Europe International Programme: objectives 2020 to 2021
Updated 24 June 2021
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1. Overview
The overall aim of the Europe International Programme is to support British Embassies and High Commissions in Europe [Posts] to deliver against bilateral strategies and country business plans, to further frontline bilateral diplomacy in European capitals and support HMG engagement and influence in Europe in the lead up to, and following, EU exit.
2. Objectives on Europe
The objective of the FCDO Europe International Programme is to deepen our bilateral relations and promote UK interests in Europe.
As well as funding projects that support specific policy outcomes, the Europe International Programme helps Posts to gain access to key stakeholders, influence opinion, and create networks that open opportunities for further engagement, complementing traditional diplomatic activity and initiatives.
3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Europe
FCDO Europe International Programme projects are funded by a blend of non-ODA and ODA support. ODA scoring within the Europe International Programme is limited to ODA-eligible activities in DAC-listed countries.
4. Europe Project objectives for financial year (FY) 2020 to 2021
Europe International Programme aims to strengthen the network for frontline diplomacy in Europe with engagement events and campaigns planned on priority areas within Posts’ individual country bilateral strategies.
The programme’s key policy objectives for financial year 2020 to 2021 are:
- enhance the delivery of our bilateral strategies to preserve and strengthen our relationships in Europe, and work with European governments and institutions on policies that reflect the UK’s national interests
- support the negotiation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU
- promote UK values, influence and soft power to address shared global challenges
- promote UK prosperity through economic development, clean and sustainable growth, and better business environments in Europe
5. Europe International Programme during FY 2019 to 2020
In financial year 2019 to 2020, the FCO small policy project work was entirely non-ODA funded and had a budget of £1 million and delivered more than 60 projects across 30 posts in the European network.
Some key achievements of projects run by British Embassies across Europe, in financial year 2019 to 2020, include:
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helping to tackle modern slavery in Lithuania by providing tailored support to authorities to improve the likelihood of cases successfully taken to trial, as well as supporting victims by increasing awareness on legal and social support systems
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sharing UK expertise to safeguard children in migrant camps in Greece and increase Greek capability in processes within the judicial system
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engaging Polish government and businesses on the Gender Pay Gap by sharing best practice on UK legislation with key Polish stakeholders at Poland’s largest annual conference on women’s rights. Subsequent decision of Poland’s Congress of Women to draft their own legislation on the gender pay gap to put before Polish parliament. Gender Pay Gap appeared in the ruling party’s updated manifesto in October 2019
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showing UK leadership on media freedom by providing a training course for Slovakian journalists in investigative journalism. Showcasing UK government’s strategies for countering disinformation by hosting experts, journalists and officials in Warsaw
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displaying UK leadership on clean growth and green finance agendas with Baltic states through hosting a Lithuanian delegation study visit to demonstrate UK best practice on unlocking new revenue streams for environmental objectives
6. Europe Programme allocation for FY 2020 to 2021
The non-ODA budget for the Europe strand of the International Programme for financial year 2020 to 2021 is £2.3 million.
The ODA budget for the Europe International Programme for financial year 2020 to 2021 is £0.18 million. British Embassies in Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey have ODA-eligible programme activity planned in financial year 2020 to 2021. Activities are primarily focused on promoting UK values, influence and soft power to address shared global challenges.