Overseas Aid & Development Commission supports local Rotary initiatives
- The Overseas Aid & Development Commission is promoting its Community Partnership Awards.
- The awards will match-fund donations from local organisations for international aid projects.
- Recent funding has been approved for two Rotary Club of Guernsey initiatives: End Polio Now and ShelterBox.
- The OA&DC aims to enhance Guernsey’s contributions to global development.
- Local fundraising efforts can receive match-funding up to a specified ceiling.
The Overseas Aid & Development Commission is promoting its Community Partnership Awards.
The Overseas Aid & Development Commission is shining the spotlight on its Community Partnership Awards to promote local contributions to international aid.
Recently, the Commission provided match-funding to the Rotary Club of Guernsey for two significant projects aimed at addressing humanitarian needs on a global scale.
The Community Partnership Awards are designed to support local organisations, including charities, religious groups, and educational institutions, by offering match-funding.
The programme specifically focuses on initiatives that meet fundamental humanitarian needs and target developing countries where assistance is most needed.
The OA&DC has approved match-funding for two donations made by the Rotary Club of Guernsey:
End Polio Now: The Rotary Club raised £3,500 to support global polio eradication initiatives. In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, every £1 raised generates an additional £2, leading to a substantial total of £10,500 for the campaign. The OA&DC provided maximum match-funding of £9,000, resulting in a total contribution of £19,500 for the campaign which supports crucial vaccination programs and surveillance work in low-income and crisis-affected regions.
ShelterBox: The Commission is also matching the Rotary's donation of £4,720 to the disaster relief charity ShelterBox. This funding will enable the acquisition of 16 emergency shelter packs, providing immediate assistance to families displaced by disasters or conflict, such as those caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.
These contributions have been funded from the Commission’s 2025 Community Partnerships budget dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in some of the world’s poorest communities.
Deputy Jennifer Strachan, President of the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, stated, “Community Partnerships are just as important as our relationships with international charities. We look at whether our support can significantly increase a project’s impact, whether it recognises the commitment of local fundraisers, and whether it helps raise awareness of the issues being addressed.”
She also encouraged those fundraising for international aid to contact the Commission to learn more about the Community Partnerships programme.
Carla Bauer, President of the Rotary Club of Guernsey, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the Commission’s support, which allows the generosity of our members and the wider Guernsey community to have an even greater impact. Rotary has always believed that when local people come together, we can change lives far beyond our shores.”
Bauer emphasized that the partnership between the Rotary Club and the Commission exemplifies the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative efforts.
James Carmichael, End Polio Now Specialist for Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, noted, “Rotary’s commitment to ending polio spans four decades, and support from communities like Guernsey continues to be vital. Every contribution helps us reach children in the hardest-to-reach places with life-saving vaccines and strengthens global surveillance systems that keep the world safe from future outbreaks.”
John Cleverley, Rotary Communications Officer at ShelterBox, highlighted the significance of timely assistance, stating, “Pre-positioned aid saves lives. Support from the Rotary Club of Guernsey and the Commission means we can get emergency shelter and essential items to families faster when disaster strikes.”
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