Locally Led Development (LLD) Research
Generating evidence and learning to advance locally led development at USAID
USAID collaborates with new, local, and marginalized thought leaders in the development space on locally led development research. These diverse partnerships generate new knowledge, tools, and approaches that empower local actors and contribute to USAID’s understanding and practice of locally led development. By designing research and programming with, rather than for or about, local actors, USAID’s Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) is able to generate actionable evidence aligned with local priorities.
Current Research
These projects were co-created with a diverse range of local and traditionally underutilized partners. Find out about past research efforts here.
Communities of Practice for Effective Partnerships (COPE)
Strengthening a South-South community of practice, including 16 member organizations from nine countries in Asia and Latin America, centered around systems thinking to address local development challenges.
Partners: Gerry Roxas Foundation, Corporación ECOSS, and LINC LLC, and 15 local sub-partners
Donors and Locally Led Development: Transforming Relationships for Strong and Resilient Communities
Examining how donor roles affect locally led development in India to make future development programs more effective.
Partners: Indian Grameen Services with research expertise from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
Hope for a Better Future: Resilience for Youth in Liberia
Implementing and assessing trauma healing informed activities to engage youth as sustainable development partners in Liberia.
Partners: Kennesaw State University; the Liberia National Commission of Justice, Peace, and Caritas; the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation; TRENDS Global; and Sovereignty First.
Locally Led Development in Fragile Environments (LIFE)
Exploring how and why locally led development leads to impact in fragile environments through research in Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
Partners: The Hunger Project as the Global Secretariat of the Movement for Community-Led Development, World Vision.
The Effect of Social Capital on Family Wellbeing in Peru's Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM)
Studying the effects of community-led programming on social welfare conditions in conflict-affected zones of Peru.
Partners: Management Sciences for Health Peru.
Stopping As Success+ (SAS+): Locally Led Transitions in Development
Enabling development partnerships to be more locally led by making transitions from international to local entities more responsible, effective, and sustainable. Explore the SAS+ website.
Partners: CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Peace Direct, and Search for Common Ground.
Where We Work
- Explore the map to learn more about Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) programming around the world. Filter by the “Locally Led Development Research” Program.
- Click here for an accessible PDF version of the map.
