Transparency data

Open Futures: objectives 2019 to 2020

Published 19 September 2019

1. Overview

The overall aim of the open futures programme is to support the development of stable, open and prosperous countries in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region. The Programme seeks to advance our National Security Strategies and FCO objectives around projecting our influence and promoting our values by championing effective governance, democracy, civil society and human rights in the region. The programme also supports FCO objectives to prevent conflict and promote stability. This work supports the UK Aid Strategy in promoting global prosperity and strengthening global peace, security and governance helping to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

2. FCO objectives on open futures

The FCO’s work on open futures seeks to:

• invest in future EECA leaders in a range of fields, building links with UK institutions, cultures and values, and raise awareness of an alternative worldview
• help to maintain and strengthen the space for civil society to contribute constructively to the creation of open and successful societies
• build capacity and resilience in civil services and government bodies, supporting Public Sector Reform to strengthen development of effective governance and increased support for the Rule of Law
• promote internationally recognised universal human rights and democratic participation, including gender equality, and improve respect for minority and vulnerable groups
• empower independent media by building capacity and raising the professionalism of journalists, as well as providing higher quality products to local audiences, helping counter disinformation
• encourage economic reform and support socially-responsible business and investment ties that enable mutual prosperity

The countries covered by the Programme are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and open futures

FCO Open Futures programmes are funded by a blend of ODA and non-ODA support. ODA scoring within Open Futures is limited to ODA-eligible activities in DAC-listed countries.

The UK Aid Strategy underlines the importance of strengthening global peace, security and governance; this programme is seeking to tackle the causes of instability and insecurity in the EECA region, and improve the rule of law. It also seeks to build capacity and to promote economic development, which will in turn contribute to the reduction of poverty and strengthening business opportunities, including for UK companies.

4. Open futures: roject objectives

This programme’s key workstreams are:

• build the capability of public and civic leaders to reform and improve governance across the region

• support the role of civil society groups in policy dialogue and democratic processes, and the full participation of minority groups (e.g. ethnic and religious) in national life

• increase resilience against threats to stability and economic growth, including issues such as corruption and poor labour rights

• support progress towards political and media pluralism, and greater access to basic freedoms, including freedoms of expression, association, religion and belief

5. Open futures programme during financial year 2018 to 2019

Many of the challenges the programme addresses are long term and deep-rooted in nature. Some key achievements of projects which contributed to the objectives of the open futures programme in financial year 2018 to 2019 include:

• building people to people links between UK institutions and future leaders from the region through the John Smith Trust Fellowship. The programme helps Fellows develop plans in support of democracy and economic stability in their home countries. This year we also supported an alumni exchange event in Central Asia, which highlighted the long-term value of this project through convening leaders years after they took part in the scheme. The Fellowship complements the programme’s work with the Chevening programme, which provided University scholarships across the 12 EECAD countries

• supporting capacity building of civil society and human rights organisations, including e.g.to observe, analyse and report on the fairness of elections of local government in Armenia. Support to democracy in the region will help towards the long-term development and reform.

Supporting capacity building of media organisations including e.g. forging connections between the Belarusian media and IT sector to help independent media become more sustainable and attractive to younger audiences.

6. Open futures programme budget for financial year 2019 to 2020

The ODA budget for the open futures programme is £3.29 million.