The News

USGS Conducts Groundwater Training in Armenia

On March 2, the USGS (US Geological Survey), with facilitation of the ASPIRED (Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development) Project, completed training on building groundwater management capacity for Armenia’s Ararat Valley for the representatives of the Ministry of Nature Protection. The training program was made possible through a partnership between USAID’s ASPIRED Project, ICARE (International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education) via its USAID's PEER (Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research) grant, and the USGS.

The goal of the training was to improve participants’ understanding of the groundwater modeling and field protocols regarding well inventory and collection of data. The training focused on the importance of the well inventory, including modern well inventory techniques, measurement and data collection processes and equipment needs. This interactive course consisted of both classroom training and fieldwork on making well measurements and observations in the Ararat Valley.

USAID/Armenia awarded ME&A (Mendez England & Associates) the contract for the ASPIRED Project in October 2015 under the Water and Development (WADI) IDIQ.

HICD 2020 Program to Support Georgia Regional Civil Society Network

USAID/Georgia’s HICD 2020 Program will soon begin work with Georgia’s Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and the Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) to strengthen the member organizations’ capacity for robust civic engagement.

R-CSN, which is the largest regional network of local civil society organizations in Georgia, was created in 2013 with USAID support. Since then, CiDA has facilitated and coordinated R-CSN activities. R-CSN is an advocate for Georgia’s regional populations and seeks to engage them in local, regional and national civic initiatives. Over a three-year period, network membership has increased by 25% and currently comprises 55 members.

HICD 2020 will focus on building CiDA’s capacity to mentor and deliver institutional development consultancy services to R-CSN member CSOs with a view to strengthening the effectiveness of the entire network. HICD 2020’s Organizational Development Consultant, Gwen Jones, a 20-year veteran of civil society and organizational capacity development, will work closely with CiDA and R-CSN members.

The stronger network will help increase focus on regional issues while at the same time, reinforcing R-CSN’s stance as a strong partner for the leading Tbilisi-based CSOs to advance the key reforms that are closely linked with Georgia’s democratic and economic development as well as the country’s progress towards EU and NATO accession.

ME&A currently holds the five-year contract with USAID/Georgia to implement the HICD 2020 Program. ME&A was awarded the HICD 2020 Task Order under USAID’s Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICDpro) IDIQ.

USAID Armenia Launches Resource Development Project

At a kickoff event in Yerevan on February 10, 2016 attended by USAID/Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard and ME&A President Thomas England, USAID announced the launch of the Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development Project (ASPIRED).

This new three-year activity will assist the Government of Armenia in developing consistent policy and technical solutions for a more regulated use of its vital groundwater resources. The project will focus on closing data gaps, improving technical capacities and tools for informed decision-making, increasing access to innovative water conservation and energy efficiency technologies, and promoting regulatory and enforcement mechanisms.

USAID/Armenia awarded ME&A (Mendez England & Associates) the contract for the ASPIRED Activity in October 2015 under the Water and Development IDIQ (WADI). The WADI IDIQ provides USAID's E3 Bureau with services and technical support to assist USAID Missions, Bureaus and Offices worldwide in the implementation of the Agency's Water and Development Strategy.

HICD 2020 Launches Capacity Building Programs for 5 Key Georgian Institutions

In February and March 2016, the USAID-funded HICD 2020 Activity will launch capacity building programs for five Georgian institutions. Each of the five partner institutions has a strategic role to fulfill to ensure the steady development of the sectors in which they operate. They include:

Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association (GYLA) is one of the main human rights watchdogs in the country. It provides vulnerable citizens with free legal services and monitors activities of public agencies. HICD 2020 will assist GYLA to overcome gaps in its financial management and budgeting, human resource management, communications, project monitoring and grants management.

Electricity System Commercial Operator (ESCO) is the only commercial electric utility in Georgia; it plays a crucial role in the process of Georgia’s intention to integrate into the European Union. HICD 2020 will work with ESCO to improve its human and institutional capacity.

The State Fund for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking (ATIPfund) is a legal entity under the Georgian Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs. It provides care and services to the victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as individuals with disabilities, foster children and the elderly. ATIPfund is committed to HICD activities to improve performance of the institution as a whole.

Georgian Revenue Service (GRS) has launched a number of electronic, “one-stop shop”, services to remodel Georgia’s tax and customs systems to make it more flexible and customer oriented. HICD 202 will assist GRS to enhance its human resource management policy.

Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN), created by Georgia’s Civil Development Agency (CiDA) in 2013, is the largest regional network of local civil society organizations (CSOs) with active members in every region of Georgia. HICD 2020 will help build the capacity of CiDA to mentor and deliver consultancy services to the regional CSOs to strengthen the long-term effectiveness of R-CSN.

ME&A currently holds a five-year contract with USAID Georgia to implement HICD 2020. The objective of HICD 2020 is to achieve tangible improvements in the human and institutional capacity of USAID’s strategic partner organizations in Georgia including governmental, non-governmental, and for-profit entities.