Recommendation 4

ICF programming is most effective when it is long-term, country-led, and aligned with the needs and priorities of partner countries’ existing national plans, for example their Nationally Determined Contributions. It is most transformative when it incorporates locally led principles and local leadership at the sub-national government, community and civil society level. We are encouraged by examples of innovative ICF programmes the government has implemented and delivered at the local level. However, the UK’s ICF remains overly complex, bureaucratic and risk-averse – particularly funding delivered through multilateral institutions. This means that funding is not sufficiently flexible for, or accessible to, those who need it most. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)