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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.
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
Partnerships for Development
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Partnerships for Development (formerly known as GREAT for Partnership) will multiply the UK’s development impact by boosting partnerships between UK’s institutions and their counterparts in the developing world. It will leverage the skills and expertise from a range of UK institutions and supply them initially to DFID partner countries, based on tailored demand. It will initially prioritise the Extractives, Financial Accountability and Anti-Corruption sectors.
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.
Commonwealth Veteran's Welfare Programme for ODA Eligible Countries
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To provide commonwealth veterans and their widows/widowers from ODA eligible countries, who worked for British Armed Forces before their countries gained independence, now living in poverty, with two meals a day through a 5 year cash transfer programme.
Disability Capacity Building Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To promote the rights of people with disabilities in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by supporting the delivery of small grants, training and partnership building between UN agencies, governments, private sector and disabled persons organisations.
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.
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.
Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Initiative
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support the analysis of public financial management and the openness of governments in FCDO priority countries about their financial transactions to help to identify financial risks and provide evidence for planning reforms. Aims to strengthen budget oversight, with a particular focus on supreme audit institutions and scrutiny on law-making, and the links with others who are part of the network of accountability. To improve budget transparency, including open budgets and open contracting as key elements of financial accountability and management. Also supporting IFAC to build the managerial and technical capacity of professional accountancy organisations in countries and regions of focus for FCDO to ensure a sustainable supply of professional accountants that support high quality accounting practices and financial information in both the public and private sectors. This contributes towards delivery of SDG 16 by developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions.
Security and Justice Programme 2
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Security and Justice Programme (SJP) ultimately aims to help to enhance public safety in Nepal and improve people’s trust in a key institution: the police. It will contribute to increased responsiveness of security and justice providers, particularly gender-based violence (GBV) and increased prevention of GBV and wider public safety problems. Understanding and influencing different social and organisational norms will run through the whole programme to address the prevalence of violence against women and girls. The programme also has a particular focus on the organisational development of the Nepal Police, investigation capability, problem-solving community policing and better climate-resilient solar-powered infrastructure for service delivery, notably police women and children service centres (WCSCs).
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.
Serious Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To counter serious and organised crime, build the investigative capacity of select partners and close the loopholes in the justice system that hinders the prosecution of cases.
UK-Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To assist the Government of Jamaica to manage extreme levels of violence to stem gang violence using the public health model.
Wajibika Programme in Tanzania
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The vision for the Wajibika programme is that it uses a strategic and flexible mix of ODA funding and coordinated diplomatic influencing to help Tanzania move further in the direction of a more "Open Society." Promoting an open societies agenda in Tanzania will contribute to an improved policy environment for reform e.g. on the business environment and education, both which are top UK priorities for Tanzania - and facilitate more open Tanzanian relationships with key partners, including the UK. The Wabijika Programme in Tanzania will be a flagship Open Societies programme for FCDO Tanzania. It will strengthen media and civil society, promote more inclusive politics and improve accountability, delivering HMG's Force for good.
Shifting the Power – Strengthening African Civil Society
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
By partnering with Comic Relief and the British public through five annual televised matched appeals, Shifting the Power will build the capacity of locally led civil society organisations in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi that are working in areas which are a priority for both DFID and Comic Relief - early childhood, mental health, gender justice and shelter. Locally led, Southern based CSOs will be supported to become more effective, sustainable and better able to represent local people’s priorities. The programme will communicate a positive narrative to the UK public about how aid is empowering local people to pursue their own priorities and to stand up for their 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).
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.
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.
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.
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