Lessons for Promoting Locally Led Development

From 2017-2019, the Capacity 2.0 consortium supported two district level social labs in Malawi with a grant from USAID Local Works which brought together over 60 representatives from district government, civil society, and citizen groups. Participants diagnosed systemic problems with how development was conducted in their district and co-designed solutions tested through rapid experimentation cycles. Ideas tested include youth advocacy networks, citizen-led accountability charters, and district committee feedback forums. This two-page document summarizes six valuable lessons for international organizations and funders looking to support locally led development.