The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works in over 80 countries to promote global health, support global stability, provide humanitarian assistance, catalyze innovation and partnership, and empower women and girls. These actions may introduce practices and projects that directly or indirectly affect the cultural heritage of a community or region. Cultural heritage is important to consider during the environmental review process under 22 CFR 216 (Environmental Compliance Procedures). This Guide is for USAID staff and Implementing Partners involved in planning, designing, implementing, evaluating, and monitoring actions led by USAID (such as Mission Environmental Officers, Bureau Environmental Officers, Agreement Officers’ Representatives, and Contracting Officers’ Representatives). The goal of this Guide is to expand understanding of cultural heritage and to provide practical suggestions for incorporating considerations of cultural heritage throughout the project life cycle, with an understanding that cultures differ regionally and thus practices will need be tailored to a given area.
Consultation and stakeholder engagement are key to identifying cultural heritage, understanding how an action will affect it, and implementing good practices when working in an area. Stakeholders may be community members or leaders, cultural heritage professionals, or anyone who engages with cultural heritage. They can provide information that can be invaluable to understanding and avoiding potentially negative impacts during USAID actions. Stakeholders can supplement or expand on information discerned from academic literature, technical documents, site visits, key informant interviews, and other methods of research used during environmental reviews. Including cultural heritage considerations as part of the environmental review process can help USAID build better relationships with communities and efficiently and effectively consider and address potential impacts.
