Samantha Power, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, has outlined an ambitious plan to shift more U.S. foreign aid funding and decision-making power to local organizations in the countries where USAID operates.
But before the agency can move forward with that plan, it has to decide what exactly “local” means. USAID is close to finalizing two definitions that will apply to two different parts of its locally led development agenda, according to an agency official who outlined for Devex the current language and guidance USAID plans to use. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as the definitions have not yet been made public.
Advocates for locally led development say these definitions are key in determining how significant Power’s reform agenda is likely to be.