The United Kingdom (UK) spent nearly £14.6 billion on official development assistance (ODA) in 2018, ranking in the TOP-3 Development Assistance Committee donor countries. Almost 75% of the total UK ODA was funneled through the Department for International Development (DFID). DevelopmentAid has analyzed the monthly spending reports issued by DFID and compiled a comprehensive review of the organization’s most important partners during the period from January to September 2019.
The total amount reported as being spent by DFID in the defined period is approximately £5.9 billion. In our analysis, we have used the data published by the UK government via the UK open data portal in order to increase its transparency.
TOP-10 multilaterals
Multilateral organizations are an important part of the international system for humanitarian and development assistance. Often, they have the mandate and legitimacy to operate in politically sensitive situations (for example the United Nations’ offices and agencies working in war zones). About 36% of UK ODA, totaling almost £5.3 billion, was spent as core contributions to multilateral organizations in 2018. In the first nine months of 2019, DFID’s disbursements to the top 10 multilateral organizations accounted for £2.7 billion.
The International Development Association (IDA), which is part of the World Bank Group, was the largest fund recipient with £742 million having been transferred into its accounts. The organization has been the largest recipient of UK multilateral ODA since 2013. Its activities include, amongst others, primary education, basic health services, clean water and sanitation, agriculture and institutional reforms.
The European Commission (EC) is the second largest recipient of DFID funneled UK multilateral ODA, with nearly £510 million contributed between in January and September 2019.
Another organization that received a substantial amount of UK multilateral ODA disbursed by DFID is part of the World Bank group, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which received – £ 340 million.
TOP-10 private implementing partners
DFID activities and projects are implemented, monitored and evaluated by various international implementing companies. The agency publishes hundreds of tenders and procurement notices each year. Thousands of individual consultants and experts are employed within the activities funded by DFID. All of these opportunities are available through DevelopmentAid platform via flexible membership options.
PricewaterhouseCoopers is one of DFID’s key private sector partners with over £100 million transferred for services provided between January and September 2019.
The Crown Agents Bank provides management, payment and reporting services to DFID and partner governments in relation to financial aid grants. It is the second-biggest private entity, receiving almost £65 million during the 9-month period from DFID.
Mott Macdonald closes the three largest recipients of DFID disbursements to private sector implementing partners with funding equal to almost £63 million.
TOP-10 NGOs & CSOs
Non-Governmental and Civil Society organizations are also important delivery partners for DFID. Funds funneled through these kinds of entities are not earmarked for a particular country/region or a particular scope. Thus, a wide range of developing countries may benefit from the activities delivered by various NGOs and CSOs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received almost £83 million during the first nine months of 2019. The organization works in countries affected and riven by war.
Almost £30 million was transferred to Marie Stopes International (MSI), an important family planning organization working in developing countries, particularly in the health sector (reproductive healthcare).
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) received over £26 million from DFID between January and September 2019.
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