EVENT – US Foreign Assistance: Lessons Learned and Future Priorities

In the wake of a dramatic upheaval in US foreign aid and trade relations, questions about what the future holds abound. This timely conversation brings together experts with diverse perspectives to explore lessons learned from decades of global development initiatives and foreign assistance programs. Our panelists will examine key areas for future US international engagement, … [Read more…]

Rubio’s firing of Marocco ignites a MAGA world meltdown

When Marco Rubio fired the man in charge of dismantling USAID, he made enemies inside the MAGA movement. Peter Marocco, the Trump administration official in charge of dismantling USAID, left a meeting at the White House last week to return to his office at the State Department. But when he arrived, Marocco could not enter … [Read more…]

USAID Cuts: New Estimates at the Country Level

The largest absolute dollar cut at the country level is $1.4 billion in Ukraine assistance. Ethiopia, the DRC, Colombia, South Africa, Palestine, Bangladesh, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Tanzania all see cuts over $200 million. Liberia sees the largest cut as a percentage of its economy, estimated at 1.6 percent of GNI. Afghanistan, Palestine, and Somalia are … [Read more…]

Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts Are Killing Jobs for US Contractors, Too

Weeks after Donald Trump won reelection, Keith Ives held an all-staff meeting at his Denver-based company to reassure his 30 employees that their work evaluating the success of US aid projects overseas wasn’t under threat. “I enthusiastically told them, ‘I’m not worried at all — the work we do isn’t political,’” said Ives, who founded … [Read more…]

DEI executive order compliance checklist

Since his inauguration in January, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the country. These actions have significant implications, including for government contractors, colleges and universities, and public companies across various industries. They also present potential increased risk of litigation and government investigations for U.S. and multinational … [Read more…]

Pete Marocco, the Trump official who oversaw dismantling of USAID leaves US state department

Pete Marocco, the Trump administration official who played a major role in dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has left the state department, a US official said on Sunday. Donald Trump’s administration has moved to fire nearly all USAID staff, as billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” has slashed funding and … [Read more…]

Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) is back!

In the initial stages of USAID’s dismantling, the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) was taken offline. This move erased decades of valuable knowledge, outcomes, and public transparency that illustrated how American tax dollars were utilized and shared vital lessons with a global audience. Fortunately, the Institute for Development Impact (I4DI) has brought it back! USAID has … [Read more…]

FHI 360 announced a series of nationwide layoffs

Message from Tessie San Martin CEO at FHI 360 Yesterday I shared the news that we were terminating employment for about 480 employees in the U.S., including more than 140 in North Carolina where we are headquartered. These latest staff reductions come on top of thousands of additional terminations in more than 30 countries, all … [Read more…]

Mass Reduction in Force (RIF) Notices Sent to All USAID Missions Abroad

Yesterday, thousands of local staff at USAID, known as Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), received their termination notices: global Reduction in Force (RIF). While we anticipated this news, it’s still tough to digest for most of them. Departures planned by August 2025. USAID will be winding down its operations, and foreign assistance as we know it … [Read more…]