UK Aid Match
UK Aid Match is a funding mechanism developed by the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to engage the British public in international development and increase the impact of civil society projects in developing countries. For every ?1 donated by UK citizens to selected charity appeals, the UK government contributes an additional ?1 of aid funding, up to ?2 million per project. Projects must operate in countries with low Human Development Index scores or those considered fragile by the UK government.
The initiative aims to give UK citizens a greater say in how aid is allocated while supporting high-impact poverty reduction projects. Since 2013, UK Aid Match has committed ?290 million to fund 111 charity projects in 38 countries, benefiting approximately 25 million people. Education has been a priority sector, with 14 education projects funded across 8 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia between 2013-2022.
The application process involves charities submitting concept notes and full proposals evaluated on both their communications/fundraising strategy and technical project design. Selected organizations receive ongoing support and must report regularly on project milestones to ensure transparency.
Pros
Increases public engagement with international development issues
Leverages additional private donations for development projects
Supports high-impact civil society initiatives in priority sectors like education
Enhances transparency and accountability through regular reporting requirements
Cons
Limited diversity of CSOs supported, with some organizations receiving multiple grants
Potential for top-down approach detached from local contexts and needs
Partners
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
UK-based charities and NGOs MannonDaniels (fund manager)