SPECIAL REPORT: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Launches The Knowledge-Driven International Development (KDID) Portal to Encourage Greater Effectiveness of Development Knowledge

The Knowledge-Driven International Development (KDID) Portal is a family of websites established to maximize the effectiveness of economic development assistance by connecting development practitioners to spread innovation and good practice.

Launched by the United States Agency for International for Development’s (USAID’s) Knowledge-Driven Microenterprise Development (KDMD) office, KDID consists of portals that act as forums where members connect to other professionals, discuss ideas, share experiences and access the latest thinking in best practice. While currently there are two portal sites, microLINKS and Social Transitions (ST), KDID plans to add others over time to cover additional topics and regions.

The microLINKS portal covers advances in the microenterprise development sector with a focus on financial inclusion within the context of both domestic and global markets. Within the microLINKS portal, there is a Resources section where users can search, read, rate and comment on documents and resources, as well a Good Practice Center where users can access documentation of field-tested practices in microenterprise development. At this time the microLINKS site is in the process of being re-launched in order to add new features.

The Social Transitions (ST) portal promotes the discussion of establishing effective and efficient social systems that aim to improve quality of life in poor countries. On the ST portal there is a Library Resource with up-to-date publications, an Editor’s Picks section, as well as an Events section. The ST portal is divided into seven sub-sectors: education, labor markets, social services, social insurance and social assistance as well as issues relating to gender and human trafficking.

Currently, the KDID portal is still in its beta form, while developers work on improving functionality and usability. Though this site is considered a ‘preview,’ users are still able to access portal sites, engage in communication with other members and submit feedback to the site developers.

You may visit the KDID portal here: http://www.kdid.org/

About The United States Agency for International for Development (USAID):

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a government agency that provides international economic and humanitarian assistance. It focuses on areas such as economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health, democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance. Under the Development Credit Authority (DCA), it provides partial credit guarantees that cover up to 50 percent of defaults on loans made by private financial institutions to institutions that lend to underserved borrowers.

By Matthew Fox, Research Assistant

Sources and Additional Resources:

The Knowledge-Driven International Development (KDID) Portal: http://www.kdid.org/
MicroCapital Brief: Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network Adds Updates and New Standards to Its Microfinance Reporting Standards Initiative, 27, July 2010: https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-small-enterprise-education-and-promotion-seep-network-adds-updates-and-new-standards-to-its-microfinance-reporting-standards-initiative/

MicroCapital Universe: The United States Agency for International for Development (USAID): https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=United+States+Agency+for+International+Development+(USAID)+Credit+Guarantees

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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