Small charities can provide a sustainable model for international development and need help now more than ever

The sector should be celebrated as a British success story and a catalyst for positive global change. But in 2020, many of these small charities are struggling with the knock-on effects of Covid-19

The landscape for international development has been dominated this month by the government’s decision to renege on their manifesto pledge to guarantee 0.7 per cent of its annual budget for foreign aid at a time when the economic impact of the pandemic is, according to the World Bank, driving hundreds of millions back into extreme poverty.

Though presented by Rishi Sunak as a temporary realignment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is part of a broader shift in how our government views international development. This is none more evident than in the much-criticised DfID/FCO merger. It is underpinned by a push to tie funding to directly benefit the UK’s interests. In the past such priorities led to endless scandals of inappropriate use of aid in the poorest countries.

A steadfast commitment to international justice and sustainability should be central to our claim to be a “Global Britain” post-Brexit. Tackling global challenges is in our best interests. It does not need to be tied to UK commercial interests to benefit us. Most people view it as a moral responsibility, but there are myriad other reasons to continue to generously fund development in the poorest countries; it helps troubled regions to become more stable and secure, and is a boon to our soft power.

So much of the national reporting about international development is laden with misconceptions about foreign aid and misleading claims on where the money goes.

For those who require “value for money” for their financial aid, some small charities provide a phenomenal track record of getting the most possible impact out of their funding. They often operate with minimal overheads, working in-country with the people who need their help most. They get children into school, protect the natural world, fight malnutrition and prevent the spread of deadly diseases.

The work done by these charities represents a sustainable model for lasting change, tackling these urgent problems while building capacity within a region so that, in time, they can step away knowing the future is in capable local hands. This is precisely what most of the British public say they want from their international development. The sector should be celebrated as a British success story and a catalyst for positive global change.

But in 2020, many of these small charities are struggling with the knock-on effects of Covid-19. A recent survey by the Small International Development Charities Network found that nearly half (45 per cent) are expected to close due to lack of financial support.

With many (89 per cent) of these charities working on the frontline of the global response to Covid-19, they have seen a spike in demand for their services. But a third (33 per cent) are already reporting a loss of income – and projecting worse to come.

I am proud to be a patron of Ammalife, a Birmingham-based charity committed to tackling obstacles to good maternal health and saving lives in some of the poorest parts of the world.

In this testing year we have been more fortunate than most. The generosity of our supporters drove our emergency appeal that has helped us to distribute hand hygiene, PPE equipment and washing machines to maternity settings across Malawi. These supplies have offered protection to pregnant and postpartum women, their babies, and the healthcare workers who care for them, reducing risk of hospital to community transmission.

Though Covid-19 necessitated some immediate interventions, most of Ammalife’s work involves evidence-based research with local partners, training for healthcare professionals, and facilitating long-term change through the expertise and contacts of its staff.

Even throughout the pandemic we have taken steps to ensure sustainability. Through collaborations with the Malawi College of Medicine and the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, we have started the process of locally producing alcohol-based hand rub. Profits from the enterprise are reinvested back into the college, with a view to becoming a viable community enterprise.

This is the sort of work that many of these small charities undertake daily. Sadly, some have not been so lucky in 2020 and face an imminent threat of closure. Even those who have survived the initial Covid shock have difficult months ahead with significant challenges ahead for their two foremost funding streams.

Community fundraising activities, such as sporting events, bake sales and bucket shakes are vital for generating unrestricted funding that supports the running costs of a charity. Covid restrictions, in place since March, have made such events difficult to host at best, and often impossible.

Those face-to-face interactions are often key to generating more funds and building lasting relationships with donors. With the ongoing tiered restrictions, charities are having to rely heavily on online-only campaigns to ask regular givers and new supporters to dig deeper than ever.

We are also seeing even greater competition for grants from agencies and corporate donors, driven by the desperate times facing small charities. Accessing new sources of funding to support running costs and continue crucial work is trickier than ever before.

With that in mind, I would urge those with the means to do so that now is the time to go the extra mile. Right now, as they are so often, these non-profit organisations are on the frontline helping those who need it most – and doing so in a way that can benefit generations of people across the world. The least we can do is be there for them too.

Clare Short is a Labour politician who served as secretary of state for international development under prime minister Tony Blair from 1997 to 2003