The Government today announced that it will match fund up to £6
million of public donations to Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day
appeal, to empower people living across Africa to take control of
their own development.
The funding will go towards Comic Relief and FCDO’s joint-funded
Shifting the Power programme, as part of a total £30m package of
support.
Locally led, civil society organisations in Ghana, Zambia and
Malawi will be supported through the programme to become more
effective, sustainable and better able to represent local
people’s priorities.
By acting on the issues that are most important to them and their
communities, including supporting women and girls, early
childhood development, mental health and tackling homelessness,
they will help drive lasting change.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South and
Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth, said:
The UK Government will match fund up to £6m of public donations,
pound for pound, to Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day appeal. Thanks to
your generosity locally-led organisations across Ghana, Zambia
and Malawi will be able to bring lasting change to their
communities by supporting women and girls to fulfil their
potential, allowing young children to survive and thrive, and
giving people access to mental health services and a safe place
to call home.
Shifting the Power is due to run until 2030, as part of the UK
Government’s long-standing partnership with Comic Relief.
Samir Patel, CEO, Comic Relief said:
We are delighted to receive strong support for our international
work from the UK Government. The generous £6 million funding will
be invested in locally led organisations across Africa that focus
on empowering women and girls, supporting the development of
young children, increasing mental health support and addressing
gender inequality. This money will support some of the most
vulnerable people in society and make a real difference to their
lives.
