FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
EDGE FUND NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS (USAID INTERNAL)
Did you know that applications for USAID’s EDGE Fund are now open? The Fund is open to USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices partnering with the private sector with the goal of unleashing business capabilities and influencing commercial operations in the service of advancing development objectives. EDGE Fund partnerships are already leveraging private sector innovation and expertise across a wide range of activities. USAID Missions can learn more and submit their expression of interest by December 6, 2024.
SUB-OPPORTUNITIES ON WORKWITHUSAID.GOV (PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY)
WorkwithUSAID.gov helps prospective and existing partners learn how to better compete for USAID funding. To help organizations discover the wealth of information available in multiple languages, USAID encourages current and potential partners to explore these opportunities.
EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: TRAINING FOR LOCAL WORKS MISSION TEAMS (USAID INTERNAL)
The Local Works team is excited to announce upcoming training sessions for USAID Mission staff in November and December on locally led development approaches:
- Shift & Share Power With Local Actors (November 12-14)
- Introduction to Listening to Local Actors (November 19-21)
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New Course: Systems Thinking for Locally Led Development (December 3-5)
Missions can reach out to their Local Works point(s) of contact with questions. Stay tuned for more information on these training opportunities and registration links via the Local Works Community of Practice.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LLDI?
 USAID team members from Washington and the Malawi and Serbia Missions attend the EES Biennial Conference. Photo Credit: USAID
LOCAL WORKS PRESENTS AT THE EUROPEAN EVALUATION SOCIETY CONFERENCE
In late September 2024, Local Works staff from USAID/Malawi, USAID/Serbia, and USAID/Washington attended the fifteenth European Evaluation Society (EES) Biennial Conference in Rimini, Italy. Centered around the theme "Better Together 2024: Collaborative Thought and Action for Better Evaluation," the event focused on promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex global challenges. The USAID team facilitated a panel discussion on two recent internal evaluations of Local Works programs in Serbia and Malawi, followed by a conversation on challenges and recommendations around power dynamics, participatory processes, and utilization in evaluation practice. Additionally, partners Gunjan Veda of Movement for Community Led Development and Holta Trandafili of World Vision presented their work on the IPI/LFT-funded research award, Locally Led Development in Fragile Environments (LIFE). They explored how innovative approaches like the Success Case Method and community theory-building workshops have made their evaluation practice more community-led and responsive to local definitions of success.
 Glen de Castro (bottom middle) represented local partners at the Local Systems Position Paper launch event. Photo Credit: USAID
LLD RESEARCH PARTNER FEATURED AT LOCAL SYSTEM POSITION PAPER LAUNCH
On October 30, Glen de Castro, Executive Director of the Gerry Roxas Foundation and Project Manager of the LLD Research project Communities of Practice for Effective Partnership (COPE), spoke at the Local Systems Position Paper (LSPP) launch event for USAID. Glen stated, "Let us approach systems practice with childlike wonder and curiosity. Let us be fascinated by what people have to say, and be flexible and open to what circumstances might inspire."
About the Local Systems Position Paper
The LSPP builds on the success of the Local Systems Framework and reiterates USAID’s commitment to systems practice as a key component of the Agency’s efforts to advance locally led development. Check out USAID’s new Local Systems Position Paper and join the conversation today.
WHITE HELMETS HOLDS GRASSROOTS EMPOWERMENT EVENT
Earlier this fall, the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, held an event to introduce their new localization initiative. The collaborative initiative with USAID focuses on directing resources and offering technical support to grassroots organizations involved in lifesaving efforts in northwest Syria. The event underscored the urgent need for increased local involvement in humanitarian decision-making and response.
TOOLS, RESOURCES, & CASE STUDIES
TACKLING THE KACHIN DRUG EPIDEMIC THROUGH A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Through Local Works, USAID/Burma has leveraged locally led development approaches to address the drug epidemic in Kachin State through the System-wide Collaborative Action for Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE+) methodology, co-developed by FHI360 and USAID. Read the report highlighting the Mission’s successful efforts in utilizing this locally led development approach.
USAID/VIETNAM RELEASES REPORT ON LOCALIZATION EFFORTS
USAID/Vietnam recently released its Localization Learning Review report, which articulates how USAID can better support local partners through locally led development efforts across the country. Read the report and join the conversation on how USAID can better understand, support, and learn from local partners.
BLOGS & PRESS
EQUIPPING KINDERGARTEN WITH MODERN TEACHING METHODS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Through Local Works, USAID/Bosnia and Herzegovina partnered with the Tuzla Community Foundation to equip the owner of Ententini, a local preschool, with the skills training, tools, and resources needed to launch their business and introduce modern learning methods to young children in Tuzla. Learn how these entrepreneurs leveraged their training to turn their dream into a reality in this blog post. (note: in Bosnian)
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