Today, USAID released its first Equity Action Plan, which details five key recommendations to advance equity with underserved communities, including racial and ethnic equity, in our policies, programs and partner base. USAID, along with other federal agencies, are committed to advancing equity and stand with the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize the advancement of equity throughout the federal government.
On January 20, 2021 President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. This EO directed federal agencies to evaluate and identify gaps in advancing equity with underserved communities, including racial and ethnic equity, in their policies, programs and partners. Throughout the course of 2021, USAID conducted an external equity assessment to identify gaps in advancing equity in USAID's policies and work.
USAID used the assessment findings to develop the Agency's first Equity Action Plan, www.usaid.gov/equity. The Equity Action Plan serves as a starting point for longer term equity planning and contains five key recommendations. The five actions identified in the Equity Action Plan include:
- Continued development of the WorkwithUSAID platform;
- Enhanced implementation of USAID's nondiscrimination for beneficiaries policy, development and implementation of an Independent Accountability Mechanism, and advancement of Title VI protections at USAID;
- Reduced internal and external barriers for USAID awards, to include reduction of administrative burdens that negatively affect partner capacity;
- Designate an Inclusive Development (ID) Advisor at each Mission and procure inclusive development support mechanisms managed through the Agency's ID Hub; and
- Implement a consistent approach to incorporate racial and ethnic equity and diversity into policy, planning, and learning.
Following USAID's Equity Action Plan's release, USAID will host a series of listening sessions with stakeholder organizations on the Action Plan. The Office of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Officer will generate a corresponding implementation plan in the next 60 days, and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Equity Action Plan.
For more information on how to work with USAID, visit www.WorkwithUSAID.org