LOCAL CAPACITY STRENGTHENING POLICY

Learning & Feedback Forum

 

 

 

 

 


USAID is excited to host the second annual Learning and Feedback Forum October 1-10. All sessions are virtual. Register for each session you are interested in below.


Register Here

Click on the session title below to register. More information on each session is further down the page. Session times are in ET. All sessions will be recorded and posted publicly. Depending on registration and time zones, sessions will include ASL interpretation and live simultaneous interpretation in Kiswahili, Arabic, French, and Spanish. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.

Wednesday, October 2nd

Thursday, October 3rd

Tuesday, October 8th

Wednesday, October 9th

Thursday, October 10th 


Background

The Learning and Feedback Forum is a six-day series of virtual events that will bring together local actors, global stakeholders in the development and humanitarian communities, and USAID staff to discuss the Local Capacity Strengthening (LCS) Policy’s implementation progress and help guide future implementation. Participants will share lessons learned and good practices, access tools and resources, elevate successes, and communicate feedback on LCS Policy implementation.

Session Information

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Session information will be regularly updated on this page as speakers and topics are confirmed. 

Participants are advised that each session will be recorded and available publicly and are advised not to disclose Personally Identifiable Information (PII). IPI will handle any participant's Personally Identifiable Information (PII) consistent with Federal laws and USAID’s Privacy and Security policies.


Local Listening Session 1

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
7-8 a.m. ET

(11 a.m. -12 p.m. UTC / 2-3 p.m. EAT / 6-7 p.m. ICT)
 

This is the first of three Local Actor Listening Sessions during the 2024 Local Capacity Strengthening Learning and Feedback Forum. Each Listening Session will create space and opportunity for local actors to share their experiences and perceptions of the implementation of the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy and where they would like to see Policy implementation go next.

There will be several opportunities to provide feedback during the session, but discussion will focus on these questions*:

  1. What do you know about LCS at USAID?  What resources have you found most useful if you have seen any?
  2. What is a good example of USAID following LCS Policy principles? What is an example where USAID could improve?
  3. What additional resources would you like USAID to develop to support effective and equitable local capacity strengthening?
  4. What are examples of activities that support network strengthening?
  5. What is an example of “improved performance” of a network?

*Español | Français | Kiswahili | عربي

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Kiswahili, Arabic, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov


Practicing Conflict Sensitivity in Capacity Strengthening

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
9-10 a.m. ET

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 p.m. ICT)
 

Today, we are witnessing a global rise in conflict, democratic backsliding, authoritarian governance, climate disaster, food insecurity, and falling development indicators.  One of the first casualties of conflict and social division is local capacity. The Bureau of Conflict Prevention and Stability will host an engaging discussion on the interconnectedness of capacity strengthening, peace, and conflict sensitivity. The session will focus on the recently published CPS Bureau guidance on local capacity strengthening and highlight examples from USAID programming. The session will link to the recently published CPS Bureau guidance on local capacity strengthening.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


Local Listening Session 2

Tuesday October 1, 2024
11 p.m.-12 a.m. ET

(3-4 am Wednesday October 2 UTC / 6-7 am Wednesday 

This is the second of three Local Actor Listening Sessions during the 2024 Local Capacity Strengthening Learning and Feedback Forum. Each Listening Session will create space and opportunity for local actors to share their experiences and perceptions of the implementation of the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy and where they would like to see Policy implementation go next.

There will be several opportunities to provide feedback during the session, but discussion will focus on these questions*:

  1. What do you know about LCS at USAID?  What resources have you found most useful if you have seen any?
  2. What is a good example of USAID following LCS Policy principles? What is an example where USAID could improve?
  3. What additional resources would you like USAID to develop to support effective and equitable local capacity strengthening?
  4. What are examples of activities that support network strengthening?
  5. What is an example of “improved performance” of a network?

*Español | Français | Kiswahili | عربي

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


Capacity Strengthening in Resilience, Environment, and Food Security Programming

Wednesday, October 2, 2024
9-10 a.m. ET

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 p.m. ICT)
 

Join the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) as it hosts a conversation about fostering equitable partnerships in local capacity strengthening that promote a world in which all people have sustained access to safe water, nutritious food, a healthy environment, and improved livelihoods.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


Exploring the Links Between Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance and Local Capacity Strengthening

Thursday, October 3, 2024
7-8 a.m. ET

(11 a.m. -12 p.m. UTC / 2-3 p.m. EAT / 6-7 p.m. ICT)

Join a conversation on the connection between local capacity strengthening, locally led development, and the recently released Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Policy. The session features practical examples and resources for integrated, effective, and equitable programming that supports democratic resilience and furthers the pivots and principles outlined in the recently published DRG Policy.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


Local Listening Session 3

Thursday, October 3, 2024
12-1 p.m. ET

 (4-5 p.m. UTC / 7-8 p.m. EAT / 11 p.m. -12 am ICT)

This is the third of three Local Actor Listening Sessions during the 2024 Local Capacity Strengthening Learning and Feedback Forum. Each session will create space and opportunity for local actors to share their experiences and perceptions of the implementation of the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy and where they would like to see Policy implementation go next.

There will be several opportunities to provide feedback during the session, but discussion will focus on these questions*:

  1. What do you know about LCS at USAID?  What resources have you found most useful if you have seen any?
  2. What is a good example of USAID following LCS Policy principles? What is an example where USAID could improve?
  3. What additional resources would you like USAID to develop to support effective and equitable local capacity strengthening?
  4. What are examples of activities that support network strengthening?
  5. What is an example of “improved performance” of a network?

*Español | Français | Kiswahili | عربي

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Kiswahili, Arabic, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


MFAN Side Event:
Local Engagement in USAID Policies

Monday, October 7, 2024
9 a.m. -10:00 a.m. ET 

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 pm ICT)

Local Engagement in USAID Policies: Local Listening Session

NOTE: This session is not hosted or organized by USAID. This is a side-event hosted by The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), a bipartisan reform coalition that promotes more effective and accountable U.S. foreign assistance, and a MFAN member, Save the Children, an organization working in the U.S. and around the world to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.) 

This session will be an interactive discussion on how to improve USAID’s process for consulting and engaging local and national actors in the formulation of USAID development and humanitarian policies. Last spring, USAID revised its operational policy stating that the process “must engage with and integrate the perspectives of diverse groups of internal, external, and local stakeholders.” This session seeks to hear from local and national actors: What does successful USAID engagement with local stakeholders in policy development look like?

Contact Karen.Swatson@modernizeaid.net with any questions about this side event.


CD Network Side Event:
The Principle of Mutuality

Monday, October 7, 2024
11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. ET 

(3-4:30 p.m. UTC / 6-7:30 p.m. EAT / 10-11:30 pm ICT)

The Principle of Mutuality: Effective Partnership Approaches to Foster Sustainable Locally Led Development

NOTE: This session is not hosted or organized by USAID. This is a side-event hosted by The Capacity Development Network (CDNetwork), an informal platform for non-governmental organizations (INGOS and NNGOS) to convene, share information, and exchange ideas and best practices pertaining to capacity strengthening for input into programs, policy, and strategic directions. (You can find and join the CDNetwork via Google Groups.) 

This session will feature a panel of national and regional actors who will discuss the LCS principle of mutuality – and more specifically: the enablers and barriers to effective co-creation, participatory approaches to program implementation and monitoring, capacity strengthening that accelerates locally led development, and mutually beneficial partnerships between national and international stakeholders.

The panelists represent projects and partnerships that feature a variety of LCS models, for instance: the traditional arrangement whereby INGO strengthens capacity of a local institution or organization; a partnership whereby a regional or national NGO strengthens capacity of other local entities; and formal networks of regional and national organizations learning from one another.

Moderator: Ms. Dyness Kasungami, Director, Global Child Health Task Force & Reimagining Technical Assistance (RTA), JSI 

Panelists:

  • Professor Alioune Camara, National Coordinator, National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) of Guinea / Full Professor, Epidemiology / Chair of Public Health, University of Conakry, based in Guinea
  • Ms. Rosemary Mburu, Executive Director, WACI Health / Co-host (with Management Sciences for Health) of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM), based in Kenya
  • Ms. Supabhorn Pengnonyang, Program Manager in Policy and Advocacy at the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI), based in Thailand
  • Mr. Eugene Rusangwana, Chief of Party of USAID IGIRE WIYUBAKE project, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), based in Rwanda

Closing remarks: Ms. Katheryn Hoeflich, Acting Team Lead - New Partners Initiative at USAID/Washington

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in French. Contact cdnetwork+managers@googlegroups.com with any questions about this side event.


Capacity Conundrums: What would you do?

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
9-10 a.m. ET 

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 p.m. ICT)

No matter how well you plan, there can still be challenging scenarios when it comes to local capacity strengthening. Come to explore real-life examples of tricky situations and how experts in local capacity strengthening would address them - then give your own opinion on what could work! Don’t forget to bring your own challenging scenarios and they might be discussed. Come with your own perspectives and opinions.

Speakers for this session will include:

  • Michael Metzler, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI) Bureau, USAID
  • Sarah Ellison, USAID Senior Policy Advisor, New Partnerships Initiative (NPI)
  • Sunita Mainali, Executive Director, WOREC Nepal
  • Nathalie Renaud, USAID Colombia Co-Deputy of the Program Office
  • Almeer Ahsan Asif, Deputy Chief of Party, USAID Bijoyee Project, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center
  • Yoon-Chan Kim USAID Program Officer, Innovation Technology and Research (ITR)
  • Laura Alvarez, USAID Paraguay Local Capacity and MEL Specialist
  • Samir Mahmić,  Head of Organizational Development Department for KULT in Bosnia and Herzegovina, KULT in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Rosewita Katsande, Chief of Party Local Works Collaborative Action Network, Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) Zimbabwe
  • Chris Mothupi, USAID Southern Africa, Senior Project Development Specialist
  • Margarita Elliot, Senior Health Consultant 
  • Mauricio Cruz Merino, USAID Honduras, Project Management Specialist

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


MCLD Side Event:
Making Locally-Led Development a reality: lessons from engagement with USAID Missions

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
11 a.m. -12 p.m. ET 

(3-4 p.m. UTC / 6-7 p.m. EAT / 10-11 pm ICT)

Making Locally-Led Development a reality: lessons from engagement with USAID Missions

NOTE: This session is not hosted or organized by USAID. This is a side-event hosted by The Movement for Community Led Development (MCLD), a Majority World-led network of networks with 2000+ local civil society organization and 30+ INGO members. MCLD and its members are dedicated to ensuring that every person has a fundamental right to voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 

USAID has made a commitment to develop its capacities to become more locally led by 2030. But how does this commitment translate at the Mission level, where policy meets practice? How can it be implemented across so many varied contexts and offices? And what does it take to strengthen the capacity of the Missions? In this session, we will hear from local actors and USAID Missions in Mexico, Malawi and Uganda about their direct engagement. They will hold a conversation about what is working, where the challenges are, and what the Missions can do to operationalise the locally led agenda. The session will offer valuable insights not only for USAID, but across agencies and actors.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in French, Spanish and American Sign Language. Contact nelly@mcld.org with any questions about this side event.


Global Health Local Capacity Strengthening (LCS) Mechanisms: Exploring Two Models for Organizational Capacity Strengthening

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
9-10 a.m. ET

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 p.m. ICT)
 

Join representatives from USAID’s Global Health Programs to discuss the role of capacity strengthening across two different types of mechanisms. Panelists will share their respective approaches to strengthening organizational capacity through either parallel to, or as integrated into, technical capacity strengthening. An open dialogue will follow to reflect on the approaches that have been shared, including successes and challenges.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


Closing Plenary

Thursday, October 10, 2024
9-10 a.m. ET

(1-2 p.m. UTC / 4-5 p.m. EAT / 8-9 p.m. ICT)
 

You’re invited to the closing plenary of the second annual Local Capacity Strengthening Learning and Feedback Forum! This session will feature USAID senior leaders, a wrap-up of feedback and lessons from all Forum sessions, and answers to questions that came up during previous sessions. Come to celebrate and to commit to the next phase of local capacity strengthening at USAID.

Speakers during the closing session will include:

  • Clinton White, USAID Agency Counselor
  • Veena Reddy, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator
  • Anu Rajaraman, Mission Director USAID/Colombia
  • JC Rodriguez, Deputy Senior Development Advisor (Acting) and Humanitarian Office Director, USAID/Syria
  • Moses Isooba, Executive Director, Uganda NGO Forum
  • Sunita Mainali, Executive Director of Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Nepal and a Feminist Activist 
  • Sarah Rose, USAID Senior Localization Advisor

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French, Arabic, Kiswahili and American Sign Language. If you require additional reasonable accommodation, please contact reasonableaccommodations@usaid.gov.


OECD-DAC, The ShareTrust, and Warande Advisory Centre: Side Event:
Valuing and Sharing Local Knowledge and Capacities: Lessons from the OECD peer learning exercise

Thursdays, October 10, 2024
11 a.m. -12 p.m. ET 

(3-4 p.m. UTC / 6-7 p.m. EAT / 10-11 pm ICT)

Valuing and Sharing Local Knowledge and Capacities: Lessons from the OECD peer learning exercise

NOTE: This session is not hosted or organized by USAID. This is a side-event hosted by OECD-DAC, The ShareTrust, and Warande Advisory Centre. The OECD Development Assistance Committee agreed to carry out a peer learning exercise on locally led development co-operation. The exercise was conducted in collaboration with The ShareTrust, and Warande Advisory Centre, two organizations focusing on enabling locally led development. Together, they initiated the Local Coalition Accelerator (LCA) model, which brings together local and national organizations to form Coalitions of local and national actors for peer-to-peer capacity sharing and co-creating solutions for locally led development.

The session will briefly present findings from the OECD DAC peer learning exercise on locally led development (publication forthcoming) highlighting how development providers can enable locally led development though their policies, financing, delivery mechanisms and equitable partnerships. In particular, it will discuss the challenges and enablers for valuing and sharing local capacities and knowledge looking at existing practices identified during the thematic deep dive on the matter. It will feature a panel discussion with representatives from local and national organizations involved in coalitions in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda through the local coalition accelerator model.

No interpretation will be available during this session. Contact anjeza.llulla@oecd.org with any questions about this side event.



Prepare for the Forum


Contact Us

If you have any questions please contact the USAID LCS Policy Implementation Team.

Translated Local Listening Session Questions

Español

  1. ¿Qué sabe sobre fortalecimiento de las capacidades locales en USAID? ¿Cuales recursos le han resultado más útiles si ha tenido la oportunidad de usaralguno?
  2. ¿Cuál es un buen ejemplo de USAID siguiendo los principios del fortalecimiento de las capacidades locales? ¿Cuál es un ejemplo que demuestra cómo USAID podría mejorar?
  3. ¿Qué recursos adicionales le gustaría que USAID desarrolle para apoyar el fortalecimiento de capacidades locales de manera efectiva y equitativa?
  4. ¿En qué circunstancias se ha sentido más cómodo para dar su opinión y expresar sus prioridades de fortalecimiento de capacidades a los donantes? ¿Qué le ha hecho menos proclive a compartir esta información? 
  5. ¿Cuáles son ejemplos de actividades que apoyan el fortalecimiento de redes locales?
  6. ¿Cuál es un ejemplo de “mejoramiento del desempeño” de una red?

Français

  1. Que savez-vous de la Politique de Renforcement des Capacités Locales de l’USAID ?  Quelles ressources avez-vous trouvées les plus utiles?
  2. Quel est un bon exemple de l’USAID qui suit les principes de sa Politique de Renforcement des Capacités Locales  ? Quel est un exemple où l’USAID pourrait s’améliorer? 
  3. Quelles ressources supplémentaires souhaiteriez-vous que l’USAID développe pour soutenir un renforcement efficace et équitable des capacités locales?
  4. Dans quelles circonstances vous êtes-vous senti le plus à l’aise pour fournir des commentaires et exprimer vos priorités en matière de renforcement des capacités aux donateurs ? Qu’est-ce qui vous a rendu moins susceptible de partager cette information ?
  5. Quels sont des exemples d’activités qui soutiennent le renforcement des réseaux? 
  6. Quel est un exemple de «performances améliorées» d’un réseau?

Kiswahili

  1. Je, unajua nini kuhusu LCS katika USAID?  Ni nyenzo gani uliyoiona ni muhimu ikiwa umeona yoyote?
  2. Ni mfano gani mzuri wa USAID unaozingatia kanuni za LCS? Je, ni mfano gani ambapo USAID inaweza kuboresha?
  3. Je, ni nyenzo gani za ziada ungependa USAID iboreshe ili kusaidia uimarishaji uwezo wa wazawa kuwa kwa usawa na kwa ufanisi?
  4. Katika hali gani umekuwa ukijisikia vizuri kutoa maoni na kueleza vipaumbele vyako vya uimarishaji uwezo kwa wafadhili? Ni mambo gani yanakufanya usitake kutoa maoni na kueleza vipaumbele vyako?
  5. Ni mifano gani ya shughuli inayosaidia kuimarisha kufahamiana? 
  6. Ni mfano gani wa "utendaji ulioboreshwa" wa kufahamiana?

عربي

  1. ماذا تعرف عن تعزيز القدرات المحلية في الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية الدولية؟  ما هي الأدوات   التي وجدتها أكثر فائدة إذا قمت بمراجعة أي منها؟
  2. ما هو المثال الجيد لاتباع الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية الدولية لمبادئ تعزيز القدرات المحلية؟ ما هو المثال الذي يمكن أن تتحسن فيه الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية الدولية؟
  3. ما هي الموارد والأدوات الإضافية التي ترغب في أن تطورها الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية الدولية لدعم تعزيز القدرات المحلية بشكل فعال ومنصف؟
  4. في أي ظروف شعرت براحة أكبر في تقديم التغذية الراجعة والتعبير عن أولويات تعزيز قدراتك للمانحين؟ ما الذي جعلك أقل عرضة لمشاركة هذه المعلومات؟
  5. ما هي أمثلة الأنشطة التي تدعم تقوية الشراكات و التشبيك ؟
  6. ما هو مثال "تحسن اداء" لشبكات او شراكات