Attachment_J.5_IEE.pdf

REQUEST FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

PROGRAM/ACTIVITY DATA:

Program/Activity Number: AID-623-A-14-00007 Country/Region: Kenya and East Africa Program/Activity Title: Institutional Capacity Development in East Africa Foreign Assistance Objective 2: Governing Justly and Democratically Program Element: A10/A044 $1,499,971.00, Funding Begin: FY 2014 Funding End: FY 2019 LOP Amount: $1.5 Million

IEE Prepared By: David Kinyua MEO/REA East Africa

Current Date: February 12, 2015 Expiration Date: September 30, 2019

IEE Amendment (Y/N): N If "yes", Filename & date of original IEE

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION RECOMMENDED: (Place X where applicable) Categorical Exclusion: X Negative Determination:

Positive Determination: Deferral:

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS: (Place X where applicable)

CONDITIONS PVO/NGO:

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:

USAID/EA and USAID/Kenya are implementing the USAID Forward Local Solutions Initiative by working to strengthen partnerships with local/regional organizations.

Building the organizational capacity of local/regional partners is a central focus of the draft Regional Development Coordination Strategy (RDCS) 2015-2019 being developed by USAID/EA.

The Institutional Capacity Development in East Africa activity, implemented by the Africa Capacity Alliance (ACA), will provide training and technical assistance for organizational capacity building to local and regional partners of USAID in Kenya and East Africa so that they become efficient, effective, and sustainable organizations that are better able to contribute to sustainable development outcomes.

ACA will provide training and technical assistance to the selected USAID local/regional partners in the following core areas:

• Governance and Leadership. Strengthen governance and leadership in order to improve organizational vision and accountability for resources and results

• Financial Management. Strengthen transparency and accountability via establishment and/or modification of internal control systems, legal risk and compliance mechanisms, procurement systems, reporting procedures and asset management. (ACA is supported by Deloitte Kenya for this activity.)

• Strategic Planning. Support development of organizational direction (purpose, vision and mission, values), multi-year strategic plans, and short-term activity-based, budgeted work plans. (ACA is supported by ACLAIM for this activity.)

• Results-Based Management. Support integration of results-based M&E with clear performance monitoring plans and mechanisms for data collection, analysis and reporting, including necessary information technology systems (computer systems, website, and database) and management information systems.

• Sustainable Learning Communities. Create linkages between beneficiary NGOs to promote sharing of expertise and lessons learned.

The activities described above justify Categorical Exclusions, pursuant to 22 CFR §216.2(c)(2), for which an Initial Environmental Examination, or an Environmental Assessment are not required because the actions do not have an effect on the natural or physical environment.

Specifically, the ACA interventions, as currently planned, fall into the following classes of action:

a) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.,) (216.2(c)(2)(i));

b) Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings (216.2(c)(2)(iii)); and

c) document and information transfers (216.2(c)(2)(v));

If during implementation, activities are considered under ACA that are outside the above framework, activities other than those described in the subject categorical exclusions, and that may directly affect the environment (such as construction or rehabilitation of facilities), an IEE or amended Request for a Categorical Exclusion shall be submitted, as appropriate.

REQUEST FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

1. Background and Activity Description

USAID Forward’s Local Solutions Initiative is an ambitious effort to increase the impact of USAID’s foreign assistance in accordance with President Obama’s Study Directive on global development, strategic guidance provided by the Secretary of State, and the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Local Solutions will increase direct partnerships with local organizations for greater sustainability and long-term effectiveness. Building institutions that can continue to provide needed goods and services in country after a project or program ends is a critical part of development.

USAID/EA is implementing the Local Solutions Initiative by working to strengthen partnerships with local/regional organizations. Building the organizational capacity of local/regional partners is a central focus of the draft Regional Development Coordination Strategy (RDCS) 2015-2019 being developed by USAID/EA.

In January 2014, USAID/EA received $1.5 million in FY 2013 funds from the AID/W Development Grants Program (DGP) to enable the Mission to sign a Cooperative Agreement with the Africa Capacity Alliance (ACA) to implement the Institutional Capacity Development in East Africa activity. This activity will provide organizational capacity building services to local and regional partners of USAID in Kenya and East Africa so that they become efficient, effective, and sustainable organizations that are able to influence the local and regional agenda.

ACA will provide organizational capacity building services for up to 12 local or regional partners of USAID over a three year period. This may include providing organizational capacity support to selected Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (RIGOs) with which USAID has Assistance Agreements, based on assessments that USAID/EA is conducting.

ACA will provide training and technical assistance to the selected USAID local/regional partners in the following core areas:

• Governance and Leadership. Strengthen governance and leadership in order to improve organizational vision and accountability for resources and results

• Financial Management. Strengthen transparency and accountability via establishment and/or modification of internal control systems, legal risk and compliance mechanisms, procurement systems, reporting procedures and asset management. (ACA is supported by Deloitte Kenya for this activity.)

• Strategic Planning. Support development of organizational direction (purpose, vision and mission, values), multi-year strategic plans, and short-term activity-based, budgeted work plans. (ACA is supported by ACLAIM for this activity.)

• Results-Based Management. Support integration of results-based M&E with clear performance monitoring plans and mechanisms for data collection, analysis and reporting, including necessary information technology systems (computer systems, website, and database) and management information systems.

• Sustainable Learning Communities. Create linkages between beneficiary NGOs to promote sharing of expertise and lessons learned.

2. Justification for Categorical Exclusion Request

The activities described justify Categorical Exclusions, pursuant to 22 CFR §216.2(c)(1) and (2), for which an Initial Environmental Examination, or an Environmental Assessment are not required because the actions do not have an effect on the natural or physical environment.

Specifically, the ACA interventions, as currently planned, fall into the following classes of action:

d) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.,) (216.2(c)(2)(i));

e) Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings (216.2(c)(2)(iii)); and

f) document and information transfers (216.2(c)(2)(v));

If during implementation, activities are considered under ACA that are outside the above framework, activities other than those described in the subject categorical exclusions, and that may directly affect the environment (such as construction or rehabilitation of facilities), an IEE or amended Request for a Categorical Exclusion shall be submitted, as appropriate.