There will always be an important role for international donations of food, medical supplies, and cash. They are often the most efficient way to address an immediate crisis, and any form of international aid helps build goodwill and strengthen economic and cultural ties with the United States.

“Investing in global development is not just about donating food or cash, it’s about providing communities with the tools they need to thrive as full partners in the global community.”

Capacity building projects, however, are a form of aid that help developing communities adopt fundamental changes to their economies. A key component of these projects is that the communities themselves have agency in their successes and failures, making the projects more resilient and sustainable.

Whether it’s investments in education or infrastructure, successful capacity building programs help transform aid-recipients into trading partners. Schools and cooperative organizations serve as focal points for community collaboration and engagement. Investments in education and literacy foster civic participation and leadership. Investments in economic infrastructure - such as access to capital, high-speed internet, and modern production and distribution methods - empower the community to participate in the global marketplace at higher levels of the value chain.

Capacity building projects of this nature are longer-term investments that can ultimately be bridge between international development and international trade.