USAID’s GeoCenter: Embedding Geography into Global Development

The mission of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is ambitious: to reduce extreme poverty and support resilient, democratic societies worldwide. Operating in roughly one hundred countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the agency addresses complex challenges through initiatives such as Feed the Future, PEPFAR, and the President’s Global Climate Change Initiative. Each program consists of hundreds of projects focused on fundamental human needs — food, water, shelter, health, and economic opportunity — all unfolding within distinct geographic contexts.

At the center of USAID’s effort to embed spatial thinking into this work is its GeoCenter, directed by Carrie Stokes. From the outset of her career at USAID, Stokes recognized that geography is not an accessory to development — it is foundational. Every development intervention occurs somewhere, shaped by terrain, infrastructure, demographics, political boundaries, and environmental constraints. Yet many program specialists lacked formal training in spatial analysis or geographic data management. The GeoCenter was established in 2011 to close that gap.

Applying Geographic Analysis to Development Strategy

The GeoCenter applies geographic analysis to enhance strategic planning, program design, monitoring, and evaluation across USAID’s portfolio. Rather than functioning as a centralized map-production unit, the GeoCenter focuses on capacity building. Its objective is to improve geographic literacy among agency staff so that spatial data and analysis become integrated into everyday decision-making processes.

Since its launch, the GeoCenter has trained more than 600 USAID professionals. Training extends beyond map creation to include data analytics, statistics, visualization, and geographic information science. Positioned within the U.S. Global Development Lab, the GeoCenter aligns geospatial capabilities with innovation and evidence-based programming.

Importantly, the GeoCenter has embedded its services into USAID’s programming cycle. It has contributed to policy guidance on geographic data collection, supported five-year strategic planning at field missions, assisted in program design, and provided monitoring tools during project implementation. By integrating spatial intelligence at multiple stages, the GeoCenter strengthens how development decisions are made.

Building a Global GIS Network

Given USAID’s geographic diversity, no single template fits all missions. A significant component of the GeoCenter’s work is cultivating a global community of GIS specialists within the agency. This includes conducting geospatial needs assessments at field missions, assisting in hiring local GIS professionals in host countries, and providing mentorship to help them navigate USAID’s complex operational environment.

Today, this community of practice includes nearly 50 GIS specialists, evenly split between headquarters in Washington, D.C., and field missions worldwide. This distributed network ensures that geographic expertise is embedded where development activities actually occur.

Partnerships Beyond the Agency

The GeoCenter also engages with other federal agencies, international organizations, non-governmental groups, and universities. One notable initiative is its support for the Mapping for Resilience University Consortium, or mappersU, organized by Texas Tech University, West Virginia University, and George Washington University.

From this consortium emerged YouthMappers, a global network of student-led mapping chapters. YouthMappers focuses on creating open geographic data — primarily through OpenStreetMap — to address development challenges. The network provides guidance, training materials, and leadership opportunities, helping sustain volunteer mapping beyond short-term events.

Unlike crisis-driven map-a-thons, YouthMappers emphasizes longer-term engagement. Students contribute data relevant to anticipated or ongoing USAID planning needs, linking academic mapping efforts directly to real-world development contexts. While participants are free to map for other causes, they also understand that their work supports strategic development initiatives. The program builds not only datasets but also future geospatial leaders.

Institutional Impact and Recognition

The GeoCenter’s visibility outside USAID remains modest. Its success is measured less by public recognition than by improved outcomes in development projects. Director Stokes views the GeoCenter’s sustained growth and institutional acceptance as a key achievement — especially within the bureaucratic constraints typical of federal agencies.

For her leadership in embedding geographic analysis into public service, Stokes was selected to receive the Gilbert White Public Service Award from the American Association of Geographers. The recognition highlights how geospatial innovation can enhance government effectiveness when integrated strategically rather than appended superficially.

A Model for the Geospatial Revolution

USAID’s GeoCenter exemplifies how agencies can cultivate internal geospatial capacity while simultaneously leveraging global networks. By investing in professional development, supporting field-based GIS specialists, and partnering with academic communities, the GeoCenter demonstrates that geography is central to development planning.

In an era where data-driven decision-making defines effective governance, embedding spatial intelligence into international development is both pragmatic and transformative. Programs like YouthMappers illustrate how harnessing collective mapping efforts can advance resilience, equity, and sustainability worldwide.