“All who believe in the importance of transparent and accountable governance must mobilize whenever there is a democratic opening, helping reformers deliver tangible benefits to their people.”
- USAID Administrator Samantha Power -
“How Democracy Can Win: The Right Way to Counter Autocracy”, Foreign Affairs (February 2023)
What is the Democracy Delivers Initiative?
Launched by USAID Administrator Samantha Power and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the UN General Assembly in September 2022, the Democracy Delivers Initiative surges support, resources, and attention to countries experiencing promising windows of democratic opportunity. The Democracy Delivers Initiative unites the development and diplomatic tools of the U.S. government, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector, and the philanthropic community to advance citizens’ priorities and reform efforts across development sectors. Public support underpins democratization, and reformer governments earn that support by delivering transparent, meaningful, and inclusive results, ranging from job creation and educational opportunities to improved healthcare and citizen security, to make people’s lives better.
Where does the Democracy Delivers Initiative work?
The Democracy Delivers Initiative is focused on supporting countries experiencing promising democratic openings – often referred to as democratic “bright spots” – where reform-oriented governments are implementing reform agendas and addressing citizens’ priorities. The Initiative is currently supporting Armenia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
How does the Democracy Delivers Initiative mobilize support?
The United States Government, with USAID leadership, focuses efforts, attention, and resources to countries experiencing promising democratic openings. Recognizing the multi-faceted and significant support needed to effectuate democratic reform in a world where malign actors seek to undermine democratic progress, USAID encourages our partners to join us. New partnerships usher in a range of complementary assistance, and broadly-built, multi-stakeholder coalitions can help reformers strengthen early progress, demonstrating to citizens that democratic governance meaningfully improves their daily lives.
Progress
In the Initiative’s first full year, we supported reformers to advance progress ranging from increased energy security, private sector investment, and job creation to improved maternal and child health outcomes and increased access to quality education. We also convened leaders from host governments, philanthropies, and the private sector to launch a Democracy Delivers Commitment to Action, collectively mobilizing over $255 million to deliver essential services and advance progress in partner countries. Since October 2022, Democracy Delivers has mobilized more than $135 million in USAID centrally managed funds.
Partner governments also made notable progress in passing critical reforms. For example, the Government of Tanzania ended a six-year ban on opposition rallies. The Government of Moldova adopted a law on the further vetting of judges and prosecutors in high level positions to root out corruption in the judiciary.
How can businesses help?
The private sector has unique expertise and often greater flexibility in many of the areas where emerging democracies need the most support, and a strong interest in promoting transparent, rules-based investment climates. By investing in these markets, companies can help reformist leaders demonstrate how strengthening democracy encourages inclusive economic growth. Private sector engagement can encourage governments to further business-friendly reforms, combat corruption, and strengthen the rule of law to spur investment. Private companies could also offer pro-bono technical assistance and training.
For example, in Ecuador, USAID created a new public-private partnership with a leading supermarket conglomerate to incorporate products produced by smallholder farmers directly into the company's supply chain, increasing economic opportunities, environment sustainability, and long-term resilience of Ecuador’s food supply chain. In Moldova, Google.org announced a $1 million grant to the Foundation for Advancement of Moldova (FAM) and INCO to enhance cybersecurity and resilience in Moldova.
How can philanthropies help?
Philanthropic partners are uniquely positioned to rapidly and nimbly shift resources in response to democratic openings. Some philanthropies maintain deep connections with local organizations already working to advance progress across key sectors. In other instances, philanthropies have the discretion to direct their resources quickly in conjunction with reformer governments to address citizens’ concerns. Investing in democracy can help us all drive sustainable development and advance human dignity.
For example, in Zambia, The Rockefeller Foundation is supporting the Government of Zambia in deploying mini-grids across 100 priority sites, working towards the electrification of schools, hospitals, and other community institutions that will benefit over 100,000 Zambians. In Tanzania, the Vodafone Foundation has expanded the successful m-mama maternal health initiative, which establishes an emergency referral and transportation system for pregnant women and newborns experiencing complications. Building on its success in Tanzania. Vodafone is working to establish a similar program with the Government of Malawi.
How can bilateral and multilateral donors help?
Robust evidence links democracy to improved development outcomes. Aligning donor programming and policy priorities enables a multiplier effect where democratic openings are supported and sustained by leveraging comparative advantages, resources, and expertise. Like-minded development partners might consider policy shifts to incorporate a “bright spots” lens into development programming, new funding, or program resources; the facilitation of new partnerships with the private sector or philanthropy in their networks; and/or joining the Democracy Delivers Commitment to Action coalition. Working together to grow the global community of democracies sends a powerful message to reformers around the world and also to those who seek to stifle democratic progress.
For example, USAID and Irish Aid launched a new partnership to invest $75 million in sustainable food systems to help fight hunger and prevent the next food crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, including Malawi.
How can you partner with Democracy Delivers?
USAID is facilitating new partnerships and coalitions to support democratic progress. To explore opportunities to partner with and support Democracy Delivers, please contact democracydelivers@usaid.gov.
