Latest News - December 2007

The GOF Engaging with the Islamic World (EIW) Programme has recently merged with the GOF Counter-Terrorism (CT) Programme to form a new combined Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme. A new programme strategy is currently being developed and there will be a new website page to reflect updated information of the combined Programme with clear aims and objectives. All the current information here will be eventually phased out.

In the meantime if you have any useful concept project proposals that supports the Governments counter radicalisation agenda which can be locally led and implemented overseas then please submit them via the relevant Embassy in the target country. The Embassy can then see if it fits in with their objectives and can be taken forward for the next financial year 2008-2009. Any enquiries regarding the new Programme can be sent to CTRP General Enquiries via email: CTRP@fco.gov.uk

Objective of Programme

The GOF Engaging with the Islamic World (EIW) programme funds a wide range of projects throughout the Islamic world that are locally led and implemented overseas through Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and multilateral bodies.

Projects funded by GOF EIW must meet the following programme objectives:

• countering the ideological, and theological underpinnings of the terrorist narrative, in order to prevent radicalisation, particularly among the young, in the U.K and overseas;
• increasing the understanding of, and engagement with, Muslim countries and communities, and working with them to promote peaceful, political, economic and social reform.

Most of the projects we fund - in such areas as civil society, justice reform, education - are identified in the first instance by NGOs in the countries concerned, and presented through our Embassies who can then check if the project fits in with their own and the FCO's objectives. We can not consider any proposals until it has been submitted in this way. All project proposals are cleared with the Embassy in country and submitted by the Embassy Project Officer, who if the project is agreed will then have the responsibility of overseeing the project. A minority of projects originate from organisations based in the UK.

The most recent direction of the programme is to prevent the causes of radicalisation. This work can be seen at different levels, both short and long-term. Existing programme objectives contribute to the longer-term objectives which can be seen under the 'main outcomes envisaged' heading below.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Syria and Indonesia.

Funds available

FY 2006/07 £8.5m (fund fully allocated)
FY 2007/08 £7.7m (fund fully allocated)
FY 2008/09 (to be confirmed)

Main outcomes envisaged

• Reduced extremism and conflict in the Islamic world by affording people better opportunities and skills to participate in, and influence, the development of their societies.
• Strengthening of civil society measured by development of indigenous NGOs, enhanced legislative process, strengthened public administration/civil service;
• Growth of institutions underpinned by international standards and the rule of law;
• Legal and penal reform at national level measured by the extent to which an independent and impartial judiciary are operating in accordance with UN principles.
• An increase in the representation of women in national and local government as well as in civil society and international organisations;

Project Examples

Please see some examples of GOF EIW funded projects:

Engaging with the Islamic World, Global Opportunities Funded Projects  (PDF, 47.7KB)

List of Global Opportunities Fund, Engaging with the Islamic World Group, Projects.  (PDF, 18.4KB)

Application Procedure

Initial concept ideas may be submitted at any time during the year to either the British Embassy concerned or the Programme Team who will then be able to give a preliminary response. The concept ideas should be sent using part A of the bidding form (available on the FCO Global Opportunities Fund webpage. The Programme Team and Programme Board will provide an initial assessment before applicants spend time working up a full bid for formal agreement. An FCO project manager is required to take responsibility for each bid, either overseas or in the UK.

Programme Boards will meet to consider proposals only at times specified on the FCO website (normally no more than three times per year), and there will usually be a bidding round, incorporating a deadline for the presentation of bids, in association with each meeting of the Programme Board.

Please see the policy pages of the Engaging with the Islamic World Group to help direct your approach on submitting concept ideas and full project proposals.

Appraisal

Projects will be appraised against the following criteria as well as competing bids for the limited funds available.

GOF, Engaging with the Islamic World Project: Appraisal sheet.  (XLS, 19K)

Funding Update and Next Bidding Round / Programme Board

We are planning to hold a bidding round in late October and Programme Board for FY 08/09 in late November / early December. A second bidding round will be held around April 2008.