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Philippines
UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF)
UK - UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF)
The UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF) replaced the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), with a wider remit, funding projects both in the UK and internationally to tackle some of the most complex national security challenges facing the UK and its partners. The UKISF combined the CSSF with the National Cyber Programme and the Economic Deterrence Initiative (EDI). The latter tackling sanctions evasion across the UK’s trade, transport, and financial sanctions. Like the CSSF, the UKISF budget includes Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funds and non-ODA funds.
Comprehensive Monitoring System for Tackling the Resurgence and Persistence of Malaria and Priority Diseases for Elimination in the Philippines
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The Philippines has set a visionary goal of attaining zero or significantly reduced infections with malaria, several vaccine-preventable (VPDs), and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through an effective healthcare system by 2030. Yet, the country faces challenges in realising this goal. Malaria elimination initiatives are threatened by sub-patent infections that are missed by conventional diagnostics and sustain transmission, antimalarial drug resistance prevalent in Southeast Asia, increasing worldwide vector resistance to insecticides, and diagnostic failure. After years of consistent progress in defeating malaria, with only the province of Palawan reporting cases, the Philippines is currently experiencing a resurgence of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Consequently, many VPDs and NTDs persist, and in some cases result in outbreaks or re-emergence, despite effective measures. Although the Philippines has relatively low burdens of these diseases, achieving the ambitious goal of elimination necessitates building and, equally importantly, maintaining robust monitoring and surveillance systems for co-endemic diseases. Additionally, training a cadre of scientists who embrace innovations in laboratory, epidemiological, and data sciences is essential to support the country's determination to create a future free from the burden of many of these diseases. Our project, CoSTaR, rises to the challenge of disease elimination by developing sustainable and scalable solutions for malaria and priority infectious diseases in the Philippines. We will employ and refine effective molecular and serological platforms to measure residual malaria transmission in the population (WP1/2). Our serological platform for malaria is flexible and adaptable, permitting the simultaneous assessment of exposure to VPDs and NTDs that may persist in a population. We will develop this platform to address the country’s need for a first-of-its-kind integrated multi-disease monitoring system (WP5). Representing a paradigm shift in elimination efforts, this platform offers an evidence-based solution to understand population immunity against these diseases, define disease-specific transmission dynamics, and identify demographic and spatial risk factors associated with pathogen exposure, thereby complementing the government’s elimination initiatives. Solutions are also warranted to determine the biological factors that may affect residual malaria transmission. Thus, we will define the genetic structure and antimalarial drug resistance profiles in persisting parasites (WP3). Additionally, we will analyse the human host response enabling parasite persistence (WP4). In a supplementary study, we will provide baseline data on markers of vector resistance to insecticides currently being used in the country (SS). Our innovative solutions leverage the equitable and enduring partnership between the Department of Health’s (DOH) Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) and London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (LSHTM) – lead teams in this project. Capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange, complemented by community engagement and stakeholder outreach, constitute the cornerstone of our project strategy (Cores). Along with Palawan State University (PSU), we will empower researchers and communities to be actively involvement in disease awareness initiatives. We will further enhance capacity in laboratory investigations and applied epidemiological analysis, nurture leadership and collaborative efforts among our researchers, and optimise the impact of our initiatives through close engagement with the local Municipal Health Office (MHO), and a wide range of local, regional, and national stakeholders. Ultimately, our efforts aim to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of disease monitoring in the Philippines, improve health outcomes, and leave a legacy of innovative and impactful research, along with well-trained researchers who will advance global health practices.
Project RICE (Renewable, Inclusive, Carbon-positive Energy)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
PROBLEM Modern agriculture is so critically dependent on fossil fuel inputs that they often outweigh energy outputs from the food produced. Hence modern farming has been described as "the use of land to convert oil into food". Undoubtedly, diesel-powered mechanisation has greatly reduced backbreaking drudgery for countless millions of farmers, and conversion of natural-gas into ammonia/nitrogen fertilisers is currently feeding a third of humanity. Nevertheless, the downsides are painfully obvious: Input Costs: Centralised production/distribution of fossil fuels mean farmers in remote areas across Africa and Asia often pay more than double for diesel-fuel/N-fertilisers. Those who cannot afford them are stuck in cycles of hard labour/low-yields/poverty. Those who can afford them lose around 60% at point-of-use(waste-heat from engines, or leaching/volatilisation from N-fertilisers). Food Prices: Food uses around a third of all energy globally, so when fossil-fuel prices rise, food prices follow, creating political instability and hardship for the world's most vulnerable(urban-poor and farmers in developing countries). Greenhouse Gas(GHG) Emissions: Agricultural emissions continue to rise, accelerating climate change, disproportionately impacting farmers in developing countries. VISION Development of efficient agricultural technologies powered by renewable energy to lower emissions whilst increasing farmer productivity and profitability in developing countries. Our focus is on the world's number 1 food crop: rice. Known as a "Poverty Crop"(low-margins for smallholder-farmers). Responsible for 48% of all crop GHG emissions. 91% of rice is produced/consumed in Asia. Straw Innovations("SI") (British SME operating in the Philippines) has pioneered a suite of technologies for collecting rice straw at harvest-time, avoiding field-burning/rotting that accounts for almost half of rice emissions. In this project, they will convert their "straw-catcher" machine to run on solar-PV electricity/batteries instead of diesel. Takachar(multi-award-winning Indian SME) has developed a cost-effective mobile biochar production unit that can transform rice straw from a major pollutant into a vast carbon sink. They will make a 10x scaled-up version and send it to SI, who will tap the waste process heat for the first time to dry rice, instead of diesel/kerosene. The char will then be returned to the farmers' fields as a more efficient fertiliser/soil-amendment, incorporated by the same SI electric "rice/straw-collectors" that harvested it. SI will also send their machines from the Philippines to India mid-project and the two countries will test out different business models for farmer adoption/benefit. Aston University(home of SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub) leading sustainability specialists will invite stakeholder feedback and also calculate GHG savings from the new system.
Rice Straw Biogas Hub
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Rice is the number 1 food crop globally: 91% of it is produced and consumed in Asia and it is the staple for more than half the world's population. However, for every kilogram of rice we eat, a kilo of straw is also produced. Not to be confused with husks, which cover the grains and are taken to a mill, the stems and leaves of the rice plant are left in the fields after harvest. Rice straw is difficult to remove from paddy fields, which are often flooded and in remote areas. It is high in silica, making it a poor fuel or animal feed. It is also not suitable to incorporate into flooded rice fields due to slow degradation and high greenhouse gas emissions, so burning is farmers' main option for clearing fields. Across Asia, a staggering 300 million tonnes of rice straw go up in smoke every year, releasing a lethal cocktail of gases and black carbon that triple risks of increased respiratory diseases and accelerate climate change. Rice is responsible for 48% of global crop emissions: more CO2e than the whole global aviation industry combined. A recent IFPRI study calculated the health costs of crop residue burning to be $30 billion annually in North India alone, rising to $190 billion in five years. To address this crisis a British SME, Straw Innovations Ltd, was started in 2016 as a spin-out from pioneering international research on the subject. The company's founder, Craig Jamieson, assembled consortia and secured Energy Catalyst co-funding to establish an industrial pilot plant in the Philippines, collecting rice straw and fermenting it to produce clean-burning methane gas. The whole system had to be specially designed since no existing technologies were suitable for the purpose. The plant is now operational, with many techno-economic breakthroughs. Local farmers strongly support it and are waiting for scale-up so they can benefit from its efficient, clean energy services. Rice is known as a "Poverty Crop" because farmers often struggle to afford energy-intensive equipment that could improve their yields add value to their crop. Therefore, this project will demonstrate a complete system of 500ha harvesting, straw removal, biogas-powered rice drying and storage plus efficient milling. The "Rice Straw Biogas Hub" will offer these as affordable, value-adding commercial services to the rice farmers, avoiding their need to buy and maintain expensive equipment, and enabling them to triple incomes whilst protecting the environment.
Point-of-Care Innovative Sequencing Technologies and AI-Based Methods for Effective Diagnosis and Management of Antimicrobial Resistance in Leprosy
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in infectious diseases is increasingly recognized as a severe threat to global public health. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications, rendering standard treatments ineffective and leading to persistent infections. This resistance is fuelled by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, poor infection control practices, inadequate sanitary conditions, and the global movement of people and goods. Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease characterized by granulomatous lesions affecting the skin and peripheral nerves, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). In 2022, approximately175,000 new cases were reported globally, predominantly in tropical regions. Standard treatment involves a multidrug regimen consisting of Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine, administered over a duration of six months to one year. Since the 1960s, resistance to individual drugs has been observed, and recent findings indicate the emergence of multidrug-resistant M. leprae strains. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, M. leprae cannot be cultured in axenic media, necessitating the use of molecular diagnostics for detecting AMR. These diagnostics typically involve extracting M. leprae DNA, amplifying drug target genes via polymerase chain reaction (PCR),sequencing the amplicons to identify mutations, and performing bioinformatics analysis to determine the impact of the mutations on drug interactions and activity. While effective, this procedure requires advanced molecular/genomics laboratories, which are often unavailable in resource-limited settings, such as those in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the complexity and duration of in-vivo testing, which spans 6-8 months, make it impractical for routine diagnostic applications.Therefore, rapid, and accessible molecular diagnostic tools are crucial for effective disease management in endemic regions. The Philippines reports nearly 2,000 new leprosy cases annually. The absence of a decentralized diagnostic system for AMR in leprosy necessitates the development of innovative tools to ensure timely diagnosis and management. Understanding the mechanisms underlying AMR in leprosy is crucial for clinicians to identify alternative treatment regimens for drug-resistant cases. Leveraging our expertise in point-of-care compatible DNA amplification and sequencing technologies (Biomeme qPCR and Oxford Nanopore MinION based amplicon sequencing), along with our expertise in developing and maintaining sophisticated bioinformatics workflows and tools (such as HARP and HANSEN web databases), we propose the following objectives: WP1: Comparative evaluation of Biomeme qPCR and MinION-based DNAsequencing with conventional qPCR and DNA sequencing for detecting mutations in drug target-coding genes (rpoB, folP, gyrA, rpoC, fadD9, ribD, and nth) conferring AMR in leprosy. WP2: Development of a bioinformatics pipeline/workflow for the analysis of DNA sequencing data, determining mutations, and predicting the impacts of mutations on drug target protein structure, drug binding, and interatomic interactions. WP3: Decentralizing diagnosis of AMR in leprosy using point-of-care Biomeme qPCR and MinION-based DNA sequencing technologies at regional hospitals in the Philippines. WP4: Knowledge transfer, training, and capacity building of laboratory staff at the Department of Dermatology, Philippine General Hospital, and the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Manila. By advancing these innovative diagnostic tools and empowering local health systems, we aim to improve the management of leprosy and mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance in endemic regions.
ORRAA Programme
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) is a multi-sector alliance that aims to drive investment into coastal natural capital through the development of innovative finance solutions. These products will reduce vulnerability and build resilience in the most exposed and vulnerable coastal regions and communities. The UK has committed £13.9 million into ORRAA, delivered in two phases. A successful Phase 1 in 2021-22 provided £1.9m in grant funding, followed by Phase 2 from 2022-2026 with £12m committed in grant funding. The UK’s investment will address 2 challenges faced by coastal communities and the ocean environment: 1) Tackling the impacts of anthropogenic climate change and biodiversity loss. 2) Overcoming barriers that prevent finance flowing into nature-based solutions. The grant awarded to ORRAA will support their aims to drive at least $500 million of investment into coastal and ocean natural capital, and produce at least 50 new, innovative finance products, by 2030. This would positively impact the resilience of 250 million climate vulnerable people in coastal areas worldwide.
Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a widespread and lucrative criminal activity causing major global environmental and social harm. The IWT has been estimated to be worth up to £17 billion a year. Nearly 6,000 different species of fauna and flora are impacted, with almost every country in the world playing a role in the illicit trade. The UK government is committed to tackling illegal trade of wildlife products and is a long-standing leader in efforts to eradicate the IWT. Defra manages the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, which is a competitive grants scheme with the objective of tackling IWT and, in doing so, contributing to sustainable development in developing countries. Projects funded under the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund address one, or more, of the following themes: • Developing sustainable livelihoods to benefit people directly affected by IWT, • Strengthening law enforcement, • Ensuring effective legal frameworks, • Reducing demand for IWT products. By 2023 over £51 million has been committed to 157 projects since the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund was established in 2013. This page contains information about Rounds 7 onwards. For information about Rounds 1 to 6, please see the IWTCF website -https://iwt.challengefund.org.uk/
Darwin Initiative
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The Darwin Initiative is the UK’s flagship international challenge fund for biodiversity conversation and poverty reduction, established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Darwin Initiative is a grant scheme working on projects that aim to slow, halt, or reverse the rates of biodiversity loss and degradation, with associated reductions in multidimensional poverty. To date, the Darwin Initiative has awarded more than £195m to over 1,280 projects in 159 countries to enhance the capability and capacity of national and local stakeholders to deliver biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction outcomes in low and middle-income countries. More information at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/the-darwin-initiative. This page contains information about Rounds 27 onwards. For information about Rounds 1 to 26, please see the Darwin Initiative website -https://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/
Land Degradation Neutrality Fund
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The LDN Fund invests in projects which reduce or reverse land degradation and thereby contribute to ‘Land Degradation Neutrality’. The LDN Fund is co-promoted by the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Mirova. It is a public-private partnership using public money to increase private sector investment in sustainable development. The fund invests in sustainable agriculture, forestry and other land uses globally. The Fund was launched at the UNCCD’s COP 13 in China in 2017.
Renewable Energy Asia Fund
British International Investment plc
This is a renewable energy fund focused on pre-construction stage assets in Asia (India and Philippines).
Renewable Energy Asia Fund
British International Investment plc
This is a renewable energy fund focused on pre-construction stage assets in Asia (India and Philippines).
SUSI Asia Energy Transition Fund
British International Investment plc
The Fund targets investments acrossthe energy transition sectors, includingrenewable energy, energy efficiency, andenergy storage, and focuses on emergingeconomies in Southeast Asia, includingIndonesia, Vietnam and Philippines.
The Evidence Fund - 300708
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Evidence Fund procures and manages research and evaluations that primarily benefit ODA eligible countries. Most research and evaluations paid for by the Evidence Fund are country-specific, and all respond to requests for evidence to inform programme or policy decisions. Primarily serving research requests from HMG’s Embassies and High Commissions in ODA eligible countries, and from HMG policy and strategy teams, the Evidence Fund strengthens the evidence behind the UK’s priority international development investments and development diplomacy. The Evidence Fund also invests modest amounts of non-ODA, to strengthen the evidence behind wider UK foreign policy.
MOBILIST - Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
FCDO seeks to support the development of new products that have the ambition to list on major and local exchanges, and by doing so, engage new sources of investment and new investors, to help bridge the SDG financing gap, estimated by the UN to total $2.5 trillion p.a. ODA flows alone will not meet the needs of developing countries, and new sources of private investment will be essential if the SDGs are to be met by 2030. The programme will work with UK-based financial service providers and providers across FCDO priority countries and more widely, working to help mobilise more capital to reach the hardest places, and where the needs are greatest.
Philippines - Institutional Links
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Philippines - Institutional Links is funded through the UK Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Newton Fund and delivered on the UK side by the British Council. This activity contributes to the Newton Fund’s work in building research and innovation partnerships with countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support economic development and social welfare, tackle global challenges and develop talent and careers.
Philippines - Researcher Links Workshop Grants
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Philippines - Researcher Links Workshop Grants is funded through the UK Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Newton Fund and delivered on the UK side by the British Council. This activity contributes to the Newton Fund’s work in building research and innovation partnerships with countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support economic development and social welfare, tackle global challenges and develop talent and careers.
Philippines - PhD Placements
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Philippines - PhD Placements is funded through the UK Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Newton Fund and delivered on the UK side by the British Council. This activity contributes to the Newton Fund’s work in building research and innovation partnerships with countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support economic development and social welfare, tackle global challenges and develop talent and careers.
SFC - GCRF QR funding
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Formula GCRF funding to the Scottish Funding Council to support Scottish higher education institutes (HEIs) to carry out ODA-eligible activities in line with their three-year institutional strategies. ODA research grants do not represent the full economic cost of research and therefore additional funding is provided to Scottish HEIs in proportion to their Research Excellence Grant (REG). In FY19/20 funding was allocated to 18 Scottish higher education institutes to support existing ODA grant funding and small projects. GCRF has now supported more than 800 projects at Scottish institutions, involving over 80 developing country partners.
UUKi Delivery Support
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
These are delivery cost for shared learning workshops/training and best practice (for current and future applicants) on ODA assurance, eligibility, reporting and partnership working through either the NF and GCRF
Ad-hoc GCRF activity on BEIS Finance system
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Increased contributions towards a range of research projects jointly funded with DFID, and funding for the Devolved Administrations for disbursement to universities within the devolved regions to fund the full economic cost of GCRF ODA research.