Last updated at 6:34 (UK time) 29 Mar 2011

Arab Partnership

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at the beginning of change that will span generations. The UK’s response to the Arab Spring must reflect the scale and enormity of these changes and the opportunity they present to support the people of the region as they build more stable, prosperous and inclusive societies.

The Arab Partnership is the UK government’s strategic response to the Arab Spring. Through diplomatic engagement and practical assistance to a range of partners, we are supporting long-term political and economic reform in the region.

Each country in the region is unique and their paths of change will be different. However there is a common thread running through. The Arab Spring has shown there is no contradiction between respect for a country’s unique culture and traditions, and the right of its people to participate politically and economically in the life of their country.

Many challenges remain for the region, but the people of the Middle East and North Africa are already building a better future for themselves. We are proud of the work we have done so far to support them. This work matters, both to the people of the region and to wider international peace, security and prosperity. As more open, democratic societies are built over the years and decades to come, the UK will remain committed in its support to the people of the region.

The UK’s response

On 8 February 2011 the Foreign Secretary announced the UK’s ‘Arab Partnership’. This initiative leads our long-term strategic approach to the Arab Spring, working with those in the region that want to put the building blocks of more open, free societies, underpinned by vibrant economies, in place.

The Arab Partnership works to leverage funding and support through multilaterals, in particular the G8 and the EU to provide a strengthened offer of support to the region. In addition the UK is committing £110m over four years to the Arab Partnership, to support both political and economic reform across the region. We will use this fund to provide countries including Tunisia and Egypt with support for lasting political and economic reform through the building blocks of democracy: institutions, political pluralism, free media and economic fairness and opportunity.

The Arab Partnership Participation Fund

The £40m FCO-managed fund is structured around three key objectives, political participation, public voice and freedom of expression, and good governance (including rule of law; transparency, integrity and tackling corruption; effective and accountable institutions).

The Arab Partnership Economic Facility

The £70 million DFID-led Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF), will also provide expert advice on economic reform, working closely with the International Financial Institutions.

2012-13 Country Project Bids

The bidding window in Libya is open until Sunday 13 May 2012.

The first round of bidding for 2012/13 projects in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Jordan is complete and there are currently no plans to run further bidding rounds for projects in these countries during the current financial year .

Please refer to the Programme Strategy for more information on how the Programme manages the bidding process.
Please see some details of projects approved for 2012-13.

2012-13 Regional Project Bids

The bidding window for regional projects for 2012/13 is now closed. Bidders will be notified by the end of May 2012.

Please note that the deadlines and processes for regional projects are different from those for country specific projects. The bidding and approval process for regional projects will run from February-May, and will be led by the Arab Partnership Programme Team, not Embassy project officers. For any enquiries about regional projects, please email: Arab Partnership Programme.

Unfortunately, due to the high level of interest, the Programme Team will not be able to meet potential implementers at the pre-bid or Concept Note stage. We will be happy to discuss project development with implementers once their Concept Notes have been approved.

2012-13 Forms and Guidance

Subject Guidance Notes -

2011-12 Projects

In 2011-12 the Arab Partnership Participation Fund funded 46 projects in 11 countries under our original six objectives. We fully committed our original £5 million allocation and expect to more than double our spending in financial year 2012-13.

See a list of the 2011-12 projects

UK in UAE