Priti Patel, secretary of state for international development, has announced a new fund for small UK-based charities, expected to be worth £4m.
Patel was speaking at the ‘What the world needs from Global Britain’ parliamentary reception on Wednesday when she outlined the new fund specifically for small, UK-registered charities with an annual income of less than £250,000. These charities will now be able to bid for grants up to £50,000, with Civil Society News understanding it to be £4m available over two years.
The Small Charities Challenge Fund will go live early next week.
Patel said: “This is the first time that we have ever done anything like this – setting up a fund dedicated purely to small, UK based charities across the country. Not only am I looking forward to welcoming their bids but I am looking forward to partnering with them, to support them in the development objectives that they want to see make happen.
“I know that many parliamentarians are very engaged with fantastic small charities, and I take the view that this is their chance to give a stronger voice to their charities in their constituencies but also to give those charities a stronger voice when it comes to delivering international development and bringing that badge of hope – that UK aid badge of hope – to their communities and their constituencies across the UK.”
Giving smaller charities the chance to work with DFID
She outlined how the UK’s aid budget is used to “lift people out of poverty”, but also went on to talk about British development.
She said: “Britain boasts what is surely the most vibrant and diverse civil society in the world, with charities who are respected around the word - for both their courage and commitment, for standing up, really, in some of the most difficult and fragile countries in the world.”
But, she continue “it’s not just about the big organisations”. She said that the small organisations that are represented in the grassroots in our countries do “amazing and very humbling work”. She said “they are highly trusted and highly valued by their local communities, in particular those who draw on an army of dedicated volunteers, thousands of people up and down the country who are passionate about doing good in the world.
“These, often, are organisations that make direct connections with those who we are trying to help. But I know that, for the most part, smaller charities have not had the opportunity to work with DFID, have not had the opportunity to have access to UK aid, and they have not had the opportunity to share in that funding stream that others have benefited from.”
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