Collaborating to Deepen Networks with the Private Sector Engagement Forum

The Center for Transformational Partnerships (CTP) is charged with leading and coordinating private sector engagement (PSE) across USAID and in support of the Agency’s Missions, Bureaus and independent offices (MBIOs). To further our work and support our colleagues, CTP developed a biannual internal learning event, the Private Sector Engagement Forum (PSEF) to strengthen the Agency’s PSE culture and enable PSE practitioners to utilize the knowledge, tools and skills needed to engage the private sector to advance our development objectives. PSEF leverages a unique, collaborative approach to design and plan this event around building peer networks and continuous learning and improvement.

PSEF leverages consistent internal and external collaboration, with strong knowledge management, from the early planning stages to follow-up activities. Internally, CTP collaborates with other MBIOs in order to collect, cultivate and share information. CTP, for instance, actively engages other MBIOs to capture currently available information, such as emerging best practices and leading examples, and also survey MBIOs for preferences on content, agenda formulation and even logistics. Furthermore, potential PSEF participants complete an application questionnaire, which asks them to identify successes and innovations, challenges and skills they would like to learn or share, and companies with which they seek to engage.

Externally, we invite leading companies, thought leaders and implementers to share their unique perspectives and experiences. It is through these CLA processes that we have been able to continuously evolve PSEF in step with global best practices and pioneering examples in order to build a strong and growing peer-to-peer network within USAID that is essential to being a leader in PSE.