Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
About This Funder
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), established in September 2020 through the merger of the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development, is the government’s lead department for foreign affairs, international development, and diplomacy. Its mission safeguards UK national security, promotes global prosperity, and supports vulnerable populations, guided by values of democracy, rule of law, human rights, gender equality, and resilience-building. Distinctively, FCDO integrates diplomatic leverage with large-scale development funding for systemic impact, aligning with UK strategies like the 2022 International Development Strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
FCDO funds humanitarian assistance, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, health systems, disability inclusion, girls’ education, nutrition, livelihoods, poverty reduction, gender equality (especially women/girls’ rights), WASH, climate adaptation, and modern slavery efforts. Beneficiaries include low-income/marginalised communities, at-risk women/girls, disabled people, and conflict-affected populations, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East/North Africa, South Asia, and poverty/conflict zones worldwide. It supports UK/international NGOs, local CSOs, UN agencies, and governments via bilateral/multilateral programmes like past UK Aid Direct (reaching 9.8M people), UNICEF Gaza aid, global health/nutrition funds, and UK Aid Match.
Eligible applicants are established NGOs/CSOs (small/medium to large, with track records and compliance like CHS certification preferred); UK-based groups qualify only if aligned with global goals. No geographic base restriction, but focus is international. Grants range £50,000–£50M (typically £100K–£5M project awards, up to multi-year £50M partnerships). Applications via time-limited public calls: EOI first, then full proposals for shortlisted; no rolling/unsolicited general apps. Deadlines vary (e.g., recent: Feb/Apr/Oct 2025), decisions in 3–6 months, ad hoc meetings. Excludes UK-domestic work, rare capital projects; unique for scale (£9.8B spend 2023-24), evidence-based adaptation, and multilateral convening.
Frequently Asked Questions about Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
How much funding does Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office directly for current funding levels.
Is Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office accepting applications?
Yes, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office fund charities?
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.