§ 29. Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received on administering aid through smaller charities; and if she will make a statement. [132210]
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§ Clare ShortI receive many representations from a wide range of organisations in Britain, including small development charities.
All the work of my Department is focused on reducing global poverty. Civil society organisations in the UK and in the developing world have an important role to play. We have established a new Civil Society Challenge Fund—the CSCF—to provide finance to civil society groups, that provide support to poor people in asserting their rights and to promote innovation and reforms for sustainable development. The CSCF is open to any UK based non-profit group, organisation or network. My officials will shortly be discussing the operation of the new scheme with all applicants to date. Details of the CSCF are available in the Library of the House.