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Funding

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2026-04-17T09:34:59Z

David: Created page with "{{short description|'''UK government programme to support independent Russian-language media and counter disinformation'''}} {{Infobox organization | name = Ru..."

2026-04-17T09:34:22Z

Created page with "{{short description|'''UK government programme to support independent Russian-language media and counter disinformation'''}} {{Infobox organization | name = Ru..."

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{{short description|'''UK government programme to support independent Russian-language media and counter disinformation'''}}

{{Infobox organization
| name = Russian Language Programme
| formation = 2014
| dissolved = April 2016 (amalgamated)
| type = Government programme
| purpose = Media development and counter-disinformation
| headquarters =
| location = United Kingdom
| region_served = Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus and Baltic states
| language = English, Russian
| parent_organization = Foreign and Commonwealth Office (EECAD/HMG Russia Unit)
| funding = Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF)
}}

The '''Russian Language Programme''' ('''RLP''') was a [[United Kingdom]] government initiative launched in 2014 by the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] (FCO) following Russia's annexation of [[Crimea]].<ref name="Duncan2018">Sir Alan Duncan, [https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-12-04/198811 Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Integrity Initiative] ''UK Parliament'', 10 December 2018.</ref> It operated as part of the [[HMG Russia Unit]] within the FCO's [[Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate]] (EECAD) and was funded by the [[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]] (CSSF).<ref name="PDF2017">Foreign and Commonwealth Office, [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630285/Russian_Language_EECAD_2017.pdf Russian Language Programme] ''CSSF Programme Summary EECAD'', 2017.</ref>

The programme sought to enhance the quality of independent Russian-language media, engage Russian-speaking communities (particularly in the Baltic states) to promote social cohesion, and counter Russian state disinformation.<ref name="FAC2017">UK Government, [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmfaff/332/33202.htm Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report] ''House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee'', received 20 July 2017.</ref>

In 2018 the FCO claimed that the RLP was amalgamated in 2016 into the [[Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme]] (CDMD), a four-year strategic communications initiative authorised by the [[National Security Council]].<ref name="Duncan2018" />

==History==
The RLP was established in 2014 to co-ordinate expertise from the FCO, [[Ministry of Defence]], [[Department for International Development]] and external partners in response to what were described as'Russian information operations'.<ref name="FAC2017" />

==Objectives and activities==
A contemporary report makes clear that the programme aimed to "enhance independent media; to engage with Russian speakers; and to expose Russian Government disinformation."<ref name="FAC2017" /> Support included mentoring with UK media organisations, consultancy on programming, funded co-productions and regional Russian-language media initiatives.<ref name="PDF2017" />

In the Baltic states it focused on youth empowerment, sport, arts and social enterprise to build social cohesion and resilience against disinformation.<ref name="PDF2017" />

==Funding==
The RLP was funded through the CSSF and overseen by the National Security Secretariat (NSS) in the Cabinet Office.<ref name="Duncan2018" />

For financial year 2017/18 the budget was £8 million.<ref name="PDF2017" /> The wider set of projects coordinated under the FCO-led Russian Language Programme was described as worth some £70 million over four years - 2014-18.<ref name="FAC2017" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+ RLP budget breakdown FY 2017/18
! Activity !! Amount
|-
| Enhancing independent media || £5,950,000
|-
| Engaging Russian speakers (Baltic states) || £1,950,000
|-
| Programme delivery || £100,000
|-
| '''Total''' || '''£8,000,000'''
|}

==Amalgamation into CDMD==
A parliamentary answer states: "In April 2016 we launched a new four year strategic communications and media development programme authorised by the National Security Council, called the Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme. The former Russian Language Programme was amalgamated into this."<ref name="Duncan2018" /> The UK Government response of 20 July 2017 and the December 2018 parliamentary answer both refer to the CDMD as formally incorporating the RLP.<ref name="FAC2017" /><ref name="Duncan2018" />
==Connection to the Integrity Initiative==
Funding provided to the [[Institute for Statecraft]] for the [[Integrity Initiative]] came, according to FCO Written Answers, from the Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme, into which the RLP had been amalgamated.<ref name="Duncan2018" /> Leaked documents on the [[Integrity Initiative]] showed it had been funded by the RLP.
==See also==

[[Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme]]
[[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
[[Integrity Initiative]]

==External links==

[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmfaff/332/33202.htm UK Government response to Foreign Affairs Committee report] (20 July 2017)

==Notes==
<references />
[[Category:United Kingdom government programmes]]
[[Category:Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]
[[Category:Disinformation]]
[[Category:Media development]]
[[Category:Russian language]]

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ==Funding==
-The RLP was funded through the CSSF and overseen by the National Security Secretariat (NSS) in the Cabinet Office.<ref name="Duncan2018" />
+The RLP was funded through the CSSF and overseen by the [[National Security Secretariat]] (NSS) in the Cabinet Office.<ref name="Duncan2018" />
 For financial year 2017/18 the budget was £8 million.<ref name="PDF2017" /> The wider set of projects coordinated under the FCO-led Russian Language Programme was described as worth some £70 million over four years - 2014-18.<ref name="FAC2017" />

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ==See also==
-[[Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme]]
+*[[Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme]]
-[[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
+*[[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
-[[Integrity Initiative]]
+*[[Integrity Initiative]]
 ==External links==

Russian Language Programme - Revision history

David: /* Funding */

David: /* See also */

David: Created page with "{{short description|'''UK government programme to support independent Russian-language media and counter disinformation'''}} {{Infobox organization | name = Ru..."