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Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).

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INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999
	Actuals	Estimate	Request
Development Assistance	$48,000,000	$30,000,000	$30,000,000
Economic Support Fund	---	---	$2,000,000

Introduction

The political, economic and social changes sweeping southern Africa are creating increased opportunities for growth and development in the region. At the same time, the southern Africa region is playing a larger international role. An improved political and economic situation in southern Africa contributes to the U.S. national interests of democracy, economic growth, and a sustainable global environment. U.S. support is critical to reinforce and strengthen these successful political and economic transformations. Through USAID, the United States stimulates overall trade and investment opportunities, including potential regional markets for American goods and services. Annual exports to the region in 1996 from the United States were valued at $3.7 billion, while imports from the region were $5.7 billion, increases from 1995 of 7.9% and 13.3%, respectively, reflecting the growing economic importance of the region.

The Development Challenge

The southern Africa region includes 12 countries spanning a geographical area the size of the continental United States, with a population of close to 125 million people. While per capita incomes and populations vary, these countries share many common features, including recent rapid economic and political changes. Statist command economies are being restructured into open economies where market forces determine the allocation of scarce resources. Interest in investment and trade is increasing, and governments are creating conditions for the private sector to function as the engine of growth and job creation. Individual southern African countries have taken great strides to foster development within their borders. National-level efforts alone, however, are not enough to solidify these changes. Because the nations of southern Africa are inextricably linked -- physically, institutionally, and historically -- the full development potential of countries in the region can be realized only if collaboration transcends national borders.

There is much to be done at the regional level before democratic practices are fully integrated into society, a free market economy becomes irreversible, and natural resources are sustainably managed across national borders. The region's ever-present dangers of domestic or regional political instability, combined with continued weak civil society throughout the region, raise the potential for negative impact on foreign investment. There is an improving, but still uncertain, policy environment for long-term investment. And continued degradation of the natural resource base, coupled with the region's semi-arid climate, pose serious challenges for long-term natural resource management and agricultural production.

Acceleration of the region's economic growth requires reducing corruption, controlling central government expenditures, improving investment policies, increasing exports, and boosting the efficiency of infrastructure, particularly through telecommunications and transportation sector policy reform. Accomplishing many of these goals will require actions that transcend national boundaries. The United States can contribute to these efforts by using its expertise to strengthen the newly established democracies, to facilitate dialogue that will reduce the need for costly humanitarian assistance in response to drought and civil unrest, and to help stimulate economic growth.

Other Donors

The European Union (EU), working closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a consortium of 14 southern African countries, focuses on food security, agriculture and natural resources management, transport and communications, and human resource development. Denmark, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Canada have regional democracy and governance programs. Major donors involved in regional market integration include the EU; the United Kingdom; the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank. Although USAID is the largest regional donor in the agriculture and natural resources sector, the EU, Canada, World Bank and international agricultural research centers also provide regional assistance. USAID collaborates with other donors on a number of regional programs: improving communication and information exchange; rail and road efficiency; food security; human resource development; community-based natural resource management; and agricultural research.

FY 1999 Program

The goal of the Initiative for Southern Africa (ISA), which began in 1994, is to help achieve equitable, sustainable economic growth in a democratic southern Africa. The ISA complements USAID's bilateral programs in the region by addressing development constraints that require coordinated region-wide response, and by helping build country linkages in support of regional economic growth and democracy objectives. USAID's southern Africa regional strategy for the 1997-2003 period works in three principal areas: building democracy, encouraging broad-based economic growth, and protecting the environment. USAID also supports creating a capacity for more informed regional decision making which will develop methodologies for gathering and analyzing data related to regional development efforts.

The regional democracy program helps advance U.S. foreign policy interests by promoting regional peace and stability, and supports USAID's goal of fostering the growth of democratic institutions and political systems. While formal democratic structures are largely in place, the region lacks a "culture of democracy" in which citizens understand and exercise their democratic rights and governments accept the fundamental obligation of accountability on a consistent basis. USAID works primarily through its Southern Africa Regional Democracy Fund (SARDF), which supports the promotion of democratic practices. Among its achievements, SARDF has stimulated creation of a regional network of human rights non-governmental organizations.

USAID's assistance to southern Africa is laying the foundation for an expansion of exports and economic growth in the twenty-first century. USAID's investments over the past decade to improve rail and road infrastructure efficiency, and current support for privatization and restructuring of telecommunications and railroads, are key arteries for the flow of trade and information critical to private sector development. The $100 million Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, established in late 1994, addresses the financial constraints faced by indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises. USAID support for regionally-coordinated agricultural research and training has begun to reap rich rewards in the increased availability of higher-yielding and/or drought-resistant varieties of sorghum and millet, two of the region's most important crops for small farmers.

Environmental degradation resulting from the expansion of livestock and crop production into marginal lands, and growing competition and conflict over the management of transboundary resources, are major regional problems. USAID's community-based natural resource management program demonstrates that the sustainable use of wildlife and indigenous plants is a viable alternative to uneconomic agriculture practices on marginal lands. USAID is providing assistance to a regional network of environmental NGOs, governmental organizations and universities collaborating on the development of sound environmental policies and strategies, and is addressing critical needs for policies and training for managing transboundary natural resources.

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REGIONAL CENTER FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
FY 1999 PROGRAM SUMMARY
(in Thousands of Dollars)

USAID Strategic and Special Objectives	Economic Growth & Agriculture	Population & Health	Environment	Democracy	Human Capacity Development	Humanitarian Assistance	TOTALS
S.O. 1. Increased Reg'l Capacity to Influence Dem. Performance - DA	---	---	---	1,000	---	---	1,000
S.O. 2. More Integrated Reg'l Market - DA - ESF	15,600 2,000	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	15,600 ---
S.O. 3. Accelerated Reg'l Adoption of Agriculture/ Nat'l Resource Management Practices - DA	1,900	---	7,500	---	---	---	9,400
SP.O. 1. Increased Reg'l Capacity to Manage Transboundary Nat'l Resources - DA	---	---	2,000	---	---	---	2,000
SP.O. 2. Create Capacity for More Informed Reg'l Decision Making - DA	2,000	---	---	---	---	---	2,000
Totals - DA - ESF	19,500 2,000	--- ---	9,500 ---	1,000 ---	--- ---	--- ---	30,000 2,000

USAID Mission Director, Valerie Dickson-Horton

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Regional Capacity to Influence Democratic Performance, 690-SO01
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $1,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Purpose: To increase regional capacity to influence democratic performance.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Through its bilateral and regional programs, USAID assistance has been instrumental in a number of the southern African transitions from authoritarian rule to democratically-elected governments. The Southern Africa Regional Democracy Fund (SARDF) is the principal implementation vehicle for this strategic objective. SARDF is advancing regional networking initiatives among human rights advocates; women's groups that are training political leaders; and national media organizations. USAID is also supporting indigenous southern African groups in regional electronic networking among non-governmental organization (NGOs) umbrella bodies; providing support for a regional conference on the reduction of corruption; training for parliamentarians; and training civil society organizations as independent election monitors. SARDF has established a key regional working group comprised of dynamic individuals who are prominent democracy and governance activists in their own countries. This group is charged with pioneering the strategic direction and implementation of the program; creating regional synergies in promoting better governance and respect for human rights; and taking the lead in translating the regional agenda into national-level actions.

Description: USAID's long-term strategy for democracy and governance is based on southern African identification of impediments to democratization throughout the region, and concentrates on opportunities to address those impediments through genuine regional cooperation. During FY 1999, USAID will continue to focus on regional linkages among groups that serve as a network of mutually supportive service groups promoting democratic values and processes. USAID has identified four initial areas for its regional democracy work: media organizations, the civil society enabling environment, electoral administration, and anti-corruption activities. Activities in these areas will include information exchange and other forms of networking among regional, national and local groups promoting democratic progress; supporting efforts to improve public information on specific issues on a regional basis; and promoting the articulation and development of region-wide norms, standards and models for democratic governance.

Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is the major donor providing support for regional democracy activities. Denmark and to a lesser extent, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Canada, are the only other major donors that conduct regional democracy and governance programs. Denmark's program involves support for electoral administration and media efforts, while the Commonwealth focuses on elections. Aid from other donors flows through several discrete channels, including bilateral and multilateral donors; parliamentary groups; international organizations; independent NGOs; churches; and academic institutions. One of USAID's top priorities is to promote coordination among the two dozen or more donors active at the regional level.

Beneficiaries: Successful promotion and strengthening of democratic institutions will benefit the entire population of the region. National-level organizations and participants in USAID-supported regional initiatives also are direct beneficiaries.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID implements this activity through indigenous southern African NGOs and other entities that work with U.S. or other non-indigenous partners. Grantmaking and other support services for this strategic objective are provided by the U.S. firm, Datex, Inc.

Major Results Indicators: USAID's long-term strategy for democracy and governance in southern Africa uses largely qualitative indicators to measure results. Indicators and targets for this activity are being developed and are likely to include: the increase of regional influence on discourse around national democracy and governance events; an increase in the quantity and quality of intra-regional democracy and governance-related information; the quantity and quality of regional public debate on key issues; and increases in the number of common-interest groups that have developed significant sets of norms related to democracy and governance activities.

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: A More Integrated Regional Market, 690-SO02
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $15,600,000 DA; $2,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Purpose: To enhance prospects for economic growth in the region.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Southern Africa is moving toward an integrated regional marketplace with a combined gross domestic product of $175 billion. Through the effective use of comparative advantages and economies of scale, this integration will encourage economic growth, trade creation, increased incomes, and will promote food security. USAID supports southern Africa's economic integration by helping develop and implement trade policies and regional infrastructure reforms that promote the free flow of goods, services, capital and labor across regional borders. USAID supports efforts to develop a sustained partnership between the private and public sectors and broader participation in economic activity, from the small-scale farmer to the large entrepreneur. These efforts will lead to more jobs, increased income and improved standards of living for all southern Africans. Recent achievements under this objective include the following:

- In the financial area, the USAID-funded Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) approved disbursements of $14 million to finance small and medium enterprise investments ranging from ostrich production to asset management and the financing of home mortgages. A total of $3.8 million already has been disbursed to four clients in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. SAEDF anticipates that these four investments will result in the creation of 2,000 jobs over the next three years.

- In the policy arena, a successful Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Forum was held in Washington, D.C. for trade ministers from SADC countries, key business people, and SADC representatives. Participants were briefed on the U.S. and Mexican experience in formulating the North American Free Trade Agreement and the resulting increases in trade and employment. Lessons learned were clearly articulated, with comparisons made to the process that southern Africa has been undertaking since the signing of a trade protocol among SADC countries.

- To promote regional integration, USAID brought together more than 80 participants from government, the private sector, and regional organizations to discuss issues related to regional integration and to begin to prioritize actions to implement the SADC trade protocol. The result was include increased dialogue between the public and private sectors and a better understanding of the issues related to the development of a free trade area.

- In infrastructure development, USAID has assisted several southern African countries with the establishment or improved management of national telecommunications regulatory bodies. USAID also has assisted with the preparation of model legislation for telecommunications sector restructuring; the legislation is currently being applied in three southern African countries. Two SADC member countries have requested USAID assistance with preparations for bidding for cellular telephone licenses. USAID also assisted with preparatory accounting and asset management work for privatization of Malawi Railways, and is assisting with privatization of the Zambia national telephone company.

Description: Southern Africa's economic performance will improve if the region can begin to operate as a single economic market in which goods, services, capital, and labor move easily across national borders. A more integrated regional market will contribute to growth in employment, incomes, and food security. USAID's regional program focuses on three areas for assisting SADC member countries: the reduction of barriers to broadened participation in the regional market; the provision of more efficient

infrastructure; and the strengthening of efforts to argue for and encourage sustained regional economic integration.

During FY 1999, USAID will participate in the President's African Trade and Investment Initiative through national and regional level analytical and operational programs which reduce barriers to trade. Additional support will strengthen networks of organizations, focusing on business associations, to promote regional integration. Work will continue with SADC to implement its trade protocol, specifically by: identifying investment, tariff, and non-tariff barriers in the region and developing timetables for their removal; and identifying priority areas for harmonizing policies and standards. USAID will support increased investment in the region through continued funding for the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund. In the infrastructure area, USAID will continue to provide assistance to SADC member countries in preparing parastatal railroads and telephone companies for privatization; in improving capacity to regulate infrastructure sectors that include both public and private companies; and drafting model laws for reform of the transport and telecommunications sectors. USAID also will encourage private sector ownership of telecommunications and support SADC to implement cohesive reform policies in the transport and telecommunications sectors, including defining regional regulatory, technical and operational standards and installing regionally-based information and networking systems.

Host Country and Other Donors: All southern African countries are members of SADC, and all but Botswana and South Africa are members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Both of these regional organizations actively promote market integration. The United Kingdom is particularly active in promoting public sector reform throughout the region. The Cross Border Initiative, funded by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, and the European Union (EU), contributes to reducing trade barriers in the region. The EU also is assisting SADC with the implementation of the SADC trade protocol and the transport and communications protocol to facilitate intra-regional trade. The EU and the Nordic countries provide support to SADC for infrastructure policy reform. Norway, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations Development Program, and the EU have development programs for small and medium enterprises. A German non-governmental organization and the International Development Research Council also support regional networks to promote small and medium enterprises. Finally, the Commonwealth Development Corporation has set up venture capital and other investment funds in Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Beneficiaries: The population of the SADC member countries, with particular emphasis on those private sector entities that will benefit from broader regional markets.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Key U.S. implementing agencies include SAEDF, Chemonics, Nathan Associates, and Price Waterhouse. The International Telecommunication Union works with USAID in the telecommunications sector.

Major Results Indicators: Indicators and targets for this activity are being developed and are likely to include: the increase in the value and volume of trade within southern Africa; the level of wholesale price convergence on selected commodities/products; increased listings and volume of trading in regional capital markets; the number of private/public sector fora addressing regional infrastructure and trade issues. Other measures will include: a reduction in the number and types of barriers that impede increased trade; and the reduction in the clearance times for goods at SADC international border posts.

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Accelerated Regional Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Approaches, 690-SO03
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $9,400,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Purpose: To accelerate regional adoption of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management approaches.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID assistance concentrates in three areas: (1) assisting Southern African Development Community (SADC) technical units to develop technologies suitable for small farmers; (2) promoting community-based natural resources management in areas unsuitable for intensive agriculture; and (3) building capacity in regional institutions to develop, disseminate and promote the adoption of appropriate agriculture and natural resource policies, technologies and strategies.

USAID supports the Southern Africa center for Cooperation in Agricultural Research (SACCAR) in research coordination and impact assessment, and finances three regional agricultural research networks: the Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program, the Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network, and the Heartwater Animal Disease Control Program. In addition to providing national agricultural research systems with high-yielding varieties for local testing and eventual selection and release, these programs also build capacity within the national systems and facilitate exchanges of information among them. Since their inception, these programs have resulted in the final release of more than 30 improved sorghum and millet varieties from among hundreds introduced, and the selection of appropriate cassava and sweet potato lines for several agroecological zones. More than 100 research scientists, 200 technicians, and 800 staff and decision-makers of national research systems have been trained, resulting in marked improvements in the planning and management of research programs. The heartwater disease control project is producing effective vaccines and tick repellents, technologies needed to control this disease which attacks cattle.

USAID supports community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) initiatives in four southern Africa countries -- Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe -- as well as regional networking and training initiatives through the SADC wildlife unit, based in Malawi. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the World Conservation Union and the World Wildlife Fund, collaborate as implementing partners. These community-based activities demonstrate that sustainable utilization of indigenous plants and animals is a viable alternative to unsustainable agricultural practices on marginal lands. Communities now are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars each year from successful tourism ventures and the marketing of non-traditional forest products. In addition, USAID and SADC collaboration with the World Conservation Union has expanded the activities of its more than sixty governmental and NGO members in environmental policy development, monitoring of trade in wildlife products, and development of new environmental education materials.

Description: USAID's new strategy for the FY 1997-2003 period focuses on achieving two major outcomes: (1) putting in place functioning systems for transferring proven sustainable, profitable agricultural and natural resource management technologies and best practices across the southern Africa region; and (2) creating an enabling policy environment that provides incentives for smallholders to adopt sustainable technologies and approaches. Through this program USAID will build national and regional institutional capacities to develop and test new technologies and approaches and improved data and analysis for decision-making.

FY 1999 efforts will focus on increasing the number of successful community-based natural resource management programs; furthering policy analysis and implementation efforts by regional entities; and assisting NGOs engaged in disseminating improved agricultural and natural resource technologies. In addition, USAID will work with SADC to improve regional coordination efforts of its technical units and to develop a framework within which national policies are harmonized.

Host Country and Other Donors: Host governments, international agricultural research centers, NGOs, the private sector and donors collaborate on a daily basis. SADC member states currently contribute over 60% of the total operating costs of SACCAR. USAID is the major donor supporting agricultural research and community-based natural resource management. Other donors are Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Nordic countries.

Beneficiaries: USAID programs target an estimated 100 million subsistence farmers and smallholders living in marginally productive agricultural areas who receive improved seed varieties and technologies for managing resources. Many of the people in the natural resource management area live in areas which are unsuitable for agriculture. These people are among the poorest, least empowered people in the region. Other beneficiaries are government agencies and NGOs that deliver assistance to smallholders, and which benefit from institutional strengthening.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the University of Florida are grantees working in collaboration with the 12 SADC national agriculture research systems. Regional organizations such as the SADC Secretariat, SACCAR, the World Conservation Union's Regional Office for Southern Africa, SADC's wildlife unit, and several southern African universities also are acting as executing agents. Private voluntary organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and PACT, and private contractors such as Chemonics, are the implementors. In all cases, host governments are active participants and partners with USAID's regional programs.

Major Result Indicators: Baseline Target

Percentage of area planted
in improved sorghum and millet varieties 15% (1995) 40% (2003)

Percentage of area planted in
improved cassava and sweet potato 0 (1995) 20% (2003)

Number of southern African countries
with active CBNRM programs 5 (1995) 7 (2003)

Number of countries with legislation
supporting community rights to manage
natural resources 4 (1995) 6 (2003)

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Regional Capacity to Manage Transboundary Natural Resources, 690-SP01
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $ 2,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Purpose: To increase regional capacity to manage transboundary natural resources (TBNR).

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: The management of transboundary natural resources, which includes water, parks and ecosystems, and migratory wildlife, is a new area of involvement for USAID and for the southern Africa region. USAID efforts to date have focused on understanding the dimensions of the problems and identifying opportunities for assistance. USAID funded a major assessment of the regional water sector in 1995, which has been the basis for considerable discussion among governments, donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and which has helped to focus new donor investments. USAID also collaborated with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on a stakeholders' workshop in June 1997, which prioritized policy interventions in implementing the SADC regional protocol on management of shared watercourses. USAID is assisting SADC with the implementation of the regional water protocol, including targeted training for legal experts, and with the development of a new protocol on management of migratory wildlife.

Description: Sustainable development in southern Africa hinges on effective regional management of shared natural resources, particularly water. Stakeholders consulted during the preparation of USAID's regional strategy identified water as the single most important issue meriting regional cooperation -- and one that has high potential for regional conflict if not addressed adequately. Southern Africa is a water-scarce region, and virtually all of the region's river basins cross international boundaries. Migratory wildlife pose similar problems, particularly in parks located along international borders. Yet there is limited capacity within national governments and regional institutions to tackle transboundary resource management issues. Regional and national organizations also fail to take advantage of opportunities to build upon the region's extensive network of protected areas and unique wildlife endowment in order to capture a larger share of the world's ecotourism market. The USAID program will address these concerns and opportunities by: (1) increasing national capacity to address TBNR management issues by ensuring that participating countries have national experts who understand the issues and are able to negotiate international conflicts over competing management scenarios; (2) developing models for improved transboundary natural resource management; and (1) strengthening regional institutional capacity. Efforts will be focused so that those countries and groups who have the most to lose from poor regional management decisions, and who historically have had limited voices in these discussions, are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process.

USAID will support work to determine priorities for investment in transboundary parks; train water specialists; train country experts involved in negotiating and implementing transboundary natural resource management agreements; and strengthen the analytic and information sharing capacity of regional institutions involved in managing transboundary natural resources. USAID will also invest in one or more pilot activities to manage river basins or transboundary parks/ecosystems to develop successful models for replication elsewhere.

Host Country and Other Donors: Most of the donors who are involved in water resources management are working on a national level, many with a focus on rural water supply. Several donors currently are involved in regional water resources management and planning, including: the United Nations Development Program, which has launched a SADC regional round table process on water resources; the European Union, which sponsored a seminar on transboundary rivers in May 1997; and Norway and Denmark, which support planning efforts in the Zambezi Basin. In 1996, Sweden launched the

Southern African Initiative for Support to Sustainable Management of Water Resources. The newly established Global Water Partnership (GWP) seeks to translate an emerging global consensus on water resources management into responsive action. The GWP has identified southern Africa as the region with the highest priority for initial GWP action, and is working to coordinate donor activity in the water sector. The World Bank is involved in transboundary park planning in the region, and has a regional initiative in participatory water resource policy reform. SADC has several regional coordination units with responsibility for natural resources issues: the Water Unit and Environment and Land Management Unit, both located in Lesotho, and the Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Unit, located in Malawi.

Beneficiaries: Successful regional management of transboundary natural resources will benefit the entire population of the region. Regional organizations, national government agencies, and NGOs receiving capacity building will be the first-stage beneficiaries.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement activities under this special objective through a combination of southern African regional institutions and NGOs; U.S. private voluntary organizations; U.S. universities; and other entities, such as private contractors, which may work with U.S. or indigenous partners.

Major Results Indicators: Indicators and targets for this activity are under development and are likely to include: adoption of selected TBNR best practices and steps taken toward making TBNR protocols for water and wildlife operational within the SADC region; the number of regional NGOs actively involved in management of transboundary natural resources; strengthened SADC coordinating units for water and wildlife. At the national level indicators are likely to include: the increase in local capacity to contribute to TBNR management agreements in selected countries and increased confidence of senior government representatives to negotiate TBNR agreements.

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Create Capacity for More Informed Regional Decision Making, 690-SP02
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $2,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Purpose: To create capacity for more informed regional decision making and to develop a coherent and wide-ranging basis for accurately assessing regional trends and impacts related to decisions made at both the regional and national levels.

USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Activities under this new program are being implemented in two phases. Under the Initiative for Southern Africa (ISA), during its first phase USAID developed a performance monitoring plan to meet the unique requirements of monitoring and evaluating the impact of regional programs. The collection of baseline data currently is in process. Lessons learned from developing a valid, reliable data base of comparable information across the region will be applied to other regional donor programs and to efforts within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to promote regional economic planning and integration. In the second phase, scheduled to begin in FY 1999, USAID will work closely with southern African institutions in developing methodologies for gathering and analyzing data related to regional development efforts.

Description: The shortage of regional information and analytical resources is a serious impediment to effective southern African policy-making on a regional basis. The aggregation of existing country-specific data frequently fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the region as a whole. As a result, southern African decision makers lack the tools for sound policy-making based on clearly identified needs and realities of the region.

Initially, USAID has been developing methodologies for performance planning and tracking, monitoring and evaluation, and impact assessment of regional development programs, with a focus on ISA activities. Because of the regional nature of the problems addressed by USAID, and due to the dearth of regional information available for monitoring development progress, this activity requires close coordination with other donors, and southern African partners and stakeholders. USAID relies on respected southern African institutions and individuals in the development of methodologies for measuring achievement of regional programmatic goals.

Beginning in FY 1999, the activity will work toward building southern African capacity to develop and analyze regional trends and to incorporate this analysis into regional economic, political, and social decision-making. The demand for such skills will accelerate as the region becomes more interlinked and interdependent, and as regional economic integration and cooperation require an increase in decisions that have region-wide scope and impact. This activity will provide decision-makers with the necessary information to weigh the comparative advantage of one decision over another and to consider regional interests. It also will provide the background that is needed for the region to begin to develop "regional visions" in relation to particular sectors and across sectors. Finally, it will help improve the capabilities of some countries in the region in terms of data collection and analysis, so they can participate in regional dialogues with their neighbors.

Host Country and Other Donors: The European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have expressed strong interest in collaborating with USAID and SADC on this activity. USAID seeks to facilitate increased participation by donors as well as public and private sector entities throughout the region.

Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries of assistance include SADC and southern African research institutions, such as the Southern African Research and Documentation Center. The peoples of southern Africa will

be the ultimate beneficiaries of this activity, because informed decision making on economic, political and social issues will assist USAID's partners in managing their programs. This in turn will lead to stronger economies and enhance the region's growing awareness of and reliance on democratic processes.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The U.S. firm Aurora Associates is the principal contractor. Other contractors or grantees also will participate.

Major Results Indicators: Indicators and targets for this activity are under development and are likely to include: an increase in the number of regional centers meeting development information needs and an increase in the number of networks.

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