In March, USAID launched their finalized Policy Framework after several rounds of comments and consultation with the community. The Framework is a roadmap for all of USAID’s work, but also includes specific language on locally-led development. Emphasis on working with local partners is embedded throughout the framework—from USAID’s work on food security, to women’s empowerment, to climate resilience. However, there is a dedicated section titled “Significantly Expand our Support for Locally Led Development” under the Agency’s “Embracing New Partnerships” aim. The Framework puts forth a “set of internal reforms, actions, and behavior changes,” to strengthen local partnerships. Learn more about their commitments here.
- Channeling a larger portion of USAID’s resources directly to local partners;
(a) Through the target of 25% funding to local partners by the end of FY25, WorkWithUSAID.gov, and the updated Acquisition and Assistance Strategy. - Adapting policies and programs to fit each country’s unique political, social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions;
(a) Utilizing longer-term project horizons and local capacity strengthening. - Shifting power to local actors and create space for them to influence and exercise leadership over development outcomes;
(a) Through the 2030 target that 50% of programming will place local communities in the lead to co-design a project, set its priorities, drive its implementation, or evaluate its impact. - Serving as a global advocate and thought leader to catalyze a broader shift towards locally led development.
(a) Through convenings within the donor community and informed by USAID’s experience with Local Works and the New Partnership Initiative.
The Agency also spotlights “A Rubric for Policy Implementation: Applying global priorities to local contexts.” According to the Framework, this rubric “should inform decision-making, including how to prioritize, weigh tradeoffs with limited resources, and ground choices in context.” It can be used to “inform both formal planning processes, including during country and regional strategy development, mid-course stock-takings, and day-to-day decisions.”