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RELIEF 2: Refugees, Education, Learning, Information Technology, and Entrepreneurship for the Future
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Since 2017, the RELIEF Centre has worked with citizens, NGOs, and other stakeholders to deliver a programme of research and action towards social inclusion, sustainability and better quality of life for communities in Lebanon. During this time, however, Lebanon experienced a number of radical changes and tragedies: destabilisation of government following the 2019 political protests; the horrendous blast in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020; an economic collapse and currency devaluation; widespread failure of public services and infrastructure; and a series of Covid-related lockdowns that have exerted further pressure on the economy. In this context of compounded crises, RELIEF's work proceeds from the view that future recovery in Lebanon must follow principles of inclusive growth and prosperity, whereby the starting point and primary focus is not aggregate GDP-growth but the things that people need for better quality of life -secure livelihoods, clean and affordable services, good education, and safe, healthy and inclusive environments. In the Lebanese context of economic and political turmoil, however, 'bottom-up' initiatives are essential for developing solutions. RELIEF's work thus focuses on the sustained development of capabilities that can help citizens and communities acquire skills and organise into communities of practice that address emergent challenges. Over the next 5 years, the second phase of the RELIEF Centre (RELIEF II) will focus on strengthening existing capabilities for citizen-led research, action, and transformation. COVID-19
Super-efficient Sustainable Cooling Solution for All Applications (S2Cool)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Context In June 2023, Pakistan experienced extreme temperatures exceeding 52.2°C, a level at which human cells begin to cook, blood thickens, muscles constrict around the lungs, and the brain is deprived of oxygen. This severe heatwave resulted in the death of 120,000 people, the loss of 26 billion potential labour hours (equivalent to $16 billion in lost income), and up to 9% of the country's GDP. The extreme heat, coupled with frequent power outages, worsened the vulnerabilities of socially deprived communities and women, leading to increased hospitalizations and miscarriages, as reported by the UNDP and the National Commission for the Status of Women (NCSW). Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director in South Asia, called for urgent global action as these heatwaves severely impacted human rights in Pakistan. Co-creation & Co-designing In response to the crisis, the Pakistan Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Society organized the 28th International Exhibition and Conference in June 2023. A working group led by Dr. Shahzad, consisting of researchers, stakeholders, and end users, was established to identify the issue and develop potential solutions. The group held its third meeting in December 2023 at the ASHRAE UK Chapter conference at Loughborough, where UK researchers and solution providers were invited to join this international effort. Currently, the working group includes over 50 representatives from Pakistani and UK institutions and industries. Aims and Objectives The S2Cool project represents a pioneering collaboration between the UK and partners in Pakistan. The primary aim is to develop a novel, low-cost, and energy-efficient cooling solution and capacity building platform. The primary objectives of the S2Cool project are: Design and Development: Develop and test the 20kW Novel Indirect Evaporative Cooler (NIEC) and its integration with Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) systems. AI Framework Development: Develop and implement an AI framework for process optimization and system integration. GESI and EDI Evaluations: Conduct GESI and EDI assessments to ensure equitable benefits for all community members. Performance and Impact Assessment: Assess performance through life cycle costing, and evaluate social, economic, and sustainability impacts. Technology Scale-up and Commercialization: Establish a framework for technology scaling and commercialization. Capacity Building Platform and Knowledge Dissemination: Develop online platform, conduct training and community engagement sessions, and share knowledge and findings. Potential Applications and Benefits The proposed system is versatile, applicable in residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicular settings, including buses. Its benefits include improved comfort, health, productivity, energy efficiency, and equipment preservation. This project will primarily advance UNSDGs 7 and 13, while also supporting goals 3, 5, 9, and 11 by reducing energy use in air conditioning and lowering emissions to combat climate change and address energy inequity in Pakistan. Ayrton Challenge and Theme The S2Cool project addresses the Ayrton Challenge area of "super-efficient demand." The project aims to develop a cooling solution that is highly energy-efficient, making it suitable for a country with limited energy resources and high electricity costs. ODA Compliance The S2Cool project is compliant with Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines, targeting a critical development issue in Pakistan, a low-income country. The project aims to improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and contribute to economic development by providing an affordable and energy-efficient cooling solution. By addressing the impacts of extreme heatwaves and supporting sustainable development goals, the project aligns with ODA objectives of poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.
Promoting Civic Space
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Internal drawdown fund to strengthen civic space via Posts and FCDO teams, through support in areas where civic space is closing or under threat.
Indo-Pacific Regional Governance Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Indo-Pacific Governance Programme will support the foundations on which FCDO can deliver the UK objectives in the Indo-Pacific by establishing partnerships for ‘progressive governance’ that enable broader UK priorities in the region. Support will be based on a combination of a) strategic programming b) deep context analysis and learning, and c) increased capacity to deliver advice and support to governance actors in the region. The programme will build on a base of successful projects and will test a long-term approach for strategic engagement on governance in the region.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy Grant in Aid
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
WFD is an Arm's Length Body of the FCDO. For more than 30 years WFD have actively helped democracies to grow stronger, so that freedom and prosperity can flourish.
UK Hosting of the Berlin Process 2025
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Established in 2014, the Berlin Process aims to increase connectivity and cooperation in the Western Balkans, with the ultimate goal of supporting the EU accession of the six Western Balkan countries (WB6): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The Prime Minister agreed that the UK will host the Berlin Process in 2025. As the UK resets its relationship with Europe, the Berlin Process will support stability, security and economic growth, combat irregular migration, and tackle gender inequality. This programme will deliver increased UK leadership and stronger relationships with European partners on the Western Balkans, and tangible progress the WB6 on their Euro-Atlantic paths.
Open Society Enabling Fund (OSEF)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Open Societies Enabling Fund is aimed at supporting and bolstering active contributions of civil society groups in defending Indonesia’s open society with the particular context of 2024 national and local elections amidst the trend of shrinking civic space, increased prosecution of human rights defenders, and further entrenchment of minority rights.
Effective State and Democracy Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The ESD programme aims to embed democratic values in Zambia’s institutions and practices and support an inclusive, effective state, which delivers poverty reduction and growth for all its citizens. It will bring together support for a) public sector delivery b) evidence-based policy and c) constructive engagement to drive long term improvements in Zambia that demonstrate the values and dividends of open society and democracy. This will be done by working with the centre of government on prioritisation and delivery, and with non-state actors (like CSOs) to help tackle key governance issues. The programme is designed to flex in response to political opportunities, including the potential for a new government following 2026 elections.
Support to Bond and the UK Alliance
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The UK’s world-leading civil society is a source of enormous soft power internationally. FCDO partnerships with UK INGOs remain vital, given their role in engaging with the UK public and demonstrating the case for aid. But we need to support organisations in making difficult shifts in their operating models and communication narratives which are necessary to safeguard the health, relevance and public support for this important sector in the future. Civil society ‘infrastructure’/networking bodies add value to INGOs in important ways, offering: peer learning, targeted support, guidance, thought leadership, access to policymakers, networking and information. The UK Alliance comprises Bond and its sister networks covering UK nations. It includes Hub Cymru Africa (HCA) in Wales, Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SInDA), the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in Northern Ireland (CADA NI), the South-West International Development Network (SWIDN).
Central Asia Small Projects Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will provide the mechanism for embassies to develop small projects to further the aims of the Country Business Plans and develop learning to support wider programming initiatives, with the overall aim of supporting development in the region.
Eastern Neighbourhood Small Projects Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will provide the mechanism for embassies to develop small projects to further the aims of the Country Business Plans and develop learning to support wider programming initiatives, with the overall aims of supporting development in the region. This is part of the FCDO’s official development assistance and falls under the OECD DAC ODA rules.
Protecting Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Protecting Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders programme will provide £19.73 million in ODA and £250,000 in non-ODA over five years to enable the FCDO to better support and protect civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) who are under threat because of their work.
Zambia Democratic Governance Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support the deepening and consolidation of democracy in Zambia in order to build resilience and stabiltiy, and enable development and reform
Good Governance Fund (Phase 3) Eastern Neighbourhood: Supporting Governance and Economic Reform
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Good Governance Fund Phase 3 will deliver demand-led support to governance reforms that allow open societies and economies to flourish. The Good Governance Fund will focus on improving democratic and economic governance, primarily through strategically targeted technical assistance. The Good Governance Fund programme will deliver interventions on a flexible basis, based on identified needs and/or requests from government counterparts or civil society in beneficiary countries (Armenia, Georgia and Moldova) in support of governance and economic reforms. This will support delivery and seek to prevent/reverse democratic backsliding. The Good Governance Fund is part of an integrated portfolio of programmes operating in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate region and supports the delivery of four National Security Council strategies and the Integrated Review.
Western Balkans – Freedom and Resilience Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will address long-term, structural issues across the region, including ethno-nationalist division, and support transparency and accountability in government, as well as underlying society challenges such as discrimination and violence against women and girls. The Programme will comprise a portfolio of interventions in three areas: reconciliation and peacebuilding in conflict-affected communities; empowering women and girls and tackling Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) and gender-based violence; and strengthening government capacity, transparency and accountability. Programming will be country-led, with Posts able to bid for funds in support of projects in line with their priorities.
Ethiopia – Human Rights and Peacebuilding Programme (HARP)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Human Rights and Peacebuilding (HARP) programme will support the UK’s strategic response to conflict in Ethiopia. The programme will support peacebuilding initiatives in areas where the UK has a comparative advantage. This will build the capacity of local peace actors (particularly women and youth), provide safe spaces for dialogue and engage with government to respond to community needs. The UK has proven success in investing in these areas in Ethiopia – particularly through the CSSF Funded work of Conciliation Resources in Somali Regional State. HARP will look to continue this activity, as well as supporting further peacebuilding activity in other conflict areas.
Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme 2
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa 2 (TDDAP 2) programme will help implement the UK’s vision for progress on health security in Africa. It will provide technical and financial support to build health security capacity in up to 5 selected countries, including middle ground powers, strengthen key regional bodies such as the Africa Centre for Disease Control and establish long-term partnerships between African, UK and global institutions. Outcomes; • Strengthened regional institutions to help build and improve global health security; • Improved national public health systems and functions with increased national ownership and leadership of outbreak responses; • Communities trained and provided with the knowledge and tools to identify risks and respond to outbreaks; • An emergency response/contingency mechanism to enable the UK to quickly respond to disease outbreaks and help prevent these from escalating to crisis; • Independent monitoring and evaluation component
Invest Salone: Private Sector Development, Trade and Job Creation in Sierra Leone
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To increase investment in Sierra Leone's exporting sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and fisheries leading to economic diversification, household income growth and job creation. The programme will help Sierra Leone meet the economic aspirations of its growing young population, tackling the drivers of instability and illegal migration. It will also make Sierra Leone more competitive in global markets putting put it on a pathway to becoming a future trading partner for the UK.
UK Aid Match II Fund
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support the achievement of the Global Goals through funding UK-based civil society organisations to deliver projects that assist in ending extreme poverty and building a better world by 2030. The programme will also provide opportunities for the UK public to engage in international development issues and have a say in how a portion of the aid budget is spent.
Democratic Resilience Platform
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To provide a platform to enable programmes to be developed to improve the governance and democracy of FCDO priority countries.
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