International Development and Programs (Development Work) - International Development and Programs (Development Work)

Ensuring that the American people are appropriately recognized for their generosity in funding U.S. foreign assistance has been a long-standing U.S. Government objective. For example, section 641 of USAID’s framework legislation, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, specifies that all programs under the act be identified as “American Aid.”

More recently, the importance of development in the United States’ post–September 11 national security strategy increased the need for U.S. foreign assistance activities to be identified more fully in host countries as being provided by the United States.

To help ensure that U.S. foreign assistance is recognized as such, USAID has issued Automated Directives System 320, Branding and Marking, which requires an approved marking plan for USAID projects. USAID programs, projects, activities, public communications, and commodities with USAID funding are required to be branded as from USAID.

The failure to have effective branding of USAID-funded vehicles and other commodities contributes to a lack of awareness of USAID programs.

General Recommendations

• Issue written guidance to implementing partner staff reinforcing the Agency's branding requirements and their importance.

• Analyze current branding practices and develop a written plan that makes the branding of USAID-funded activities, commodities, and other elements effective.

• Develop and implement a written plan to (a) identify USAID-funded commodities that have not been properly branded and (b) brand those commodities.

Source: AUDIT REPORT NO. 4-663-10-003-P  MARCH 30, 2010

The recommendations are derived from audit reports of the Office of the Inspector General. The source refers to the audit report, which is available on this site as part of the Audit Database Project: an educational tool for compliance with USAID regulations.  Please see the disclaimer of this site before using recommendations.