Future First Global and CARE Foundation have been awarded a grant from the Small Charities Challenge Fund (SCCF) to pilot an innovative approach to improving social mobility through Alumni Networks.
The fund by UKAID supports charities to achieve sustained poverty reduction and the partnership between Future First Global and CARE was awarded £50,000.
Future First Global are experts in building strong youth-centred networks and the CARE Foundation run a network of over 800 schools in Pakistan. Together they will pilot alumni communities at 100 schools in the country, aiming to improve social mobility by increasing young people’s access to strong networks and relatable role models.
Recent studies have shown that in contemporary Pakistan, the father’s socio-economic status remains the largest determinant of their children’s economic outcomes, and that young people without strong networks are at a disadvantage.
Alumni communities are one way of reducing this disadvantage and enable young people to access relatable support such as career advice, life coaching and other social and economic opportunities. This contributes directly to Global Goal Number 10 to reduce inequalities.
The project, funded with UK aid from the British people, is expected to reach as many as 12,000 students in Pakistan over the course of the next two years – changing the prospects of thousands of young people and ensuring that more people have a fairer chance in life.
Former International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, said:
“I’m proud that UK aid is supporting Future First Global and CARE Foundation to give young people in Pakistan access to opportunities they may otherwise not have and realise a brighter future for themselves and their families.
“Small British charities often punch above their weight and UK aid’s Small Charities Challenge Fund exists to make sure those organisations with big hearts get the early support they need to help end poverty.”
Abi Nokes, CEO of Future First Global, said:
“We are delighted with the funding from the Government’s Small Charities Challenge Fund which will enable us to support thousands of young people in Pakistan. Our innovative approach to improving social mobility has had success around the world and we are excited to be collaborating with CARE Foundation to bring it to this region too.”
Aisha Suhailm Board Member of CARE Foundation, said:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Future First Global and the UK Government in the development of a long-lasting CARE Alumni Network. This initiative will not only enhance peer-to-peer engagement, but also provide a wonderful support network for the foundation’s current and past students.”
If you are interested in applying for a Small Charities Challenge Fund grant, please visit https://www.ukaiddirect.org/apply/sccf/ . Applications can be made at any time and are reviewed every six months.
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For further information:
Bobby Dean, Comms & Advocacy Consultant, bobby@futurefirstglobal.org
Notes to editors
Background on SCCF
- SCCF provides grants of up to £50,000 to UK registered charities with an annual income of £250,000 or less.
- Applications can be made at any time and are reviewed every six months. The next review point is Thursday 28 March 2019.
- SCCF was launched in July 2017 as part of UK Aid Direct and was designed to strengthen small UK based charities working towards achieving the Global Goals.
- SCCF is the first UKAID fund designed specifically with small UK based charities in mind, and feedback from these organisations informed its design. For example, the SCCF operates a one stage application process, a streamlined due diligence and a tailored payment in advance approach.
- In the second round of SCCF, 90% of applicants had not previously received UKAID funding and 62% of shortlisted applicants were based outside of London and the South East.