BFSS funding enables aid projects to continue

It has been heartening to receive so many emails and letters from grantees about the impact of the additional grants we were able to give to charities who were affected by the cuts in government funding for international aid.  

In total, BFSS has awarded £127,489 in additional funding for existing grant holders affected by Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) funding cuts.   

We awarded two grants totalling £52,550 to grant holders with BFSS funded projects directly affected by FCDO cuts: Irise (£25,000) and A Partner in Education (£27,550). And a further eight grants totalling £74,939 to grant holders with non-BFSS funded projects affected by the cuts: Kyaninga (£9,939); Redearth (£10,000); Disability and Development Partners (£5,000); Edukaid (£10,000); Advantage Africa (£10,000); Temwa (£10,000); Health Prom (£10,000); Teach 2 Teach (£10,000).

Many reported the grants had allowed them to continue their work or at least wind down in a sustainable way while they seek alternative funding. 

• Teresa Wells of EdUKaid said: “We have now secured enough funding to fully implement the Inclusion Project previously at risk due to FCDO cuts. I have no doubt that this has only been possible due to the BFSS grant which provided an absolute lifeline at the most challenging time. I look forward to updating you on the incredible impact this project will undoubtably have. Thank you for being the most amazing funder.” 

• Adam Berry of Disability & Development Partners said their one-off £5,000 grant “is going to be very useful indeed, particularly since our colleagues in Kathmandu have just been hit by Covid-19, and the downstream partners had thought they would have to close down all their project coordination activities immediately, rather than winding down in a way that promotes more sustainability, while seeking new funding.” 

• Michael Hands at Teach2Teach International said: “We are delighted with the one-off grant of £10,000. It will certainly help us towards our fundraising target towards training the additional cohort of Community Volunteer Trainers.” 

• Calum Smith of Irise International said: “We’re really grateful for the additional support BFSS is offering us to help plug the gap left by recent UK Aid cuts.” 

Thank you also to the many members, trustees and staff who contacted their MPs to protest at the FCDO cuts and share our report detailing the impact on small charities. Many of you have now shared with us the responses received from MPs, and although many Conservative MPs who voted for the cut stressed that it was temporary, there has been no firm pledge from the Government to restore international aid to 0.7% GNI soon. 

We will continue to support grantees to re-establish education after the disruption caused by the pandemic.