The Overseas Territories Programme Fund supports the work of government to maintain the security, stability and prosperity of the Overseas Territories.

The programme

The programme’s main objectives are to:

• improve the governance of, and promote political and economic transparency in, the Territories
• ensure the security of the Overseas Territories
• reduce their vulnerability to natural and non-natural disasters
• encourage more diversified economic development
• support the Territories in meeting international obligations; and
• support environmental management and the implementation of Environmental Charters in the Overseas Territories.

Funding

The programme also provides funding to support work aimed at maintaining the UK’s prominent role in Antarctic and Arctic fora.

In 2006-7, the Overseas Territories Programme Fund spent £4.5 million.

Geographical priorities

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St Helena and dependencies, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Programme includes a ring-fenced allocation of £500,000 for the Overseas Territories Environment Programme, a joint DFID/FCO programme, which covers all Overseas Territories, including the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus and Gibraltar.