Assessment of the state of the USAID/PVO partnership

Part I of the assessment describes the evolving context of the USAID/PVO partnership, covering the rise of indigenous NGOs, USAID budget reductions, and USAID reengineering, while Part II highlights important Agency actions to advance the partnership, e.g., the creation of a Joint PVO/USAID Task Force, the updating of USAID policy guidance, and the improvement of registration and procurement requirements. Part III presents the study"s findings, which were based on an extensive review of the written record and surveys of all USAID Missions and USAID-registered PVOs and indepth interviews with USAID/Washington, U.S. Headquarters of PVOs, and in 7 countries where USAID, PVOs, and NGOs collaborate. Results are impressive, especially in light of the stress placed on the partnership by the greatest pullback in U.S. foreign assistance since the Marshall Plan. Today, there is greater understanding between USAID and PVOs of country priorities, including those to be embodied in Strategic Partnerships in non-presence countries; improved consultation between USAID and PVOs; new policy guidance on how consultation affects procurement integrity; and stronger institutional commitment to, and support for, development education and public outreach. The key problem area is the failure to implement the recent revision to the USAID Policy Guidance on the USAID-U.S. PVO Partnership consistently. Other issues include the need to gather more transparent data on partnership funding levels and trends, improve USAID"s relationship with smaller PVOs, and give more purposeful attention to PVO and NGO program sustainability and financial independence. Part IV concludes by suggesting future priorities for USAID leadership, PVOs, and the next Advisory Committee. Most important is to stay the course on reforms, while shifting attention to communication of the substance of these reforms and to consistent Agency-wide implementation of intended practices.