MFAN Statement on Final FY23 State-Foreign Operations Bill


December 22, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels and Tessie San Martin. On December 20, congressional leaders released the final bill text and report for the conference agreement on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations … Continue reading MFAN Statement on Final FY23 State-Foreign Operations Bill

MFAN Statement on Passing of Former Congressman and MFAN Co-Chair Jim Kolbe


December 12, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels and Tessie San Martin. “MFAN mourns the passing of former Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), a former co-chair of MFAN. Kolbe passed away on December 3rd at the age of 80.  As a Republican … Continue reading MFAN Statement on Passing of Former Congressman and MFAN Co-Chair Jim Kolbe

When local leaders speak, we need to listen: USAID puts forward its vision


This post first appeared on Oxfam’s Politics of Poverty blog. First published on Nov 09, 2022, and is authored by Daryl Grisgraber (Humanitarian Policy Lead for Oxfam America) and Marin Belhoussein (Senior Policy Advisor for Aid and Development Finance at Oxfam America). The latest localization push at USAID is promising. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) … Continue reading When local leaders speak, we need to listen: USAID puts forward its vision

How local knowledge can improve the effectiveness of development policies


This post first appeared on FHI 360’s R&E Search for Evidence blog. First published on Oct 21, 2022, and is authored by Kharisma Nugroho, FHI 360’s Asia Pacific Associate Director for Strategic Information, Monitoring & Evaluation. Introduction  A vital objective of development work is to change policies or strengthen existing policies. To do so, practitioners and … Continue reading How local knowledge can improve the effectiveness of development policies

MFAN Statement on USAID’s Local Capacity Strengthening Policy


November 2, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels and Tessie San Martin. MFAN, the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network, congratulates the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the public launch of its Local Capacity Strengthening (LCS) policy. The policy reflects a … Continue reading MFAN Statement on USAID’s Local Capacity Strengthening Policy

Introducing PWYF’s new research program to track USAID funding to local organizations


In November 2021, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power threw down a challenge for her organization: by 2025, 25% of USAID’s funding would go to local organizations. Her vision was largely applauded as the direction that international aid should be headed. The detail of how to measure this important metric, however, remains … Continue reading Introducing PWYF’s new research program to track USAID funding to local organizations

Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network Welcomes New Members to Coalition


Washington, DC, September 6, 2022 — The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network, known as MFAN, is delighted to welcome three new members to its coalition: Reuben Abraham, Denise Namburete, and the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). The addition of 3ie and two members from the global south will further enhance MFAN’s premier membership of think … Continue reading Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network Welcomes New Members to Coalition

MFAN Applauds Senate Appropriations Committee FY23 SFOPS Bill


August 2, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels and Tessie San Martin. On July 28, the Senate Appropriations Committee released a strong Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill, providing an $8.5 billion (14.7%) increase compared … Continue reading MFAN Applauds Senate Appropriations Committee FY23 SFOPS Bill

MFAN TO CONGRESS: OPPOSE INCREASES TO INT’L FOOD AID CARGO PREFERENCE RULES


July 12, 2022- (WASHINGTON) – The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network Co-Chairs sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives today expressing strong opposition to legislation that would greatly hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. humanitarian assistance for international food aid at a time of acute levels of global hunger and rising shipping costs. The full letter can be found … Continue reading MFAN TO CONGRESS: OPPOSE INCREASES TO INT’L FOOD AID CARGO PREFERENCE RULES

EXCERPT FROM MFAN CO-CHAIRS’ JUNE 27, 2022 LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS REGARDING THE SCORING OF DFC’S EQUITY INVESTMENTS


On behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), we write to express our appreciation for your work to complete the conference on the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and to highlight an item of great concern to our membership regarding the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). As you know, Congress created … Continue reading EXCERPT FROM MFAN CO-CHAIRS’ JUNE 27, 2022 LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS REGARDING THE SCORING OF DFC’S EQUITY INVESTMENTS