Gulf Strategy Fund
Updated 26 August 2022
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Overview
The FCDO Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) operates as part of the FCDO’s International Programme. It is an entirely non-ODA workstream. In 2021 to 2022, 6 country programmes were funded in the Gulf region:
Bahrain
Supports Bahrain-led and owned reform and capacity building programme to deliver long-term security, stability and foster science, tech and prosperity links with Bahrain.
Project areas include:
- supporting the implementation of the juvenile justice law
- criminal justice reform
- capacity building of Bahrain’s independent oversight bodies
- human Rights & Diplomacy training programme
- capacity building of Bahrain’s National Communication Centre
- improving schools’ performance
- IISS Manama Dialogue Young Leaders Programme
- youth skills & disability
- building research capability in the higher education sector
- support for innovation and research in the health sector
- environment and climate change
Kuwait
Supports Kuwait’s Vision 2035 sustainable actions on climate change, anti-corruption, education and cultural recognition. Identifies prosperity targets around economic diversification, scientific collaborations and security.
Project areas include:
- environmental and climate sustainability partnership
- ethics, integrity and access to information
- economic diversification and stabilisation support
- development of Government to Government support to deliver defensive capability training
- development of the Kuwaiti cyber economy
- implementation of Creative Hubs and Economy Roadmaps
- work towards mutual Higher Education qualification recognition
- in-depth, gender-sensitive political economy analysis (PEA) around the inclusion of women in politics
- enabling scientific collaborations between UK-Kuwaiti universities
Oman
Supports Oman’s economic reforms including capacity building within key government institutions with a focus on green initiatives; the growth of Oman as a digital hub with deep expertise in cyber skills; long-term resilience through the finalisation of an Omani national risk register and support to human rights compliant training.
Project areas include:
- economic technical assistance
- crisis management
- E-Government Digital Needs Analysis and Consultancy
- strategic communications support for economic policies
- public Order Public Safety training
- marine Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Programme
- supporting VAT implementation
- supporting green initiatives
- UK Oman Digital Hub programme
Qatar
Supports preparations for World Cup 2022, in particular the provision of UK expertise to support Qatar’s football policing capability along with values and legacy initiatives. Develop government-to-government cooperation in areas such as climate, conservation and Higher Education.
Project areas include:
- supporting VAT implementation
- environmental Sustainability and Coastal Resilience
- mobilisation of Qatar’s Youth Climate Activists
- mutual Recognition of Higher Education qualifications
- world Cup preparations
- improved Market Access intelligence for UK Companies in Qatar
- training in Workplace Safety
- enhance relationships with Qatari Alumni from UK Universities
Saudi Arabia
Supports Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ agenda for modernisation, economic diversification and climate action. Enhances mutual prosperity by promoting inward investment and creating opportunities for UK companies, especially in the education, culture, tourism, sport and finance sectors.
Project areas include:
- culture, sport and tourism: partnering to grow these sectors in Saudi society and economy
- clean growth, adaptation and resilience: supporting Saudi cities to meet climate targets by identifying opportunities for UK-KSA partnerships
- environmental sustainability and coastal resilience partnership
- climate connection champions: mobilising young Saudis to lead climate initiatives in their spheres of influence
- tax programme: partnering with the Saudi tax authority to reduce fiscal reliance on oil revenues through fair and equitable taxation
- financial services sector: partnering to streamline the regulatory environment to support investment opportunities
- smart cities and mobility opportunities in Saudi Arabia for UK companies
- mental health: supporting training for Saudi mental health professionals
- Saudi-UK education partnerships – strengthening the Saudi education sector while expanding business opportunities for UK providers
- strategic communications, influencer engagement and public diplomacy
- counter terrorism and countering violent extremism
United Arab Emirates
Supports work to jointly identify threats of mutual concern such as illicit finance and terrorism and delivers enhanced UK and UAE capabilities to tackle them. Increases opportunities for inward investment to the UK, including through Expo 2020, and strengthened educational and cultural partnerships.
Project areas include:
- enhancing mutual understanding of regional illicit and terror financing and economic reform
- deployment of a Crown Prosecution Service Liaison Prosecutor
- 50th anniversary media plan to celebrate the longstanding relationship between the UK and UAE
- enhancing educational and cultural partnerships
- training to enhance border protection and forensic management to facilitate greater interoperability
- support for HMG official visits to Expo 2020
- delivery of a public health leadership course
Gulf Strategy Fund Programme Allocation for FY 2021 to 2022
Project delivery started in April 2021 with a budget allocation of £10 million.