The Department for International Development (DFID) is the British government department responsible for Britain’s contribution towards international efforts to eliminate poverty. It works in partnership with developing country governments and other international development agencies. It also work with business, civil society and the research community.
DFID’s assistance is concentrated in the poorest countries of sub-Sharan Africa and Asia, but also contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development in middle-income countries, including those in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
DFID has headquarters in London and East Kilbride, offices in many developing countries, and staff based in British embassies and high commissions around the world.
Millennium Development Goals of DFID
- Reduce by half the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.
- Achieve Universal Primary Education by 2015.
- Make progress towards gender equality and empowering women by eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005.
- Reduce infant and child mortality rates by two-thirds by 2015.
- Reduce maternal mortality ratios by three-quarters by 2015.
- Provide access for all who need reproductive health services by 2015.
- Implement national strategies for sustainable development by 2005 so as to reverse the loss of environmental resources by 2015.
- Develop a global partnership for development, with targets for aid, trade and debt relief.
- Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Partners of DFID
The primary partners are the Union and State governments. Other partners include members of the private sector, NGOs, civil society and the research community in India.
DFID India
DFID India is one of a number of DFID offices world-wide. It has 170 staff based in New Delhi, and state offices in Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
DFID’s Priority in India
- Strengthening the capacity of government to develop and implement pro-poor policies; and strengthening the accountability of government to those it represents.
- Promoting increased investment in education, health and clean water.
- Supporting programmes which help poor people improve their own livelihoods, and which give poor people a bigger say in decisions affecting their lives. We aim particularly to support work, which enhances the social and political status of women.
- Promoting sustainable management of the earth’s resources. Environmental issues are always taken into consideration during the design and implementation of our programmes and projects.
Funding Schemes
Small Grants Scheme
Eligible organisations: Civil society organisations, religious organisations (where the purpose is clearly developmental). Military organisations are excluded.
Funding Criteria: Activities that promote the development or maintain the economy of a territory outside the UK, or the welfare of its people. They: Must address DFID objectives and should take account of regional strategy if applicable; Must also include maximum local involvement.
Funding available per activity : UK Pound 100,000 (normally up to 3 years).
Contact department: British Embassies and British High Commissions within relevant country.
Contact details: British Embassies and British High Commissions within relevant country.
Orissa Civil Society and Poverty Programme
Eligible organisations : The NGOs applying for partnership through this programme must be
registered under the Foreign Contributins (Regulation) Act 1976.
The recipient organisation should have been in existence for a minimum of 5 years, and be based
in Orissa.
The organisation must be self-sufficient or having a regular source of funding for its own running
(salaries, rent and administration) costs.
The recipient orgnisations accounts must be subject to Annual Audited Statements every year.
Funding Criteria : the track record of organisations and networks; focus on working with and supporting capacity of small organisations, particularly in remote areas;
we will aim to fund organisation that combine grass-roots activities with advocacy work that helps to inform policies with pilot and micro experience; the financial limit for support is UK Pound 20,000 although in exceptional circumstances proposals above this ceiling may be considered.
Contact details : Civil Society and Poverty Programme, Department for International Development, 17 Forest Park, Bhubaneshwar 751001, Orissa, India
Offices of DFID India
DFID India
British High Commission
B 28 Tara Crescent, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110 016, India
Tel : (+91) (11)26529123, Fax : (+91) (11) 26529296, E-mail : [email protected] and [email protected]
Andhra Pradesh
Sarovar Centre, Secretariat Road, Hyderabad – 500 004, Andhra Pradesh Tel:(+91)(40)23242519/ 23210943,Fax:(+9l)(40)23230421
Madhya Pradesh
E-7/642, Arera Colony, Near Central Bank. Bhopal – 462 016, Madhya Pradesh Tel: (+91) (755) 5294 451/ 5294 452, Fax: (+91) (755) 5294 453
Orissa
Civil Society and Poverty Programme
Department for International Development, 17 Forest Park, Bhubaneshwar 751001 Orissa, India
West Bengal
16, Jubilee Court, 11/1 Hochi Mirh Sarani, Kolkata 700071 Tel: (91) (33) 2282 6320/2282 6321 Fax: (+91) (33) 2282 6322 Website:
https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-new-delhi