Indira Kaur Ahluwalia is President of KAUR Strategies and Founder/Chair of CREED. Susan Reichle is President &amp; CEO of the International Youth Foundation and a CREED Core Team Member.Disclaimer: This article was submitted to WorkwithUSAID.org as a guest blog post. The views expressed by WorkwithUSAID.org guest blog contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.&nbsp;In April 2022, USAID unveiled its first <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/apr-14-2022-release-usaid-equity-action-plan">Equity Action Plan</a> “to advance equity with underserved communities, including racial and ethnic equity, in our policies, programs and partner base.” Furthermore, the Plan “serves as a starting point for longer term equity planning.” The Agency’s Equity Action Plan provides inspiration and a strong model for other organizations, large and small, many of whom are already taking action to advance racial and ethnic equity (REE) across the development space.&nbsp;If the goal is to advance equity across the development space, we at the <a href="https://coalition-for-racial-and-ethnic-equity-in-development.org/the-pledge">Coalition for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Development</a> (CREED) believe change must start at home by focusing on developing racial and ethnic equity (REE) within our own organizations in the United States. For some time now, U.S.-based international development and humanitarian organizations have been examining our own approaches, policies, practices, and cultures through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens. During the global pandemic and particularly after George Floyd's killing, as voices in the United States and around the world called out social injustices and systemic racism in myriad forms, the need to turn self-awareness about building racial and ethnic equity into action became even more urgent.In 2021, CREED formed to provide a community of learning and practice where U.S.-based international development and humanitarian assistance organizations can support one another and hold each other accountable for advancing REE under our own roofs.&nbsp;&nbsp;As we learned during the design and launch of CREED, and as our <a href="https://creedinaction.org/signatories">signatories</a> confirm, the journey to advance racial and ethnic equity at home is both aspirational and individualized. Even as this journey is only just starting for many in our sector, we recognize that each signatory’s plan for how they operationalize REE is based on a host of differentiating factors, including its mission, size, and revenue, as much as its political will and past challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>The REE Pledge offers a practical “roadmap” for organizations at any stage of their journey toward achieving racial and ethnic equity.</blockquote>When we designed the <a href="https://coalition-for-racial-and-ethnic-equity-in-development.org/the-pledge">REE Pledge</a>, we knew signatories would expect a roadmap that could be personalized. Central to CREED’s mission, the Pledge is how organizations that are committed to advancing racial and ethnic equity signal their commitment to action and accountability. Encompassing <a href="https://coalition-for-racial-and-ethnic-equity-in-development.org/the-pledge">five components</a>—Policies and Systems; People, Leadership, and Organizational Structure; Organizational Culture; Accountability; and Communications and Transparency—the REE Pledge offers a practical “roadmap” for organizations at any stage of their REE journey.&nbsp;Each component supports our signatories, offering standards and practical guidance, recommendations, and indicators to help them achieve significant REE milestones.&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/CREED_blog_post_5_Components_Graphic_with_brief_definitions_56ca1301bf/CREED_blog_post_5_Components_Graphic_with_brief_definitions_56ca1301bf.jpg"></figure><ul><li>Policies and Systems: Commitment and accountability to REE in U.S.-based organizational policies and systems.</li><li>People, Leadership, and Organizational Structure: Racial and ethnic diversity across the organization regarding roles, responsibilities, and compensation parity.</li><li>Organizational Culture: All staff feel respected and valued, and experience physical and psychological safety in the workplace.</li><li>Accountability: Demonstrated implementation of REE commitments, measurement of progress in concrete ways, and regular reporting both internally and externally.</li><li>Communications and Transparency: Leaders speak credibly and openly about REE goals, progress, and outcomes internally and externally.</li></ul>Each pledge component provides illustrative guidance and suggestions for how to plan, implement, and measure the process of advancing REE. Organizational leaders and teams can use the roadmap to decide what makes sense for them to prioritize, where and how they can begin instituting policy, systemic, and cultural changes, and when and how to measure and report outcomes—all based on their respective organization’s needs. In other words, it’s designed to be personalized and to help transform good intentions and ideas into practical actions that can be measured.&nbsp;The REE Pledge also offers different signatory options. <a href="https://coalition-for-racial-and-ethnic-equity-in-development.org/signatories">Signatories</a> can sign the pledge as Member Signatories (implementing partners who sign the pledge and join the CREED learning community), Affiliate Signatories (others in the ecosystem who sign the pledge but don’t join CREED), or Allies (those who support the principles of the Pledge but do not sign it). Each option entails different eligibility and engagement requirements based on what best supports an organization’s current process and progress. So far, 85 organizations have signed the REE Pledge as Members Signatories, one as an Affiliate Signatory, and seven as Allies, with all 93 signaling their commitment to racial and ethnic equity.Member signatories are supported in a variety of ways, including through regular meetings which may feature guest speakers and/or signatories sharing their REE expertise and experience. Additionally, our Learning Series has been designed to share approaches on how to operationalize each pledge component. Our newly updated <a href="https://creedinaction.org/assets/creed-learning-hub-flyer.pdf">Learning Hub</a> will continue to build by sharing research and key takeaways from our Learning Series. By having a platform to regularly discuss challenges, strategies, setbacks, and success stories, we’ll gain valuable insights that will inform how we can make progress during our own REE journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>Whether it’s a first step, or the next in a long series of steps already taken, the REE journey is one that never really ends.</blockquote>There are no quick fixes, and the work is as personal as it is systemic. Just like any other critical organization imperative that impacts belonging, efficiencies, and results, the REE journey needs board and leadership ownership, investment, expertise, and clear milestones. By taking responsibility as a community of learners in this journey, we can strive to reach the next substantive milestone, and the next, and the next.&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you’ll consider joining us. <a href="https://creedinaction.org/the-pledge">Let’s advance racial and ethnic equity, together</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://creedinaction.org/about-us">Click here</a> for more information about CREED and how you can become involved in building racial and ethnic equity in development, or join <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/events/racial-and-ethnic-equity-in-aid-with-creed">this AidKonekt-sponsored virtual event</a> on August 23. Visit the <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/resource-library?categories=7">WorkwithUSAID.org library </a>for additional resources to support your organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts.

Silhouette of people walking on U Bein Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar 

The Journey toward Racial and Ethnic Equity Starts at Home (Spoiler: It Never Ends)

Indira Kaur Ahluwalia

Susan Reichle

<h3>Critical Collaborations to Reach Shared Development Goals</h3>Indigenous Peoples are critical partners in USAID’s localization and development goals and programs. Their cosmovisions—sets of beliefs, values, and practices—present a more holistic view of the interconnectedness of the environment to human well-being, and scientific research has demonstrated that indigenous knowledge and practices are better at preserving the environment and biodiversity than efforts to establish protected areas and national parks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indigenous Peoples’ organizations are not traditional development actors or ‘western’ nonprofit organizations. They represent their own communities in a manner similar to community-based groups; and in many cases they are led by elected officials of their communities. This is why it is important that we listen to them and collaborate with them as equal partners in development activities.In November 2021, Administrator Samantha Power articulated <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/speeches/nov-4-2021-administrator-samantha-power-new-vision-global-development">USAID’s vision for inclusive development</a>: to make aid more accessible, more equitable, and more responsive to the needs and priorities of marginalized groups. USAID partners with Indigenous-led organizations in many ways, not only to implement programs, but also to create them. Indigenous organizations are active participants in planning programs that can address their needs and provide the services that the organizations deem important.In honor of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, USAID celebrates a few examples of partnerships with Indigenous Peoples that address key development challenges.<h4>1. Amazon Indigenous Rights and Resources Activity</h4>In Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, USAID’s <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Amazon_Rights_and_Resources_7.9.20.pdf">Amazon Indigenous Rights and Resources Activity</a> (AIRR) encourages Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the sustainable economic development of the Amazon to preserve biodiversity and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by forest loss.&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:40.03%;"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_960_2_20220809_bbe3fdde27/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_960_2_20220809_bbe3fdde27.jpg"><figcaption>Erika Valera Saldaña&nbsp;(Pictured on the right) is a member of the Kukama Kukamiria Indigenous Peoples in Peru and one of 35 students in the School of Indigenous Governance and Amazon Development’s (EGIDA) second class. It takes her nearly 24 hours (primarily by boat) to reach the in-person EGIDA classes in Pucallpa from her home in Loreto. However, she is willing to travel the distance to learn important lessons in leadership, good governance, political communication, strategic negotiation skills, Indigenous economy, and more that she can then share with her community to help it protect its territory from the threats of illegal logging and unsustainable fishing. (Photo Credit: USAID/Peru)</figcaption></figure>Within the framework of the AIRR project, USAID worked with Indigenous partners to develop the <a href="https://www.escuelaegida.com/">Escuela de Gobierno Indígena y Desarrollo Amazónico</a> (EGIDA), the first School of Indigenous Governance and Amazon Development in Peru. This joint work contributes to strengthening the capacities of diverse participants from different Indigenous communities across the Peruvian Amazon. Through EGIDA, Indigenous students have the opportunity to learn new concepts and exchange experiences related to leadership, good governance, political communication, and strategic negotiation skills. This knowledge will better equip them to protect their ancestral lands, empower their business initiatives, and become agents of change who use their voices to advocate for the sustainable management of their communities.&nbsp;Erika Saldaña, a member of the Kukama Kukamiria Indigenous Peoples in Peru, is a student at EGIDA, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7jUc4x3h4">her case</a> shows how this alliance combats sexism and promotes gender equality in her community. The role of women in native communities in the Amazon is key in transmitting ancestral knowledge, protecting Amazonian forests, and encouraging entrepreneurial endeavors to benefit households and communities. These endeavors directly improve forest-dependent livelihoods, such as Erika’s dream project of developing a handicrafts business, based on her community’s traditional skills and natural elements.<h4>2. Advancing Rights in Southern Africa</h4><figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:21.99%;"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_1_600_20220809_3a6c2392fb/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_1_600_20220809_3a6c2392fb.png"><figcaption>Journalist Laedza Osekeng describes how attending USAID's ARISA supported trainings influenced her to report on pressing issues impacting Indigenous peoples in Botswana. (Photo Credit: ARISA Youth Media Literacy Program)</figcaption></figure>In eight Southern African countries (Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa) USAID works with its partners to improve the recognition, awareness, and enforcement of human rights. <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ARISA_Fact_Sheet_-_June_2021.pdf">Advancing Rights in Southern Africa’s (ARISA)</a> innovative approach brings together diverse organizations to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples through research; litigation; domestic, regional, and international advocacy; media training and publications; providing resources; and developing and strengthening their skills, instincts, abilities, and processes.&nbsp;Through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouIgnDvF_Yg">ARISA-supported media training</a>, Laedza Osekeng, a journalist with Duma FM, a commercial radio station in Botswana, attended a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, that focused on reporting on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and challenges, and the role of the media in ensuring that Indigenous Peoples’ issues are reported on. The workshop also highlighted overall challenges media face in reporting on Indigenous Peoples’ issues. Ever since the workshop, and with support from her employer, Laedza has been working to identify Indigenous Peoples’ issues in her country and start reporting on them. Laedza has already published one story on Indigenous Peoples and is currently developing another on Indigenous Peoples and the right to education.&nbsp;<h4>3. PNG Lukautim Graun Program</h4><figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:41.45%;"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_2_960_20220809_0998e7e491/Workwith_USAID_Worlds_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_2_960_20220809_0998e7e491.jpg"><figcaption>In June 2022,the seven clan leaders from Miruma community in Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, sign the conservation deed to protect their land and its rich biodiversity. (Photo Credit: USAID/Lukautim Graun Project)</figcaption></figure>Through the <a href="https://www.pnglgp.org/">PNG Lukautim Graun Program</a> (LGP), USAID is partnering with traditional landowners in Papua New Guinea to manage their communal land and protect the country’s rich biodiversity, which is under increasing threat from industrial development, population growth, and other anthropogenic factors.&nbsp;Through LGP, USAID assisted communities in Madang Province with land use planning through resource mapping, recording of community history, and conservation area planning. Communities identified conservation targets important to them—like the protection of white bandicoot habitats, freshwater catchment areas, leatherback sea turtles and their nesting sites, and cultural sites—from threats such as over-hunting, unwise gardening practices, logging, and bush fires. Communities shared their completed land-use plans with local government representatives to incorporate priority needs into the government processes for planning rural development and environmental protection. In turn, these local-level land-use plans will be incorporated into provincial and national land-use plans giving them the power of law.<h4>How USAID Continues to Build Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples</h4>USAID’s <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/indigenous-peoples#:~:text=USAID%20Policy%20on%20Promoting%20the%20Rights%20of%20Indigenous%20Peoples&amp;text=The%20Policy%20safeguards%20against%20harm,determined%20development%20and%20self%2Dreliance.">Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples</a> takes a specialized and deliberate approach to addressing the rights, needs, challenges, and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples globally. One facet of the Agency’s localization efforts is to support Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in pursuing their self-determined development. To amplify the efforts, USAID established the <a href="https://www.thekaizencompany.com/project/usaids-partnerships-incubator/">Partnerships Incubator</a>, which designed <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a> to be a resource hub for new, current, nontraditional, and potential partners to navigate how to work with USAID. Since the launch of the site on November 4, 2021, WorkwithUSAID.org has added more than 50 organizations to the <a href="http://workwithusaid.org/partner-directory">Partner Directory</a> that identify as working with Indigenous Peoples to overcome development challenges in Indigenous communities around the world. Through this site, Indigenous partners can access innovative services and curated tools designed to improve organizational readiness, connect with peers and experts, and prepare to receive USAID funding. WorkwithUSAID.org also welcomes opportunities for USAID staff and Indigenous-led organizations to share success stories and best practices on our <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/blog/ask-an-expert-q-and-a-with-luis-felipe-duchicela-on-how-usaid-partners-with-indigenous-peoples">News &amp; Insights blog</a> about USAID partnerships to support and inspire similar organizations starting their journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;As we honor International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, USAID is proud of its partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and recognizes that much more can and should be done across the development community to elevate the voices of Indigenous Peoples in the development process. If you are an Indigenous-led organization or work with Indigenous communities, we encourage you to get connected to USAID by joining the <a href="workwithusaid.org/partner-directory">Partner Directory</a>.

Indigenous women talk in a greenhouse while looking at plants.

Celebrating Innovative Partnerships with Indigenous-Led Organizations

“Wisdom is like fire. People take it from others.” This proverb from the Democratic Republic of the Congo sums up why we created the <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/blog">WorkwithUSAID.org News &amp; Insights blog</a>, and why we have launched the guest blog feature to share the viewpoints and perspectives of potential, new, and established USAID partners alike.&nbsp;We know that many of you have firsthand experiences and advice related to working with USAID that can be instructive to other partners. Perhaps your organization has a lessons-learned experience to share about responding to a USAID solicitation? Or you found a new approach that saved you time? Perhaps you researched other organizations using the Partner Directory and found an outstanding sub-partner? Or you took the Pre-Engagement Assessment and made targeted changes within your organization? By contributing a guest blog to <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a>, you can support others in their partnership journeys, strengthening the partner ecosystem overall.&nbsp;“Knowledge sharing benefits international development work, and we are excited to open this channel to storytellers from the broader USAID partner community. The WorkwithUSAID.org News &amp; Insights blog provides a channel for stories on innovation, insights on success, and best practice models,” said Partnerships Incubator Project Director Donna Vincent Roa.&nbsp;Submitting a pitch for a guest blog is easy:<ol><li>Read our <a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/Workwith_USAI_Dorg_Newsand_Insights_Guest_Blog_Policy_final_5ac470f13d/Workwith_USAI_Dorg_Newsand_Insights_Guest_Blog_Policy_final_5ac470f13d.pdf">Guest Blog Submission Policy</a> to understand more about what our editorial team is looking for. We will evaluate pitches based on the criteria described in the submission policy. Your organization does not need to be a current or prior recipient of USAID funding in order to pitch a blog for consideration.&nbsp;</li><li>Send your pitch for a guest blog to <a href="mailto:askzara@workwithusaid.org">askzara@workwithusaid.org</a> and include “Guest Blog” in the subject line. You can save time by sending your pitch to us before you begin writing. Our editors can provide guidance to inform you of what is likely to be selected for publication.</li><li>Make a case for your blog in your pitch. Tell us what insights you have to share and how your blog will benefit others. Let your writing shine!&nbsp;</li></ol>“Our partners have important wisdom to share based on their direct experiences, whether it’s related to responding to Agency funding opportunities, complying with federal policies and procedures, finding USAID prime and sub-partners, and more,” said Deputy USAID Industry Liaison Rachel Chilton. “We hope the blog will be a place for constructive solutions to common challenges faced by our partners.”We are in this together, and we want all partners to learn and grow. This spirit of support for knowledge-sharing has guided the direction of the <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a> platform since it was developed, and now you can join us in sharing what you know with others.We want to hear from you!

Person working on a laptop computer with a coffee cup

Tell Us Your USAID Partnership Story

<h4>Selected Funding Opportunity Due Dates*</h4>*All current USAID opportunities can be found on<a href="http://sam.gov/"> SAM.gov</a> (contracts) and<a href="http://grants.gov/"> Grants.gov</a> (grants and cooperative agreements). Don't see an opportunity in your country? Check out USAID's<a href="https://lnkd.in/e5g9ik7"> Business Forecast</a> to see anticipated upcoming opportunities.AFRICAAugust 1 | South Sudan 🇸🇸 Request for Information (RFI) for USAID/South Sudan's anticipated <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSTjN">HIV/AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Adolescent Girls and Young Women Follow-On Activity</a>August 1 | Djibouti 🇩🇯 RFI for <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSrNK">USAID/Djibouti's anticipated Basic Education Activity/DEGRA Follow-On</a>August 8 | Ethiopia 🇪🇹 RFI for <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSrNp">USAID/Ethiopia's anticipated Empowering Community Activity</a>August 12 | Nigeria 🇳🇬 Updated Solicitation for <a href="https://lnkd.in/ea7-2CgV">USAID/Nigeria Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Financial Management and Oversight Support Services (FMOSS) to Strengthen Program Execution</a>&nbsp;August 15 | Djibouti 🇩🇯 Grants Notice for <a href="https://lnkd.in/gFeTV7QV">USAID/Djibouti Early Childhood Education Activity</a>&nbsp;August 17 | Rwanda 🇷🇼 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSrNw">USAID/Rwanda's Modernizing Agriculture (ModAg) Activity&nbsp;</a>August 22 | Uganda 🇺🇬 NOFO for <a href="https://lnkd.in/eNApGtZA">USAID/Uganda's Health Activity</a>&nbsp;August 23 | Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 Request for Proposals (RFP) for USAID/Zimbabwe <a href="https://lnkd.in/e5PDHjhy">Financial Management Services Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)&nbsp;</a>August 25 | Senegal 🇸🇳 RFP for USAID/Senegal's <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSUtx">Water Resource Management (WRM) Activity</a>August 26: Request for Applications (RFA) for the <a href="https://lnkd.in/gEfUUC6C">USAID/Southern Africa Reducing HIV Vulnerability: Integrated Child and Youth Health (REACH) Activity</a>THE AMERICASAugust 1: RFI for <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJSRJ">USAID's Central America Regional Support Services IDIQ</a>August 22 | Peru 🇵🇪 Updated RFI for USAID/Peru's anticipated <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSNnb">Addressing Ocean Plastics Activity,</a> with Spanish translationAugust 28 | El Salvador 🇸🇻 Request for Quote (RFQ) for communications services and products for USAID/El Salvador's <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSUew">“De Aquí Soy” Campaign</a>ASIAAugust 19 | Burma 🇲🇲 RFI for USAID/Burma’s new <a href="https://lnkd.in/ekvbFTi9">Localization Support Mechanism (LSM) Activity</a>&nbsp;August 29 | Indonesia 🇮🇩 RFI for USAID/Indonesia <a href="https://lnkd.in/e9RxXUYN">Accelerating Elimination of Tuberculosis in Indonesia Activity</a> &nbsp;EUROPE &amp; EURASIAN/A&nbsp;MIDDLE EASTAugust 7 | Jordan 🇯🇴 RFI for an <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/node/459486">upcoming Higher Education Activity</a>OTHERAugust 8: Sources Sought for USAID/M/OAA's <a href="https://lnkd.in/eWstZDtN">Localize Global Health Security (LGHS) Activity</a>August 11: RFI/Sources Sought for USAID's anticipated <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSNn5">Reaching Every At-Risk Community and Household with Malaria Services (REACH) Malaria Activity&nbsp;</a>August 19: RFI for <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xSrNn">USAID's anticipated Enhancing Local Achievements in Nutrition Excellence Activity</a>Interested in responding but not sure if you're ready to partner with USAID? Take the<a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/pre-engagement"> Pre-Engagement Assessment</a> on<a href="http://workwithusaid.org/"> WorkwithUSAID.org</a>! This 46-question self-assessment will help you understand your organization's readiness and provide resources to help build your capacity.&nbsp;

August Funding Opportunities: Mark Your Calendars

Rachel Chilton is the Deputy USAID Industry Liaison and Deputy Communications Director for USAID's Office of Acquisition and Assistance.New to partnering with USAID? Then you’ll want to be on the lookout for Industry Days!&nbsp;Industry Days are part- or full-day events hosted by USAID Missions or headquarters. They can take place in-person or virtually, and are typically structured as an open forum for USAID to have the opportunity to share information about a specific anticipated funding opportunity, to collect verbal feedback from interested prospective partners, and for prospective partners to participate in a question-and-answer session. Industry Days are used by USAID in both assistance and acquisition opportunities.Industry Day events are announced publicly prior to a specific funding opportunity on <a href="https://sam.gov/">SAM.gov</a> (contracts) or <a href="https://www.grants.gov/">Grants.gov</a> (grants and cooperative agreements), as well as noted on the Agency’s <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/business-forecast/search">Business Forecast</a> under the co-creation section of a listing. These events will also be highlighted on <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/events">WorkwithUSAID.org’s new events page</a>.&nbsp;<h4>Why, and How, Should I Participate in a USAID Industry Day?</h4>Industry Days are great opportunities for interested offerors or applicants to learn about a particular funding opportunity. They can also be a useful chance to network and identify other organizations that your organization may potentially partner with in responding to a solicitation.Below are some tips to keep in mind about participating in an Industry Day:<ul><li>Carefully read the Industry Day description and follow all instructions about RSVPing to the event.&nbsp;</li><li>Do your homework. Research the anticipated activity objectives for meaningful engagement. Come prepared with questions about the anticipated opportunity.&nbsp;</li><li>Be ready to engage, provide insightful feedback, and network with other organizations as well as USAID staff.</li><li>Budget your funds for travel to and from the event, if in-person.</li><li>Schedule enough time to be present during the full event.</li></ul><h4>Why Are Industry Days Important for USAID?</h4>Industry Days at USAID serve as an invaluable part of the Agency’s partnership process.&nbsp;Engaging with prospective partners throughout the whole lifecycle of the procurement process, from pre-solicitation to award, helps USAID to be better able to:<ul><li>Understand the existing marketplace and capabilities of industry;</li><li>Define project and activity design, objectives, and implementation;</li><li>Improve scopes of work, statement of objectives, or program descriptions;</li><li>Communicate directly with industry by answering questions posed by prospective offerors or applicants;</li><li>Encourage new partners to network with established organizations to stimulate innovative thinking with new fresh ideas; and</li><li>Provide potential partners with insights into how USAID plans to achieve the intended outcomes of an activity.</li></ul>It’s important to note that participating in an Industry Day will not give any advantage to an interested prospective partner when it comes time to respond to a solicitation. If you are unable to attend an Industry Day, you will not be prevented from responding to an opportunity and will be able to review the notes and resources from the event online.&nbsp;Keep an eye out for USAID Industry Days for your chance to learn more about upcoming opportunities!

What Is a USAID Industry Day?

<figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:23%;"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-media-dev/Screen_Shot_2022_06_01_at_7_09_09_AM_863427faf0/Screen_Shot_2022_06_01_at_7_09_09_AM_863427faf0.png"></figure>By Adam Phillips and Bama AthreyaAdam Phillips is Director of USAID's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships Hub. Bama Athreya is Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Hub and the Inclusive Development Hub in USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation.President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been clear: diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility matter in everything we do. As Biden-Harris Administration appointees under the leadership of Administrator Samantha Power, we are deeply committed to seeing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in our own workforce, in our partnerships, and in our programming. USAID’s development work is better, smarter, more relevant, and more sustainable when we center our partnerships, planning, and decision making around the voices of diverse communities, particularly those who have been underrepresented. Administrator Power articulated these principles as a roadmap for the Agency last November in her speech “<a href="https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/speeches/nov-4-2021-administrator-samantha-power-new-vision-global-development">A New Vision for Global Development</a>.” This vision reflects a broader Administration-wide commitment to ensuring equity and inclusion in all aspects of U.S. policy.In our roles within the Agency, we see every day how the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to promote localization and inclusive development throughout USAID’s work are two sides of the same coin.&nbsp;Localization involves making intentional changes to Agency policies, processes, staffing, and funding decisions to support more equitable partnerships and programs that place local actors in the lead, including those who may otherwise have faced barriers in attempting to work with us. This process is closely linked to&nbsp;inclusive development, which is about ensuring that our programming reaches and fully includes marginalized and underrepresented communities. We’ve learned over time that invisible barriers can prevent many communities and individuals from participating in our programs. We need to intentionally and proactively address those barriers to ensure success in our programming.&nbsp;When aid localization is detached from inclusive development, or vice versa, each approach on its own can have unintended negative consequences. Localization without inclusion has the potential to reinforce discrimination and unequal power structures within local contexts. Likewise, inclusion without the tools and practices of localization may not be as effective at centering decision-making with local actors or strengthening local systems. But at their best, localization and inclusive development approaches create a virtuous cycle that strengthens our ability to realize the principle, “Nothing about us without us.”What does this look like in practice? USAID/Zimbabwe offers a great example of a partnership that was selected because it is locally led and advances inclusion in important new ways. USAID supported the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust’s efforts to provide young persons with disabilities a platform to identify and solve their own development challenges. The three-year&nbsp;Empower&nbsp;activity promotes access to decent work, inclusive entrepreneurship, and policy reforms for economic inclusion, with Deaf Zimbabwe Trust drawing on its experience and taking the lead on setting activity priorities and implementation. The activity builds on an existing Zimbabwe Youth Program that seeks to advance economic opportunity for young people and tackles an important gap by targeting young persons with disabilities who may be most disadvantaged by physical, social, and policy barriers. As a local organization, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust is already responsive to this community and well-placed to elevate programming that fills this gap. Fostering more impactful partnerships like Deaf Zimbabwe Trust is why USAID is making a concerted effort to reach new and nontraditional partners of all backgrounds through new methods like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a> website.&nbsp;In keeping with this focus on nontraditional partnerships, we are excited to announce&nbsp;a new blog series that will highlight the dedicated work of USAID staff within our Bureau to listen to and engage with you—and the diverse communities you represent—in new, innovative ways.&nbsp; In this series, we will outline how the Agency’s various teams lower barriers and reform power structures that hinder new partnerships, while grappling with the challenges of doing so. We will offer a path forward as we look at the actual, on-the-ground ways we are elevating the voices and values that this Administration believes should be front and center, including by advancing gender equality and ensuring the perspectives of local actors and communities, minority-serving institutions, cooperatives, faith-based and community organizations, schools, libraries, hospitals, and centers of excellence, diaspora groups, youth, and all those who may be under-represented including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people.&nbsp;We want this series to be a dialogue, not a one-way communication, so we encourage you to share, comment, and engage. Better yet, you can submit an idea for a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/wwusaid-public-prod/strapi/Workwith_USAI_Dorg_Newsand_Insights_Guest_Blog_Policy_final_05_17_2022_e679ff396a/Workwith_USAI_Dorg_Newsand_Insights_Guest_Blog_Policy_final_05_17_2022_e679ff396a.pdf">guest blog</a> to our team to add your unique perspective to this conversation on localization and inclusive development. Simply email your idea to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:askzara@workwithusaid.org">askzara@workwithusaid.org</a>.Institutional change doesn’t happen overnight. But committed leadership and a clear vision, combined with a groundswell of enthusiasm for advancing inclusive programming among Agency staff and the partner community, can lead to lasting transformation. Thanks for joining us on this journey!

Graphic with gear icons that represent nontraditional partners

Better Together: Localization & Inclusive Development Are Two Sides of the Same Coin [new blog series] 

<h4>USAID Events</h4><ul><li>June 2, 8 a.m. ET: “Identifying Private Sector Engagement Opportunities: A Tool for USAID Partners.” <a href="https://www.marketlinks.org/events/identifying-private-sector-engagement-opportunities-tool-usaid-partners">More information.</a></li><li>June 7, 9 a.m. ET: In partnership with <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory/freedom-house">Freedom House</a>, USAID Administrator Samantha Power will deliver a foreign policy address.<a href="https://usaid.link/a73"> Attend the event.</a></li><li>June 7, 2 p.m. ET: FY 2022 Quarter 3 Business Forecast &amp; Partner Update Webinar.&nbsp;<a href="https://usaidevents.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&amp;siteurl=usaidevents&amp;service=6&amp;rnd=0.6282994199256939&amp;main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fusaidevents.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000004a27b7f9af99c97de1224508412751c5c6152737e38fed1fa814dbfe47238949b%26siteurl%3Dusaidevents%26confViewID%3D227899087107677924%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAATrQgkM0mHvICJ1w6lQhNzoimGA9GznwFL5ZJzbR1dHpA2%26">Attend the event.</a></li><li>June 15, 10 a.m. ET: “How to Work with USAID” Twitter Space at <a href="https://twitter.com/WorkwithUSAID">@WorkwithUSAID</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1vOGwyaaAXvxB?s=20">Listen here</a>.</li><li>June 23, 1 p.m. ET: Dialogue with USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Ambassador <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAAFS1gBgXMcKQr1mRIOEgXz3MwSj-1R__0">Chantale Wong</a>, U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank, on LGBTQI+ inclusive development. <a href="https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/register/yvycdsbu">Register to attend.</a>&nbsp;</li><li>June 30, 8:30 a.m. ET: USAID Marketlinks: Advancing Localization through Cooperatives. <a href="https://encompassworld.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RvhresebT5GZAi0qTsQdvA">Register to attend</a>.</li><li>June 30 | Tunis, Tunisia 🇹🇳 USAID Industry Day (in-person). If your organization would like to attend, please send your contact information (name, title, organization name and email address) by June 20, 2022, to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Tunisiasolicitations@usaid.gov">Tunisiasolicitations@usaid.gov</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=340769">More information.</a></li></ul>&nbsp;<hr><h4>&nbsp;</h4><h4>Selected Funding Opportunity Due Dates*</h4>*All current USAID opportunities can be found on&nbsp;<a href="http://sam.gov/">SAM.gov</a> (contracts) and&nbsp;<a href="http://grants.gov/">Grants.gov</a> (grants and cooperative agreements). Don't see an opportunity in your country? Check out USAID's&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/e5g9ik7">Business Forecast</a> to see anticipated upcoming opportunities.AFRICAJune 8 | Ethiopia&nbsp;🇪🇹 Request for Information (RFI) for USAID/Ethiopia's&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuf7E">Community Nutrition Activity</a>June 13 | Malawi 🇲🇼 Request for Proposals (RFP) for USAID/Malawi's <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuf7e">Secondary Education Expansion for Development (SEED) Rural Group 2 Activity</a>June 13 | Ghana 🇬🇭 RFI for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJxt8">Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES) Activity</a>June 14 | Tunisia 🇹🇳&nbsp;RFI from USAID/Tunisia for a&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJgDg">Civil Society Activity</a>June 16 | Zambia 🇿🇲&nbsp;RFI for the Design of&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJgDw">Local Partner Capacity Development Contract&nbsp;</a>June 23:&nbsp;RFI for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJgDQ">Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)</a>&nbsp;June 23 | Kenya 🇰🇪 Call for concept notes via USAID/Kenya’s&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuhwE">Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI) Addendum to the Diversifying Partnerships in WASH Program (DiP-WASH) Annual Program Statement (APS)</a>.&nbsp;June 23 | Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJC22">Sustaining Prevention, Care and Support Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Activity</a>June 24 | Zimbabwe 🇿🇼&nbsp;Solicitation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/gP2Mw789">Partnership for Justice (P4J)</a>June 27 | Kenya 🇰🇪&nbsp;RFP for&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/e4sCkH4g">HELIX Addendum - Employment Pathways for Youth&nbsp;</a>June 27 | Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Request for Applications (RFA) for the <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuJw4">Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA)&nbsp;</a>THE AMERICASJune 1 | El Salvador 🇸🇻 RFI for USAID's&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuyVy">Bilateral Water Activity</a>June 3: NPI Annual Program Statement for USAID/Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean <a href="https://lnkd.in/g4UPGrMH">LAC Regional&nbsp;Higher Education Scholarships for Youth Workforce Development Activity&nbsp;</a>June 3 | Haiti 🇭🇹 RFI for USAID/Haiti's anticipated&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuzYK">Resilient Environment South Activity</a>June 17 | Dominican Republic&nbsp;🇩🇴 RFP for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuJw">New Justice and Security for All Activity&nbsp;</a>June 17 | Colombia 🇨🇴 RFP for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xufA3">Destination Nature Activity</a>June 30 | Dominican Republic ​🇩🇴​ NOFO for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuzYz">Building Resilience amongst Families affected with HIV Activity</a>ASIAJune 3 | Thailand 🇹🇭 Request for Quote for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuJwN">U--Virtual Critical and Strategic Thinking Skills Training</a>&nbsp;June 14 | Philippines 🇵🇭&nbsp;Updated RFP with amendment for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJTxk">Urban Connect Activity</a>June 15 | Nepal&nbsp;🇳🇵 Solicitation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/e7m5dUYR">USAID Agricultural Inputs Activity</a>June 20 | Vietnam 🇻🇳 RFP for the&nbsp; <a href="https://lnkd.in/gxrZmkrd">Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative - Mekong Leadership Program</a>&nbsp;June 21 | Tajikistan 🇹🇯 NOFO for USAID/Tajikistan's&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuzYs">Tuberculosis (TB) Bilateral Activity</a>EUROPE &amp; EURASIAJune 13 | Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 RFA for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuBN5">Philanthropy in Action Activity</a>&nbsp;June 30 | Serbia 🇷🇸 RFP for&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/eN-RVeRu">Strengthening Citizen Engagement Activity in Serbia</a>&nbsp;MIDDLE EASTJune 7 | West Bank and Gaza&nbsp;🇵🇸&nbsp;RFI for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJgD6">Communications and Outreach Services Activity</a>June 14 | Syria 🇸🇾 RFI for USAID's anticipated&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuzYc">Humanitarian Monitoring Project in Syria</a>&nbsp;OTHERJune 3: Updated sources sought for USAID/M/OAA&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/gpw-t9MZ">Support Which Implements Fast Transitions (SWIFT) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)</a>June 3: Applications due for the <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/digital-development/digis">Digital Development Awards</a> (Digis)! The Digis will be awarded to USAID-funded projects and activities that have (1) directly deployed a digital technology or suite of technologies or (2) provided support to digital ecosystem actors to extend digital technology access and/or uptake.June 6: RFA for the USAID&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irex.org/program/seeking-local-youth-led-solutions-advance-peace-and-security-through-local-level-social">Youth Excel global grant competition</a> for local, youth-led organizationsJune 6:&nbsp;Solicitation for USAID/M/OAA&nbsp;<a href="https://lnkd.in/gnUgHNqa">Green Recovery Investment Platform (GRIP)</a>&nbsp;June 6:&nbsp;Amendment with Q&amp;A for the RFP for the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuzrJ">USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security's (USAID/RFS) Green Recovery Investment Platform (GRIP)</a>June 10:&nbsp;Amendment to an RFP to support the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xJC4G">President’s Malaria Initiative as well as USAID Missions and Bureaus&nbsp;</a>with malaria programs and provide technical services for the prevention of malaria through vector controlJune 13: Amendment to the RFP for USAID's&nbsp;<a href="https://go.usa.gov/xuXMt">Integrated Procurement Service Agent (PSA) Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ)&nbsp;</a>within the Next Generation Global Health Supply Chain Suite of Programs (NextGen)Interested in responding but not sure if you're ready to partner with USAID? Take the <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/pre-engagement">Pre-Engagement Assessment</a> on&nbsp;<a href="http://workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a>! This 46-question self-assessment will help you understand your organization's readiness and provide resources to help build your capacity.

June Events: Mark Your Calendars

Matthew Johnson is the USAID Industry Liaison and Communications Director for USAID's Office of Acquisition and Assistance.With offices in more than 80 countries—and programs in more than 100—USAID sometimes can seem intimidating to new, small, and local partners. Knowing where to start to partner with such a large agency can be a challenge. If you are trying to get your foot in the door, it is important to find ways to make yourself known to USAID.&nbsp;USAID’s <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/how-to-work-with-usaid/usaid-industry-liaison">Industry Liaison team</a> seeks to be a front door to USAID. My colleagues and I help organizations understand how to navigate the Agency’s partnership process and connect to USAID staff around the world. You can read about the types of activities and events we do throughout the year <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAIDIndustryLiaisonExternalCommunicationsEngagementStrategy.pdf">here</a>.&nbsp;I have highlighted below seven ways (plus one bonus if your organization is a U.S. small business) that you can introduce yourself to USAID.&nbsp;<h4> 1. Register your organization in the WorkwithUSAID.org Partner Directory.</h4>The <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory">WorkwithUSAID.org Partner Directory</a> is a global listing of development organizations that enables potential partners to identify themselves to USAID. USAID staff use the directory to do market research on possible partners, as well as to invite organizations to events, Industry Days, and more.&nbsp;Additionally, the Partner Directory can help you connect with other development organizations working in your country or sector. Each organization’s profile includes links to its website and social media pages, if provided. Even better, new features being developed for the Partner Directory soon will allow partners to contact each other directly through the site to collaborate on potential opportunities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/organization-registration">Add your organization to the Partner Directory today!&nbsp;</a><h4>2. Respond to Requests for Information, Draft Scopes of Work, and Sources Sought Notices.</h4>As a part of almost all funding opportunities, USAID does research to identify capable partners. One of the ways that we do this is by issuing Requests for Information (RFIs), draft Scopes of Work (draft SOWs), or Sources Sought Notices (SSNs), which are posted on <a href="https://sam.gov/search/?page=1&amp;pageSize=25&amp;sort=-modifiedDate&amp;sfm%5Bstatus%5D%5Bis_active%5D=true&amp;sfm%5BsimpleSearch%5D%5BkeywordRadio%5D=ALL&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgKey%5D=100148640&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgText%5D=072%20-%20AGENCY%20FOR%20INTERNATIONAL%20DEVELOPMENT&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BlevelText%5D=Dept%20%2F%20Ind.%20Agency&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5Bhighlighted%5D=true">SAM.gov</a> and <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html">Grants.gov</a>.&nbsp;These offer you an opportunity to provide input into USAID's planned activities and share your organization's technical capabilities.&nbsp;If you are new to partnering with USAID, responding to an RFI, a draft SOW, or an SSN is one of the most important things you can do. It helps us get to know who you are and can give you an opportunity to highlight the great work you are doing!<h4>3. Respond to a funding opportunity.&nbsp;</h4>While responding to a funding opportunity requires an investment of time and resources, it also can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to USAID (and learn more about how we operate).&nbsp;By responding to a funding opportunity on <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html">Grants.gov</a> or <a href="https://sam.gov/search/?page=1&amp;pageSize=25&amp;sort=-modifiedDate&amp;sfm%5Bstatus%5D%5Bis_active%5D=true&amp;sfm%5BsimpleSearch%5D%5BkeywordRadio%5D=ALL&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgKey%5D=100148640&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgText%5D=072%20-%20AGENCY%20FOR%20INTERNATIONAL%20DEVELOPMENT&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BlevelText%5D=Dept%20%2F%20Ind.%20Agency&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5Bhighlighted%5D=true">SAM.gov</a>, you can share information about your organization and the work you are doing with USAID’s technical staff.&nbsp;If your organization's proposal or application is not accepted by USAID, you can request a debriefing meeting with the Agency’s team to get information about why your organization was not selected. But if your organization’s proposal or application does get accepted, congratulations—you have become one of the more than 3,500 organizations working with USAID!&nbsp;<h4>4. Participate in USAID events.</h4>Each week, around the world, USAID hosts events on new policies, programs, and funding opportunities. These events can be a great opportunity to gather information and also to connect with USAID staff.Keep an eye out for Industry Days, which are events organized by USAID to share information and connect with organizations around specific funding/partnership opportunities, often at the Mission level. Industry Day details are advertised within a specific funding opportunity’s information on both <a href="https://sam.gov/search/?page=1&amp;pageSize=25&amp;sort=-modifiedDate&amp;sfm%5Bstatus%5D%5Bis_active%5D=true&amp;sfm%5BsimpleSearch%5D%5BkeywordRadio%5D=ALL&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgKey%5D=100148640&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BorgText%5D=072%20-%20AGENCY%20FOR%20INTERNATIONAL%20DEVELOPMENT&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5BlevelText%5D=Dept%20%2F%20Ind.%20Agency&amp;sfm%5BagencyPicker%5D%5B0%5D%5Bhighlighted%5D=true">SAM.gov</a> and <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html">Grants.gov</a> and also noted on the Agency’s <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/business-forecast">Business Forecast</a>. If you are interested in a particular funding opportunity and there is an Industry Day happening, you should be there!My team also hosts a number of regular events, including bimonthly Work with USAID webinars, quarterly Business Forecast calls, and more. If you <a href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAIDHQ/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAIDHQ_12https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAIDHQ/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAIDHQ_12">sign up for our email list</a> or follow us on one of our social media channels listed below, you will be able to stay up to date on our events.&nbsp;Finally, we are working to add an events calendar to <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">WorkwithUSAID.org</a> to create a one-stop shop for you to find out about all of USAID’s events, so <a href="https://www.workwithusaid.org/">visit the site </a>and watch for that exciting feature later this year.&nbsp;<h4>5. Reach out to the points of contact for USAID’s Business Forecast activities.</h4>Did you know that USAID has a <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/business-forecast">Business Forecast</a> that lists all of our upcoming funding opportunities? The Forecast is updated daily and includes more than 200 upcoming projects around the world. Included on the Forecast is helpful information such as a description of each planned program, the funding amount, a point of contact for each activity, and much more.&nbsp;You can reach out to the point of contact to share information about your organization and your interest in the funding opportunity. Email <a href="mailto:BusinessForecast@USAID.gov">BusinessForecast@USAID.gov</a> to get connected to the point of contact and introduce your organization's capabilities.&nbsp;<h4>6. Schedule a discussion with USAID’s Industry Liaison.</h4>As I mentioned, my team serves as a front door to USAID. Each year we meet with hundreds of organizations one-on-one to offer advice, input, and connections to the Agency. If you are interested in taking that next step to connect with USAID, reach out to my team at <a href="mailto:IndustryLiaison@usaid.gov">IndustryLiaison@usaid.gov</a> to schedule a discussion.&nbsp;<h4>7. Connect with the Industry Liaison team on social media.</h4>One of the ways that we try to connect with organizations and share information is through our social media channels. We have an active Work with USAID <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12491152/">LinkedIn</a> group, we host regular events on <a href="http://twitter.com/workwithusaid">Twitter</a>, and we post daily information on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WorkwithUSAID">Facebook</a>. You can connect with me and my team, as well as other USAID staff, on these channels.&nbsp;<h4>Bonus for U.S. small businesses!</h4>If you are a U.S. small business, you can access additional support through USAID’s great <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/organization/independent-offices/office-small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization">Small Business Office</a>. Contact them (<a href="mailto:osdbu1@usaid.gov">osdbu1@usaid.gov</a>) for help reviewing your capabilities statement and directing you to funding opportunities that are set aside for U.S. small businesses.&nbsp;We look forward to hearing from you and working together to find innovative development solutions. <a href="mailto:IndustryLiaison@usaid.gov">Reach out to us today!</a>