We worked FCDO and over 100 international development charities to deliver creative, positive, solutions-focused communication appeals that show the benefits of UK aid.

For four years, The Social Change Agency managed the communications of UK Aid Match, a 5-year, £150 million programme run by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. UK Aid Match is designed to allow the British public to have a say in how UK aid is spent and provide opportunities to engage with international development opportunities, whilst boosting the impact of civil society projects. For every £1 donated to a UK Aid Match charity appeal, the UK government also contributes £1 of UK aid, to help the projects go further in changing the lives of the world’s poorest.

Through this, we worked with a number of high-profile international development charities such as WaterAid, Save the Children, War Child and International Rescue Committee to create innovative fundraising appeals. We collected and analysed data on appeals and produced insights into what makes a successful fundraising appeal and created the DevComms network, an online network of communications professionals in international development, in order to share expertise, resources and learnings from across the sector.

Why is public engagement important?

Public attitudes toward global development are increasingly negative. How charities communicate their work is vital to encouraging the public to engage and actively support international development work. We draw on research such as the Narrative Project to overcome barriers to public support such as feelings of cynicism, distance, and futility.

We offer support on:

• Refining key campaign messages
• Evaluating communication strategies
• Maximising earned media and fundraising opportunities
• Assessing communications risks
• Meaningfully using case studies
• Assessing creative assets
• Sharing best practice from across the sector