USAID Sets Ambitious Goal: Complete All Country Development Cooperation Strategies By December 2020

In the 2019 USAID Financial Report to Congress, the agency set an ambitious goal–incorporate the Journey to Self-reliance in all Country Development Cooperation Strategies (CDCS’) by December 2020.  The functions of the CDCS are covered in the USAID Automated Directive System 201.3.2.1.  It defines the mission’s goal, development objectives and approach to building self-reliance in a country, based upon a given level of resources typically over a five-year period.  Also, it provides a guide for the subsequent design of projects that aim to carry out specific results in the CDCS.  For stakeholders to include the US government inter-agency, partner governments, development community, local partners, private sector and others, it communicates the mission’s goals and objectives.  Across the agency project design is guided by the CDCS, incorporated in an acquisition or assistance solicitation, preceded by a notice in the agency business forecast.

While CDCS’ are posted on the USAID web site, the Professional Services Council conducted an analysis of 127 country and regional missions receiving US foreign assistance and the respective CDCS.  Now available for download, the analysis includes a summary and specific country review.  The summary includes the number of CDCS’ expired, missing, waived or exempt, removed, backdated, amended and those integrated with self-reliance.  The specific country review includes field status, funding, current CDCS dates, status and revisions.

The analysis also includes the most recent USAID announcements of new missions and offices, reported by Administrator Mark Green’s at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on March 3, 2020.  USAID plans new missions in Ecuador, Somalia & Tunisia; offices for Cameroon & Niger; & a presence across Pacific Islands with additional personnel or offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands & Palau.

Download the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategies Analysis (pdf) for more information. (dated April 11, 2020)