Local Sustainability - Fact Sheet
Working closely with local implementing partners and building their capacity is a key aspect of the Agency’s implementation and procurement reform efforts. The Local Sustainability Division is at the cutting edge of these efforts, and implements several pioneering programs related to working with and building the capacity of local partners. Through the Local Sustainability Division, IDEA manages more than $50 million in several grant programs including the Development Grants Program, Cooperative Development Program, and the Small Projects Assistance Program. This division also manages PVO registration and the Limited Excess Property Program, which enable U.S. PVOs to support USAID priorities overseas.
The Development Grants Program is a multimillion dollar annual grant program focused on building and expanding partnerships with U.S. and local, in-country organizations that have little direct experience in working with USAID. The DGP program enables grantees to develop their organizational and technical capabilities while implementing innovative development activities in their home countries. Through the DGP, USAID’s aims to create stronger, flexible and sustainable organizations which can rapidly respond to the evolving needs of those they serve. In addition to receiving funding for activities and institutional support, DGP grantees have access to capacity development support to enhance their organizational and/or technical capabilities. This support is nimble, and customized to grantees’ needs, with a focus on empowering local capacity building service providers where possible. The DGP program, working closely with colleagues in the field, is able to benefit from and contribute to the expertise of USAID’s Mission staff and regional USAID Local Capacity Development Teams.
The Small Project Assistance Program (SPA)/ Peace Corps is a joint collaboration with the Peace Corps through which volunteers to support USAID development efforts, helping to implement small, self-help activities to support community-level development projects in sectors ranging from health to agriculture to small enterprise development. SPA-sponsored projects focus on developing local community groups, including local associations, local government entities, schools, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Volunteers also work with NGOs to improve services to surrounding communities. Participants learn key development skills, including program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, integrated planning and service delivery.
The Cooperative Development Program builds the intellectual capital of major partner US cooperatives and cooperative development organizations, and has led to notable achievements including new reaseach on cooperative law and regulation, the development of tools to measure cooperative development, and the creation of a Comprehensive Guide for Rural Electric Cooperative development. Through its modest support, the CDP enables partners to address critical challenges to cooperative development, to develop and test solutions and, where successful, to incorporate these solutions in their broader programs creating substantial impact and significant multiplier effect.
The Limited Excess Property Program (LEPP) enables USAID approved Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) to access government excess property for use in their overseas development programs. LEPP partners are able to obtain property, such as hospital beds, vehicles and computers, through access to the U.S. General Services Administration and the Defense Logistics Agency's Disposition Services' excess property programs.
Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Registration provides an effective tool for identifying and evaluating PVOs with the capacity to support USAID priorities overseas, and is the means through which PVOs become eligible to compete for USAID assistance grants and cooperative agreements. Registration also facilitates PVOs and USAID to effectively mobilize for foreign disasters and development.
