The impact of Brexit on EU funding for CSOs

With the uncertainty of a “soft” or “hard” Brexit looming, Bond commissioned this study to focus on the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on UK International Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs) access to EU funding.

The UK is the second largest recipient of EU aid to CSOs (both grant and service (commercial) contracts combined) and the largest recipient of EU grant aid to CSOs. Between 2012-2016, EU development and humanitarian aid to UK CSOs amounted to an average of approximately €300m in fresh commitments each year. In 2016, the value of new commitments to UK CSOs was €356.9m.

This study has examined specific vulnerabilities arising from the impact of Brexit on development and humanitarian instruments, with a particular focus on geographies, sectors and CSO size. Depending on possible Brexit scenarios, UK CSOs are likely to face an annual funding shortfall, which could be as high as the full amount they’re currently receiving.

Click below to download the full report or here to download the annexes

• Annex 1 – List of survey respondents
• Annex 2 – List of key informants
• Annex 3 – Other research and studies undertaken
• Annex 4 – Eligibility of UK NGOs for EU funding