EEP QR2 2016 : Final

An EEP/Shiree Production Concept, Photograph, Design : Samiul Ahsan

EEP/Shiree Quarterly Report 2016 April - June

Economic Empowerment of the Poorest (EEP) Stimulating Household Improvements Resulting in Economic Empowerment (SHIREE)

Table of Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................ i EEP/Shiree in numbers ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Outline of the EEP/Shiree programme............................................................................................................................... iii Scope of this report ................................................................................................................................................................. v Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................... vi Output 1: Proven approaches to improving the livelihoods of the extreme poor taken to scale ................................. 1 Output 2: Innovative approaches to improve the livelihoods of the extreme poor tested, evaluated, and successes ready for scaling up (Innovation Fund) .............................................................................................................................. 5 Output 3: Research into the causes and effects of extreme poverty and the effectiveness of measures taken to address extreme poverty is undertaken and results disseminated .................................................................................. 6 Output 4: Needs of the extreme poor are recognised in policy and practice .................................................................. 8 Output 5: Direct nutrition support to target households in the Haor areas .................................................................. 10 Financial management ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Human resource management ............................................................................................................................................ 16 ANNEXES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17

List of Tables Table 1: EEP/Shiree graduation statistics (based on 2015 CMS3 survey, using average PNGOs household size of 3.86 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ii Table 2: Cumulative progress against all components up to June 2016 .......................................................................... ii Table 3: Number of Group Leaders Trained ...................................................................................................................... 1 Table 4: Number of beneficiaries received support from CGF fund ............................................................................... 2 Table 5: Savings and Loan Information (all groups- both registered and non-registered) .................................................. 2 Table 6: Khasland Status (permanent and temporary lease) .................................................................................................. 3

List of Figures Figure 1: Breakdown of Total Expenditure of £82,541,091 (December 2007 – June 2016) .......................................... 12 Figure 2: Breakdown of quarterly Expenditure of £592,510 (April 2016 - June 2016) ................................................. 12

List of Annexes Annex 1: Progress against annual logframe targets ........................................................................................................ 17 Annex 2: Financial Summary (April 2016 – June 2016) .................................................................................................... 21 Annex 3: EEP/Shiree organogram as of 30 June 2016...................................................................................................... 22 Annex 4: EEP/Shiree district and beneficiary household coverage .............................................................................. 23

Acronyms and Abbreviations ANC

Antenatal Care

BHH

Beneficiary Household

BIDS

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies

CFO

Chief Financial Officer

CGF

Contributory Group Fund

CMS

Change Monitoring System

CPK

Community Pushti Kormi

CSG

Community Support Group

CU2

Children Under 2 years of age

CWW

Concern Worldwide

DFID

Department for International Development

ECNEC

Executive Committee of the National Economic Council

EEP

Economic Empowerment of the Poorest

EPI

Extended Programme on Immunisation

FAPAD

Foreign Aided Project Audit Directorate

GoB

Government of Bangladesh

HKI

Helen Keller International

HRA

Head of Research and Advocacy

HSI

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation

IAP

Independent Assessment Panel

IF IFA LGRD

Innovation Fund Iron and Folic Acid Local Government and Rural Development

MNP

Micronutrient Powder

MP

Member of Parliament

NGO PNC PNGO QR RDCD SDC SF Shiree

Non-Governmental Organisation Post Natal Care Partner Non-Government Organisation Quarterly Report Rural Development and Cooperative Division Swiss Development Cooperation Scale Fund Stimulating Household Improvements Resulting in Economic Empowerment

TBA

Traditional Birth Attendant

UPL

University Press Limited

i

EEP/Shiree in numbers QR2 (April - June) 2016 EEP submits its results to DFID twice annually, in March and September. The results submitted in June are as given below, taking into account any adjustments.

Table 1

EEP/Shiree graduation statistics (based on 2015 CMS3 survey, using average PNGOs household size of 3.86) Fund Type

Beneficiary enrollment VS graduation

No. beneficiaries enrolled

No. beneficiaries graduated

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Scale Fund Round 1 (Phase 1)

289,595

134,749

154,846

272,769

126,919

145,849

Scale Fund Round 1 (Phase 2)

371,777

172,988

198,789

364,686

169,689

194,998

Scale Fund Round 2

182,990

85,145

97,845

177,541

82,610

94,931

Scale Fund Round 3

47,060

21,897

25,163

46,808

21,780

25,028

Scale out

191,766

89,229

102,537

191,151

88,942

102,209

1,083,188

504,007

579,181

1,052,955

489,939

563,016

Innovation Round 1

27,535

12,812

14,723

15,165

7,056

8,109

Innovation Round 2

19,423

9,038

10,386

12,697

5,908

6,789

Innovation Round 3

30,289

14,093

16,195

29,828

13,879

15,949 17,449

Sub Total SF

Innovation Round 4

33,333

15,510

17,823

32,633

15,184

Sub Total IF

110,579

51,452

59,127

90,323

42,027

48,296

Grand Total

1,193,767

555,460

638,307

1,143,278

531,967

611,311

Percentage graduated

N/A

95.8%

Note: Based on 2015 CMS1 and CMS3 survey, using average PNGOs household size of 3.86

Table 2

Cumulative progress against all components up to June 2016 All Cumulative Progress up to June 2016 Male Female Total

Number of People lifted out of extreme poverty

Target/Milestone Achieved

357,037 531,967

410,289 611,311

Number of People achieving food security

Target/Milestone Achieved Target/Milestone

357,037 548,273 535,526

410,289 630,048 615,400

767,326 1,143,278 767,326 1,178,321 1,150,926

Achieved Target/Milestone Achieved

555,460 41,042 71,292

638,307 47,163 81,925

1,193,767 88,205 153,217

Target/Milestone

49,204

56,543

105,747

Achieved Target/Milestone

44,627 97,712

51,283 135,826

95,910 233,538

Achieved

107,888

151,934

259,822

Number of beneficiaries of extreme poverty programme Number of people benefitting from cash transfer programme Number of people supported to improve their rights to land and property Number of children Under 5 and pregnant women reached

Exceeded Target 1Missed

1

Target

The GoB’s Department of Land Records and Survey provides Khasland to landless people. Transferring land is a complicated process of application, registration etc., and takes a long time to conclude. The project period did not allow EEP to achieve or exceed the target/milestone. ii

Outline of the EEP/Shiree programme The Economic Empowerment of the Poorest (EEP) programme started in 2008. It was planned to end in March 2016 but was given a six month No Cost Extension from April to September 2016.

EEP/Shiree is a partnership between the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) under the leadership of the Rural Development and Cooperative Division (RDCD) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD).

The total programme budget is GBP 83.53 million. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) contributes approximately £79.53 million, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) contributed £4 million.

Summary of EEP/Shiree Programme Objectives Output One:

Scale Fund - proven approaches to improving the livelihoods of the extreme poor taken to scale;

Output Two:

Innovation Fund - innovative approaches to improve the livelihoods of the extreme poor tested, evaluated and successes are ready for scaling up;

Output Three:

Lesson Learning and Research - to increase consistency in the understanding, sharing and application of approaches in addressing extreme poverty;

Output Four:

Advocacy – needs of the extreme poor are recognised in policy and practice at national and local levels; and

Output Five:

Nutrition - direct nutritional support provided to extreme poor mothers, children, adolescent girls and family members.

Over its lifecycle, EEP/Shiree established two challenge funds to provide resources to address extreme poverty. National and international NGOs prepared bids for projects to be funded by the funds, and the successful candidates were chosen by an Independent Assessment Panel.

The first fund – the Scale Fund – used tried and tested methods to assist large numbers of people out of extreme poverty. The second – the Innovation Fund - challenged NGOs to design and implement innovative approaches based on selected themes to reduce extreme poverty in urban and rural areas.

Additionally, EEP/Shiree also implemented two nutrition funds from 2012. The Scale Fund Nutrition Component provided direct nutrition support to pregnant and breastfeeding iii

women, adolescent girls, and children through existing EEP/Shiree Scale Fund partners. The Nutrition Innovation Fund tested new and unproven approaches to increasing protein intake among women, adolescent girls and children.

Overall, EEP/Shiree funded 43 projects with its partner NGOs under the Scale and Innovation Funds. As of December 2015, all asset transfers have now concluded, and most of the projects have now closed. In 2016, EEP continues to support its Scale Fund partners to improve the sustainability of interventions through supporting savings and loans schemes, contributory group funds, and providing links to service providers.

These direct delivery components (Outputs 1, 2 and 5) are complemented by research (Outputs 3) and advocacy (Output 4) to improve the understanding of the causes and effects of extreme poverty, the effectiveness of the measures taken to address it, and, through using the evidence created, aims to increase the recognition of the extreme poor in government policy and planning.

EEP/Shiree has a low key but strategic advocacy role to ensure the needs of the Extreme Poor are recognised in policy and practice. Initially networking with other relevant actors in Bangladesh to develop learning platforms on extreme poverty, EEP/Shiree with DFID support, assisted the Planning Commission to frame policies on extreme poverty which are now included in the Government’s 7th Five Year Plan (2016 – 2020) approved in October 2015.

EEP/Shiree is subject to rigorous DFID Annual Reviews and consistently scores above the testing expectations set by GoB and donors. It scored at A+ in both 2014 and 2015.

EEP/Shiree is managed by Ecorys UK Ltd and PMTC Bangladesh Ltd with their consortium partners, the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) at Bath University, the British Council and Unnayan Shamannay.

iv

Scope of this report This is the Second Quarterly Report (QR2) of 2016 for EEP/Shiree for the period 1 April to 30 June in Year Eight – the final year - of the project.

v

Executive Summary Scale Fund: Following approval of the EEP/Shiree no-cost extension from March to September 2016, all Scale Fund (SF) Projects were extended to August 2016 with the aim of enhancing sustainability of the project results.

Major accomplishments of the SF projects in QR2 were training of 7,634 group leaders on “Group Leadership and Savings Management”. 13,039 weak beneficiaries received financial support from the CGF Fund to restart or expand their income enterprises. During the reporting period, 8,474 groups consisting of 189,412 members (74% female) have saved around BDT 156 million. 496 BHHs received permanent leases of 114 acres of khas land whereas 72 BHHs received 83 acres of khas land in temporary arrangements.

6,848 beneficiaries including 5,002 female have started self-employment with support from the CGF fund. And 1,363 beneficiaries received jobs in the private sector, mainly garments factories, shoe factories, security companies, EPZ, bakery etc.

Nutrition: 60,377 beneficiaries received nutritional education through 3,981 BHH group meetings. 12,204 pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescent girls received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets.

Research: The CMS 3 Socio-economic and Anthropometric Survey 2016 has been completed.

Data analysis and report writing and preparation of a four page brief are in progress.

Manuscripts were submitted to the publishers for two edited research books. Six working papers were finalised and uploaded on the website. The final EEP Research Report is in progress: fieldwork completed; data processing are in progress.

A dedicated session on “Eradicating extreme Poverty – Leave No One Behind” was held on Day 2 of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) arranged “The Bangladesh Journey” conference. EEP/Shiree’s Head of Research and Advocacy made a widely commended introductory presentation both on the issues and propositions for discussion.

Finance: Total disbursement of Quarter 2 was £592,510. As of 30 June 2016, overall expenditure of the programme was £82,541,091million - 98.82% of the total budget. There remains £990,211 million for the remaining three months of the project’s no cost extension.

Staffing: One employee completed his short-term employment contract. Presentation Skills training was held during 31 May 2016 - 2 June 2016 organised by PMTC.

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vii Rokhsana Begum (R), with her family in front of her newly built house

Output 1:

Proven approaches to improving the livelihoods of the extreme poor taken to scale Following approval of the EEP/Shiree no-cost extension from March to September 2016, all Scale Fund (SF) Projects were extended to August 2016 with the aim of enhancing sustainability of the project results.

The major accomplishments under this output in the reporting quarter are as follows: Training 7,634 group leaders were trained on ‘Group Leadership and Savings Management’ by PNGO staff.

Details are in Table 3.

Quarter January - March April - June Total

Table 3 Number of Group Leaders Trained Number of group leaders Male 15,697 7,634 23,331

5,917 2,487 8,404

Female 9,392 5,147 14,539

Contributory Group Fund (CGF) CGFs were introduced to help weak and vulnerable households through group actions.

Groups were selected based on the groups’ interests and number of weak beneficiaries who need support to improve their economic activities. Both EEP and the groups contributed to this fund to support selected weak beneficiaries. The average contribution from the EEP project and the groups were GBP 200 and GBP 25, respectively, per group. In this quarter, project funds were transferred to all selected group bank accounts. Respective groups also deposited their contributions in their bank accounts.

A total of 13,039 weak beneficiaries received financial support from the CGF Fund to restart or expand their income enterprises. Experienced group members and group leaders helped weak beneficiaries to plan and run their income enterprise effectively. Details of CGF distribution are below (Table 4):

1

Table 4 Number of beneficiaries received support from CGF fund NGOs CARE Caritas

Number of CGF groups 482 109

Total number of CGF BHHs 1,405 322

Number of BHHs received CGF 1,405 322

100 302 150 121 60 700 409 525 250 400 700

300 904 900 305 172 1,508 1,227 1,527 750 1,975 4,036

300 904 552 305 172 1,505 1,209 1,345 735 1,975 2,310

4,308

15,331

13,039

CWW GH Helvetas HKI MJSKS NETZ Oxfam PAB SCiBD Shushilan Uttaran Total

Savings During the reporting period, 8,474 groups consisting of 189,412 members (74% female) have saved around BDT 156 million, and 26,000 group members received loans of more than BDT 104 million to invest in different economic activities. A substantial amount of the said loan (about 64%) were repaid in the same period, see Table 5.

Table 5 Savings and Loan Information (all groups- both registered and non-registered) NGO

No. of savings group

No. of group members

No. of male

No. of female

Loan disbursed

4,562

Total savings amounts (BDT) 2,714,490

9,220,200

No. of male loan recipients 954

No. of female loan recipients 349

CARE

698

20,266

15,704

Caritas

150

2,678

1,656

1,022

1,032,005

CWW

1,106

22,500

3,305

19,195

DSK

1,145

GH

436

32,008

1,017

8,830

4,498

Helvetas

381

7,388

HKI

121

Loan amount realised 1,822,300

2,075,325

416

460

1,654,212

6,341,900

6,303,115

244

9,976

-

30,991

20,084,818

39,237,330

65

1,715

52,640,113

4,332

3,799,312

7,194,200

1159

1,232

6,306,175

74

7,314

892,020

653,800

0

591

133,000

2,177

-

2,177

560,560

772,800

0

917

360,115 213,000

MJSKS

84

1,923

-

1,923

463,740

259,000

0

242

NETZ

1,254

21,300

-

21,300

3,331,398

149,000

0

21

304,735

Oxfam

414

17,224

4,271

12,953

34,411,653

3,283,103

186

563

1,501,955

PAB

957

20,767

17,353

3,414

72,715,767

15,615,620

2311

844

1,397,310

SCiBD

400

6,036

657

5,379

578,995

5,307,490

84

651

-

Shushilan

452

9,390

148

9,242

6,280,520

10,959,500

9

1996

-

Uttaran Total

876 8,474

16,925 189,412

48,683

16,925 140,729

2,529,840 155,737,018

3,480,700 104,511,183

0 5434

1,031 20558

426,203 66,759,118

2

Khasland Access to Khasland and water bodies play a significant role for increasing the economic activities of the extreme poor. In this quarter with support and facilitation from EEP, a further 496 BHHs received permanent leases of 114 acres of land, and 72 BHHs received 83 acres of land in temporary arrangements. Details in Table 6.

Table 6 Khasland Status (permanent and temporary lease) NGOs

SCiBD Shushilan Uttaran Total

Permanent Khasland

Temporary Khasland

Total

No. of BHHs received Khasland

Quantity of land received (Acre)

No. of BHHs received Khasland

Quantity of land received (Acre)

No. of BHHs received Khasland

Quantity of land received (Acre)

13 13 470 496

1.99 0.75 111.43 114.17

0 0 72 72

0 0 82.95 82.95

13 13 542 568

1.99 0.75 194.38 197.12

Monowara Khatun, posed in front of her permanently leased khasland received from the programme

Self-Employment and Job Creation In this quarter, 6,848 beneficiaries including 5,002 female have started self-employment with support from the CGF fund. And 1,363 beneficiaries received jobs in the private sector, mainly garments factories, shoe factories, security companies, EPZ, bakery etc.

3

Other Achievements •

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between CARE Bangladesh and Pragati Life Insurance Company Ltd. to cover medical cost of 2,477 BHHs of 100 saving groups. Under this agreement, beneficiaries will receive free health service for one year from selected health service providers who will be paid by the insurance company.

CARE has a plan to expand this service for another two years after closure of EEP programme for the same beneficiaries, with support from other projects or CARE’s own resources.

•

Fifty Paravets were trained by CARE

•

Oxfam organised vocational training for 20 youths.

Sharifa Khatun (R), receiving money from a customer at her convenience store

Useful website links on Scale Fund i.

Scale Fund Round One: http://www.shiree.org/project-partner/scale-fund-round-1/

ii.

Scale Fund Round Two: http://www.shiree.org/project-partner/scale-fund-round-2/

iii.

Scale Fund Round Three (Scale Up): http://www.shiree.org/project-partner/scale-up-projects/

iv.

Scale Fund Round Four (Scale Out): http://www.shiree.org/project-partner/sf/scale-fund-roundfour-scale-out/

4

Output 2:

Innovative approaches to improve the livelihoods of the extreme poor tested, evaluated, and successes ready for scaling up (Innovation Fund)

The Innovation Fund is now closed. A total of 27 projects were carried out in four rounds of the EEP/Shiree Innovation Fund. All 27 Innovation Fund projects are now completed and closed. Details can be found at: Useful website links on Innovation Fund i.

Innovation Fund (Round I): http://www.shiree.org/if/innovation-fund-round-1/

ii. Innovation Fund (Round II): http://www.shiree.org/if/innovation-fund-round-2/ iii. Innovation Fund (Round III): http://www.shiree.org/if/innovation-fund-round-3/ iv.

Innovation Fund (Round IV): http://www.shiree.org/if/innovation-fund-round-4/

Innovation Fund report under preparation A synthesis report of all the lessons learned reports from the Innovation Fund projects is under preparation by Dr. Binayak Sen of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).

An EEP beneficiary in his bitter gourd garden for which he received support and training from the programme

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Output 3:

Research into the causes and effects of extreme poverty and the effectiveness of measures taken to address extreme poverty is undertaken and results disseminated

The Research team have undertaken the following work this quarter.

Working Papers Published in the Website •

Working paper 31: “Feeding practices and nutritional status of extreme poor young children in families of working mothers in the slums of Dhaka” by Ashraful Kabir

•

Working paper 32: “Migration and its effect on extreme poor households’ trajectories”

by A K M Fazlur Rahman and Sohel Rana

•

Working paper 33: “Access to Market and Outcomes: Experience of the Extreme Poor”

by Mohammad Ali Ahsan

•

Working paper 34: “How ethnic minorities became poor and stay poor in Bangladesh: a qualitative enquiry” by Nikhil Chakma and Mathilde Maitrot

•

Working paper 35: “Seasonal food security strategies of the ‘extreme poor’ of Haor in Bangladesh” by Arafat Alam

•

Working paper 36: “An analysis of the extreme poor’s experiences of the contemporary agrarian structures in Bangladesh” by SK. Tariquzzaman

Research Books •

Manuscript of the first book (edited volume) entitled “Extreme Poverty, Growth and Inequality in Bangladesh” has been submitted to the publisher (Practical Action Publishing, UK).

•

Manuscript of the second book (edited volume) entitled “Aiding Resilience among the Extreme Poor in Bangladesh” has also been submitted to the publisher (University Press Limited, Dhaka).

6

Final EEP Research Report on Eradicating Extreme Poverty in Bangladesh: Lessons from EEP/Shiree The field work for the study was completed, and transcription of all field notes both in Bengali and English was concluded. Data analysis and writing of the report are in progress, with a draft to be expected in early September.

Progress in CMS 3 The CMS 3: Socio-economic and Anthropometric Survey 2016 has been completed. Data analysis and report writing and preparation of a four page brief are in progress, and are expected to be concluded in September.

z

Beneficiary poses with the cow she received as part of the programme

7

Output 4: Needs of the extreme poor are recognised in policy and practice EEP/Shiree supported BIDS Critical Conversations, 2016 The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) arranged an important conference, the BIDS Critical Conversations, 2016, “The Bangladesh Journey”, supported by the UK Aid Department for International Development (DFID) and EEP/Shiree. Held in Dhaka on 23-24 April 2016 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), the conference took an objective, considered look at Bangladesh’s journey of progress – the achievements and explanations – and a forward look to discern any gaps in information, analysis and policy.

As Bangladesh’s socio-economic success is beginning to be recognized, various competing narratives are emerging which would benefit from more explanation. These are stories that need to be discussed not just by the academics and policymakers but by a much wider crosssection of civil society. This BIDS two-day conference provided a platform for such discussion, conducted in a constructive, free, frank and cordial manner.

A dedicated session on “Eradicating extreme Poverty – Leave No One Behind” was held on Day 2 of the conference. Here EEP/Shiree’s Head of Research and Advocacy made a widely commended introductory presentation both on the issues and propositions for discussion.

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, HRA of EEP/Shiree during his introductory presentation at the BIDS Critical Conversations 2016.

(Inset) Other speakers participated at the EEP/Shiree Session

8

Distinguished Guests at the conference included Mr. AHM Mustafa Kamal, MP, the Hon. Minister of Planning and Dr. Masihur Rahman, Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister who warmly congratulated BIDS and its supporters for organising such an important event. Dr. Murshid, Director General of BIDS, thanked DFID and EEP/Shiree for supporting the event.

Participants at the EEP/Shiree Session during the BIDS Critical Conversations Conference 2016

Two key civil society representatives also participated - Miss Aroma Dutta (Executive Director, PRIP Trust) and Dr. A.K.M. Musha (Country Director, Concern Worldwide Bangladesh). The Honorable Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Mr. Fazle Rabbi Miah, MP, graced the session as the Chief Guest. Dr. S. M. Zulfiqar Ali (Senior Research Fellow, BIDS and Head of Research and Advocacy, EEP/Shiree) presented the issue paper on behalf of the organisers, while Khondker Ibrahim Khaled (former Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank) moderated the event.

EEP/Shiree continued to support raising of Extreme Poverty as an issue in the national media.

Two Op-Ed’s were published. And EEPs Head of Research and Advocacy continues his series of TV interviews on economic matters and Extreme Poverty at a pre-budget discussion on Deepto TV on 28 May 2016.

EEP/Shiree in association with Unnayan Shamannay recorded a five episode TV Talk Show with RTV during 16-17 May 2016 at the RTV studio. The theme of the sequel was “Extreme Poverty Free Bangladesh: Challenges and Possibilities”. EEPs Head of Research and Advocacy Dr. Zulfiqar Ali anchored the episodes in which social thinkers and economists from the Bangladesh Government, UKAid and civil societies participated as discussants. The broadcast of the show is scheduled on every Saturday at 10:10 am from 6 August 2016 to 3 September 2016 on RTV.

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Output 5:

Direct nutrition support to target households in the Haor areas For most households, direct project interventions have concluded in December 2015.

However, as set out in the no-cost extension plan, the Direct Nutrition Interventions (DNIs) continued in Sunamgonj, Habigonj and Kishorgonj, as these areas were identified as being the most vulnerable. During the no cost extension period, 3,198 additional EEP households who were part of the control group for the IFPRI study were included for nutritional support, as these were not provided with DNIs earlier in the programme.

A lesson learning report of the nutrition component was drafted, and will be shared with DFID in July.

Major achievements under this output in this quarter are: Behavioural Change Counselling •

20,193 households received regular monthly counselling visits on nutrition, hygiene and family planning etc.

•

9,949 adolescent girls received adolescent nutrition and personal hygiene education through 3,049 group meetings.

•

326 fathers of under 2 years’ old children, and husbands of pregnant women received orientation training on child and maternal nutrition.

•

60,377 beneficiaries received nutritional education through 3,981 BHH group meetings.

Distribution of nutrition drugs/supplements •

12,204 pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescent girls received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets;

•

3,917 children of 7-24 months old received Micro Nutrient Powder (MNP);

•

58 selected children under 2 years’ old received Fish Powder;

•

9,924 beneficiaries received de-worming tablets/suspension.

Social mobilization, capacity building and Coordination •

396 Community Pusti Karmi (CPK) and 40 Health Nutrition Promoters (HNP) received refresher training.

10

•

1,259 key stakeholders including Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA), Religious leaders, School Teachers and Union council members attended day-long orientation sessions on nutrition and project activities.

•

857 members from Community Support Group (CSG) and Community Group (CG) of Community Clinic attended day-long orientation session on nutrition and project activities.

•

40 meetings were held with Community Support Groups (CSG) to discuss improving services provided by community clinics;

•

20 meetings were organized and facilitated with Union level health service providers to discuss improving health and nutrition services by Union Health Centre, Community Clinic and Satellite/EPI centre.

•

Concern Worldwide (CWW) and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) attended 16 GoB and NGO health/coordination meetings at Upazila and district level;

•

25 Rallies and 150 courtyard session were organized to observe World Health Day 2016. More than 3,487 community people participated in these events.

Linkage with existing health facilities More than 4,000 beneficiaries received nutritional and health services from local GoB health facilities. The services included Antenatal Care (ANC) check-up, Postnatal Care (PNC) checkup, Vaccination, Family Planning Methods and nutritional drugs like vitamin A, Iron & Folic Acid (IFA) and Calcium tablets.

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Financial management

During April – June 2016 quarter, an amount of GBP 592,510 has been disbursed. The overall expenditure of this programme since 01 December 2007 to 30 June 2016 is GBP 82,541,091, which is 98.82% of the project total budget. There remains an amount of GBP 990,211 for the remaining three months of the project tenure.

Figure – 1: Breakdown of Total Expenditure of £82,541,091 (December 2007 – June 2016)

Figure – 2: Breakdown of quarterly Expenditure of £592,510 (April 2016 - June 2016)

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Forecasting January – August 2016 Revised NGO disbursement plan for April-September 2016 was prepared and submitted to the British Council and Ecorys UK at the end of April 2016. A financial review of 14 Scale Fund NGOs was made in June and a revision of the NGO Disbursement Plan was prepared. A revised disbursement plan has been submitted to British council for final disbursement to be made in September 2016.

Budget revisions and contract amendments A budget revision was conducted with all 14 Scale Fund NGOs based on the additional allocations. The remaining Accountable Grant Agreements for Scale Fund Grantees was signed in April 2016.

EEP External Audit A ToR for an EEP external audit from April 2015 to March 2016 was prepared in association with DFID and Ecorys. Acnabin, Chartered Accountants was appointed external auditor upon approval from DFID. An introduction meeting was held with external auditors, DFID, PMTC and EEP/Shiree on 4 May 2016. The external auditors worked at EEP for three weeks and visited a number of partner NGOs to check and verify expenditure, facilitated by EEP. A draft audit report had been shared with DFID, Ecorys and EEP. An exit meeting was held on 23 June 2016 in the presence of DFID, PMTC and EEP/Shiree management. The final external audit report duly signed and published on 30 June 2016.

EEP Internal Audit EEP Internal auditors carried out internal audits of five PNGOs during this quarter. Four draft reports were shared with partner NGOs for providing a management response on the observations and recommendation made by the internal auditors. Four final versions of internal audit reports were circulated among partners for action in accordance with recommendation. An operational and financial review was made by DTL/CFO for Shushilan, SCI and Uttaran in late June 2016.

FAPAD (Foreign Aided Project Audit Directorate) Audit Acceptance of the management response to some historic audit observations made by the FAPAD team is pending. The audit for year ending 30 June 2015 was completed by 30 June 2016, and the FAPAD financial report for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 was shared with DTL/CFO. FAPAD auditors provided few observations on the operations of Oxfam and

13

Concern Worldwide, and a management response on those observations was duly communicated to the auditors.

NGO Independent External Audit All 14 external audit reports as of 31 December 2015 have been completed and final report duly submitted to DFID and NGO partners for the preparation of action plan and follow-up.

A draft ToR for the final audit of 14 Scale Fund partners has been prepared and finalised.

Appointment of external auditors has been finalised and the external audit will start in the first week of August 2016.

Assets Management and Resource Control The process of making a permanent handover of assets to 14 Scale Fund grantee was prepared by the EEP/Shiree assets management team. A list of EEP/Shiree assets was prepared and submitted to DFID in April 2016 for approval in May 2016.

The majority of assets under the custody of NGOs has been transferred to NGO partners for further use for development activities.

A physical inventory of these assets will be completed by the external auditors during final closure of NGO activities in August 2016.

Based on the assets disposal proposal, all EEP assets will be transfer/sold in consultation with DFID. Assets under EEP/Shiree will be reallocated before project closure in September 2016.

Fraud Management During the quarter, the outsourcing external auditors MABS J Partners submitted the investigation report on Akota, the sub partner of Practical Action, Bangladesh (PAB).

Following this report, Akota and PAB were required to take the following actions as per EEP/Shiree (DFID-GoB) and Practical Action financial rules and procedures: •

Refund the identified amount of BDT 259,560 and deposit it in the project bank account by the latest 19 May 2016;

•

Redistribute this amount to the identified beneficiaries by the investigation team by May 30, 2016 (with the approval and supervision of Practical Action, Bangladesh);

•

To undertake disciplinary action against the concerned staff of Akota associated with this misappropriation;

•

To end the Practical Action, Bangladesh (PAB) partnership contract with Akota, which was done on 30 June 2016. There was no further extension of that contract.

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Workshop A half day discussion meeting was organised on 13 June 2016 with 14 Scale Fund project accountant, finance managers and head of accounts. The objective of the workshop was to share some issues related to budgetary under/over spend with a highlight on the lower achievement rate under Direct Delivery until April 2016. EEP/Shiree requested the NGOs to provide an assurance statement on the spending under Direct Delivery with an overall over/under spend. It was discussed during the session that the closing of the Grantees Accountable Grant Agreements is on 31 August 2016 and EEP/Shiree would coordinate the external audit as a part of closure procedure.

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Human Resource Management Human resource management

Presentation Skills Development Training Presentation Skills Training was held during 31 May 2016 - 2 June 2016. 18 Shiree/PMTC officials were participated. This useful training was organised by PMTC Bangladesh.

Staff Departures 1. Md. Salauddin, Driver, left the programme in June 2016 in accordance with the winddown plan of EEP.

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ANNEXES Annex-1: Progress against Annual LogFrame Targets Outcome Indicator 1 1. Number of people graduated from extreme poverty (gender segregated) Outcome Indicator 2 2.1. Improved nutritional status of target groups for the Accelerated Improved Nutrition for Extreme Poor in Bangladesh project under 2 children

Milestone 2016 229,071 BHH,

(April - June)

June 2016

852,816 people (F: 436,001, M: 416,815).

Milestone 2016 3 % point reduction in stunting and 5 % point reduction in anaemia.

Milestone 2016

3. Actions, attributable to EEP advocacy effort, taken by government, donors, private sector and non-state actors that impact on the key livelihood constraints faced by the extreme poor.

Target 2016 (Ext)-40 (cum) significant local or national actions attributable to EEP interventions

Output Indicator 1

Milestone 2016

1.1 Extreme Poor Direct beneficiary households (people) that have received first intervention of livelihood support (cash transfer or asset transfer/training) for

Cumulative Progress till

No target

2.2. Improved nutritional • 5 % point reduction status of target groups in anaemia in for the Accelerated pregnant and breast Improved Nutrition for feeding women and Extreme Poor in adolescent.

Bangladesh project • 5% point reduction pregnant and breast in thinness in feeding mothers and adolescent girls. adolescent girls Outcome Indicator 3

Quarter 2, 2016

281,850 BHH

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

No target

7.5% Reduction in stunting (from 40.8% in 2013 to 33.3% in 2015). 0.5 % reduction in anaemia (from 71.7% in 2013 to 71.2% in 2015)

No target

8% Reduction in anaemia in pregnant and breast feeding women and adolescent, and 1.2% reduction in thinness in adolescent girls.

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

No Target

F: 559,975, M: 487,294.

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30 independent actions attributable to EEP interventions

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

No target

1,047,269 people

294,945 BHH, 1142,350 People (F: 610,815, M: 531,535)

282,650 BHH (1,082,915 people)

Scale Fund activities (cum) 1.2 Extreme Poor Direct beneficiary households (people) that have received supplementary support for Scale Fund activities (cum) based on CMS 2 census snapshot monitoring data

14,666 BHH

1.3 Proportion of direct transfer cost in NGO budget

Average value 56%

Output Indicator 2 2.1 Extreme Poor Households (people) that have received first intervention of livelihood support (asset transfer, cash transfer, training) for Innovation Fund activities

No target

14,725 BHHs

54,949 people

54,949 people

F: 29,381, M: 25,568

F: 29,381, M: 25,568

No target

Milestone 2016 26,963 BHHs

57.5%

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

No target

26,859 BHHs

103,657 people

103,345 people

F: 55,425, M: 48,232

F: 55,259, M: 48,086

2.2 Innovation fund lesson learning reports produced

100% of projects at end of cycle (within 3 months of close = 27 reports)

No target

27 reports

2.3 Innovations that progress to Scale

4 (cum) (no annual target)

No target

5

Output Indicator 3

Milestone 2016

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

3.1 Findings of extreme poverty relevant research disseminated among EP actors in Bangladesh through publication

32 (cum) working papers and/or policy briefs published via website.

Target - 6

47 (cum working paper and policy brief)

3.2 Thematic reports and web-based visualisation based on CMS data disseminated among EP actors in Bangladesh

11 CMS based reports

Target - 3

12 CMS based report

3.3 Participation in EEP facilitated research forums (meetings or online) from a diverse set of relevant organisations that contribute to dialogue and increased understanding of extreme poverty and

400 (cum) participants across 5 categories of participants (donor agency, NGO, research/academic organisations, government bodies, projects, other).

Target - 100

1,010 (cum) participants across five categories

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ways of reducing extreme poverty Output Indicator 4

Milestone 2016

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

4.1 National and subnational fora at which the challenges faced by the extreme poor are presented and discussed

At least 7 national and 14 sub national advocacy events /campaigns (cum).

(Annual target 1 national and 2 sub national advocacy events)

Target - 1

23 national, 28 regional/district level workshops (cum).

4.2 Public Media coverage of the challenges faced by the extreme poor

60 (cum) national newspaper pieces (>500 words, >30% in Bangla) or radio interviews or TV bulletins.

Target - 10

97 (cum) national newspaper pieces/ supplements; and 5 radio discussion (cum)

4.3 Level of awareness of entitlements to safety nets

3% report don’t know.

No target

3% do not know.

Output Indicator 5 5.1 Number of households receiving regular visits from nutrition volunteers

5.2 Targeted beneficiaries receiving either Iron and folic acid tablets or multiple micronutrient supplements

(no annual target) Milestone 2016 • 90% mothers = 2,686 out of total 2,985 • 90% < 2 year old children = 6,183 out of total 6,870

• 85% Pregnant and breast feeding women Receiving IFA = 2,537 out of total 2,985 • 85% adolescent girls receiving IFA 8,489 out of total 9,987 • 85% children 6-23 months receiving MNS (n = 4,397) out of total 5,173

5.3 Innovation for increasing access to high quality diet and diversity

At 4 innovations that increased access to household high19

Quarter 2, 2016

Cumulative Progress till

(April - June)

June 2016

• 98% of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers = 2,950 out of 3,010;

• 98% of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers = 2,950 out of 3,010;

• 97% of targeted < 2 year old children • 94% of targeted pregnant and breastfeeding women received IFA = 2,844 out of 3,010; • 94% of targeted adolescent girls received IFA = 9,361 out of 9,949; • 92% children 623 months received MNS = 3,977 out of 4,332 No Target

• 97% of targeted < 2 year old children = 6170 out of 6,340

• 94% of targeted pregnant and breastfeeding women received IFA = 2,844 out of 3,010; • 94% of targeted adolescent girls received IFA = 9,361 out of 9,949; • 92% children 6-23 months received MNS = 3,977 out of 4,332

0

for the extreme poor tested, evaluated and lessons shared

quality diet and diversity tested and evidence shared (no annual target)

Notes: • • • • •

98% mothers = 2,950 out of total 3,010 97% < 2 years old children = 6,170 out of total 6,340 94% pregnant and breastfeeding women received IFA = 2,844 out of total 3,010 94% adolescent girls received IFA = 9,361 out of total 9949 92% children 6-23 months old received MNS = 3,977 out of 4,332

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Annex-2: Financial Summary (April 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; June 2016) Amount in GBP Particulars

Overall Contract Budget (as per CA-9)

Accumulate up to 31 March 2016

isbursement in April 2016

Disbursement in May 2016

Disbursement in June 2016

Quarter 2 total disbursement (April to June 2016)

Accumulated disbursement as of 30 June 2016

Remaining Balance as on 30 June 2016

Management

6,585,112

6,169,699

63,870

66,209

63,045

193,124

6,362,823

222,289.00

Lesson learning & Advocacy

1,509,395

1,390,724

9,822

18,335

14,382

42,539

1,433,263

76,131.90

Nutrition

283,087

269,462

2,334

2,627

3,854

8,815

278,277

4,810.44

Total Management Costs (Fees)

8,377,594

7,829,885

76,025

87,171

81,281

244,478

8,074,363

303,231

Management

1,600,620

1,478,190

14,991

15,264

16,885

47,140

1,525,330

75,290.18

TA

251,050

267,716

1,579

-

400

1,979

269,696

(18,645.52)

Lesson Learning & Advocacy

457,950

387,136

6,183

2,681

3,894

12,757

399,893

58,057.13

Nutrition

17,891

13,956

34

-

-

34

13,990

3,900.85

2,327,511

2,146,998

22,787

17,945

21,178

61,911

2,208,908

118,603

1,598,051

1,358,337

67,050

17,076

20,268

104,394

1,462,731

135,320.02

148,924

-

Sub-total of Reimbursable Expenses Lesson learning & advocacy Scale Fund

56,815,750

56,292,459

-

148,924

56,441,383

374,367.35

Innovation Fund

10,035,231

9,881,030

-

-

-

-

9,881,030

154,201.00

Nutrition

4,286,808

4,349,509

-

32,644

-

32,644

4,382,153

(95,344.55)

Management Funds

72,735,840

71,881,334

67,050

198,644

20,268

285,962

72,167,296

568,544

Finance Charges

90,357

90,364

160

160

90,523

(166.30)

Total

83,531,302

81,948,581

122,887

592,510

82,541,091

990,211

165,862

303,760

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Annex-3: EEP/Shiree Organogram as of 30 June 2016

22

Annex-4: EEP/Shiree District and Beneficiary Household Coverage

23

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