Through Local Works, USAID Missions in Latin America and the Caribbean are working to address the following:

USAID/Eastern and Central Caribbean will work in Guyana to support improved citizen engagement in governance and community development. The Mission will work with local organizations, locally elected representatives and citizens to map the needs of vulnerable or underserved populations, identify resources, gaps and priorities for community development, and provide support to implement and monitor a citizen-driven agenda for development.

USAID/Dominican Republic is working to strengthen systems and networks to connect communities, local and national governments and other partners, to improve livelihoods along the Dominican/Haitian border through local engagement, cooperation, and building on community assets. Through Local Works, the Mission is also supporting humanitarian assistance and economic development support to COVID-19.

USAID/El Salvador will partner with a local foundation, private sector companies, and government institutions to improve economic opportunities for the population of Soyapango, one of the country's most populated municipalities. Soyapango has a large youth population and some of the highest rates of violence in the country. Through Local Works, USAID/El Salvador will strengthen the capacity of local institutions to work together in generating solutions to these challenges. By improving economic opportunities in Soyapango, it is expected that local families will see an improvement in their living conditions, which in turn will improve the region’s security and prevent illegal migration to the United States.  

USAID/Guatemala is working on Kem, or Strengthening Engagement with Youth and Indigenous Peoples, Kem, a Maya K’iche’ word meaning weaving or networking, is a three-year activity that will promote collaboration among indigenous and youth organizations to listen and construct dialogue between the Guatemalan government and indigenous authorities. USAID/Guatemala is working with youth and Indigenous Peoples to define their own development priorities by developing solutions and utilizing their own capacity, leadership, and resources to make those solutions a sustainable reality. 

USAID/Honduras will be co-creating with the local private sector, civil society, and communities to increase economic opportunities in the solid waste management sector. These efforts aim to reduce solid waste in the environment and decrease the risk factors associated with violence in areas heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and migration. Results will include the number of individuals with new or better jobs and the number of businesses benefiting from improved solid waste management. 

USAID/Mexico will collaborate with local civil society organizations to address key development challenges surrounding violence prevention; human rights; and transparency.

USAID/Paraguay is helping vulnerable communities, especially women and youth, to self-identify their needs and determine their own development solutions, motivating change from within, catalyzing opportunities, and empowering them to lead their own journey to self-reliance.  Through Local Works, the Mission is also investing in strengthening the economic and social resilience of women entrepreneurs in response to COVID-19.