Government response to the Committee’s report on the European Forest Institute: Host Country Agreement

This is the government's response, published 9 October 2024.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government responds to the Committee's request to explain how the European Forest Institute (EFI) London office will be funded in future years by stating that the £350,000 allocation is a one-time sum and that ongoing costs will be borne by the EFI itself.

• The £350,000 from FCDO non-ODA International Programmes budgets in 2024-25 "will be a one-time allocation to support costs associated with set up of the new UK office", as confirmed with the EFI during negotiation and signing.
• It cites Article 7 of the Agreement, under which the Host Country undertakes to use "reasonable endeavours" to facilitate services and support, "the costs of which shall be borne by the Institute".
• It states that the Institute's financial resources come "primarily from associate and affiliate members by means of membership fees", as well as voluntary contributions by members, as detailed in Article 10 of the EFI Convention.
• The government states that, owing to the General Election, the Agreement will not enter into force by 1 September 2024, and that it "endeavours to bring the Agreement into force as soon as is practicable".

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