The International Development Funding Landscape

Despite recent reductions in overseas development assistance, the UK remains a major player in global development funding. For UK organizations working internationally, there's never been more diverse funding available – if you know where to look and how to access it.

2025 Funding Landscape

>£4.2B

Available to UK organizations

127

Active funding programmes

23%

Average success rate for UK orgs

Post-Brexit Impact Assessment

While Brexit has changed access to some EU programmes, new opportunities have emerged through:

New Opportunities:

• Enhanced FCDO bilateral programmes
• Increased Commonwealth funding
• New partnerships with multilateral bodies
• Stronger links with US foundations

Adaptations Required:

• Partnership-based EU programme access
• Different application processes
• New partnership models
• Enhanced due diligence requirements

UK Government Development Funding

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Core Programmes:

• UK Aid Direct: £15M annually for smaller NGOs
• Partnerships Programme: £850M for strategic partners
• Conflict & Humanitarian Fund: £200M emergency response
• Climate & Environment Fund: £180M green development

Application Routes:

• Strategic partnerships (£5M+ annually)
• Programme partnerships (£500K-£5M)
• Small grants (£50K-£500K)
• Innovation challenges (£25K-£250K)

UK Aid Match

The flagship programme for UK NGOs, matching public donations pound-for-pound for international development projects.

Programme Details:

• Annual funding pot: £30 million
• Match ratio: 1:1 (£1 government : £1 donated)
• Project range: £300K - £2M total
• Duration: Up to 3 years

Eligibility Requirements:

• Registered UK charity
• Annual income £1M+
• Public fundraising capability
• Proven international development track record

FCDO Specialist Funds

Girls' Education Challenge

• Focus: Education for marginalized girls
• Budget: £35M annually
• Grant range: £2M - £15M
• Next round: September 2025

Health Systems Strengthening

• Focus: Healthcare infrastructure
• Budget: £28M annually
• Grant range: £1M - £8M
• Next round: November 2025

Economic Development Fund

• Focus: Private sector development
• Budget: £42M annually
• Grant range: £500K - £10M
• Next round: Quarterly

Conflict Prevention Fund

• Focus: Peacebuilding and prevention
• Budget: £25M annually
• Grant range: £250K - £5M
• Next round: Rolling applications

European Union Development Programmes

UK organizations can still access EU development funding through partnerships, associate member status, or third-country participation rules.

EU Global Challenges Programme

Programme Overview:

• Total budget: €8 billion (2021-2027)
• UK access: Through partnerships
• Focus: Climate, health, governance
• Grant range: €1M - €20M

Access Routes for UK Organizations:

• Partner in EU-led consortiums
• Subcontractor to EU organizations
• Associated partner with EU lead
• Third country participant (specific calls)

Horizon Europe - Global Challenges

Research and innovation programme with significant development applications.

Health Cluster

• Global health research
• Health system innovation
• Pandemic preparedness
• €8.2B total budget

Climate & Environment

• Climate adaptation research
• Sustainable development
• Environmental solutions
• €15B total budget

Digital & Society

• Digital inclusion
• Technology for development
• Social innovation
• €7.5B total budget

Multilateral and UN System Funding

UN System Opportunities

UNDP Partnership Facility

• Civil society partnerships
• Grant range: $100K - $2M
• Focus: SDG implementation
• Annual application rounds

UNICEF Partnership Programme

• Child-focused initiatives
• Grant range: $50K - $5M
• Multi-year agreements available
• Quarterly opportunity rounds

WHO Collaborative Centres

• Health system strengthening
• Grant range: $25K - $1M
• Technical cooperation focus
• Rolling designation process

UN Women Fund

• Gender equality projects
• Grant range: $75K - $3M
• Women's empowerment focus
• Bi-annual application cycles

World Bank Group Partnerships

The World Bank increasingly partners with NGOs and civil society organizations for programme implementation and policy dialogue.

Development Marketplace

• Innovation competitions
• Award range: $50K - $500K
• Thematic focus areas
• Annual competitive rounds

Civil Society Programme

• Policy engagement grants
• Capacity building support
• Country-specific programmes
• Multi-year partnership agreements

Major Foundation and Private Funding

US Foundation Powerhouses

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Annual giving: $6 billion globally
• UK organization eligibility: High
• Focus: Global health, development, education
• Average grant: $2.5 million
• Application: Invitation or LOI process

Ford Foundation

• Annual giving: $600 million globally
• UK organization eligibility: Moderate
• Focus: Social justice, inequality
• Average grant: $350,000
• Application: Open competitive process

Rockefeller Foundation

• Annual giving: $200 million globally
• UK organization eligibility: High
• Focus: Resilience, equity, innovation
• Average grant: $450,000
• Application: Strategic initiative alignment

Open Society Foundations

• Annual giving: $1.2 billion globally
• UK organization eligibility: High
• Focus: Democracy, human rights, justice
• Average grant: $275,000
• Application: Regional office coordination

European Foundation Network

Wellcome Trust Global Health

• Focus: Global health research
• Grant range: £50K - £5M
• Strong UK organization preference
• Rolling application windows

Aga Khan Development Network

• Focus: Education, health, rural development
• Partnership-based funding model
• Multi-year commitments available
• Geographic focus: South Asia, Africa

Comic Relief International

• Focus: Poverty alleviation
• Grant range: £25K - £2M
• Strong community focus
• Annual application cycles

Corporate Development Partnerships

Technology Sector Partnerships

Google.org

• Focus: Technology for social good
• Grant range: $50K - $2M
• Additional: Pro bono technology support
• Application: Challenge-based rounds

Microsoft AI for Good

• Focus: AI applications for development
• Grant range: $100K - $1M
• Additional: Technical mentorship
• Application: Quarterly application windows

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Impact

• Focus: Cloud solutions for nonprofits
• Credits: Up to $100K annually
• Additional: Training and support
• Application: Rolling basis

Salesforce Foundation

• Focus: Education and workforce development
• Grant range: $25K - $500K
• Additional: Product donations
• Application: Thematic competitions

Financial Services Development Finance

JPMorgan Chase Foundation

• Focus: Economic opportunity
• International programme: $75M annually
• UK organization access: Partnership-based
• Focus regions: Global South

Mastercard Foundation

• Focus: Financial inclusion, youth employment
• Grant range: $500K - $10M
• Geographic focus: Africa
• Long-term partnership approach

Application Success Strategies

What International Funders Want

Programme Design Essentials:

• Theory of change: Clear pathway from activities to impact
• Context analysis: Deep understanding of local conditions
• Partnership approach: Genuine collaboration with local organizations
• Sustainability planning: Beyond funding exit strategy
• Risk assessment: Comprehensive risk analysis and mitigation

Evidence and Impact Requirements:

• Baseline data: Robust evidence of current situation
• Monitoring framework: Regular progress measurement systems
• Evaluation plan: Independent assessment methodology
• Learning approach: Adaptive management and iteration
• Knowledge sharing: Dissemination and replication plans

Partnership Development Strategy

Strong partnerships are essential for international development funding success. Funders increasingly require genuine collaboration with local organizations.

Types of Partners to Develop:

• Local implementing organizations
• Government agencies and ministries
• Academic and research institutions
• Private sector partners
• Community-based organizations
• Other international NGOs

Partnership Best Practices:

• Equal decision-making processes
• Capacity building commitments
• Transparent financial arrangements
• Regular communication protocols
• Joint monitoring and evaluation
• Mutual accountability frameworks

Common Application Pitfalls

Technical Failures:

• Weak context analysis and needs assessment
• Unrealistic timelines and budgets
• Poor risk assessment and mitigation
• Inadequate monitoring and evaluation framework
• Lack of sustainability planning

Strategic Mistakes:

• Misalignment with funder priorities
• Tokenistic partner involvement
• Overly ambitious scope and scale
• Insufficient evidence base
• Poor value for money demonstration

2025 Application Timeline

Funder/Programme	Next Deadline	Award Range	Decision Timeline
UK Aid Match	June 15, 2025	>£300K - £2M	9 months
FCDO Partnership Programme	April 30, 2025	>£500K - £5M	12 months
Gates Foundation	Rolling LOI	$500K - $10M	6-18 months
EU Global Challenges	May 20, 2025	€1M - €20M	8-12 months
Wellcome Global Health	Quarterly	>£50K - £5M	6 months

Success Tip: Build Relationships First

International development funders value long-term relationships. Attend conferences, engage in policy consultations, and participate in funder-organized events before applying. This relationship-building significantly improves your chances of funding success.

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