This report covers the period between April 1 and July 15, 20081 of the Strengthening the Accountability and Transparency of the Legislative Process (BAYAN) project in the West Bank and Gaza. The work plan was approved on November 7, 2007 and is designed to strengthen the Palestinian Government?s ability to research, analyze, draft and implement effective legislation and also support civil society?s efforts to participate in the policy-making processes, create linkages between decision makers and the wider public and hold governmental institutions accountable for their performance.

During the reporting period, and at the request of USAID, BAYAN developed and submitted an option year concept paper totaling $1.5 million to extend BAYAN?s end date from July 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. The concept paper proposed a number of key interventions and activities in support of the Palestinian government legislative plan. As BAYAN awaited a decision on the concept paper, the project continued closedown preparations and, at the request of USAID, delayed implementation of some project activities to stretch the program thru July 2008 in case the option year was approved and funds were not available until August 2008.

UNSAID did not approve funding for an option year, and BAYAN immediately accelerated remaining project activity implementation and continued closedown procedures. BAYAN notified USAID that the project office would closedown effective July 15, 2008 to allow for an orderly completion of all sub-grant activities. All planned project activities were completed before the end of the reporting period and closedown is also completed.

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