Al Manara Youth Group
Inclusive development is an equitable development approach built on the understanding that every person, of all diverse identities and experiences, is instrumental in the transformation of their own societies. Their engagement throughout the entire development process leads to better outcomes.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that an inclusive development approach leads to better development outcomes. Research shows that investments in inclusion and equity are crucial to support sustainable and broad development. Simply put, inclusion is key to aid effectiveness. In its work worldwide, USAID aims to provide locally-informed approaches that address the specific needs of marginalized and underrepresented groups and enable them to fully participate in our programming.
Inclusive development approach
USAID is committed to addressing exclusion and its impact on marginalized and underrepresented communities by utilizing an inclusive development (ID) approach that involves:
- Creating USAID programs that help transform power dynamics to ensure diverse individuals and communities take part in their societies;
- Partnering with marginalized and underrepresented groups during the design, implementation, and evaluation of USAID programming;
- Engaging in ongoing processes with local communities to address the needs of these groups to attain fair treatment; and
- Making an intentional effort to ensure that we do not replicate the barriers that occur in wider society, in order to guarantee access to programming by marginalized and underrepresented communities and people in vulnerable situations.
This is done through policy, programming, and training.
Policy
USAID’s commitment to inclusion and equity is showcased in the Agency’s official guidance on inclusive development, Additional Help for ADS Chapter 201, Inclusive Development. Updated in 2023, the guidance:
- Defines inclusive development and related concepts and discusses the rationale for this development approach;
- Serves as foundational technical guidance for advancing equity and inclusion in USAID programming;
- Provides an overview of USAID policies and guidance that promote inclusion and equity for marginalized and underrepresented groups; and
- Offers options for how USAID staff and Missions can support the advancement of inclusive development across the Agency.
Programming
Designing inclusive development Programming: USAID is committed to designing programming that analyzes the exclusion and marginalization of groups. USAID staff will work to address the needs of, engage with, and support the priorities of marginalized and underrepresented groups in programming by incorporating local knowledge.
Designing Stakeholder Consultations with Marginalized Communities: Inclusive development calls for local solutions to development challenges. Based on best practices and USAID’s principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” stakeholder consultations are an important component of program design. These stakeholder consultations are often conducted with marginalized or underrepresented communities. To ensure that we abide by the Agency’s key principle of “Do No Harm,” USAID recommends the use of a safety/security and trauma-informed approach to stakeholder consultations.
Advancing Racial and Ethnic Equity in USAID’s Programming: The ID Hub supports USAID in its comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including racial and ethnic populations and their organizations. Amongst other activities, the ID Hub is developing tools aimed at supporting Missions in elevating and expanding their efforts to contribute to equitable development efforts.
Training
USAID’s Inclusive Development Training Suite encompasses a wide range of training, including training for staff as well as our Implementing Partners. Our training for Implementing Partners provides guidance on USAID’s commitment to nondiscrimination for beneficiaries and how to promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in their work.
e-Learning Courses
Inclusive Development: This e-learning course introduces the key concepts, terminology, and principles of inclusive development, provides an overview of the Inclusive Development Analysis tool, helps participants reflect on their role in making the case for inclusive development, and encourages strategic thinking to advance inclusive development in USAID’s efforts.
“Do No Harm”: The foundational principles that guide our work with LGBTQI+ people here at USAID are “Do No Harm” and “Nothing About Us Without Us”. In this e-learning course, the content focuses on the former and is designed to help USAID colleagues and partners ensure that their efforts to help protect LGBTI people from violence, discrimination, stigma, and criminalization do not have harmful consequences.
Inclusive Practices in USAID’S Workplace: This course focuses on USAID’s inclusion principles and demonstrates how to apply inclusive practices and advance inclusion in the workplace using USAID’s hiring process as a representative example. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify inclusion opportunities in the hiring process as well as other workforce processes, such as professional development, retention, promotion, and ensuring morale.
Resources
- Inclusive Development - Additional Help For ADS 201
- Additional Help for ADS 201: Suggested Approaches for Integrating Inclusive Development Across the Program Cycle and in Mission Operations
- Safety/security-sensitive and trauma-informed stakeholder consultations with members of marginalized groups
- Racial and Ethnic Equity Initiative
Names and contact details
Abir Aldhalimi
Senior Inclusive Development Advisor
Alexandra Bastien
Senior Racial & Ethnic Equity Advisor
Michael Bellecourt (he/him)
Inclusive Development Advisor
Amoding Deborah Oluka
Social Impact and Safeguarding Senior Advisor