UK Aid Direct: Capacity Building for Civil Society Organisations in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States – Round 8

The UK Aid Direct: Capacity Building for Civil Society Organisations in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States – Round 8 is a flagship funding opportunity from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of local CSOs operating in some of the most challenging environments worldwide, where conflict, violence, and weak governance undermine development. This call is part of the UK Aid Direct program, which has a proven track record of supporting small and medium-sized CSOs to deliver impactful projects. With a total budget of £40 million, individual grants range from £250,000 to £2 million, with a project duration of up to three years. The deadline for submitting concept notes is June 30, 2026, and applicants must act with urgency given the preparation required. The program specifically targets capacity building in areas such as organizational governance, financial management, advocacy, and service delivery. The donor emphasizes a participatory approach, where local CSOs drive the agenda, and funding is used to strengthen systems rather than just provide training. Cross-cutting priorities include gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and climate resilience. For example, projects must demonstrate how they will enhance women's leadership and ensure activities do no harm in conflict settings. The FCDO also expects value for money, with clear metrics to measure progress. Eligibility is open to UK-based and locally registered CSOs in eligible fragile and conflict-affected states, as defined by the OECD or World Bank. Applicants must have a minimum annual income of £50,000 (local) or £250,000 (UK-based), audited accounts for two years, and robust safeguarding and anti-terrorism compliance. Consortia are encouraged, especially partnerships that combine international expertise with local knowledge. The application process is two-stage: concept note (deadline June 30, 2026) followed by full proposal for shortlisted applicants. This round offers a significant opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening civil society in the world's most fragile contexts.

Strategic Overview

The UK Aid Direct: Capacity Building for Civil Society Organisations in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States – Round 8 is a flagship funding opportunity from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of local CSOs operating in some of the most challenging environments worldwide, where conflict, violence, and weak governance undermine development. This call is part of the UK Aid Direct program, which has a proven track record of supporting small and medium-sized CSOs to deliver impactful projects. With a total budget of £40 million, individual grants range from £250,000 to £2 million, with a project duration of up to three years. The deadline for submitting concept notes is June 30, 2026, and applicants must act with urgency given the preparation required. The program specifically targets capacity building in areas such as organizational governance, financial management, advocacy, and service delivery. The donor emphasizes a participatory approach, where local CSOs drive the agenda, and funding is used to strengthen systems rather than just provide training. Cross-cutting priorities include gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and climate resilience. For example, projects must demonstrate how they will enhance women's leadership and ensure activities do no harm in conflict settings. The FCDO also expects value for money, with clear metrics to measure progress. Eligibility is open to UK-based and locally registered CSOs in eligible fragile and conflict-affected states, as defined by the OECD or World Bank. Applicants must have a minimum annual income of £50,000 (local) or £250,000 (UK-based), audited accounts for two years, and robust safeguarding and anti-terrorism compliance. Consortia are encouraged, especially partnerships that combine international expertise with local knowledge. The application process is two-stage: concept note (deadline June 30, 2026) followed by full proposal for shortlisted applicants. This round offers a significant opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening civil society in the world's most fragile contexts.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is specifically designed for small to medium-sized civil society organizations (CSOs) based in the UK or in eligible low-income and lower-middle-income countries, particularly those operating in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) as classified by the OECD or the World Bank. Eligible countries include but are not limited to Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and the Sahel region. The call targets two types of applicants: (1) UK-based CSOs with a proven track record of working in FCAS, and (2) locally registered CSOs in FCAS with a minimum annual income of £50,000 and at least three years of operational experience. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the local political, social, and economic dynamics, and have established relationships with local communities and authorities. The FCDO encourages consortia applications, where a UK-based lead organization partners with local CSOs to ensure capacity strengthening is contextually relevant and sustainable. Priority will be given to organizations that can demonstrate a gender-sensitive and conflict-sensitive approach, as well as a commitment to leaving no one behind. Additionally, applicants must have robust financial management systems and a safeguarding policy in place. The call is not open to individuals, government agencies, or for-profit entities unless they are part of a consortium led by a CSO. Organizations that have previously received UK Aid Direct funding remain eligible provided they can demonstrate clear outcomes and lessons learned from previous grants.

Priorities

The FCDO's global priorities for this round focus on strengthening the resilience and effectiveness of CSOs in FCAS, with specific emphasis on institutional capacity building in areas such as governance, financial management, advocacy, and service delivery. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Number of CSOs demonstrating improved organizational capacity as measured by standardized assessment tools (e.g., the Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool – OCAT), (2) Percentage of target CSOs that achieve a 30% or greater improvement in financial management and accountability scores within 18 months, (3) Number of CSOs that successfully develop and implement a strategic plan or advocacy strategy, (4) Evidence of improved service delivery outcomes in sectors such as health, education, or water and sanitation, (5) Percentage of CSOs that demonstrate increased revenue diversification and sustainability beyond the grant period. Cross-cutting priorities include gender equality (with a target of at least 50% of CSO leadership positions held by women or a significant increase in women's representation), conflict sensitivity (ensuring activities do no harm and actively contribute to peacebuilding), and climate and environmental sustainability (mainstreaming green practices). Additionally, innovation in capacity building is encouraged, such as the use of digital tools for remote training and mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning networks. Proposals must align with the UK International Development Strategy (2022) and the FCDO's commitment to localization, aiming to shift power and resources to local actors. The donor also expects a clear theory of change linking capacity building to tangible improvements in the lives of the most vulnerable populations.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and require a thorough financial, spatial, and corporate legal audit. Financially, applicants must have an annual income of at least £50,000 (for local CSOs) or £250,000 (for UK-based CSOs) and must demonstrate audited accounts for the last two years. UK-based applicants must be registered with the Charity Commission or equivalent, while local CSOs must be legally registered in their country of operation. Spatially, projects must be implemented in one or more eligible FCAS, and applicants must have a physical presence or a partnership with a locally registered organization in each target country. Legally, applicants must have a constitution or governance document that outlines their commitment to non-profit objectives, and must comply with the UK's Anti-Terrorism, Proceeds of Crime, and Money Laundering Acts. Additionally, organizations must have a safeguarding policy aligned with the FCDO's Safeguarding Standards for Partners, and a data protection policy compliant with GDPR or equivalent. Due diligence will include checks on financial health, governance structures, and past performance. The FCDO also requires a conflict sensitivity analysis and a risk assessment for each project location. Applicants must not be subject to any sanctions or restrictions by the UK government or the UN. Ineligible entities include government bodies, political parties, and organizations involved in activities that could be considered proselytizing or partisan. The application process is a two-stage mechanism: first, submit a concept note (maximum 5 pages) by June 30, 2026; if shortlisted, submit a full proposal with detailed budget, logframe, and capacity assessment baseline.

Path to Success

To maximize chances of success, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training. Step 1: Conduct a rapid organizational and contextual assessment (2-4 weeks). Identify capacity gaps in target CSOs using a standardized tool like OCAT. Simultaneously, gather data on the local conflict dynamics and stakeholder mapping. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course can help design the assessment framework, while the 'Project Management for Development' course aids in planning. Step 2: Design a participatory capacity building plan (4-6 weeks). Based on assessment results, co-design with local partners a three-year plan focusing on key areas: governance, financial management, advocacy, and service delivery. Incorporate GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to strengthen budgeting and accountability. Use the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to draft competitive concept notes. Step 3: Develop a robust logframe and theory of change (2-3 weeks). Ensure indicators align with FCDO's KPIs, including organizational capacity scores and gender-sensitive outcomes. GSLI's 'M&E' course provides guidance on indicator selection and data collection methods. Step 4: Submit a compelling concept note by the deadline, highlighting local ownership, sustainability, and conflict sensitivity. Include a clear exit strategy. After shortlisting, use GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course to design efficient operational structures, and 'Grants Management' for compliance. Throughout the process, engage with FCDO's program managers and seek feedback. GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course can also help diversify funding sources beyond this grant. By leveraging GSLI's courses, applicants will demonstrate enhanced capacity in critical areas, increasing credibility and alignment with donor expectations.

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Deadline: 2026-06-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal