Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September to Question 82263, since the launch of the UK Aid Direct funding round how (a) many applications have been received, (b) many applications have been approved, and (c) much money has been dispersed to date.

UK Aid Direct Round 5 comprises two parts: rapid access funding open to existing UK Aid Direct grant holders able to respond immediately to the impacts of COVID-19; and a standard competitive funding round open to new proposals to address the longer-term impacts.

45 existing grant holders applied for rapid access funding. 33 were successful and are in the process of signing Accountable Grant amendments. £272,477 has been disbursed to date.

The standard part of Round 5 closed for concept note applications on 30 June 2020. In total, 649 eligible applications were received and 82 civil society organisations have been invited to submit a full application by 22 September 2020. Funding decisions are expected in late November/early December.