Frontline diplomatic enabling activity in support of FCO priority outcomes: objectives 2017 to 2018
Published 16 February 2018
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1. Overview
In addition to the Frontline Diplomatic Activity (staff and network costs) which is ODA eligible, and is captured separately, the FCO uses a small proportion of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget to enable wider departmental policy outcomes through small scale, one-off or exploratory activities below the project level in support of FCO priority outcomes in country or across regions.
2. FCO objectives
This responsive and agile funding supports the UK’s National Security Strategy and the FCO’s Strategic Objectives, and helps deliver three of the four strategic objectives of the UK’s Aid Strategy: strengthening global peace, security and governance; strengthening resilience and response to crises; and promoting global prosperity. It allows Diplomatic Missions to respond rapidly to opportunities in priority policy areas such as:
- constraining weapons proliferation
- promoting good governance and human rights, reducing conflict, modern slavery and irregular migration
- strengthening the rules-based international system
- promoting economic development and sustainable growth
3. Official Development Assistance and FCO objectives
As set out in the UK Aid Strategy, conflict and instability are among the greatest threats to the elimination of poverty. Crime and corruption hit the world’s poorest people hardest, siphon funds from those who need them most, and provide resources for organised crime and terrorists. Disasters and unexpected crises threaten people across the world and changes in global climate are likely to make weather-related crises more common, which can exacerbate instability overseas. Global prosperity and economic development is vital for poverty reduction. These funds enable the FCO to respond quickly and tactically when short-term opportunities open up to tackle these challenges, via i.e. requests from partner governments for training or technical assistance.
4. Project objectives for enabling activity
These are sub-project level activities which enable wider priorities or support broader strategies. Examples of the types of activity carried out include:
- increasing understanding, developing cooperation, and building capacity of policy makers in government and non-government organisations to improve delivery of policy. This includes two-way visits of experts and decision makers, as well as other tailored events and activities across a range of themes
- building capacity of local civil society and government partners to support cooperation on local, regional and global challenges and mutually beneficial issues. This includes assistance to groups in eligible countries to participate in national, regional, and international events, as well as activities to build countries’ expertise through expert seminars, workshops or facilitated dialogues
- improve disaster preparedness, resilience and response in crises vulnerable countries through training and technical assistance
- scoping visits to identify whether a full-scale project is feasible