Bill Overview
Title: FIGDA Act
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the position of Chief Innovation Officer in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The bill also (1) authorizes the Chief Innovation Officer to provide flexible funding to support expanded use of innovation, (2) authorizes USAID to hire up to 30 Innovation Fellows, (3) provides statutory authority for USAID's Development Innovation Ventures program, (4) establishes a program in USAID to integrate proven solutions into programming and operating budgets, and (5) authorizes USAID to participate in the Global Innovation Fund and enter into agreements with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
Sponsors: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
Target Audience
Population: Recipients of USAID international development assistance programs
Estimated Size: 1000
- The Chief Innovation Officer position within USAID is a high-level role that will impact how USAID implements its aid programs.
- USAID's activities largely focus on providing international development assistance; thus, global recipients of USAID aid programs will be affected by the expanded innovation measures.
- The introduction of flexible funding and Innovation Fellows is designed to enhance and expand the use of technological and procedural innovations in providing aid, likely impacting all recipients of USAID aid.
- USAID's Development Innovation Ventures program aims to support scalable, innovative solutions to development challenges, potentially impacting millions of people who benefit from USAID programs worldwide.
Reasoning
- USAID's primary operations target providing developmental aid internationally; thus, the direct impact on U.S. citizens would largely be through employment opportunities and operational shifts within the agency.
- The creation of a Chief Innovation Officer and Innovation Fellows will provide new career opportunities for qualified professionals within the U.S., primarily impacting those in relevant sectors like international development or technological innovation.
- The FIGDA Act will likely have a minor direct effect on U.S. citizens' wellbeing who are not employed by or do not interact with USAID directly, as the agency's primary mission is focused overseas.
- The significance of wellbeing impact in this simulation is likely confined to professionals within USAID and those indirectly involved in development innovation.
- Most U.S. citizens would experience no direct change, making these interviews represent a niche population.
Simulated Interviews
International Development Specialist (Washington D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The FIGDA Act represents a positive step for USAID by emphasizing innovation in our projects.
- This can lead to more effective and efficient solutions to development challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The emphasis on technology and innovation within USAID could mean more partnerships and collaboration opportunities for tech startups like ours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Academic Researcher (New York City, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A structure promoting innovation in development aid could offer new avenues for academic research and field studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Government Contractor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The FIGDA Act may create new contracting opportunities for professionals in development sectors, improving operational effectiveness and strategic projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired Diplomat (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the potential impact of the FIGDA Act on future development projects, although it won't directly affect me as I'm retired.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Non-profit Organization Worker (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strong backing for innovation by the USAID could positively impact funding for initiatives our non-profit is working on.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Economist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill provides significant potential for integrating innovative economic models in development strategies, which could lead to far reaching impacts economically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We could potentially collaborate with USAID for deploying tech-based solutions within their projects, which may significantly bolster our ventures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Digital Communications Specialist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in innovative development solutions could enhance how we communicate our efforts and results globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Financial Analyst (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The FIGDA Act has the potential to introduce more structured financial channels for international development, impacting how funds are allocated and utilized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 10: $18000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $21000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Key Considerations
- The extent to which innovation actually leads to cost savings will depend heavily on the specific projects and solutions chosen by USAID.
- Political and economic conditions in recipient countries can significantly alter the effectiveness and cost implementations of the programs.
- The recruitment and retention of high-quality Innovation Fellows and Chief Innovation Officer can directly influence the program's success.