UK aid plans point to reduced support for some nature projects
The story at a glance
UK aid plans show a broad reduction in spending and lower allocations for some countries. The Guardian reports that bilateral aid to Commonwealth countries with previous bilateral programmes is projected to fall from £546 million in 2024–25 to £131 million in 2028–29. The sources reviewed do not independently establish that Commonwealth countries are affected more than others. 123
The changes include revised geographic eligibility for the Darwin Initiative’s latest funding round. But published allocations are plans, not final spending, and the eventual effects on conservation have not been established. 13
What you need to know
- The Independent Commission for Aid Impact describes a planned 42% fall in UK aid from its 2023 peak to 2027–28. It cautions that its analysis is based on allocations rather than actual spending, and that plans may change. 3
- The FCDO’s published figures list £9 million for Sierra Leone in 2026–27, falling to £5 million in each of the next two years. Nigeria is listed at £68 million in each of those years. These figures cover programme allocations, not all UK aid to either country. 2
- The Guardian’s Commonwealth-wide comparison relies on its own analysis of recent and projected figures. The sources reviewed do not provide an independent comparison to confirm that Commonwealth countries overall fare worse than other countries. 123
- Darwin Initiative guidance confirms that Round 32 has narrower geographic eligibility, based on selected biodiversity hotspots. The sources reviewed do not independently verify the Guardian’s estimate of how many Commonwealth countries are no longer eligible. 1
- The FCDO says it is shifting its approach towards investment, expertise and strengthening systems. Its equality assessment also anticipates an eight-percentage-point decrease in the share of country and regional bilateral spending allocated to sub-Saharan Africa. 24
Why this matters
Changes to aid allocations and grant eligibility affect the funding landscape for conservation work. The available reporting identifies potential pressure on nature projects, but does not yet show what biodiversity outcomes will follow. 123
What happens next
The published allocations cover 2026–27 to 2028–29, but the FCDO says not all individual programme decisions had been taken. Comparing eventual spending with these plans, and assessing conservation outcomes, will be necessary to understand the effects. 234
What we know
- The UK is reducing its aid budget and changing its approach to bilateral aid, according to the government’s allocations and the independent review. 23
- Published country allocations include lower planned amounts for Sierra Leone across the three years shown, while Nigeria’s listed allocation remains at £68 million each year. 2
- Darwin Initiative Round 32 uses narrower geographic eligibility based on selected biodiversity hotspots. 1
What we don't know
- The available sources do not independently establish the method or country list behind the Guardian’s Commonwealth-wide comparison. 123
- It remains unclear how much of the planned bilateral aid will ultimately be spent, as allocations are not actual expenditure and plans may change. 34
- The sources do not establish whether the shift in funding approach will preserve or deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes in countries receiving reduced grant aid. 123
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This WildNews briefing synthesises and summarises reporting from the sources below. WildNews did not produce the original reporting. Learn more about how we use AI
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