Program for Local and Urban Sustainability (PLUS)

Fostering healthy, prosperous, and resilient cities for all people and the planet

OVERVIEW

Rapid urbanization is one of the defining challenges and opportunities of this century, affecting and exacerbating multiple global crises, including climate change, pollution, mass migration, pandemics, and corruption. Cities are managing the direct impacts of climate change now while also holding the key to reduce over 70% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Urbanization and pollution are also severely threatening human health, biodiversity, and critical lands for vital ecosystem services like food and water for urban residents. Cities generate 80% of global GDP, but these economic gains are not distributed equally. More than 1 billion people continue to live in informal urban settlements without access to basic services, infrastructure, and economic opportunity. Solving these complex urban challenges requires unprecedented levels of collaboration and resource mobilization.

The US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Program for Local and Urban Sustainability (PLUS) is a $95M field support mechanism, led by Deloitte Consulting LLP, that aims to pilot innovative urban activities and approaches to demonstrate effective models that will help USAID and its partners pursue inclusive and sustainable urban development across sectors. PLUS drives equitable, inclusive, locally-led programming and can use up to $18M in grants under contracts to catalyze innovation, build local capacity, and promote sustainability. A summary of PLUS’s integrated urban approach is below:

WHERE WE WORK

PLUS draws on specialized, best-in-class expertise to modernize and scale USAID’s urban programs and enable USAID to invest in “green city” strategies. PLUS is working in places like Indonesia, Peru, and Latin America to prioritize sustainable and resilient development with strategies that are specific to country context.