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Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
To accelerate the transformation of developing countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions into a pipeline of bankable projects, which have the potential to attract investment at scale from the private sector. The CFA will achieve this by facilitating ‘transaction-oriented’ workshops, convening project developers, policy makers and capital market players from participant countries with UK-based green finance experts.
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures programme
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Defra is one of the largest funders of the global, market-led, and science-based Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) initiative. The TNFD recommendations and supporting implementation guidance enable organisations to assess, report, and act on their evolving nature-related risks, opportunities, impacts, and dependencies, with the ultimate aim of supporting a shift in global financial flows towards nature-positive outcomes and achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Defra contributed £2,626,855 to support the TNFD initiative’s two-year open innovation ‘design and development’ phase, which culminated in the launch of the final TNFD corporate reporting recommendations on nature-related risk management and disclosure in September 2023 at New York Climate Week. From November 2021 – November 2022, Defra also contributed £1,675,000 to fund a TNFD African Voice pilot programme, with Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) acting as the delivery partner. This funding was used to secure engagement by African financial institutions, governments, and central banks, with the aim of ensuring that the TNFD framework is fit for purpose in African contexts. In addition, this funding supported the production of a report examining the materiality of nature-related risks for financial institutions in African contexts. At COP28 in December 2023, the Defra Secretary of State announced an additional £2 million funding to support the TNFD initiative’s global market uptake phase, which is focused on encouraging and enabling voluntary market adoption across sectors and geographies, and supporting efforts to address the knowledge, capacity building and data needs of market participants. In March 2025, Defra approved an additional £1 million funding support for the work of the TNFD's global market uptake phase.
ESRC-FAPESP Creating competitive advantage by serving marginalised communities: UK multinationals and inclusive development in Latin America
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
"Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are often blamed for only serving the elite population when they operate in emerging markets. In addition, they require local governments to create infrastructure and arrangements that can support their activities in the respective country, thus diverting resources from underserved communities within the country towards serving the elite population. The purpose of this study is to explore how multinationals from advanced markets can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by addressing the needs of underserved populations and marginalised communities in emerging markets, while also providing expectations of long term economic return to their shareholders. Considering the increased awareness of doing good while doing well, MNEs are beginning to realise that profit maximization is not the only route to success. They need to improve their image and demonstrate that their existence is beneficial for the society in general, that is a more long-term route to achieve a competitive advantage. We intend to uncover the mechanisms and actions required by these companies to serve marginalised communities and to create a positive image in the society. To do so, we build from stakeholder theory, social entrepreneurship and value creation literature, and offer a qualitative cross-country study in Latin America. We will focus specifically on the experience of UK multinationals in Brazil and Colombia. We will collect data through focus groups and in-depth interviews with multiple actors (such as multinationals' executives, NGOs, underserved consumers, community leaders, local government representatives, investment promotion organizations, and local entrepreneurs). We will triangulate by comparing data from focus groups, interviews, and secondary sources to draw trustworthy conclusions. Further, we will use pattern matching and case comparison to analyse and make sense of data and draw conclusions. The MNEDEVELOP project is context specific and will culminate in a set of good practices for decisionmakers to incentivize positive actions by foreign firms that result in economic and social benefits for poorer communities in Brazil and Colombia. To address this complex research question, resources and expertise from the UK and Brazil will be combined. Principal and co-investigators have a successful track record in conducting research on MNEs impact in developing countries, on local firms, on engaging in training for managers, and working directly with policy makers. Key investigators are well-known international business scholars and experts with numerous relevant high-level publications. The UK team will contribute with theoretical framing, sharing research and training skills with local researchers, taking the lead in the analysis of data, producing actionable documents for stakeholders, and drafting academic publications. The Brazilian team will provide indepth knowledge of the research context, drawing on wider networks with businesses locally and close engagement with local societies while collecting data. As results we will provide guidelines for multinationals and other stakeholders as to how inclusive development can be achieved. " COVID-19
Programme to support accountability and inclusion (Programme d'Appui à la Redevabilité et l'Inclusion) (PARI)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme aims to increase the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of governance institutions at central level and in selected provinces to deliver better pro-poor services and support democracy and lasting stability in DRC.
Transforming Financial Services for Bangladesh’s Development
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme will lead to increased availability of new financial services that serve small businesses and low-income households as well as finance for sustainable development.
Manufacturing Africa - Foreign Direct Investment
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Manufacturing Africa helps drive the inclusive economic transformation needed to create jobs for the future and set countries on a trajectory out of poverty. It is expected to generate £1.2 billion of new Foreign Direct Investment in manufacturing sectors in Africa. It will do this by working with African Governments and international companies to facilitate new investments, such as by developing the business case for firms to undertake investment, or by supporting their negotiations with Government, and by addressing sector specific barriers preventing those particular investments from taking place. MA also aims to reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing through thought leadership as well as delivering technical assistance and supporting investments that facilitate climate change mitigation and or adaptation.
Centre for Disaster Protection (CDP)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To protect poor and vulnerable people, save lives and help developing countries to get back on their feet more quickly after a disaster by working with governments to strengthen planning, embed early action, and use “risk financing” tools like insurance and contingent credit to finance more cost-effective, rapid and reliable response to emergencies. It aims to empower governments to build resilience to natural disasters and climate change, and take ownership of their risks, with more assistance delivered through pre-financed government-led systems. Funded by the UK Government Prosperity Fund until April 2021.
Economic Development In the Caribbean
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will support inclusive economic growth and build economic resilience in the ODA eligible Caribbean countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) enabling the region to better respond to economic and climate shocks. The programme will have three core pillars: 1) small business development focusing on key growth sectors and diversification; 2) macroeconomic sustainability to generate fiscal buffers and strengthen government capacity in economic management; 3) strategic inclusive economic development interventions, focusing on core policy themes including women’s economic empowerment, social inclusion, skills and data. The main implementing partners include the IMF and the IDB. Caribbean governments will benefit through technical assistance, and businesses will benefit through business advisory support.
Public Financial Management Multi Donor Trust Fund – Phase II
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme provides support to strengthen Nepal’s Public Finance Management (PFM) systems in the context of the implementation of federalism.
Triggering Investment, Growth & Economic Resilience (TIGER)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
TIGER will allow the UK to support the recovery of Ukraine’s economy in a way that reduces its reliance on external financing, provides a conducive environment for refugees to return, and accelerates convergence with future markets. It will achieve this through five flexible components that can adjust to a deterioration of the situation on the ground and are designed to increase access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises, and attract investment through new financial vehicles. It will support economic reforms, progress durable solutions in collaboration with the humanitarian response and establish private sector partnerships to tackle growing labour market constraints through increasing the economic participation of women, persons with disabilities, displaced populations, veterans and other marginalised groups.
The Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility (EIAF) Phase II Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme aim to provide flexible, demand-led technical assistance to Government of Ethiopia ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises in order to enhance the effectiveness of public investments and improve the enabling environment for exporters. By providing technical expertise and capacity building in the areas of public investment management; industrial parks and their supporting infrastructure; and trade logistics, EIAF II aims to contribute to outward oriented, manufacturing led, sustainable and inclusive growth in Ethiopia.
British International Investment (BII) Programme of Support in Africa, South Asia, Indo-Pacific & Carib (2015-2027)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To enable BII to scale up its activity of investing and lending to support the building of businesses in developing countries, to create jobs and make a lasting difference to people’s lives in some of the world's poorest places. BII is FCDO’s main vehicle for investing in private companies in Africa, South Asia, Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. BII encourages capital investments from other private investors by being a first mover, demonstrating to other investors that commercial returns are possible in these frontier markets, and by sharing risk and expertise. The additional equity from FCDO will enable BII to meet demand for capital in its target markets and allow BII to sustain a higher volume of more developmental investments across priority regions and business sectors
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support provincial economic development and sustainable energy in Pakistan. The programme objective is to address two binding constraints to economic and urban development in Pakistan: weak planning; and energy. The programme aims • To support Pakistan's poorest province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to plan and finance the infrastructure and investment it needs for growth, jobs and prosperity. • To address Pakistan’s energy crisis by providing innovative financial solutions to industry for the adoption of sustainable energy practices. The programme will also contribute to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Climate Fund (ICF) obligations.
Tristan da Cunha Provision of Technical Assistance and Essential Infrastructure 2023 to 2026
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To enable the Administration of Tristan da Cunha to provide appropriate public services to meet the basic health, education, safeguarding and governance needs of the island community, through the provision of professional expertise and training.
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.
The Growth Gateway programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To establish a coordinated and improved service to businesses exporting to, importing from and investing in developing markets and businesses from developing markets to access UK Government trade, investment and finance services that increases trade and investment to developing markets. The programme will prioritise for support businesses who through their operations and products can deliver positive environmental and development impact, and support for businesses and governments will include promoting climate sensitive approaches and international standards on environmental practice, and identifying and supporting opportunities for climate smart investment.
Global Risk Financing Programme [GRiF]
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To save lives and reduce the impacts of shocks, like droughts, hurricanes and floods through enabling earlier and more effective response and faster recovery. It provides finance to support governments and humanitarian agencies to use risk financing instruments, like insurance and contingent credit, to access more rapid finance in emergencies, and to strengthen preparedness of local systems for disaster response and recovery. It will focus on disasters, but will develop over time to cover a wider range of risks, including famine.
Nigeria Economic Stability and Transformation Programme (NEST)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
As a macro economic programme, NEST aims to increase the chances that the Government of Nigeria (GoN) creates the conditions for higher, sustained growth. NEST will do this by working primarily with Federal Government (FGN) institutions responsible for economic strategy, policy, its implementation and communication. It will operate as a demand-led facility, working closely with government clients to identify and shape a portfolio of activities.
GFP - Global Finance Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Leverages the UK’s unique position as the world’s leading financial centre to increase access to finance for firms and individuals where beneficiaries are in developing countries, promoting shared prosperity through inclusive economic growth overseas, and the development of new markets in developing countries.
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.
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