Locally-led development that empowers and supports local actors in their work to address their development challenges is vital to long-term, sustainable development -- and underlies how USAID is changing the way we will engage with local organizations, communities and leaders.
Español / Ixil / K'iche' / Mam / Q'eqchi'
With the renewed commitment of the U.S. government and the American people, under USAID’s new Centroamerica Local initiative, USAID/Guatemala seeks to engage, strengthen, and fund local organizations to implement development programs. This work will advance sustainable and equitable economic growth, improve governance, fight corruption, protect human rights, improve citizen security, and combat sexual and gender-based violence. These efforts will also advance the U.S. Strategy to Address Root Causes of Migration in Central America and deliver on USAID’s overarching vision to engage and empower local organizations and communities to lead their own development.
OUR APPROACH
- USAID/Guatemala is committed to advancing development localization by supporting local actors to be at the forefront of their own development. Three pillars will guide our work:
- Advancing Local Leadership of Guatemala's Development Agenda. We will champion the work of local actors to establish and advance Guatemala's development agenda, and partner in areas of mutual interest and shared value.
- Expanding and Diversifying Engagement. We will expand and diversify engagement opportunities with local organizations by innovating, adapting, and supporting partnership models to better align with the needs of different organizations and shared development goals.
- Strengthening Capacity for Localization. We will work to expand USAID's and local actors' capacity to work as partners in designing, mobilizing resources for, implementing, and evaluating development programs.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Improved Outreach and Communication. Through expanding use and support of local and indigenous communication channels, USAID/Guatemala will tailor communications to reach new organizations and actors with information on USAID programs and partnership opportunities.
- Expanded Opportunities to Engage with USAID/Guatemala. USAID/Guatemala will expand opportunities for local actors to work with USAID, such as participation in the design of new activities, strategies, and funding opportunities. USAID will also provide channels for feedback on our programs and approaches. USAID will explore ways to use our convening power, endorsement, social and political capital to facilitate resource mobilization from other local and international actors.
- Increased Flexibility, Adaptation, and Innovation. Increasing the types of opportunities to engage with USAID, and expanding and diversifying partners, will require new mechanisms and methods of partnering. USAID/Guatemala will explore and pursue innovative ways to support the work of local actors, such as piloting new funding mechanisms, catalytic matching funds, institutional strengthening including mentorship/coaching/internships, convening groups to connect local partners with other resources and revenues (such as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation), and leveraging in-kind resources.
- Shared Commitment to Risk Management. Local actors, as partners with USAID, share the inherent risks of development work and should expect to work with USAID to manage and mitigate those risks. This may require local organizations to build, adapt and adopt skills, tools, processes, and behaviors that meet U.S. government requirements. USAID will provide local actors with the resources, guidance, and assistance needed to build successful partnerships.
HOW TO GET ENGAGED
While USAID/Guatemala is developing new mechanisms to support locally-led development, a number of opportunities already exist for local actors to engage with and receive support from USAID. Some of these opportunities are available through current or soon to be launched USAID programs. Other opportunities include engaging directly with USAID to inform and shape our priorities, strategies, approaches, and programs through participation in advisory councils.
