|
Locally Led Development Initiatives
2024 Issue 5 |
|
HOW LOCAL PARTNERS CAN ENGAGE USAID TO SOLVE GLOBAL CHALLENGES |
|
|
Photo Credit: Indian Grameen Services
Day in and day out, local organizations across the globe are catalyzing change in their communities - advancing gender equality, addressing climate change, and improving health outcomes. But what does it look like to engage USAID for an even greater impact on these and other global challenges?
USAID is committed to locally led development, which involves connecting with more local partners in countries where USAID operates. However, for potential new partners, engaging with USAID can be daunting. During WorkwithUSAID’s summer webinar series, our team shared a few key ways local organizations can pursue opportunities through the New Partnerships Initiative, Local Works, US4LLD, and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. For a deeper dive, you can watch the full session recording.
|
|
NEW: USAID LOCALIZATION PROGRESS REPORT |
|
|
Makerere University-Resilient Africa Network for USAID
|
|
|
Interested in learning more about how USAID defines its targets to shift more funding to local partners and expand local leadership in our programs? Read the recently released Committed to Change: USAID Localization Progress Report for the second annual update on USAID’s progress towards increased localization. USAID still has work to do but is continuing its efforts to advance localization. The report also details the Agency’s efforts to increase local leadership in program design, implementation, and measurement.
|
|
🏆 LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION 🏆
|
|
 |
|
Every day, USAID Mission staff who manage Local Works programs are on the front lines promoting locally led development around the world. The Local Works team in Washington is proud to recognize staff who embody the spirit of locally led development through their commitment, dedication, innovation, advocacy, and exemplary initiative to advancing its work every day.
Since joining USAID/El Salvador in 2016, Stephanie Ehrhardt has been instrumental in designing innovative projects focused on youth development, gender equality, economic growth, and social impact in partnership with local communities. Learn more about her best practices and recommendations for development practitioners looking to enhance support for locally led development.
|
|
|
 |
|
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
LOCAL WORKS: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM USAID MISSIONS
Letters of Interest (LOI) for the current round of Local Works funding are due soon! A variety of resources are available for USAID Missions planning to submit an LOI:
As a reminder, only USAID Missions are eligible for this opportunity. USAID Missions must send their LOIs to localworks@usaid.gov by August 16, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT. Learn more about how to apply in the submission guidance.
LOCAL LED DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN MALI
USAID/Mali invites local organizations to submit concepts supporting the development objectives of USAID's Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) in Mali under the Local Works APS Mali. USAID will prioritize concepts focusing on the following sectors: Peace, Democracy and Governance; Agriculture and Economic Growth; Health; and Education and Youth. Applicants are requested to focus on the sector(s) and objectives that best match their expertise. Concepts will be considered for awards of $250,000 USD and upwards. Submissions are due on August 16, 2024. Learn more.
ASHA: ANNUAL REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) is committed to providing assistance to overseas schools, libraries, hospital centers, and centers of excellence. ASHA’s annual request for applications is now open. Applicants must be U.S. nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including U.S. public colleges and universities. Applications are due by October 1, 2024 at 4:00 pm EDT. Learn more.
|
 |
|
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
NOW AVAILABLE: 2024 LOCAL WORKS REPORT TO CONGRESS
Local Works began in 2015 as a Congressionally-directed program that has bolstered the Agency’s efforts to integrate locally led development into its work. This year’s 2024 Local Works Progress Report to Congress highlights the program’s achievements promoting locally led development, including support of 65 active small awards to local partners through 46 USAID Missions and 24 unsolicited awards. Local Works has also made key contributions to policy development and investments in an evidence base for locally led development. Learn more in the 2024 report to congress.
NEW: USAID LAUNCHES KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING POLICY
USAID has released its first ever Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning (KMOL) Policy, which encourages using a wide range of evidence sources. Read the policy and join the conversation on how USAID can understand, facilitate, and equitably integrate local and Indigenous knowledge into your work.
USAID/PARAGUAY: CASE STUDY
USAID/Paraguay has prioritized and integrated locally led development approaches across the Mission’s portfolio. Check out this case study developed by USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) that highlights the Mission’s use of enabling tools such as flexible, demand-driven award mechanisms, mentorship, and collaboration.
|
 |
|
BLOGS & PRESS
USAID/ZAMBIA LAUNCHES LOCAL WORKS CLIMATE ACTION AWARD
Through Local Works, USAID launched the first Local Climate Action Innovation activity and awarded $50,000 to the Zambian organization ReachAll to implement innovative, locally led, private sector-driven solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the waste sector. This project promotes climate-friendly practices, technologies, and innovations for cooking, heating, and lighting, organic fertilizer, and other innovative income-generating products. Learn more.
|
 |
|
VIDEOS
USAID/KENYA: NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST TRADING/MASHINANIWORKS
USAID/Kenya’s Local Works portfolio has supported community-led environmental and resource conservation to promote economic development. One recently concluded activity focused on diversifying household income and increasing community-owned and managed tourism businesses. Watch this video from local partner The Northern Rangelands Trust Trading/MashinaniWORKS to learn more.
|
 |
|
JOB OPPORTUNTIES
|
|
|
WORKWITHUSAID.GOV HIGHLIGHT
WorkwithUSAID.gov helps prospective and existing partners learn how to better compete for USAID funding. To assist you in discovering the wealth of information available in multiple languages, we’re highlighting different opportunities and tools in each LLDI newsletter:
Got 10 minutes? Take the Pre-Engagement Assessment to learn if your organization is ready to work with USAID. This educational tool supports organizations as they look to improve their capacity by helping to identify and address performance gaps.
PARTNER WITH THE LFT HUB
Locally Led Development Initiatives are part of the Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub, situated within USAID's Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI). The LFT Hub focuses on strengthening USAID’s ability to partner with non-traditional and diverse actors including local, faith-based, and community organizations; schools and hospitals; foundations; diaspora communities; cooperatives; and volunteer organizations.
Stay up to date with all the latest information from USAID’s LFT Hub by subscribing to these additional newsletters:
- American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA)
- Cooperative Development Program (CDP)
- Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (FBNP)
- Limited Excess Property Program (LEPP)
- Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI)
- New Partnerships Initiative (NPI)
|
|
|
We would love to hear from you!
You can provide feedback and submissions through the linked forms.
|
|
|
|
|
