DFID funding
The Department for International Development (DFID) funds civil society organisations through the streams listed below. Please follow the links to the DFID website for the latest news and deadlines for applications.
Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF)
The CSCF is now closed to new applications. Existing projects will continue to be funded until 2015. Some of the types of work previously funded under the CSCF are now included in the Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF) criteria.
Bond letter to DFID on the closure of the Civil Society Challenge Fund, April 2011 (member log in required)
Common Ground Initiative (CGI)
The CGI supports African development through UK based small and Diaspora organisations. This initiative is managed by Comic Relief and co-funded by DFID.
Conflict and Humanitarian Funding
DFID's Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department (CHASE) supports projects in emergency situations and fragile states.
Development Awareness Fund
This fund is now closed. It was the main funding mechanism through which DFID funded development awareness activities in the UK.
Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF)
Formerly known as the Poverty Impact Fund, the GPAF is a new demand-led fund supporting projects focused on service delivery and poverty reduction and the most off-track Millennium Development Goals. There are two 'windows' - the Impact Window for larger organisations and the Innovation Window for smaller organisations. Following the closure of the CSCF, the GPAF criteria now include work on empowerment and accountability and conflict, security and justice.
Bond letter to DFID on the closure of the Civil Society Challenge Fund, April 2011 (member log in required)
DFID's response to issues raised in the consultation, October 2010
Bond's Submission to the DFID consultation on the GPAF, September 2010
Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF)
The GTF is increasing the voice of ordinary citizens around the world. The GTF was, and remains, a one-off fund. All funding decisions have been taken and there are currentl no plans to issue any further calls for proposals.
Bond's Review of the DFID Governance and Transparency Fund, January 2009
Partnership Programme Arrangements (PPAs)
PPAs provide core funding to civil society organisations with which DFID has a significant working relationship, a common ethos and vision and a strong match in priority areas. Existing PPAs run until March 2011 and new PPAs have been awarded to 41 organisations for 2011-14.
Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector Challenge Fund (RAGS)
RAGS supports projects aimed at improving the conditions of vulnerable workers in the ready-made garment production industries. The fund is aimed at workers in low-income countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa that supply the UK market.
In-Country Funding
DFID has decentralised country offices around the world which also distribute funding, some of which is available for international NGOs. A full list of countries in which DFID works can be found on their website and contact details for country offices can be found by clicking on a particular country profile.
It is generally not possible to find out about funding opportunities from DFID country offices here in the UK but is possible to see what kind of activities are being funded or planned by searching on AidData.
Further Reading
DFID's Structural Reform Plan sets out the implementation plan for the key reforms in the Coalition Agreement and includes information about DFID's approach to its international commitments, value for money, wealth creation, conflict and stabilisation, the role of women and climate change.
DFID Funding Schemes gives more information about the ways in which DFID works with a range of different organisations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
DFID's Operational Plans map out the results UK aid will achieve in every country DFID works in from 2011-2015.
