USAID E3/LS Grant for Advancing Locally Led Development

E3/LS promotes learning and evaluation, provides expert technical assistance, and is building a culture and capacity within USAID around local ownership.  The Office equips Agency Operating Units with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to:  leverage local capacities and resources; engage with local systems in ways that build upon and strengthen local leadership, capacity, and self-reliance; and be inclusive of marginalized populations.  E3/LS’s underlying theory of change is that when local people exercise greater leadership and decision-making power throughout the development process, local ownership to sustain development outcomes over time is enhanced.  Further, the Office recognizes that commitment and capacity exist everywhere we work. 

Through this Addendum to the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Locally Led Development Innovation, USAID is interested in identifying opportunities for co-creation, co-design, co-investment, and collaboration on research and development activities that advance knowledge and practice around donor support for locally led development.  The Addendum addresses five thematic areas:  engaging the local private sector; conflict, post-conflict and non-permissive environments; effective partnerships; the changing role of the donor; and local giving, philanthropy, and other private resources.

Through prior use of the BAA process, E3/LS explored ways in which USAID could more effectively support locally led development – and the challenges that would need to be addressed to reach this goal.  The Office co-created four awards that have helped the Agency to learn more about applying systems thinking to development, financial sustainability, and strategic transitions from donor-led to locally led development.  This Addendum reflects that learning – and incorporates current Agency priorities, including increased focus on locally led development.