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<p>Civil society organisations (CSOs) are key partners for DFID in our response to
COVID-19 and we have pledged new funding specifically for CSOs to support our work
to tackle the virus. This includes funding allocated through the Rapid Response Facility
and significant funding through the DFID Unilever COVID-19 Hygiene and Behaviour Change
Coalition. A new UK Aid Direct funding round has also been launched, some of which
has been set aside for rapid access by existing UK Aid Direct grant holders who are
able to respond immediately to COVID-19. In addition, International Non-Government
Organisations will receive funding through multilateral organisations as downstream
partners as part of the UK’s response. As DFID’s country network adapts programming
to respond to COVID-19, country teams are considering how they can do this through
partners, including through CSOs.</p><p>We are working flexibly with existing civil
society partners to respond to the pandemic, maintain delivery of essential programmes
and manage the impacts on organisations and staff. DFID is also offering support to
all suppliers, including civil society, in line with the provisions of the Cabinet
Office Procurement Policy Note and associated guidance for grants. This allows for
relief on services and goods provided in the UK, to DFID aid programmes as a last
resort and on a case-by-case basis for DFID contracts and grants. UK-based CSOs are
also eligible for the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.</p><p>NGOs are
fundamental parts of DFID’s work. Given DFID’s support for them runs so deeply through
everything we do, there is no plan to create a specific fund.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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