International terrorism continues to present a long-term threat to our security and the security of our allies.

Countering terrorism and its causes is therefore one of our policy goals.

The Countering Terrorism & Radicalisation Programme was created to enable us to support the Government's unified counter terrorism strategy.

What does the Programme aim to achieve?

The programme aims to enhance the counter terrorism capabilities and to strengthen the resilience of key foreign Governments based on 4 key strands set out in the UK’s counter terrorism strategy CONTEST [PDF]:

• Prevent
• Pursue
• Protect
• Prepare

Projects focusing on Prevent are typically locally led in the countries concerned. Our local embassies and high commissions clear these projects to ensure they fit with our strategy.

They are identified in the first instance and implemented overseas through non government organisations and multilateral bodies.

Some projects originate from organisations based in the UK.

Our Preventing extremism page provides more info about these objectives.

Projects that fit under Pursue, Protect or Prepare are usually set up by our embassies in consultation with other UK Government departments and the intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Where are our priorities?

Target countries have been identified as priorities by the FCO and other UK Government Departments according to the current threat posed to UK interests from terrorism. The priority regions are:

• Middle East and North Africa
• East and Horn of Africa
• South East Asia
• South Asia

Funding

Over the next 3 years the CTR Programme aims to fund projects supporting all the areas of CONTEST.

However, a large balance of resources will lean towards projects that fit into preventing extremism. We anticipate allocating at least £20m on projects in this category during 2008/09.

Application procedure

Please contact your nearest British embassy or high commission if you have any project proposals that support the UK Government's counter radicalisation agenda.

Our embassies and high commissions review all proposals before forwarding  them to the Programme Team in London for assessment.

Once assessed all recommended projects go to the CTR Programme Board who have the final decision on whether the project can be funded or not.

Next Programme Board:  7 October 2008

Deadline for project proposals to the Programme Team:  31 August 2008