In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.
The grant program targets the prevalent issue of corruption in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, accentuated by visible crises such as the Odebrecht scandal and COVID-19 procurement corruption. It emphasizes the need for transparent public procurement systems to enhance fair competition, attract private sector interest, and ensure sustainable development. The program highlights the challenges posed by authoritarian investments, notably from China, which often lead to opaque terms, excessive debt, and negative impacts on local economies and environments. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of addressing the infrastructure investment gap to counter economic contractions and reduced fiscal revenues exacerbated by COVID-19. The broad goals include fostering transparency, rule of law, labor rights, environmental preservation, repelling predatory international financing schemes, and promoting a level playing field among investors to ensure contracts are awarded based on law, quality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.