There has been a notable shift across all USAID offices and the broader U.S. federal government towards a heightened emphasis on data collection, evidence generation, applied research, and learning, and the trend is evident in a series of regulatory and guidance documents. USAID’s 2022-2026 Agency Learning Agenda, along with USAID’s 45 sector-specific evidence and learning…
The USAID Transformation Communications Activity (TCA) partners with the Government of Ukraine (GoU), the private sector, and civil society to increase the resilience of Ukraine’s democracy through innovative communications initiatives that engage Ukrainians in a conversation about the country’s democratic transformation and European integration.
Instead of organizing events around report outs from projects, what if we started with a bold proposition: What could we do this year that would really help produce new insights and innovations in rule of law, citizen security, and transitional justice projects around the world, especially implementing an approach that puts people and their needs…
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a severe and systemic problem affecting individuals across the world, and leaving physical, emotional, and social scars that can last a lifetime. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Sexual…
The Rule of Law Summit convened a global network of Rule of Law practitioners, donors, implementers, and thought leaders who shared concrete and transferable learning on current trends and practices in people-centered justice approaches to inform the implementation and impact of USAID’s Rule of Law programs. Reflecting USAID Administrator Samantha Power’s call for “progress beyond…
Local ownership, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and non-permissive environments, is critical. So how can development donors and implementing partners bolster partner-driven strategies for sustainable development and meaningful change? Participants included both local and D.C.-based NGOs, community-based organizations, thought leaders, research and policy institutes, local governments, advocacy groups, and implementing partners who have moved the needle in the…
This blog was originally published by Foreign Policy magazine. Corrupt governance systems are a threat to democracy. They deprive people of much-needed public resources and services, weaken trust in institutions, distort decision-making in the interest of the few, and lead to deep citizen disengagement and apathy. Moreover, corruption disproportionately impacts groups that already tend to hold…
The Chemonics-implemented USAID Advancing Universal Health Coverage (AUHC) activity and the Surjer Hashi Network (SHN), recently organized a special event to celebrate the tremendous contribution of women leaders in Bangladesh’s health sector and the critical role they play to inspire women across communities. At the “Women Rise” event on March 14, these leaders participated in…
Deforestation in the Colombian Amazon has increased in recent years, with illicit economic activities and unsustainable agricultural practices damaging the natural environment and threatening biodiversity. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated things further, with the isolation of vulnerable indigenous communities and reduced access to markets providing a backdrop for increased land grabbing and environmental crime. As deforestation…
Successful governance systems demonstrate inclusive, people-centered administration that is transparent and accountable. This two-day interactive forum featured representatives from local governments, leading local and international organizations and thought leaders, USAID, and implementing partner programs discussing how to improve governance systems across different development sectors and the role of locally led development. Locally Led Development in…
In complex environments with political challenges and evolving conflict dynamics, equitable access to water and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is increasingly critical and yet often constrained by ineffective or outdated governance systems. Not only are governance initiatives central to meeting the challenges that rapid urbanization poses for the provision of WASH services, but…
April 19, 2023 This webinar convened representatives from local implementing organizations, USAID, and other key stakeholders to advance the dialogue on locally-led development in the context of USAID’s 2022 Local Capacity Strengthening Policy. Local organizations shared their perspectives and experiences on how international donor assistance supported them to define their vision for success. This was…