The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is committed to working with the private sector to drive inclusive economic and social development. The Agency recognizes that effective collaboration with appropriate businesses, financial institutions and other private sector entities can dramatically increase the sustainable development impact of our work.

When determining whether to collaborate with specific private sector partners, the Agency assesses the potential development impact of the proposed collaboration and the reputational implications of working with the proposed partner. As a public agency and steward of taxpayer dollars, USAID seeks responsible partners whose financial, social and environmental policies and practices are consistent with USAID’s mission and values, as well as our obligations under relevant law and policy.

In order to assess such matters, USAID uses the due diligence questions below to gather information regarding the prospective private sector partner(s). These questions help USAID identify any reputational risks that might arise from the proposed collaboration. This reputational risk assessment, which is different from other types of due diligence the Agency may be required to conduct, will be incorporated in USAID’s decision of whether to proceed with the proposed collaboration.