USAID defines Collective Action as a strategic, intentional, and agreed-upon process that engages stakeholders to take joint actions in pursuit of shared objectives or addressing a common issue. This approach prioritizes stakeholder engagement, fostering cohesion, and empowering participants to lead efforts in implementing their own agendas, ultimately achieving lasting change.

By identifying and involving relevant stakeholders, Collective Action offers a coordinated and deliberate effort to tackle complex development challenges such as poverty, access to education, climate change, child mortality, water scarcity, and corruption. These issues often transcend the capabilities of individual organizations, with fragmented or competing efforts reducing overall effectiveness.