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.
USAID in Paraguay developed local partnerships on the basis of mutuality and supported demand-driven capacity strengthening approaches to enhance the leadership, growth, and resilience of local entrepreneurs.
Ajuda do Povo para Povo (ADPP), an Angolan NGO, submitted a concept through US4LLD to strengthen education systems. With 25 years of experience supporting education in rural areas of Angola, ADPP works closely with municipal education authorities, local citizens, and teachers. By building on and strengthening existing local resources, ADPP aims to ensure children enroll and thrive in school through graduation.
In Mesoamerica, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities manage more than 50 million hectares of forests. Through an unsolicited award in Guatemala, Rainforest Foundation US partners with the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB) to strengthen their regional structure. Their joint efforts aim to reduce inequity, protect natural resources, and build strong foundations for post-pandemic economic reactivation.
WHAT DOES US4LLD SUPPORT? Locally driven activities through awards of up to $2 million.
WHERE CAN US4LLD FUND AN AWARD? Any country with an active USAID presence (see below for some restrictions).
WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED? Concepts are accepted on a rolling basis.
WHO CAN APPLY? Organizations that have received less than $5 million directly from USAID over the previous five fiscal years.
Advancing Locally Led Development
All concepts must demonstrate how they advance locally led development. Concepts must show how they include:
- 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.
Learn more about criteria and these locally led development approaches on our How to Apply page.
Am I Eligible to Apply?
Eligible applicants must...
- Have received less than $5 million from USAID directly over the previous five fiscal years and
- Be a small local, international, or United States-based non-governmental organization, educational institution, or other small entity
Eligible activities must...
- Clearly be locally led (see here for key questions to consider before submission) and
- Not be focused on construction
Ineligible Countries
- US4LLD attempts to provide funding to as many USAID Missions globally as possible. Due to certain limits, US4LLD is not currently accepting concepts for activities taking place in countries below:
Angola
Burkina Faso
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Kenya
Mali
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Burma (Myanmar)
Kazakhstan
Thailand
The Philippines
Ukraine
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Prospective applicants are encouraged to also regularly check Grants.gov and SAM.gov for current opportunities in specific countries or sectors.
Key Resources
Submit a strong concept
- US4LLD Concept Note Form: Interested in submitting a concept? Download the form, review the requirements, fully answer the questions, and email the completed form to unsolicited-solutions4LLD@usaid.gov.
- How to Apply to US4LLD: Ready to submit a concept but want to know more about the application process? Find a summary of the US4LLD application and review processes here.
- Frequently Asked Questions about US4LLD: It’s possible that your question may have already been addressed. Explore responses to the most frequently asked questions – from concept drafting to award processes.
- 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.