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Partnering for Development

A Different Approach to Development

Today’s development challenges are too big and complex to be solved by any one actor. By combining our strengths, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with businesses, non-governmental organizations, and foundations can more than double the impact of development initiatives in the communities we serve.  At USAID, some of the best development occurs when the public and private sectors join forces to alleviate poverty and support economic and social growth in developing countries. Through partnerships, we generate needed resources and innovate new approaches to address challenges to healthcare, education, agricultural development and more. 

Why Partner?

Resource flows from the United States to the developing world are on the rise.  America’s total contribution to the developing world extends far beyond official flows, and encompasses philanthropy, and private capital flows as well. As the wealth of resources to the developing world grows, alliances help to meet the needs of both the public and private sector. Through joint public-private initiatives, we promote solutions that advance long-term social and economic growth and stability, while creating shared value for all actors. 

What are Global Development Alliances?

One of USAID’s approaches to partnership is the Global Development Alliance. A Global Development Alliance is a market-driven approach to alliances between the public and private sectors to address jointly defined development objectives. Alliances are co-designed, co-funded, and co-managed by partners so that the risks, responsibilities, and rewards of partnership are equally shared. 

Characteristics of a Global Development Alliance

Global Development Alliances are characterized by the following:

• Jointly defined problem and solution
• Shared risks, responsibilities, and rewards
• Innovative approaches to working with new partners
• Equal investments of cash or in-kind contributions

Target Partners

USAID works with a diversity of partners including businesses, foundations, non-governmental organizations and more.  The impact of Global Development Alliances are maximized, however, by leveraging the resources of private business partners who harness market-oriented approaches for sustainable development outcomes.

Global Development Alliance Successes

Since 2001, USAID has developed more than 900 alliances with over 1,700 unique partners. With companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Cisco Systems, Inc. and Wal-Mart, we are developing partnerships that have lasting impact.

The Coca-Cola  Company:
USAID and The Coca-Cola Company have partnered together to support water-related projects through the Global Watersheds Partnership Program. The $10 million alliance has supported projects across eight countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and is now expanding to an additional nine African countries. So far, the alliance has improved hygiene and household water disinfection for 25,000 underserved residents near Jakarta, Indonesia, and increased access to clean water for 21,000 people in Mali. A 12-village project in Ethiopia to supply potable water and improve school sanitation is expected to impact 45,000 people. (Note: The Coca-Cola Company is winner of USAID’s 2007 GDA of the Year Award.)

Cisco:
One of our earliest and longest-running relationships is USAID’s multimillion dollar global e-learning alliance with Cisco and its Networking Academy Program. Through this alliance, students learn computer networking skills and prepare to compete in the global marketplace. Since the launch of the Least Developed Country Initiative, 51, 748 students have enrolled in a Networking Academy course and 13,574 students have graduated from the four-course Cisco Certified Network Associate program from Networking Academies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

WalMart:
The Brazil Responsible Sourcing Program is a $1.9 million alliance that seeks to increase coffee quality, production, and marketing for 3,600 smallholder coffee farmers, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and greater incomes.  In 2008, WalMart introduced its exclu­sive “Sam’s Choice” sustainable coffees, including three Fair Trade Certified™ coffees from Brazil in more than 1,000 of its locations across the U.S. The company seeks to educate its consumers about Fair Trade Certified™ coffees through tasting and education campaigns, which helps to develop the market for Brazil’s coffee.  

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