Capacity building and technical assistance through trainings, workshops, exchanges, and mentorship; In-kind assistance that includes the provision of venue fees, travel and transportation including rental cars, meeting-related hospitality, technical advisors, translation, facilitation services or expert speakers, and equipment for office and media works; and Issue sub-grants to local civil society and media organizations to carry out interventions that promote participation of stakeholders in democratic reforms and increase public information on democratic reforms. Climate Risk Management Per ADS 201 and the executive order on “Climate-Resilient International Development,” USAID should factor climate resilience into international development programs and investments. Therefore, the design team and implementing partner will identify expected climate change impacts over the life of the activity’s expected benefits and,if appropriate, demonstrate how those risks will be reduced in order to ensure sustainability of the activity’s objectives. As currently planned, no interventions under the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) of Democracy Governance Humanitarian Assistance Office (DGHA), named Democratic Governance Strengthened to Advance the Transition (DGS) will directly affect the environment. The climate risk screening conducted for DGS showed a low climate risk rating for 1) State Institutions’ Accountability Increased and 2) Non-State Actors’ Participation Improved, and a moderate risk rating for Sub-Purpose 3) Vulnerable Communities Empowered. Specifically, the CSMP-II contributes to DGS Sub-purpose 2, Non-State Actors’ Participation Improved, and focuses on the promotion of non-state actors’ participation in democratic reforms and availability of and accessibility of information related to democratic reforms through capacity building, technical and financial assistance including in-kind assistance to the relevant non-state actors. In January 2017, the USAID/Burma Mission conducted a screening of likely climate change risks for its forthcoming Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS); the relevant sections for CSMP-II are summarized in the table below. Tasks / Defined or Illustrative Interventions Climate Risks Risk Rating Low / Moderate /High How Risks are Addressed Opportunities to Strengthen Climate Resilience
DGS Sub-purpose 2 - NON-STATE ACTORS’ PARTICIPATION IMPROVED CSMP-II, Outcome 1: Increased engagement of non-state actors in democratic reforms by improving their capacity CSMP-II, Outcome 2: Enhanced availability of and access to quality information on democratic reform by strengthening media professionalism and capacity. Change in sea level and temperature may increase the probability of flooding in coastal areas (such as Rakhine and the Ayeyarwady delta), damaging infrastructure and negatively affecting local communities, and putting greater pressure on actors to provide needed support services. Rising temperatures are contributing to ice melt in high altitude, mountainous areas of Kachin State, leading to flooding and infrastructure damage, putting greater pressure on non-state actors to provide needed support services. Low: This climate change risk may affect the level of actors' activities, but would have a low risk within the context of the project. Low: This climate change risk may affect the level of actors' activities, but would have a low risk within the context of the project. N/A Build the capacity of civil society to advocate for, participate in, and monitor implementation of the government's climate action plan. Support journalist training to increase accurate and reporting on climate issues. Support to think tanks, public policy organizations, and research institutes to provide crucial data and analysis for government officials, civil society organizations, media, and political parties to make informed decisions and develop policy positions on climate change. Increase public awareness about citizen rights and responsibilities related to climate change. Revisions and Limitations If, during implementation, project activities are considered outside of those described in this document, an amendment shall be submitted. Pursuant to 22CFR216.3(a)(9), if new activities are added and/or information becomes available which indicates that activities to be funded by the project might be “major” and the project’s effect “significant,” this determination will be reviewed and revised by the Contract/Agreement Officer’s Representative of the project, and submitted to the Mission Environmental Officer and Bureau Environmental Officer for approval and, if appropriate, an environmental assessment will be prepared. APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION Office Director, Clearance __cleared____________ ___01/22/2018__________ Jeanne Briggs Date