1. Where can I find USAID Mission CDCSs?

A list of CDCSs that are anticipated to be completed can be found here: https://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/country-strategies-cdcs.

2. Why might a USAID Mission opt out of developing a CDCS?

There are a number of reasons that a Mission may be exempt or waived from completing a CDCS.  Certain types of units are exempt, including overseas operating units (OUs) with limited presence, such as Country Offices, and overseas OUs that implement single-sector programs. Various types of programming, including those that are funded and managed by other OUs, and those that are aimed at preventing, responding to, recovering from, and/or transitioning from crisis, are also exempt. Under extenuating circumstances that restrict the Agency’s ability to plan, Missions may request a waiver from the CDCS process.

An OU that is exempt may request approval to develop a country-level strategy framework that is not subject to the same process or requirements as a standard CDCS.

For more information about waivers and exemptions, please refer to Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 201.

Where appropriate, country operating units that do not complete a CDCS, but fall under the purview of a Regional Mission will be included in Regional Development Cooperation Strategies (RDCSs) as needed. For a list of all USAID Regional Missions and the countries that they cover, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/where-we-work. 

3. What more can USAID share regarding its commitment to complete all CDCSs and integrate Self-Reliance by December 2020?

USAID is reorienting its business model to foster Self-Reliance within our
partner countries. We anticipate all CDCSs will be completed by December 2020. A list of anticipated completion dates for CDCSs is available at: https://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/country-strategies-cdcs. 

4. Which Missions have integrated Self-Reliance into their CDCSs?  What about countries that have a current CDCS?

As part of the CDCS development process, all Missions completing a CDCS/RDCS are required to incorporate elements of the Journey to Self-Reliance into their strategies. As new strategies become publicly available, you will see elements of Self-Reliance incorporated into them.

Available current CDCSs can be accessed on USAID’s website. As those are updated, they will incorporate elements of Self-Reliance in line with new ADS 201 requirements.

5. Several Mission solicitations cite a CDCS, but USAID indicates that their CDCSs are under development.  Can you clarify?

Several USAID Missions are currently in the process of developing and/or updating their strategies. If available, their most current strategy documents are available at www.usaid.gov for reference. As new strategies become available, they will also be posted onto USAID’s website.

6. How are Regional and Country strategies coordinated, and how do they avoid overlap?

Regional Missions consult and closely coordinate with bilateral Missions in their respective regions to ensure that programming complements and reinforces existing programs. 

7. How will I know the dates of validity of a CDCS?

Each Mission CDCS states the dates of its five-year strategy, though some list only the start date. As Missions continue reflecting upon their current strategies and working to develop new strategy documents, they will incorporate Self-Reliance and its elements into these processes.

8. I have more questions about USAID’s CDCS process.  Where can I find more information?

For more information regarding USAID’s CDCS process, please see ADS Chapter 201 and visit USAID’s website at https://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/country-strategies-cdcs.