The US4LLD Program will not be accepting new concepts until March 1, 2025. The US4LLD team is streamlining the application process and clarity of program criteria to better support applicants in view of high program demand. Concepts that have already been received will be processed, but please note that we expect that the review process will take longer than normal.
Supporting locally-driven ideas from around the world.
Sustainable and locally driven ideas come from a diversity of organizations around the world. To ensure that these ideas have the opportunity to be considered, the Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD) Program provides funding to enable USAID Missions to support unsolicited applications that advance locally led development in any sector.
Leveraging Mutuality in Partnership for Impact
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With the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs in Chacarita - a marginalized neighborhood in Paraguay’s capital - faced challenges sustaining their businesses. Through a US4LLD award, Habitat for Humanity and USAID/Paraguay helped mobilize local resources and strengthen local leadership.
Strengthening Municipal Education Systems
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Improving the delivery of local services is a key step in the Government of Angola’s efforts to decentralize social services. With over two million children out of school due to systemic limitations, education is an important starting point for strengthening municipal systems for service delivery.
Demand Driven Capacity Development Case Study
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Fundación Paraguaya, a local NGO in Paraguay working to eliminate poverty, applied for Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD) to strengthen the capacity of low-income women entrepreneur committees based on the NGO’s own understanding of the committees’ needs.
Advancing Locally Led Development
The US4LLD program advances:
- Local input: Communities are involved in identifying the development challenge and designing a solution.
- Local leadership: Local actors are empowered to own and implement the process.
- Innovation: Activities go beyond and/or improve upon traditional development practices.
- Sustainability: Activity outcomes will be sustained over the long-term.
- Locally Informed Adaptation: There is a strategy for involving local communities in monitoring and learning, responding to potential challenges, and adapting as necessary.
- Local Capacity Strengthening (as relevant): The needs, goals, and methods of any planned capacity strengthening activities are directly informed by potential activity participants and local partners.
- Organizational Capacity Strengthening (optional, but encouraged): There are resources and a plan to strengthen the applicant organization’s own ability to better achieve its self-defined organizational goals.
Key Resources
- Local Capacity Strengthening
- New Agency Local Capacity Strengthening Policy: Applicants proposing capacity strengthening in their concepts are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with this Policy before submitting an application. This Policy is a mindset and culture shift towards embracing capacity strengthening that supports local actors' ability to deliver and sustain development results. Approaches to capacity strengthening will vary; they should be fit-for-purpose and co-created with local actors to meet their aspirations, goals, and needs.
- Local Capacity Strengthening Micro-Trainings: Deepen your understanding of USAID’s Local Capacity Strengthening Policy by taking the interactive Policy overview and principles-based micro-trainings. Each module will take about five minutes.
- Locally Led Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:
- Integrating local leadership principles and approaches into monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) is critical to a strong concept. Learn more about Locally Led MEL at USAID here.
- Learn more about the US4LLD Program approach to supporting locally led MEL.
Work with USAID
- WorkWithUSAID.gov: Explore USAID’s resource hub on partnering with USAID.
- WorkWithUSAID Partner Directory: Register your organization on this listing of development organizations to expand your network and learn about other organizations in your region or sector.
- Pre-Engagement Assessment: Is your organization ready to work with USAID? Check your organization’s readiness with this confidential assessment.
- Training Series On How To Work With USAID: Learn about key aspects of USAID partnership through 12 modules drawing from advice straight from USAID staff.
Find another funding opportunity
- Find a Funding Opportunity: USAID’s landing page to explore the basics of USAID funding and explore partnership opportunities.
- USAID Sub-Opportunities: In addition to working directly with USAID, there are many opportunities to work with the contractors and recipients that are currently receiving USAID funding. We call these sub-opportunities. Explore this page to find sub-opportunities.
- USAID General Unsolicited Submissions Portal: Should your concept not align with the US4LLD criteria you may alternatively choose to submit your concept here for general consideration by the relevant USAID Mission.
Where We Currently Work
Visit our map to learn more about Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) programming around the world. Filter by the “Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development” Program to see where we currently work.