About UK Aid Direct

UK Aid Direct aims to promote greater accountability by strengthening the ability of civil society to hold policymakers and duty bearers to account and defend fundamental human rights.

UK Aid Direct grant holders advocate at the local, national and international levels on topics like ending modern day slavery, disability inclusion and conflict prevention.

As an example, projects have built the capacity of community-based organisations to monitor and prevent identity-based violence in Uganda, South Sudan and Kenya, working in partnership with local authorities to sustain changes.

The Global Goals have set out the urgency to improve basic services, like education, sanitation and affordable energy.

Many UK Aid Direct grant holders work to improve the supply of services, and work to build the systems around basic services to improve quality and provision. For example, by training health workers and teachers, providing technology and solar panels in schools, and offering health care such as maternal and neonatal care and cancer support.

In line with Global Goal 16, UK Aid Direct seeks to promote peaceful and resilient societies, with grant holders operating in some of the world’s most fragile states.

Many grant holders work to reduce the risks of identity-based violence (IBV). Civil society and government officials are trained in IBV recognition and prevention, conflict management mechanisms are established to resolve local tensions, and communities are supported to become more stable and resilient to shocks creating improved conditions for long-term development and poverty-reduction.

Economic growth should benefit all, creating decent jobs without modern slavery or child labour.

UK Aid Direct contributes to Global Goal 8 by funding organisations looking to increase and diversify income for poor communities in developing countries, as well as advocating for free and fair work conditions.

Many UK Aid Direct grant holders focus on improving economic prospects for specific disadvantaged groups, like pastoral communities, farmers, women and those living with a disability.

Girls and women across the world are held back by systemic and entrenched inequality and discrimination and the effects of gender inequality are widespread.

UK Aid Direct funds organisations working to achieve social and economic equality in line with Global Goal 5, which has a focus on prioritising the rights of women and girls.

Some examples of the work funded by UK Aid Direct include raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights topics like menstruation and female genital mutilation, fighting violence against women, and providing maternal health services.

Through training targeted groups like teachers and parents, UK Aid Direct grant holders seek to raise awareness and support positive and sustained norm change around key issues. These notably include developing positive maternal and child health practices, raising awareness of menstruation in schools to prevent girls’ absenteeism, and encouraging responsible waste disposal.

DFID recognise that young people have the potential to lead social change. UK Aid Direct projects train and empower local youth to help communities, for example to promote community integrity and tackle corruption, as well as promote social and economic entrepreneurship.