This brief provides guidance for USAID Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) stakeholders in applying the Capacity Building 9 (CBLD-9) indicator to measure the impact of their local capacity strengthening (LCS) programming. In line with the USAID LCS Policy, measuring results is essential for understanding LCS program effectiveness and making improvements for the future.
This guidance helps DRG stakeholders to think creatively about how to measure performance of LCS activities, transcending the often used approach of tracking internal organizational processes or other procedural improvements. Instead, this brief outlines three approaches to developing measurements that are consistent with the LCS Policy, place local actors in the lead, and focus on more essential forms of improved capacity.