A United Kingdom aid match-funding scheme to encourage public donations to development projects in low-income countries has been criticized for using its aid budget to boost the “reputations” of government ministers.
An independent report published Monday attacks a requirement for civil society groups to prove they can reach a certain size of audience through their advertising — and feature ministers in public appeals — before they can join the UK Aid Match, or UKAM, initiative.
The rule shuts out many “worthy NGOs and causes” with limited marketing capabilities, says the study by a university professor in global development carried out for British parliamentarians.