papers that need revision, six were from Taiz, 3 were from Abyan, and 2 were from Aden.

A total of 11 concept papers were received under round three of the APS, which had a January 31st deadline. Evaluations will commence upon completion of the review process of first round full grant applications.

INNOVATION GRANTS SUB-FUND

In February, the grants team launched the innovation grants sub-fund in the 3 targeted governorates of Aden, Lahj, and Abyan. As reported last month, the innovation fund was expanded to 3 additional communities in Aden (for a total of 8 communities) to avoid disputes that might occur by excluding certain regions. Additionally, in order to gain support from the communities, the YCST grants team held orientation sessions with the managers of each targeted district as part of the launch.

YCST received a total of 201 applications following the launch. Of these applications, 34 were shortlisted and 15 were selected to attend the innovation workshop in March, organized by Build Up. The table below shows the geographic breakdown of shortlisted applications.

Table 1: Innovation Grants Fund: Shortlisted Applications by Governorate

Aden Lahj Abyan Total

9 3 3 15

The innovation workshop will be held in Aden for five days between March 8 - 12, with the objective of introducing the 15 shortlisted applicants to the best practices and most innovative approaches to peacebuilding, and identifying ways to apply these methods to their projects. Following the workshop, 10 finalists will be selected to move on to the next stage and submit their final project ideas.

OBJECTIVE 3: PILOT 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

FINALIZATION OF PROJECT DESIGN PROVIDED TO USAID On February 11, YCST submitted a proposal package to USAID for review and approval of the Ja'ar Park (Green Zone) Rehabilitation Project (JPRP) to provide an outdoor recreational facility aimed to benefit the health of families and youth, encourage higher levels of social interaction, and contribute to the environmental well-being of the Ja’ar community. This project will be performed under a subcontract to develop park grounds, including an area with open green space, grass, and shrubbery, a children’s playground, a cafeteria for food preparation, a food court for seated dining, solar lighting, two restrooms, and a guard room. The park site, located on the previous site of the Al Bahrain correctional facility, is approximately 900 square meters and will accommodate approximately 500 people. Once established, Ja’ar Park will be the sole outdoor recreational facility in Ja’ar to promote a place for residents to be physically active, improve individual and community health and function as a conscious tool for revitalization of the community. Approval of the JPRP was granted by USAID on February 21st.

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On February 12, YCST submitted a proposal package to USAID for review and approval of the Khadija School Rehabilitation Project – Joint New Classroom Component with CARE International. YCST, under a Memorandum of Understanding with CARE, will supply the building materials and tools to construct three classrooms to be built in the school compound. CARE will provide the labor under a Cash for Work (CFW) program for the construction of classrooms, provide daily supervision of workers and be responsible for ensuring construction meets specifications. As it is one of only two girls’ school in , this project will have a major positive impact on the entire community, reducing the number of girls who drop out of school due to crowded classes. The role of local authorities who recommended the program will be enhanced and social cohesion increased. Subsequently, USAID confirmed approval of the project on February 18, 2020.

On February 13, YCST submitted a request for approval to USAID of the Khadija School Rehabilitation Project – Shade and Bathrooms. The work under this proposal will: (1) create a shaded area in the school yard which is used for assemblies. The area, which also serves as a playground and sports arena, is often unused during times of excessive heat cause by high temperatures; and (2) rehabilitate the school’s bathrooms. The existing facilities, consisting of two toilets for the disabled and a traditional bathroom with five toilets, are not functional because of the lack of running water and clogged drains. They also suffer from damaged tiles, broken windows and lack of lighting. The work will include a roof- top solar system with tank and compressor with piping and valves to pump water to the roof and to the toilets. Broken tiles, fixtures, and the roof will be repaired. The school janitors will receive training in operation and maintenance of the solar pump system and receive a maintenance kit. At the end of the school rehabilitation project, the Zinjibar education directorate has committed to following operation and maintenance procedures. YCST received USAID approval of the KGS project on February 18th. Following approvals of both Khadija School Rehabilitation Projects, the YCST team began gathering documents to start the procurement processes.

YCST continued to work on projects that were approved during the previous reporting month. For the Al Mansoora Health Center Rehabilitation Project (MHCRP) in Ash Shamaytayn District, , the team developed the required drawings of the medical incinerator, as well as a site plan and main layout for the project, along with a scope of work (SoW). Finally, the team began the procurement process for this project’s requirements.

Under the Al-Ma’afer Rural Hospital (MRH) located in Al-Suwa'a Community, Al Ma’afer District, Al Turbah, Taiz Governorate, the team also finalized project drawings, site plans, main project layout, and SoW in order to begin the procurement process for items, including the solar-powered electrical system.

Similar progress was made towards the Al Khair School project in Ash Shamayatayn district, Taiz governorate and the Al Shaheed Yassin School project in Al Azaez Community, Ash Shamayatayn district, in the same governorate.

OBJECTIVE 4: CARRY OUT REGULAR AND ACTION-ORIENTED LEARNING AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS ACROSS YCST INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR ENHANCED OUTCOMES

BASELINE FOR YEAR 2 TARGETED COMMUNITIES Recruitment of an International Baseline Research Consultant After advertising broadly for a third-party consultancy and reviewing proposals, YCST was unable to find an applicant that fulfilled YCST’s technical criteria for the baseline survey. A decision was then

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 72027918CA00001 YCST MONTHLY REPORT – MONTH 2019 | 5 made to hire a Baseline Research Consultant to support the MEAL team in conducting the baseline internally. During the reporting month, the YCST team developed terms of reference and advertised for this position. Interviews will be conducted during the following reporting month, and we expect the consultant to start by April.

ADAPATION WORKSHOP FOR YCST TEAM

On February 27 2020; GC/YCST held an Adaptation workshop for 48 participants from GC and our local implementing partner Field Medical Foundation (FMF). The adaptation workshop demonstrates our commitment to action learning, and knowing what to adapt. It will enable YCST to use USAID's collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) principles to integrate real time monitoring and learning into the YCST strategy and implementation. It will also enable the team to adopt best practices, innovative approaches, and inform YCST’s programming in 2020. It will mentor staff and promote a culture of learning; accountability and decision-making, because it is gained from our own program implementation experiences. The workshop’s objectives were:

1. Present the key takeaways and the lessons learned from Year 1 as identified in Year 1 Annual Learning Event in Amman. 2. Prioritize these lessons and agree on the adaptations for Year 2. 3. Develop a program pan for the implementation of the prioritized lessons

PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT REPORTING PERIOD

YCST will continue with the submission of proposals to USAID for PACE and Stabilization interventions, while simultaneously continuing to focus of activities leading up to procurement. YCST will keep MOPIC informed of progress on Year 1 communities, and aims to seek approval of Year 2 communities in the coming reporting period. Grants will see the completion of additional full applications, proposed awards under the APS, and select applicants to receive the innovation grants. YCST will deliver its Year 2 Bi-Annual Work Plan and revised Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) in the next reporting month.

OVERALL MANAGEMENT UPDATES:

In February, GC submitted a request for a no-cost extension modifying the program end date from August 15, 2021 to May 15, 2020. This nine-month NCE will allow Global Communities and the YCST team to ensure that engagement of all communities is carried out in a thoughtful, conflict-sensitive manner and that service delivery projects and grant activities can be designed, procured, and implemented in full transparency and compliance with rules and regulations.

Additionally, during the reporting month, the YCST Chief of Party resigned from the position. He will, however, continue to provide technical support to the project for next 12 weeks in a new remote position. Meanwhile, the current Deputy Chief of Party has been appointed as the Acting COP, with concurrence from USAID. The process of recruiting a new COP has been initiated and GC hopes to narrow down candidates by the end of the next reporting month.

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