Our Mission: We partner to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity.

USAID’s mission statement highlights two complementary and intrinsically linked goals: ending extreme poverty and promoting the development of resilient, democratic societies that are able to realize their potential. We fundamentally believe that ending extreme poverty requires enabling inclusive, sustainable growth; promoting free, peaceful, and self-reliant societies with effective, legitimate governments; building human capital and creating social safety nets that reach the poorest and most vulnerable.

AFP / Romeo Gacad

Our focus on poverty does not end when someone crosses the official threshold for extreme poverty to earn $1.90/day. Poverty alleviation also extends to those with higher incomes who nonetheless remain severely poor. Poverty is multi-dimensional, requiring an approach to address hunger and food insecurity, illiteracy and innumeracy, ill-health, dis-empowerment, marginalization and vulnerability. Our Feed the Future, Global Health, Global Climate Change, and Power Africa initiatives target symptoms of and pathways out of poverty. USAID’s work on education is already reaching millions in extreme poverty. Similarly, our cross-cutting efforts in promoting democracy, rights and good governance, empowering women and girls, advancing prosperity, building resilient societies, and mitigating climate change are all essential to ending poverty.

Resilient, democratic societies don’t simply maintain stability: they are essential to sustaining development progress. Resilient, democratic societies feature broadbased economic growth; healthy, well-nourished, and educated populations; and environmental sustainability. They embrace not only elections, but also legitimate, inclusive, and accountable institutions that effectively deliver services to all of their people, respect and promote human rights, and strive to advance freedom, human dignity and development. They have the ability to manage conflict, mitigate the impact of natural disasters, and forestall crisis that otherwise roll back development gains. These societies are equipped to ensure that pathways out of poverty are sustained.

At the core of our mission is a deep commitment to work as partners in fostering sustainable development. Rather than impose, we seek to empower and support through collaboration. We work hand-in-hand with those we seek to assist as well as others striving to support the most vulnerable. Nations and communities must increasingly be able to meet the needs of their citizens whether by providing health care, education, or economic opportunity.

USAID’s efforts directly enhance American—and global—security and prosperity. The United States is safer and stronger when fewer people face destitution, when our trading partners are flourishing, when nations around the world can withstand crisis, and when societies are freer, more democratic, and more inclusive, protecting the basic rights and human dignity of all citizens. By focusing on these two goals, together, we position ourselves to meet the challenges of today while mitigating the risks of tomorrow.

Our Core Values

PASSION FOR MISSION

We come to work to foster sustainable development and advance human dignity globally.

• We each contribute uniquely in advancing our mission, whether by working in different sectors or by supporting global operations and management.

EXCELLENCE

We strive for efficiency, effectiveness, and meaningful results across our work.

• We aspire to lead international and US Government efforts to advance the economic, political, social, and environmental well-being of the world’s most vulnerable people.
• We continually seek to improve our operations and increase our impact.
• We take pride in our work and our accomplishments.

INTEGRITY

We are honest and transparent, accountable for our efforts, and maintain a consistently high moral standard.

• We are ethical in all that we do.
• We are fair with colleagues, partners, and those we serve, building relationships of trust.

RESPECT

We demonstrate respect for one another, our partners, and the people we serve in communities around the world.

• We recognize and acknowledge the strength that comes from diversity.
• We value all people equally and treat others as we would like to be treated.
• We consistently demonstrate professionalism and respect in our communications and in our behavior.

EMPOWERMENT

We elevate all voices striving for global economic, environmental, and social progress.

• We seek to ensure that all voices are heard.
• We strive to strengthen the voices of the marginalized and vulnerable.
• We value every team member and seek to ensure everyone can fulfill their potential.

INCLUSION

We value our differences and draw strength from diversity.

• We support programs that engage people across societies and benefit whole communities and countries.
• We value every member of our team, learn from their experience, and foster their active engagement.
• We advance equality, foster equal opportunity and address inequality within our Agency and in our work.

COMMITMENT TO LEARNING

We seek to improve ourselves and our work continually through reflection and evaluation.

• We design and assess programs with an eye towards constant improvement.
• We recognize that professional development is fundamental to team satisfaction and success.