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Local Capacity Strengthening Policy

Seven principles for putting the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy into practice

Putting the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy into Practice

Launched in October 2022, the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy guides all USAID development and humanitarian activities to support effective local capacity strengthening through effective and equitable partnerships. A key component of the localization agenda, this Policy builds on decades of experience and evidence. The Local Capacity Strengthening Policy encourages collaborating with and learning from local actors and building on and supporting existing local knowledge and capacity. It also supports a culture that enables CLA with a focus on mutuality, learning, and trust-based relationships.

Explore each principle for practical examples, tools and resources, and reflect on how to apply these principles in your own work with local partners through these 5-10 minute modules.

Principles for Effective Local Capacity Strengthening

What makes local capacity strengthening programs effective? Explore these three principles to guide why and in what circumstances making strategic and intentional decisions to strengthen the capacity of local actors can contribute to broader systems change and sustainable outcomes and why measuring performance is important.

Overview of Local Capacity Strengthening Policy and Principles

Overview of the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy and the seven principles

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Principle 1: Start with the local system

Principle 1: Start with the local system

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Principle 2: Strengthen diverse capacities through diverse approaches

Principle 2: Strengthen diverse capacities through diverse approaches

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Principle 3: Plan for and measure performance improvement in collaboration with local partners

Principle 3: Plan for and measure performance improvement in collaboration with local partners

(About 5 minutes)

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Principles for Equitable Partnerships in Local Capacity Strengthening

Local capacity strengthening programs must also be equitable, but how? Explore these four principles, which guide how local capacity strengthening programming will be supported through partnerships based on mutual respect and reciprocity.

Principle 4: Align capacity strengthening with local priorities

Principle 4: Align capacity strengthening with local priorities

(About 5 minutes)

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Principle 5: Appreciate and build on existing capacities

Principle 5: Appreciate and build on existing capacities

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Principle 6: Be mindful of and mitigate unintended consequences of local capacity strengthening

Principle 6: Be mindful of and mitigate unintended consequences of local capacity strengthening

(About 5 minutes)

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Principle 7: Practice mutuality with local partners

Principle 7: Practice mutuality with local partners

(About 5 minutes)

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Related Resources

Please see these resources for supplemental information.

Case Studies

Visit these links on USAID.gov to learn more about local capacity strengthening in practice.

Local Capacity Strengthening Policy: Mexico Case Study Executive Summary

Mexico Civil Society & Justice

USAID Mexico implemented the Civil Society Activity (CSA) to improve institutional capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mexico to more effectively address issues related to crime and violence prevention, legal justice reform, and human rights protection. The approach emphasized collaboration and respect for local actors and resulted in creating more mobilized and engaged local coalitions who worked to carry on the efforts after the award period.

Read the Case Study
Local Capacity Strengthening Policy: Nigeria Case Study Executive Summary

Nigeria Civic Engagement

The Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) project designers understood that to aid Nigerian civil society’s ability to influence and implement democratic reforms, it had to work with and within the local systems. The objectives of SACE included strengthening partnerships between civil society organization (CSO) networks and government institutions, identifying key stakeholders, and supporting partner business membership organizations and CSOs to more effectively advocate for democratic reforms.

Read the Case Study