Integra is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a new task order under the REPLACE IDIQ to conduct a biodiversity and extractives political economy assessment (PEA) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of the PEA is to better understand how key actors’ interests and incentives help or hinder USAID programming to conserve biodiversity in extractive industries. Through three separate case studies in locations to be determined, Integra will utilize the PEA approach to examine how natural resource extraction is affected by a range of factors, including but not limited to governance, conflict and resource depletion. The results of this study will help inform how USAID programming can be designed to better protect biodiversity in the face of such factors. Integra will also conduct several capacity building efforts to support USAID personnel in utilizing PEAs to inform and update their efforts in the biodiversity space.

The implementation of this task order will involve a literature review and fieldwork to be conducted in early 2106. The three case studies will be issue specific, in locations to be determined across Sub Saharan Africa. Upon completion of the case studies, Integra will also lead several consultative processes to disseminate and discuss findings and lessons learned, not only to USAID Mission personnel but also with the broader conservation community.