FCDO HELP-S Sudan Grant: A £30 Million Opportunity for Resilience and Humanitarian Aid

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has announced a significant funding initiative, the Humanitarian Emergency and Longer-term Planning – Sudan (HELP-S) programme. This £30 million opportunity is designed to bolster humanitarian response and strengthen community resilience in Sudan’s conflict-affected regions. Running for two and a half years from 2026 to 2029, the program aims to support vulnerable populations in more stable areas by enhancing locally led humanitarian action and building sustainable systems for both immediate needs and long-term recovery. This funding is particularly relevant for humanitarian organizations, local Sudanese groups, NGOs, academic institutions, and international agencies working to address the ongoing crisis.

Understanding the HELP-S Programme

The HELP-S programme was created in response to the severe humanitarian crisis and widespread displacement in Sudan. It acknowledges that local communities are often the first to respond during emergencies. Therefore, the program emphasizes the importance of stronger partnerships between local and international entities to ensure effective and lasting humanitarian efforts. The core focus areas include supporting community resilience, empowering local humanitarian responders, improving coordination among aid providers, and promoting approaches that are led by local communities. It also aims to fill critical gaps in areas that are relatively stable but still face high needs, while encouraging flexible and adaptive programming. The FCDO’s goal is to develop a model that blends immediate relief with long-term planning for resilience, helping communities better prepare for future challenges.

Funding Details and Focus Areas

The HELP-S programme offers a total of £30 million in funding, to be distributed over its 2.5-year duration from 2026 to 2029. The funding is targeted towards several key sectors. These include support for girls and women, health services, humanitarian emergencies and disasters, livelihood programs, and overall community resilience. Organizations applying for this grant are expected to propose innovative and sustainable strategies that not only meet immediate humanitarian needs but also contribute to long-term resilience building within communities. The program seeks to transform how humanitarian aid is delivered in Sudan by placing local actors at the forefront of these efforts.

Key Objectives of the Fund

A central aim of the HELP-S initiative is to prioritize locally led humanitarian responses. The FCDO recognizes that communities are the primary responders during crises, and thus, the program champions community-led action, local partnerships, and Sudanese leadership. It seeks to ensure that humanitarian responses are driven by the actual needs and demands of the affected populations. Furthermore, the program strongly encourages genuine collaboration among international humanitarian actors, Sudanese civil society organizations, community groups, research institutions, and relief agencies. These partnerships are expected to be built on mutual respect, shared accountability, and the effective use of complementary expertise.

Given the volatile situation in Sudan, the program also stresses the need for flexible and adaptive programming. Funded organizations must demonstrate their capacity to quickly adjust activities, respond to changing humanitarian conditions, and operate effectively in unpredictable environments. Maintaining program continuity amidst conflict-related challenges is also a key requirement. Additionally, the FCDO expects applicants to promote innovation in how humanitarian aid is delivered, strengthen accountability to the people they serve, improve community acceptance of aid efforts, and uphold fundamental humanitarian principles in all their operations.

Who Can Apply for the Grant

The HELP-S programme is open to a broad spectrum of humanitarian and non-profit organizations. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Sudanese national NGOs, local civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, humanitarian relief organizations, non-profit academic institutions, and research organizations. Consortia partnerships are also encouraged. While for-profit organizations cannot apply directly, they are permitted to participate as downstream partners within consortium arrangements.

Requirements for Applicants

To be considered for the HELP-S programme, organizations must demonstrate a strong track record and operational capacity. Applicants need to show proven experience in delivering humanitarian assistance in difficult contexts, particularly in conflict-affected areas. A key requirement is the ability to operate effectively in hard-to-reach regions within Sudan, coupled with a deep understanding of local humanitarian dynamics. Where possible, organizations should also demonstrate strong existing local partnerships.

Safeguarding is a critical component, and applicants must have robust safeguarding mechanisms in place. This includes measures to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, as well as clear accountability and protection systems for beneficiaries. The FCDO places significant importance on the commitment to localization, meaning a genuine partnership with Sudanese organizations, shared leadership, and meaningful participation of local stakeholders. Finally, eligible organizations must possess strong financial management systems, compliance procedures aligned with FCDO requirements, and transparent operational practices.

Application Process and Deadline

To apply for the FCDO HELP-S Sudan Grant, organizations must submit specific documents. These include a 5-page Expression of Interest, which must use the official template provided. Applicants also need to submit a high-level budget estimate, using the designated budget template. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is May 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Further details and access to the official templates can be found on the FCDO’s international development funding portal.

Frequently Asked Questions