Panagora Group Launches USAID’s STEP to Strengthen Locally Led Development

Panagora Group is excited to announce the launch of the four-year USAID Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP) initiative. STEP is a flagship project that exemplifies USAID’s commitment to locally led development.  

Implemented by Panagora Group in collaboration with USAID’s Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub, STEP has the following key objectives: 

  • Empowering Local Actors. Providing training and mentorship to help local organizations lead development projects, strengthening systems and underrepresented voices. 
  • Enhancing USAID’s Partnership Strategy. Supporting USAID Missions in working with diverse, nontraditional partners, expanding inclusivity and diversity. 
  • Inclusive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). Implementing frameworks that allow local actors to define success and improve outcomes based on local priorities. 
  • Risk Mitigation. Helping local partners navigate compliance, ensuring they meet USAID’s requirements while building long-term resilience. 

As lead implementer of STEP, Panagora is proud to be at the forefront of advancing USAID’s localization agenda with the following initial activities: 

  • Working with the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in Cameroon, Iraq, Malawi, and Madagascar to bolster the financial management and MEL capacity of local humanitarian organizations, while also fostering peer-learning exchanges and networks.  
  • Supporting the peacebuilding community in the West Bank and Gaza by promoting networking, visioning, and collaborative efforts, as well as identifying potential new and emerging Palestinian and Israeli partners with innovative ideas and capabilities to further strengthen civil society.  
  • Implementing regional learning workshops for Feed the Future stakeholders and the production of compelling video narratives showcasing locally led development stories within the Bureau of Resilience, Environment, and Food Security. 
  • Providing comprehensive event planning and logistical support to USAID/Democracy, Rights, and Governance’s Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity (GNSEI) Mechanism. 

Going forward, STEP will continue to work globally to integrate local voices into every stage of project design and execution, ensuring development outcomes are both meaningful and sustainable.