“Progress, not Programs”

Last month, Administrator Samantha Power challenged USAID and the development community to focus on "progress, not programs."

Dear Unlock Aid community,

As many of you probably saw, last month, USAID Administrator Samantha Power delivered a forward-looking speech at the Society for International Development’s annual conference entitled “Progress, not Programs.” While action will surely speak louder than words, we were thrilled by what we heard. 

“Shifting to a model of locally-led development means ceding power over decisionmaking to those who know their problems best.” – Administrator Samantha Power

The whole speech is well worth a look, but here’s our TL;DR take since a few of Power’s comments are critical to lift up. Here they are:  

1. As the title of the speech suggests, Administrator Power made it clear she wants USAID to do more to drive results, improve outcomes, and create long-term sustainable solutions.
   ”Most importantly, we have to focus on driving development progress, not simply development programs.”

   Unlock Aid @unlockaid

   "Most importantly, we have to focus on driving development progress, not simply development programs, building on past efforts to spur catalytic investments and bring in new partners to our work" – @PowerUSAID at @sidunitedstates

2. To get there, Administrator Power says USAID needs to work with new partners, including the private sector, faith community, and especially local partners.

   “The question before us as well is who will we welcome into our tent?”

   Unlock Aid @unlockaid

   "We have to expand our definition of who we mean when we say the “development community..." Will we invite the private sector & make them true partners...not a piggy bank." Will we embrace religious communities? Will we finally embrace locally-led development? – @PowerUSAID

3. Changing the focus to drive “progress, not programs” will require a total shift in business practices.
   "It is somehow about changing a power dynamic which creates the impression that only the capital “D” development community can run development projects.”

   Unlock Aid @unlockaid

   "The goal is not programming, it’s progress... Not building the capacity of local partners just to transform them into organizations that can win and manage USAID contracts...not pulling in a local organization as a subcontractor simply to win a bid, only to see them ignored..."

This speech came at a critical time because, right now, Congress is writing USAID’s budget for the next fiscal year. Lawmakers can give USAID the resources and flexibility it needs to realize Administrator Power’s bold vision for the agency she leads – to drive “progress, not programs.”

We’d love to know what you thought of Administrator Power’s speech. What stood out to you? Join the conversation on Twitter and let us know!

Here’s to progress,

Walter Kerr
Executive Director, Unlock Aid

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