UK Department for International Development (DFID)
Fundamental to our work is our Partnership Programme Arrangement (PPA) with the UK Department for International Development (DFID). This year constitutes the third year of a six-year agreement with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and VSO gratefully acknowledges the receipt of a £28.0 million grant (2005/06: £28.0 million).
DFID is responsible for leading the UK Government’s contribution to the international effort to reduce poverty. It works as part of a wider international effort, collaborating with many organisations, including: other UK Government Departments, international development agencies, governments of developing and transition countries, civil society, business and academia.
To increase the impact of development assistance on poverty, DFID focuses on helping the poorest countries and on supporting agreed longer-term financial commitments. They have moved away from stand-alone projects – where the donors decide the agenda – towards support for poverty reduction strategies led by developing countries themselves. DFID also works to improve the work of the main multilateral agencies through which they channel funding.
DFID believes international volunteering makes a significant and distinctive contribution to development, and we have a range of strong working relationships with DFID – both in the UK and in our overseas programmes. VSO and DFID base much of their work around strengthening the voice of the poor and marginalized, in decisions that affect their rights and their lives, especially in how basic services are delivered. The two organisations share key common work areas, including Education and HIV&AIDS. The partnership agreement offers a framework within which to consolidate these relationships and to develop a wider engagement with VSO in development.