2023-2028
The goal for USAID/Laos’ Strategic Framework (SF) is “Laos-led resilient, sustainable, and inclusive development advanced.” “Laos-led” emphasizes the importance of engaging with and attaining buy-in from stakeholders at all levels of society; “Resilient” reflects the importance of increasing Lao PDR’s ability to respond to internal and external shocks; “Sustainable” acknowledges that overreliance on extractive approaches and underinvestment in social sector programs to date have and will not improve development outcomes for the majority of Lao citizens; and “Inclusive” advances USAID and GOL goals to ensure improved processes and outcomes are shared across the breadth of Lao society.
USAID’s consultations and analyses determined that progress toward this goal can be best achieved by co-acknowledging Lao PDR’s most pressing development challenges with the GOL and building capacity throughout society to address them. USAID will address these core challenges through four distinct yet interlinked Development Objectives (DOs):
DO 1: Diversified Green Economic Growth Shared Equitably
DO 2: Education Learning Outcomes and Opportunities Expanded
DO 3: Health and Disability Outcomes Improved
DO 4: Inclusive and Responsive Governance Strengthened
In addition, USAID/Laos has identified digitalization, climate change and private sector engagement as cross-cutting issues that it will incorporate and advance across its portfolio.
USAID/Laos is committed to driving progress beyond programs to achieve sustainable and inclusive development. The SF’s strategic approach emphasizes alignment and partnership with key stakeholders, including the GOL, other United States Government (USG) and USAID operating units, other donors, public international organizations, civil society/community organizations and the private sector. In addition, it focuses on advancing equity and effectiveness by incorporating development diplomacy, localization, and gender and inclusive development throughout its work. Evidence-based learning efforts in MEL and adaptive management will be a priority, with a focus on enhancing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning knowledge and understanding of USAID staff, implementing partners, and other key stakeholders.
