In 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development embarked on an ambitious reform agenda that aims to build local partnerships, foster innovation and strengthen the agency’s capacity to deliver results.
USAID outlined its successes in a progress report unveiled today at an event co-hosted by the American Enterprise Institute and Center for American Progress.
At the event, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah made a case for continuing the agency’s reform project despite lingering concerns especially from budget hawks, conservative lawmakers and U.S. contractors afraid they may lose business if the agency amps up local partnerships abroad. The event was attended by top USAID brass and a wide swath of aid leaders in the realms of consulting, nonprofits, think tanks and academia – and indication perhaps of the uncertainty surrounding the future of U.S. aid in today’s highly partisan political environment and amid government-wide cuts as a result of the sequester.