Promoting Global Links with Doncaster
There are many people and community groups across Doncaster who have or would like to develop partnerships with communities in poor countries – or who are doing vital and important work educating children and young people about global issues.
In the summer the International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, announced a new
Development Innovation Fund which would provide specific funding opportunities for smaller organisations and groups, which have not normally been able to access support.
You can find out more about all of the schemes, and other ways they can make a difference at
www.dfid.gov.uk/getinvolved - or by contacting the Public Enquiry Point on
0845 300 4100.
Some of the schemes on offer include:
Global School Partnerships Programme The DFID Global Schools Partnerships Programme provides support and training for UK schools to develop a partnership with a school in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Caribbean. Various options are available – from longer term funding for established school partnerships to smaller ‘starter’ grants.
For more details visit
www.dfid.gov.uk/discoveryzone.International Health Links Funding Scheme
This is a scheme supported by DFID and the Department of Health that is aimed at strengthening partnerships between UK health institutions and their counterparts in developing countries – to help build the capacity of health systems in poor countries. Link activities can be very broad, and include training and capacity-building for staff, providing practical skills and curriculum development.
For more details visit
www.britishcouncil.org/learning-healthlinks.
Community Linking Programme
This DFID initiative is an exciting programme to support links between community groups in the UK and developing countries – and also aims to increase knowledge and understanding of development issues in the UK. Grants will be available from 2010.
For more details visit
www.dfid.gov.uk.
Platform2
This is a ground-breaking fully funded volunteering experience for 18-25 year olds who would not normally be able to afford this kind of opportunity. Run by Christian Aid and BUNAC – the scheme empowers 18-25 year olds to make a real difference to the lives of people living in poor countries, and then on their return to raise awareness of global issues in their local community. Over 500 places will be available for departures in early 2010, and interested young people are being encouraged to sign up.
For more information go to
www.myplatform2.com. Common Ground Initiative – Comic Relief
This is a new £20 million fund to support African development through UK based small and diaspora organisations - managed by Comic Relief and co-funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development. The initiative aims to make grants for projects that will create real and sustainable changes to some of the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Africa, and strengthen the capacity of small and Diaspora organisations.
For more details go to
www.comicrelief.com.