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US Development Policy

CGD seeks to inform the US government’s approach to international development by bringing evidence to bear on questions of “what works” and proposing reforms to strengthen US foreign assistance tools.

The policies and practices of the US government wield formidable influence on global development. CGD seeks to strengthen US foreign assistance tools with evidence of “what works” and propose reforms grounded in rigorous analysis across the full range of investment, trade, technology and foreign assistance related issues. With high-level US government experience and strong research credentials, our experts are sought out by policymakers for practical ideas to enhance the US’s leading role in promoting progress for all.

Featured Work

Disinfection and decontamination on a marketplace “Krasno selo” as a prevention against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
April 3, 2020
Blog Post
The CARES Act: A Down Payment on Global COVID-19 Response...
Erin Collinson
CGD's DFI Dashboard
January 15, 2020
Featured from CGD
Introducing the DFI Dashboard
Secretary Pompeo and Advisor Trump Celebrate the W-GDP Initiative's One-Year Anniversary
March 23, 2020
Blog Post
W-GDP One Year On: Taking Stock and Looking Forward
Megan O'Donnell

More on US Development Policy

Contact

Jocilyn Estes
jestes@cgdev.org

Related Experts

Related Working Groups

The Future of US Government Development Assistance to Fragile States

Parent Topic

Related US Development Policy Content

February 24, 2012
Blog Post
MCC Country Changes: Good Approach, Uneven Application
caseydunning

If a Millennium Challenge Corporation country changes income groups and no one is around to give it a compact, does i

February 22, 2012
Blog Post
FY2013 MDB Budget: Stay the Course
Connie Veillette and Jenny Ottenhoff

The Obama administration’s FY2013 budget request may be a

February 17, 2012
Publication
The FY2013 Budget Request: Presidential Priorities for...
Connie Veillette

The international affairs portion of the president’s FY2013 budget will likely generate concern among aid advocates over cuts to health and humanitarian assistance.

February 16, 2012
Blog Post
Magic 8 Ball on MCC’s Budget: Outlook Not So Good
caseydunning

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) shook the budget Magic 8 Ball and got a new response this year: outlook n

February 15, 2012
Blog Post
Fake Aid
Justin Sandefur

This is a joint post with Justin Sandefur

Winning hearts and minds is a key part of the US Military’s counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, and a major rationale for USAID’s $15 billion investment in the country. This strategy rests on Secretary Clinton’s vision that defense, development and diplomacy are closely linked, mutually reinforcing goals -- a win-win-win foreign policy love triangle.

Some development experts, channeling their inner Dr. Phil, have been skeptical of this model. But much of the industry has been won over by the lure of Pentagon-sized budgets for real aid projects serving real development goals like rural development and girls’ education.

February 14, 2012
Blog Post
Development Budget Nuggets and Some Cautions
cveillette

The President’s much anticipated 2013 budget was released yesterday.  My initial reaction is that the request is a

February 13, 2012
Blog Post
From the White House with Love: Call for Global...
Sarah Jane Staats

The development community got an early Valentine from the White House: an 

February 9, 2012
Blog Post
Will the President’s 2013 Budget Request Show More Focus...
cveillette

The President’s budget is scheduled for release on February 13.  Many of us will be looking to see if the budget numb

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December 18, 2012
Blog Post
Top 10 Rethinking US Foreign Assistance Blogs in 2012
Charles Kenny et al.

What were the most popular Rethinking US Foreign Assistance blog posts in 2012?

February 6, 2015
Blog Post
We Need to Focus Less on Tired Budget Day Broadcasts and...
Ben Leo

The President’s budget submission was perfectly timed this year to coincide with Ground Hog Day. And just like Bill Murray, we lined up to argue yet again about whether the current president has demonstrated a true commitment to global security and poverty. 

July 19, 2013
Blog Post
Rethink Roundup
wmckitterick

House passes

January 12, 2012
Blog Post
A New USAID Strategy: Climate Change and Development
Amanda Glassman, Andy Sumner and David Wheeler

USAID’s Policy, Planning and Learning Bureau released a

December 18, 2012
Blog Post
Berman’s Parting Gift: A Foreign Assistance Act Rewrite
Sarah Jane Staats

Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) introduced a 923-page rewrite of the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act last week. He first vowed to rewrite the bill in 2008 when he was chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Unfortunately, Berman has only days left in Congress and the bill won’t go anywhere before he leaves. Still, the draft captures years of thinking about the United States’ legislative approach to foreign assistance and offers a possible blueprint for co-sponsor Gerry Connolly (D-VA) or others to carry forward.

November 8, 2012
Blog Post
The Biggest Experiment in Evaluation: MCC and Lessons for...
William Savedoff

In

December 8, 2005
Publication
Mozambique: Field Report
Sarah Lucas
Sarah Lucas*December 2005**

June 14, 2013
Blog Post
Rethink Roundup
Sarah Jane Staats

House hearing:

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