DCN: to be assigned by BEO

~T~A~Q I SRI LANKA United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE)

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Activity/Project Name: Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Activity

Assistance Objective: Strengthened Democratic Governance and Social Cohesion

Program Area: Good Governance (DR20) and Civil Society (DR4)

Country(ies) and/or Operating Unit: Sri Lanka Governance & Vulnerable

Originating Office: Populations Office Date: June 20, 2017

Drafted by: Karen Harridge PAD Level RCE: YesD NoiS] DCN of Original RCE/IEE: No RCE/IEE Amendment: YesD NoiS]

DCN of Amendment(s): Supplemental RCE: YesD NoiS] No

. If Yes, Purpose of Amendment:

DCN(s) of Related EA/IEE/RCE/ER(s) : NIA

Implementation Start/End: FY 2017/FY 2020 LOP: 3 years

Funding Amount: $8,000,000 LOP Amount: $8,000,000

Contract/Award Number (if known):

IEE Expiration Date (if any): \ FY 2020 Reporting due dates (if any): \ Quarterly/ Annually

Recommended Determination: Categorical Exclusion

Additional Elements:

Government to Government: D Local Procurement: D Donor Co-Funded: D

1. Project and Activity Description The purpose of the Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Activity is that Sri Lanka has a vibrant civil society which empowers citizens to advance democratic values of citizen participation and government accountability on a range of governance and reform issues. The project will have a nation-wide coverage, demonstrate gender and diversity considerations, and employ a conflict-sensitive approach throughout the life of the project through every aspect of project design, implementation and monitoring. The sub-purposes are: I) Support civil society advocacy to advance good governance reforms; 2) Improve the enabling environment for civil society; and 3) Strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability of civil society organizations.

The defined activities under this award will include the following:

USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives - Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Activity 1

Asia 17-064

Objective 1: Support civil society advocacy to advance good governance reforms

Provide targeted support to civil society to build the d~mand side of transparency, accountability and good governance Support CSO initiatives to work with media and information technology to advance evidence-based public information and advocacy Coalition building on key policy issues Link subnational and national CSO advocacy efforts Deploy technology and innovation for citizen engagement and network building Support sustainable, long-term civic education campaigns and programs, particularly targe:ing voung citizens Support voter education campaigns during the election cycle Support CSO capacities for research and data gathering and analysis to inform advocacy Support CSOs to present data and information in innovative ways Support more effective partnerships between civil society organizations, think tanks and universities to advance the use of information and data in advocacy Support local civil society initiatives (including online) that promote civic engagement (i.e. public budgeting, score cards, clean politics, etc.)

Objective 2: Improve the enabling environment for civil society

Train and network lawyers and legal scholars specializing in nonprofit law Support advocacy for legal reform that is more favorable to civil society Creation of an umbrella organization and or network of NGOs to advocate for the sector Collaborate with the Advisory Committee to the NGO Secretariat CSOs adopt self-regulatory mechanisms, shared ethical guidance Development of shared resource and capacity building platform, including to improve STIP integration Support public opinion surveys on the role and perceptions of civil society Support targeted service delivery by CSOs related to key issues

Objective 3: Strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability of civil society organizations

Customized training and mentoring programs targeted to individual CSO needs

Leadership training and mentoring for civil society leaders

Support civil society groups to advance their digital and physical safety

Provide targeted technical training for CSOs to advanc~ their core mandates

Foster development and implementation of an accreditation scheme for CSOs that recognizes best practices and accountability standards

Link civil society and the private sector (e.g. promote CSR)

Advance legislation and regulation that supports innovative methods of fundraising and charitable giving (i.e. crowdfunding) and social enterprises

Advance CSO skills to conduct fundraising and volunteer-drive campaigns

Creation of media and civil society partnerships

Training and mentoring for CSOs on communication strategies and techniques

Support CSOs to create information campaigns, websites, aoos, ICTs, maintaining a socia~

USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives - Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Activity 2

I media presence

2. Justification for Categorical Exclusion Determination The Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) activities will not have an effect on the natural or physical environment and are among the classes of activities listed in 22 CPR 216.2( c )(2). Therefore, under §216.2( c) ( 1 ), neither an IEE nor an EA will be required for these activities. Instead, a categorical exclusion threshold determination is recommended for:

• Activities Under Objective One, Two and Three: Technical Assistance under §216.2(c)(2)(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.);

• Activity Under Objective One, Two and Three: Technical Analysis under §216.2(c)(2)(iii) Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings.

3. Climate Change Based on USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives climate resilience screening analysis at the CDCS level, this project is categorized as low risk for climate impacts.

4. Revisions Under §216.3(a) (9), if new information becomes available that indicates that activities covered by the categorical exclusion might be considered major and their effect significant, or if additional activities are proposed that might be considered major and their effect significant, this categorical exclusion determination will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised by the Mission Environmental Officer (MEO) with concurrence by the BEO. It is the responsibility of the USAID Contract Officer's Representative (COR)/Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) to keep the MEO and BEO informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this determination.

USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives - Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Activity 3

Approval:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Concurrence:

Distribution: IEE File

Eliza~ Acting Mission Director

Kaarli Sundsmo Acting Director Pro~m Policy Support Office

~;:'~ Director Govemance & Vulnerable Populations Office

N;h~~];h...---.<=6=-------Mission Enviromnenta\ Officer

Cut:-.red 110. 611\~ I Andrei Barannik Regional Environmental Adviser /SCA & OAP A

· lia'l1 Gibson-0vhf\ V\J1 JS.of\ -Asia Bureau ErNuorimen\a\ Omt:.eT

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~IBO (to also provide a copy to AOR/COR) RLA OAA

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Date

USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives - Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) Project 4