UK's FCDO cuts bilateral aid to poorest countries by 56%
→Bilateral programme teams must shift funding to conflict-affected countries or face cuts
Change
UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has reduced bilateral aid to low-income countries by 56%, cutting almost £900m from African bilateral programmes by 2028–29 and reallocating support so 70% targets fragile and conflict-affected states by 2029.
Why it matters
Bilateral programmes in G20 countries will be phased out, leaving no direct UK bilateral aid for Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa. The humanitarian crisis reserve is reduced to £75m, lowering the contingency budget available for emergency responses.
Implications
- — Bilateral programme managers at UK-funded NGOs and local implementing partners must reprofile or close affected bilateral projects by 2029 — projects left un-reprofiled will face termination of UK funding when allocations are cut.
- — Grant finance and compliance teams at UK charities and development contractors must secure alternative funding before 2028–29 — projects without replacement funding will be defunded as bilateral allocations fall.
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Source
View on The Guardian