Recently, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power highlighted the importance of supporting and advancing locally led development. Administrator Power stated that “effective development is driven by those on the ground with local knowledge and expertise.” Over the last several years, initiatives like Local Solutions, Local Systems Framework, Journey to Self-Reliance, Local Works, New Partnerships Initiative (NPI), and USAID Forward have all taken steps in this direction.
Our work in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) has been a prominent area where locally led solutions have found tremendous traction. MERLA experts are often those who have the “local knowledge and expertise” that Administrator Power mentions. We look forward to having you virtually join us to hear from some of these experts as they share their experience implementing locally led MERLA solutions. The recording will be made available once the event has concluded.
Photo by Katie G. Nelson for RTI International