Attachment J.1 - IEE.pdf

REQUEST FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

Activity/Project Title: USAID/India Health Learning Activity Solicitation #: N.A.

Contract /Award Number (if known): TBD Geographic Location: India; 386 Originating Bureau/Office: USAID/India, Health Office (HO) Supplemental IEE: ☐ Yes ☒ No Amendment: ☐ Yes ☒ No Programmatic IEE: ☐ Yes ☒ No

DCN and date of original document: N.A.

DCN and ECD link (s) of Amendment (s): N.A.

Amendment No: N.A.

Funding Amount: $1.03 Million Life of Project Amount: $5 Million

Implementation Start/End: FY 2023/ FY 2027 Prepared By: Subrato Mondal, Health Office Date Prepared: Sept 9, 2022 Expiration Date (if any): N.A. Reporting due dates (if any): N.A.

Environmental Media and /or Human Health Potentially Impacted (check all that apply) None ☒ Air ☐ Water ☐ Land ☐ Biodiversity ☐ Human Health ☐ Other ☐ Recommended Threshold Determination:

☐Negative Determination ☐With Conditions ☒Categorical Exclusion ☐Positive Determination

☐Deferral ☐Exemption ☐USG Domestic NEPA action

Climate Change ☐ GCC/Adaptation ☐ GCC/Mitigation ☒Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (included)

Adaptation/Mitigation Measures: Not Applicable

Asia 22-139

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(a), environmental analysis/evaluation is required for new projects, programs or activities authorized by USAID. This Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE) evaluates the Health Learning activity over a period of four years.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

(i) Categorical Exclusion. Pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(c)(3), the originator of the activities (USAID/India HO) has determined that program activities, which include analysis, modeling, technical assistance, training, and capacity building are environmentally neutral actions. Table I consist of types of interventions entirely within the categories listed in 216.2(c)(2) and are therefore recommended to be categorically excluded by falling under the following classes of actions:

● The action does not have an effect on the natural or physical environment {22 CFR

216.2(c)(1)(i)};

● Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.)

{22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i)};

● Document and information transfers {22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(v)}.

(ii) Climate Risk Screening: The initial screening of the project against the climate change effects indicates that the activities have low climate risk. The climate risk analysis and mitigation plan is attached as Annexure 1.

1. BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this RCE is to reflect on potential environmental impact under the Health Learning new design activity to be implemented over four years. This document further seeks to establish that all proposed projects/activities belong to classes of actions eligible for Categorical Exclusions as set out in regulations (22 CFR 216.2(c)) and that there are no foreseeable significant direct or indirect impacts that would preclude them from receiving a Categorical Exclusion. Upon approval of this document, the Categorical Exclusions are affirmed for the project/activity. This analysis also documents the results of the project/activity level Climate Risk Management process in accordance with USAID policy (specifically, ADS 201 mandatory reference 201mal).

1.2 Background

USAIDIndia’s investments have risen across its health portfolio since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, to address the global strain on health systems - simultaneously, the concurrent growth in investments, shift to more localized investments has made the documentation of the program learnings more challenging.

Through this mechanism, USAID/India would be able to timely deploy reliable organizational and programmatic monitoring, research, evaluation, and learning which is essential for USAID to generate effective learnings for the improvement of health programs in India for the vulnerable population.

Additionally, the crystallization of such data not only drives evidence-based decision-making around future investments, but also ensures accountability to the Mission, Washington, and the American people. There is growing recognition that harmonized monitoring, evaluation and review is required to demonstrate results, secure future investments, and enhance the evidence base for interventions. High turnaround needs for internal reporting to the Front Office and preparation of consolidated learning from multiple activities for frequent global technical audiences.

The successful implementation of the Health Learning activity in health projects is required to use knowledge and learning to adapt and create synergies that strengthen the breadth and depth of health programming and will also build a culture of learning in areas such as comprehensive primary healthcare, urban resilience, supply chain strengthening, inclusive health systems; emerging and cross portfolio initiatives. The objectives of the award are as follows:

1. Foster improved health specific measurements and analytics (including primary and secondary research, information analysis and data visualization, and presentations) and link them to data driven decision making;

2. Build a culture of learning within USAID health programing in areas such as comprehensive primary healthcare, urban resilience, supply chain strengthening, gender and social inclusion, and other emerging cross portfolio initiatives;

3. Elevate and expand public outreach of USAID’s health portfolio; and

4. Build capacity of local institutions and young professionals on programmatic evidence building

The above activity is aligned with the CDCS (India Country Development Cooperation Strategy). Under this new activity, USAID is partnering with the NLD to systematically facilitate learning and knowledge sharing within, among and outside the USAID Health Portfolio partners.

1.3 Description of Activities

Table 1: The program has expected outcomes as follows:

Sl Products Features Will feed into

1 Knowledge framework Will include the table of content, risk assessment framework, Process quality Monitoring, Outcome monitoring and Learning Framework

Strengthening of USAID Portfolio investments.

2 Knowledge workshop with Implementing partners (IPs)

Capacity building workshops will be conducted

Effective implementation of the knowledge framework

3 Guidelines for implementing knowledge framework

Guidelines for developing and implementing the knowledge system will be developed

Effective implementation of the knowledge framework

4 Virtual help-desk The help desk will respond to queries regarding reporting, indicators, assessment design, and studies

Continuous hand holding and learning support to IPs

5 Information needs assessment report

Requirement of Intervention partners, USAID members and stakeholders on the areas of studies, research

Short Studies, Research areas and design

6 Intervention level Impact analysis and reports

Key Intervention result measures and cost of agreed indicators of performance

Scale up an investment decision, performance assessment of interventions

7 Thematic consultations and convenings on Health and spaces such as SBC, GBV etc.

Reasons such as ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the progress and impact; other issues that may emerge from the results systems

To understand in-depth about a particular phenomenon or a strategy

8 Online sharing platform and resource repository

Development of a platform which uses different online platforms (youtube video, voice clips, discussion groups and webinars ) for IPs to share information and resources.

Knowledge dissemination and sharing between IPs

9 Knowledge fair An annual knowledge fare to showcase innovations, products, models and solutions under USAID’s health portfolio

Knowledge sharing, learning, Networking for Implementing partners

10 Communication materials Creation of infographics and learning materials

Knowledge sharing across IPs and broader audiences

11 Publications and articles Monthly articles distributed through online platforms to inform grantees on work in the field

Cross learning across IPs and the broader community in priority areas

12 Learning sites Development of materials for 1-2 sites using best practices. These include manuals, facilitator’s guide, documents for IPs to learn from

Knowledge sharing across IPs to better understand best practices and ideal models, capacity building

The activities support the following Strategic Objective:

Strategic Objective 1: Improve data driven decision making by using better health specific measurements and analytics including primary and secondary research, information analysis and data visualization, and presentations

Strategic Objective 2: A learning culture is built within USAID health programing through enhanced platforms, that encourage exchange and learning in areas such as comprehensive primary healthcare, urban resilience, supply chain strengthening, inclusive health systems, and cross portfolio initiatives

2. RECOMMENDED THRESHOLD DECISIONS AND MITIGATION ACTIONS

Categorical Exclusion (Please refer to the Summary Section).

The justification for recommending a determination of Categorical Exclusion for activities under the project is due to their nature, such as analysis, modeling studies, development of a model, capacity building, knowledge management and communication, and other similar types of environmentally neutral actions.

The table below lists the major activities of the Program according to Reg. 216 requirements and recommends Threshold Decisions and environmental compliance actions.

Components and illustrative activities

Effect on Natural or Physical environment

Threshold decisions and Reg.216 actions required

1 Knowledge partner to USAID/ India’ program

No effect Categorical Exclusion: No action required.

2 Training of partner employees

No effect Categorical Exclusion: No action required.

3 Building efficiency program involving technical assistance and capacity building of stakeholders

No effect Categorical Exclusion: No action required.

4 Building energy design support training and software tools

No effect Categorical Exclusion: No action required.

Creating dashboards and generating trends over multiple HLD rounds

No effect Categorical Exclusion: No action required

Recommended Environmental Actions

● COR/AOR shall review and clear on individual tasks to ensure that these take into account

Agency policies related to environment and climate integration. COR/AOR will consult the MEO/CIL lead as required.

● Implementing partners shall comply with Government of India’s required COVID 19 protocols and conform to best international practice such as WHO.

● As the project runs beyond the validity of approved CDCS, as required the RCE shall be revised and amended when a new CDCS is approved.

3. REVISIONS

Pursuant to 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9), if new information becomes available which indicates that activities to be funded by the project might be “major” and their effects ``significant,” this determination will be reviewed and revised by USAID/India and submitted to the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) for approval, and, if appropriate, an environmental assessment will be prepared in accordance with the procedures stipulated in 22 CFR 216. It is the responsibility of the COR/AOR to timely inform the Mission Environment Officer and BEO of any changes in the scope and nature of the approved activities, which may require the revision of the approved Threshold Decision.

Annexure 1

Climate Risk Management Summary Table Tasks / Defined or Illustrative Interventions

Climate Risks List key risks related to the defined / illustrative interventions identified in the screening and additional assessment.

Risk Rating Low / Moderate High

How Risks are Addressed Describe how risks have been addressed in activity design and/or additional steps that will be taken in implementation. If you choose to accept the risk, briefly explain why.

Opportunities to Strengthen Climate Resilience Describe any opportunities to achieve multiple development objectives by integrating climate resilience or mitigation measures.

Component 1:

Strengthen USAID Health Portfolio investments by developing Knowledge Framework

Extreme climate events and increasing temperatures may disrupt the planned information collection from other implementing partners and other data collection, events and workshops. This in turn will impact the delay in implementation of the planned activities and achievement of the outcomes.

Low It is a knowledge project.

USAID/India will review the timing of the planned events and the location so that adequate arrangements are made in planning process, timings, and in extreme cases, shifting participants in case of flood, water-logging etc.

USAID will advise the implementing partner to factor in the issues related to climate impacts including extreme weather for each of its components. The implementing partner will be encouraged to raise awareness of its staff and all involved during the implementation of the project on the need for climate risk analysis and its impact.

The recipient of the activity will create a greater awareness and learning and increase the capacity of the staff to address climate risk.

This in turn will improve the capacity of these people to address climate risk, most of whom otherwise would not have taken climate risks into consideration.

Component 2:

Implementation support provided to the Health Portfolio of USAID India Country Office for effective alignment and harmonization of the Knowledge Framework

Increasing temperatures will disrupt the planned implementation of the workshops, consultations with stakeholders, events and other policy level consultations. This in turn will impact the schedule of the events and achievement of the outcomes.

Low USAID/India will review the timing of the planned workshops and events so that adequate arrangements are made.

The knowledge framework thus developed will be of strategic and operational value and might be used for policy and process refinement by the other implementing partners.

Component 3:

Portfolio Impact results collations (including economic returns and modeling for program/portfoli o)

Extreme climate events, weather events, and climate induced disasters may reduce the ability to bring other implementing partners or other stakeholders, professionals to participate.

Low The recipient of this award will factor in the climate variability issues affecting the particular geography into consideration while planning for any such activity.

The recipient of this award will get the opportunity to collaborate on the issues of climate change and disaster risk management and share the relevant information among USAID partners as well as with external stakeholders.

Component 4:

Strategies developed for strengthening global learning in identified thematic areas.

Extreme climate events and increasing temperatures may disrupt the planned implementation learning agenda. This in turn will impact the delay in implementation of the planned activities and achievement of the outcomes.

Low The recipient of this activity will factor in the possibility of extreme climate events and plan the activities in discussion with the other implementing partners taking the geography, weather and other climate conditions into consideration.

The recipient of the activity will create a greater awareness and learning and increase the capacity of the staff to address climate risk.

This in turn will improve the capacity of these people to address climate risk, most of whom otherwise would not have taken climate risks into consideration.