The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has designed this livelihoods and economic opportunity programming guidance document to provide a practical tool for USAID Missions and operating units (OUs) to more effectively engage and partner with Indigenous Peoples in relevant activities. Consideration of Indigenous Peoples’ own development priorities and facilitating their participation in program design and implementation through well-structured communication, consultation and engagement strategies helps foster local solutions as envisioned in the Journey to Self- Reliance (p. 32). This requires identifying, in a context-specific manner, Indigenous Peoples and engaging them as both partners in development programming. By effectively engaging Indigenous Peoples in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs that aim to enhance their livelihoods and expand their economic opportunities, OUs can advance objectives with a deeper understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ needs, capacities, and interests. Such informed engagement is vital to ensure livelihoods programs are designed to mitigate adverse impacts on Indigenous communities, avoid conflicts that could delay or derail projects, and prevent harm to Indigenous Peoples’ livelihoods.
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