Localization just got a bump in the U.S. Congress, with new legislation attempting to bring more government dollars to local organizations across the world.
The Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 20, just one day after it was introduced with support from both political parties. Though the bill still needs to clear the U.S. Senate, most seem hopeful it will do so — ultimately making it much easier for the U.S. Agency for International Development to push its localization targets forward.
“It’s long overdue to rethink traditional ways of delivering development and humanitarian assistance – and instead look for ways to empower local communities so they can determine their own future,” said U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, a Democrat from California and one of the members of Congress who introduced the legislation, in a statement. “[This bill] would support USAID’s efforts to ensure that we’re following the lead of local communities, who know the challenges they’re facing and how to solve them better than we do.”
About the author
Elissa Miolene
Elissa Miolene reports on USAID and the U.S. government at Devex. She previously covered education at The San Jose Mercury News, and has written for outlets like The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washingtonian magazine, among others. Before shifting to journalism, Elissa led communications for humanitarian agencies in the United States, East Africa, and South Asia.
