Global
Global
Guidance Note
2023
Global
Global
Technical Guidance Document
2023
An evaluation Statement of Work (SOW) clarifies the expectations for how an evaluation will be designed and conducted in much the same way that an activity’s scope of work dictates how an activity must be designed and implemented. The developer of an evaluation SOW is in many regards the architect of the evaluation itself. The more detailed and accurate the SOW the
more likely that the evaluation will generate useful and high quality findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This USAID/RFS Good Practice MEL Note provides an overview of the components of a good evaluation SOW, important tips when developing or peer-reviewing
evaluation SOWs, as well as an annotated example of a good evaluation SOW to show the reader how specific good practices were applied effectively in an actual RFS evaluation SOW.
This infographic analyzes the consequences of USAID’s 2023–2024 restructuring, which led to the termination of 5,341 projects and the defunding of 2,353 implementing partners, many of whom lost 100% of their USAID support. Over 55% of recipient countries lost all funding. The analysis extends beyond the U.S. to consider concurrent budget contractions by other donor countries, indicating a systemic shift in how foreign aid is prioritized and delivered. The infographic visualizes these changes, offering insights into the scale, distribution, and potential implications of a more constrained and transactional development aid environment.
This article examines the Trump administration’s proposed restructuring of U.S. foreign assistance, which seeks to streamline agencies and align aid with investment-driven growth. The plan introduces promising steps to improve efficiency and expand opportunities for U.S. businesses abroad. However, the transition also brings important considerations, such as ensuring continued access to technical expertise, maintaining regional flexibility, and supporting financing tools that encourage investment in higher-risk markets. The piece outlines ways to maximize the benefits of these reforms while addressing potential challenges to ensure the new structure drives sustainable growth and impact.
