Difference between revisions of "Conflict, Stability and Security Fund"

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The British Government created the '''Conflict, Stability and Security Fund''' ('''CSSF''') on 1 April 2015, replacing the previous [[Conflict (Prevention) Pool]]. It is a pool of money, over £1 billion per year, for tackling conflict and instability overseas.<ref name=parliament-20150312>http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-12/HCWS392/ |Conflict Stability and Security Fund Settlement, Financial Year 2015-16 : Written statement] - HCWS392 Oliver Letwin UK Parliament |12 March 2015 </ref><ref name=parliament-20160721>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-07-21/HCWS123/ |title=Conflict Stability and Security Fund 2015 /16 and settlement for 2016 /17 : Written statement - HCWS123 |author=Ben Gummer |publisher=UK Parliament |date=21 July 2016 |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref> Roughly half of the fund is categorised as government [[official development assistance]] (ODA).<ref name=hansard-20161102>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2016-11-02/debates/333BB123-CF19-41CC-A67F-0D55E3D477A6/ConflictStabilityAndSecurityFund |title=Conflict, Stability and Security Fund |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Lords Hansard |id=Column 708 |date=2 November 2016 |accessdate=4 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=hoc-20210128>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-01-28/debates/21012813000009/ConflictStabilityAndSecurityFundAllocations2020-21 |title=Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Allocations 2020-21 |last=Mordaunt |first=Penny |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons |date=28 January 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>
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{{short description|'''UK cross-government fund (2015–2024) for addressing conflict, instability and threats to national security overseas; replaced by the Integrated Security Fund'''}}
  
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==Governance and purpose==
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{{Infobox organization
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The CSSF is overseen by the [[National Security Council]] (NSC), whereas the previous Conflict Pool had been jointly controlled by the [[Department for International Development]], the [[Ministry of Defence]], and the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]].<ref name=cr-20140901>{{cite report |url=http://www.c-r.org/downloads/Joint%20SW_CR_IA%20briefing%20on%20CP%20CSSF%20BSOS%20-%20FINAL0914.pdf |title=Investing in long-term peace? The new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund], Conciliation Resources |publisher=Conciliation Resources |date=1 September 2014 |accessdate=27 November 2016}}</ref> The [[National Security Adviser (United Kingdom)|National Security Adviser]] is the Senior Responsible Officer for the CSSF.<ref name=cssf-ar2017/>
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| name = Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
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| abbreviation = CSSF
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| type = Government fund
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| formation = 1 April 2015
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| dissolved = 1 April 2024
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| successor = [[Integrated Security Fund]]
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| purpose = Tackling conflict, instability and threats to UK national security overseas
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| headquarters = London
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| budget = Over £1 billion annually
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| leader_title = Senior Responsible Officer
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| leader_name = [[National Security Adviser (United Kingdom)|National Security Adviser]]
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| parent_organization = [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]]
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}}
  
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The CSSF supports delivery of the UK’s Building Stability Overseas Strategy and the [[National Security Strategy (United Kingdom)|National Security Strategy]] and [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015|Strategic Defence and Security Review]]. The CSSF builds on the framework of the [[Conflict Pool]] by bringing together existing cross-departmental expertise and resources from across government.<ref name=cr-20140901/> The CSSF funds a broader range of activities to help prevent conflict that affects vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries, and tackle threats to British security and interests from instability overseas. This will include actions the UK delivers directly or through third parties to help prevent conflict and instability, and support post-conflict reconciliation.
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The '''[[Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]''' ('''CSSF''') was a cross-government fund established on 1 April 2015 to address conflict, instability and threats to UK national security overseas. It integrated resources from defence, diplomacy, development assistance, security and intelligence in support of the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review. The fund was overseen by the [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]], with the National Security Adviser as Senior Responsible Officer. Approximately half its budget was classified as official development assistance (ODA). On 1 April 2024 it was renamed the [[Integrated Security Fund]], incorporating additional cyber and economic-deterrence elements.<ref name="parliament-20150312">UK Parliament, [http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-12/HCWS392/ Conflict Stability and Security Fund Settlement, Financial Year 2015-16 : Written statement - HCWS392], 12 March 2015.</ref><ref name="govuk-isf">UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-integrated-security-fund/about About us - UK Integrated Security Fund], accessed 10 October 2026.</ref>
  
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Priorities for the Fund are set by the Government’s [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]],<ref name=stabilisationunit-20140325>{{cite web |url=http://www.stabilisationunit.gov.uk/attachments/article/298/20140325-SU_Business_Plan_2014-15-Final-O.pdf |title=Stabilisation Unit Business Plan |publisher=gov.uk |work=FCO/MOD/DFID |date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141014135024/http://www.stabilisationunit.gov.uk/attachments/article/298/20140325-SU_Business_Plan_2014-15-Final-O.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2014 |access-date=26 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> to ensure a stronger cross-departmental approach that draws on the synergy of defence, diplomacy, developmental assistance, security and intelligence. It is designed to enable the British Government to tackle the root causes of conflict abroad with various national and regional programmes including, developing [[human rights]] training, strengthening local police and judiciaries, and facilitating political reconciliation and local peace processes.
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== Governance and purpose ==
  
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==History==
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The CSSF shifted control of conflict-related spending from the previous joint Conflict Pool (DFID, MoD and FCO) to the National Security Council. This embedded intelligence oversight more deeply: the Intelligence and Security Committee has noted the fund’s strong links to British intelligence agencies, including the Secret Intelligence Service, and its facilitation of funding towards intelligence-related activities. Priorities were set by the NSC to leverage synergies across defence, diplomacy, development, security and intelligence. Activities included human-rights training, strengthening local police and judiciaries, political reconciliation, strategic communications, and support to third parties. The 2018 Fusion Doctrine further promoted a whole-of-government approach, increasing the scope for intelligence influence across departments.<ref name="isc-2023">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ISC-Annual-Report-2022-2023.pdf Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Annual Report 2022–2023], 5 December 2023.</ref><ref name="nscr-2018">UK Government, [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5af1991040f0b642e2d8fa06/6.4391_CO_National-Security-Review_web.pdf National Security Capability Review – March 2018], March 2018.</ref>
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When the fund was created, the majority of its funding, £823 million out of £1,033 million, was transferred from the [[Department for International Development]] budget to the fund, £739 million of which was then administered by the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] and £42 million by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name=hocl-20151123>{{cite news |url=https://secondreading.uk/world/what-do-we-know-about-future-aid-spending-uk-overseas-aid-and-the-spending-review/ |title=Spending Review 2015: the future of overseas aid |author=Lorna Booth |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons Library |date=23 November 2015 |accessdate=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/international-development/MainEstimateIDCMemoranda.pdf |title=Main Estimate 2015/16 |work=Department for International Development |publisher=UK Parliament |year=2015 |accessdate=6 December 2016}}</ref> The 2015 UK Aid policy stated that the CSSF would be increased to £1.3 billion by 2019/20.<ref name=UKaid-2015>{{cite report |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478834/ODA_strategy_final_web_0905.pdf |title=UK aid: tackling global challenges in the national interest |id=Cm 9163 |publisher=gov.uk |work=HM Treasury |date=November 2015 |accessdate=6 December 2016}}</ref> The funds available through the previous Conflict Pool were £180 million in 2014/15, so there has been a very substantial funding increase in this area with the creation of the CSSF.<ref name=icai-20120713>{{cite report |url=http://icai.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Evaluation-of-the-Inter-Departmental-Conflict-Pool-ICAI-Report.pdf |title=Evaluation of the Inter-Departmental Conflict Pool |publisher=[[Independent Commission for Aid Impact]] |date=13 July 2012 |accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=abbott-20160229>{{cite web |url=http://news.trust.org/item/20160229173810-dj9vp/ |title=The stealth aid raid: militarising Britain's development budget |author=Diane Abbott |publisher=Thomson Reuters Foundation News |date=29 February 2016 |accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref>
 
  
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In 2016 [[Mark Lyall Grant|Sir Mark Lyall Grant]], National Security Adviser, stated the three countries on which most was spent were Afghanistan (£90 million), Syria (£60 million) and Somalia (£32 million), and that the fund had projects in more than 40 countries.<ref name=parliament-20161128>{{cite web |url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/national-security-strategy-committee/conflict-stability-and-security-fund/oral/43877.html |title=Oral evidence: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund |work=Joint Committee on National Security Strategy |publisher=UK Parliament |id=HC 208 |date=28 November 2016 |accessdate=7 November 2017}}</ref> A major spending area is related to the [[Syrian Civil War]],<ref name=parliament-20160721/><ref name=govuk-assistance>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/factsheet-the-uks-non-humanitarian-aid-response-to-the-syria-crisis--2/providing-non-humanitarian-assistance-in-syria |title=Providing non-humanitarian assistance in Syria |publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office |date=1 December 2015 |accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref> including hiring private contractors to deliver "strategic communications and media operations support to the Syrian moderate armed opposition" – described as essentially running the "[[Free Syrian Army]] press office".<ref name=guardian-20160503>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/how-britain-funds-the-propaganda-war-against-isis-in-syria |title=How Britain funds the 'propaganda war' against Isis in Syria |author1=Ian Cobain |author2=Alice Ross |author3=Rob Evans |author4=Mona Mahmood |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 May 2016 |accessdate=18 December 2016}}</ref> The [[Stabilisation Unit]] interdepartmental agency is funded by the CSSF.<ref name=su-aboutus>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/stabilisation-unit/about |title=Stabilisation Unit - About us |publisher=gov.uk |accessdate=5 December 2016}}</ref>
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== History and scale ==
  
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The fund's first annual report was published in July 2017, under the auspices of the new National Security Adviser, [[Mark Sedwill]], covering the financial year 2016/17. It stated that the five largest CSSF country programmes out of 70 were: Afghanistan (£90 million), Syria (£64 million), Somalia (£33.5 million), Jordan (£25.3 million) and Lebanon (£24 million). The spending in Jordan and Lebanon was largely related to the influx of refugees from the Syrian Civil War. The report states that more detail will be published during the following financial year.<ref name=cssf-ar2017>{{cite report |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630077/conflict-stability-security-fund-annual-report-2016-2017.pdf |title=Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Annual Report 2016/17 |publisher=gov.uk |date=July 2017 |accessdate=7 November 2017}}</ref>
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The fund replaced the Conflict Pool and represented a significant increase in resources. In 2015/16 the allocation was £1.033 billion (roughly 50% ODA), with major early transfers from the DFID budget administered largely by the FCO. Annual budgets thereafter typically exceeded £1 billion until later reductions. Top programme areas consistently included Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, and refugee-related work in Jordan and Lebanon. The fund operated in more than 40 countries. Critics, including the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, described elements of it as opaque and potentially functioning as a “slush fund.” Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviews examined effectiveness and accountability. Detailed contractor-level breakdowns have never been fully published for security reasons; known recipients and programme summaries appear in annual reports, parliamentary answers and investigative reporting.<ref name="parliament-20160721">Ben Gummer, [https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-07-21/HCWS123/ Conflict Stability and Security Fund 2015 /16 and settlement for 2016 /17 : Written statement - HCWS123] ''UK Parliament'', 21 July 2016.</ref><ref name="guardian-20170207">Karen McVeigh, [https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/07/secrecy-around-1bn-aid-and-security-fund-raises-significant-concern-say-mps Secrecy around £1bn aid and security fund raises ‘significant concern’, say MPs] ''The Guardian'', 7 February 2017.</ref>
  
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The budget for the 2020/21 financial year was £1.37 billion. The four largest line-items, which exceeded half of the budget, were Peacekeeping (£388 million), Middle East and North Africa (£183 million), South Asia (£103 million) and MOD Afghan Security (£100 million).<ref name=hoc-20210128/>
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=== Selected annual figures ===
  
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==2017 Committee on the National Security Strategy inquiry==
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{| class="wikitable"
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The [[Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy]] launched an inquiry examining the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund in May 2016.<ref name=parliament-20160526>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/national-security-strategy/news-parliament-2015/cssf-launch-16-17/ |title=Conflict, Stability and Security Fund inquiry launched |publisher=UK Parliament |work=Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy |date=26 May 2016 |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/national-security-strategy/inquiries/parliament-2015/conflict-stability-security-fund-16-17/ |title=Conflict, Stability and Security Fund inquiry |publisher=UK Parliament |work=Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref>
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! Year !! Approximate allocation !! Notes
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On 2 November 2016 [[Jack McConnell|Lord McConnell]] criticised the fact there was no up-to-date public strategy for the fund, as the 2011 Building Stability Overseas Strategy has never been updated.<ref name=hansard-20161102/> In November 2016 the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy inquiry asked Sir [[Mark Lyall Grant]], the Prime Minister’s [[National Security Adviser (United Kingdom)|National Security Adviser]], to disclose details of the fund’s spending.<ref name=guardian-20161201>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/dec/01/uk-aid-reviews-trade-policy-sideline-poor-countries |title=Plan to align UK aid with trade policy could sideline poor countries |author=Ben Quinn, Karen McVeigh |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 December 2016 |accessdate=5 December 2016}}</ref> This followed concern in the media that the fund was causing more of the UK aid budget to be spent on defence and foreign policy objectives.<ref name=ft-20151120>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/24f11670-8f74-11e5-8be4-3506bf20cc2b |title=Cash-strapped UK departments circle aid budget ahead of cuts |author=John Mcdermott, Jim Pickard |newspaper=Financial Times |date=20 November 2015 |accessdate=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20160924>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/sep/24/more-than-a-quarter-of-uk-aid-budget-to-fall-prey-to-rival-ministries-by-2020 |title=More than a quarter of UK aid budget to fall prey to rival ministries by 2020 |author=Ben Quinn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 September 2016 |accessdate=5 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20161125>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/25/do-we-really-want-the-military-spending-our-aid-budget |title=Do we really want the military spending our aid budget? |author=Alex Scrivener |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 November 2016 |accessdate=5 December 2016}}</ref>
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|-
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| 2015/16 || £1.033 billion || ~50% ODA; Syria ~£60m, Afghanistan ~£90m
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|-
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| 2016/17 || £1.127 billion || 48% ODA; Syria £64m, Somalia £33.5m
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|-
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| 2017/18 || £1.194 billion || 51% ODA
 +
|-
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| 2018/19 || £1.25 billion || 52% ODA
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|-
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| 2019/20 || £1.28 billion || 50% ODA
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|-
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| 2020/21 || £1.37 billion || 49% ODA
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|-
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| 2021/22 || £858.6 million || 40.4% ODA
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|-
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| 2022/23 || £830 million || Ukraine response intensified
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|-
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| 2023/24 || £850 million || Final year before transition to ISF
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|}
  
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The inquiry issued its report on 6 February 2017. The government had refused to disclose which countries were receiving money under the CSSF, and only a small number of individual projects were disclosed. The government stated that some projects must remain secret for security reasons. The committee reported that the fund had opaque objectives and achievements, and lacked accountability. The committee reported that "There is a risk that the CSSF is being used as a ‘slush fund’ for projects that may be worthy, but which do not collectively meet the needs of UK national security". There was particular criticism of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, both for its lack of procurement expertise and outdated understanding of the political causes of armed conflict. The committee concluded it could not "provide parliamentary accountability for taxpayers’ money spent via the CSSF." It recommended a single [[Cabinet Office]] minister should be responsible for the fund's spending.<ref name=guardian-20170207>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/07/secrecy-around-1bn-aid-and-security-fund-raises-significant-concern-say-mps |title=Secrecy around £1bn aid and security fund raises 'significant concern', say MPs |first=Karen |last=McVeigh |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 February 2017 |accessdate=24 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=ft-20170207>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/37828900-ec6f-11e6-ba01-119a44939bb6 |title=UK antiwar project labelled a £1bn 'slush fund' by MPs |first=Henry |last=Mance |newspaper=Financial Times |date=7 February 2017 |accessdate=24 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20170306>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/06/amber-rudd-secret-billion-pound-conflict-stability-security-fund |title=Amber Rudd asked to reveal where secret £1bn conflict fund is spent |last=Travis |first=Alan |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 March 2017 |accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref>
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Figures drawn from parliamentary statements and CSSF annual reports; exact totals and ODA percentages vary slightly by source.<ref name="cssf-ar2017">UK Government, CSSF Annual Report 2017 to 2018.</ref><ref name="cssf-ar2023">UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-annual-report-2023-to-2024/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-annual-report-2023-to-2024 Conflict, Stability and Security Fund annual report 2023 to 2024], 5 December 2024.</ref>
  
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In 2017 the [[Independent Commission for Aid Impact]] started a review of the CSSF, with the final report due in Spring 2018.<ref name=icai-2017>[https://icai.independent.gov.uk/upcoming-reviews/conflict-stability-security-fund/ Upcoming reviews - The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund] Independent Commission for Aid Impact 2017 [https://web.archive.org/web/20171108034454/https://icai.independent.gov.uk/upcoming-reviews/conflict-stability-security-fund/ Archived] 8 November 2017</ref>
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== Syria and regime-change related activity ==
  
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==Recipients==
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The CSSF was a principal funding vehicle for UK support to Syrian opposition entities, stabilisation and strategic communications. Declassified UK has reported that the UK spent approximately £350 million promoting regime-change-related activity in Syria. Funding supported media and communications work for the moderate armed opposition (including Free Syrian Army press-office functions), civil-defence capacity (via [[Mayday Rescue]] / [[White Helmets]]), and contractors such as [[Incostrat]], [[ARK Group]] / Ark FZC, [[Adam Smith International]] and [[Albany Associates]]. Government framing emphasised civilian protection and counter-Daesh work; critics characterised substantial elements as information operations and opposition-support programming aligned with National Security Council priorities. The Guardian reported in 2016 on the use of the fund for the “propaganda war” against Isis and related communications activity.<ref name="declassified-2021">Declassified UK, [https://www.declassifieduk.org/revealed-the-uk-has-spent-350-million-promoting-regime-change-in-syria Revealed: The UK has spent £350-million promoting regime change in Syria], 20 July 2021.</ref><ref name="guardian-20160503">Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/how-britain-funds-the-propaganda-war-against-isis-in-syria How Britain funds the ‘propaganda war’ against Isis in Syria] ''The Guardian'', 3 May 2016.</ref>
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*[[Adam Smith International]]
 
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*[[ARK]]
 
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*[[Mayday Rescue]]
 
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*[[Incostrat]]
 
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*[[National Security Communications Team]]
 
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*[[Reprieve (organisation)]]
 
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*[[Torchlight]]
 
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*[[Westminster Foundation for Democracy]]
 
  
 +
== Related units and complementary activity ==
  
 +
The CSSF funded or complemented a range of information, communications and counter-disinformation capabilities, including:
  
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==External links==
+
* [[National Security Communications Team]] (NSCT) – targeted national-security messaging; CSSF funding (e.g. £2.87 million in 2021/22).
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*[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-cssf/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-an-overview Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: an overview]
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* [[Counter-Daesh Coalition Communications Cell]] (CDCC) – UK-led effort against Daesh narratives.
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*[https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-programme-summaries Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: programme summaries]
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* [[Russian Language Programme]] / [[Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme]] (CDMD) – CSSF funding of £60.4 million (2017–2021) reported by Declassified UK.
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*[https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/conflict_security_and_stability_fund_diverting_aid_and_undermining_human_rights_web.pdf The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund], [[Global Justice Now]], December 2017
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* [[Information Threats and Influence Directorate]] (ITID) – later consolidation; £17.33 million CSSF in 2023/24.
 +
* Alignment with [[Research, Information and Communications Unit]] (RICU), [[77th Brigade]], Rapid Response Unit and Counter Disinformation Unit activities (direct CSSF funding of the latter units was limited or not itemised).
 +
 
 +
These sat within the broader Fusion Doctrine approach.<ref name="cssf-ar2023" /><ref name="declassified-2022">Declassified UK reporting on CDMD and related programmes.</ref>
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== Known recipients and contractors ==
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 +
The following have been identified in official summaries, parliamentary answers or investigative reporting as receiving CSSF (or closely related) funding. The list is incomplete because of security classifications and aggregated reporting:
 +
 
 +
* [[Adam Smith International]]
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* [[Albany Associates]]
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* [[ARK Group]] / [[Ark FZC]]
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* [[Incostrat]]
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* [[Mayday Rescue]] / [[White Helmets]]
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* [[Mercy Corps]]
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* [[Search for Common Ground]]
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* [[Torchlight]]
 +
* [[Westminster Foundation for Democracy]]
 +
* [[Norwegian Refugee Council]]
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* [[HALO Trust]]
 +
* Various UN, OSCE, NATO and IAEA channels
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 +
Syria-focused contractors (Incostrat, ARK, Mayday, Albany, Adam Smith International) are the most extensively documented in leaked tender documents and subsequent reporting.<ref name="guardian-20160503" /><ref name="declassified-2021" />
 +
 
 +
== Scrutiny and criticism ==
 +
 
 +
The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy’s 2017 report highlighted opacity in objectives and achievements, limited project disclosure, and concerns that the fund could function as a slush fund. It recommended stronger Cabinet Office ministerial oversight. ICAI reviews examined aid effectiveness and the integration of development and security objectives. Transparency advocates and investigative outlets have repeatedly noted the difficulty of tracing specific contractor payments and the dual-use character of some strategic-communications work. Government responses have emphasised the necessity of classification for national-security reasons and the value of flexible, cross-government instruments.<ref name="guardian-20170207" /><ref name="jcnss-2017">Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201617/jtselect/jtnatsec/208/208.pdf Conflict, Stability and Security Fund], HC 208, 6 February 2017.</ref>
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 +
== See also ==
 +
 
 +
* [[Integrated Security Fund]]
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* [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)]]
 +
* [[Fusion Doctrine]]
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* [[Secret Intelligence Service]]
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* [[Incostrat]]
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* [[ARK Group]]
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* [[Mayday Rescue]]
 +
* [[White Helmets]]
 +
* [[FCO Programme spending 2015]]
 +
* [[FCO Programme spending 2016]]
 +
* [[FCDO Programme spending 2021]]
 +
* [[FCDO Programme spending 2022]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
 
 +
* [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-cssf/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-an-overview CSSF overview (gov.uk)]
 +
* [https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-programme-summaries CSSF programme summaries]
 +
* [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-integrated-security-fund/about Integrated Security Fund]
 +
* [https://www.declassifieduk.org/revealed-the-uk-has-spent-350-million-promoting-regime-change-in-syria Declassified UK, July 2021]
 +
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/how-britain-funds-the-propaganda-war-against-isis-in-syria Guardian, May 2016]
 +
* Global Justice Now, ''The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund'', December 2017
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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[[Category:United Kingdom national security|Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
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[[Category:Propaganda|Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]
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[[Category:UK|Conflict, Stability and Security Fund]]

Latest revision as of 20:15, 10 October 2026

UK cross-government fund (2015–2024) for addressing conflict, instability and threats to national security overseas; replaced by the Integrated Security Fund


Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
Type Government fund
Logo
Founded
Founder(s)
Dissolved 1 April 2024
Registration ID
Status
Headquarters London
Location
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website
Remarks


The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) was a cross-government fund established on 1 April 2015 to address conflict, instability and threats to UK national security overseas. It integrated resources from defence, diplomacy, development assistance, security and intelligence in support of the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review. The fund was overseen by the National Security Council, with the National Security Adviser as Senior Responsible Officer. Approximately half its budget was classified as official development assistance (ODA). On 1 April 2024 it was renamed the Integrated Security Fund, incorporating additional cyber and economic-deterrence elements.[1][2]

Governance and purpose

The CSSF shifted control of conflict-related spending from the previous joint Conflict Pool (DFID, MoD and FCO) to the National Security Council. This embedded intelligence oversight more deeply: the Intelligence and Security Committee has noted the fund’s strong links to British intelligence agencies, including the Secret Intelligence Service, and its facilitation of funding towards intelligence-related activities. Priorities were set by the NSC to leverage synergies across defence, diplomacy, development, security and intelligence. Activities included human-rights training, strengthening local police and judiciaries, political reconciliation, strategic communications, and support to third parties. The 2018 Fusion Doctrine further promoted a whole-of-government approach, increasing the scope for intelligence influence across departments.[3][4]

History and scale

The fund replaced the Conflict Pool and represented a significant increase in resources. In 2015/16 the allocation was £1.033 billion (roughly 50% ODA), with major early transfers from the DFID budget administered largely by the FCO. Annual budgets thereafter typically exceeded £1 billion until later reductions. Top programme areas consistently included Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, and refugee-related work in Jordan and Lebanon. The fund operated in more than 40 countries. Critics, including the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, described elements of it as opaque and potentially functioning as a “slush fund.” Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviews examined effectiveness and accountability. Detailed contractor-level breakdowns have never been fully published for security reasons; known recipients and programme summaries appear in annual reports, parliamentary answers and investigative reporting.[5][6]

Selected annual figures

Year Approximate allocation Notes
2015/16 £1.033 billion ~50% ODA; Syria ~£60m, Afghanistan ~£90m
2016/17 £1.127 billion 48% ODA; Syria £64m, Somalia £33.5m
2017/18 £1.194 billion 51% ODA
2018/19 £1.25 billion 52% ODA
2019/20 £1.28 billion 50% ODA
2020/21 £1.37 billion 49% ODA
2021/22 £858.6 million 40.4% ODA
2022/23 £830 million Ukraine response intensified
2023/24 £850 million Final year before transition to ISF

Figures drawn from parliamentary statements and CSSF annual reports; exact totals and ODA percentages vary slightly by source.[7][8]

Syria and regime-change related activity

The CSSF was a principal funding vehicle for UK support to Syrian opposition entities, stabilisation and strategic communications. Declassified UK has reported that the UK spent approximately £350 million promoting regime-change-related activity in Syria. Funding supported media and communications work for the moderate armed opposition (including Free Syrian Army press-office functions), civil-defence capacity (via Mayday Rescue / White Helmets), and contractors such as Incostrat, ARK Group / Ark FZC, Adam Smith International and Albany Associates. Government framing emphasised civilian protection and counter-Daesh work; critics characterised substantial elements as information operations and opposition-support programming aligned with National Security Council priorities. The Guardian reported in 2016 on the use of the fund for the “propaganda war” against Isis and related communications activity.[9][10]

Related units and complementary activity

The CSSF funded or complemented a range of information, communications and counter-disinformation capabilities, including:

These sat within the broader Fusion Doctrine approach.[8][11]

Known recipients and contractors

The following have been identified in official summaries, parliamentary answers or investigative reporting as receiving CSSF (or closely related) funding. The list is incomplete because of security classifications and aggregated reporting:

Syria-focused contractors (Incostrat, ARK, Mayday, Albany, Adam Smith International) are the most extensively documented in leaked tender documents and subsequent reporting.[10][9]

Scrutiny and criticism

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy’s 2017 report highlighted opacity in objectives and achievements, limited project disclosure, and concerns that the fund could function as a slush fund. It recommended stronger Cabinet Office ministerial oversight. ICAI reviews examined aid effectiveness and the integration of development and security objectives. Transparency advocates and investigative outlets have repeatedly noted the difficulty of tracing specific contractor payments and the dual-use character of some strategic-communications work. Government responses have emphasised the necessity of classification for national-security reasons and the value of flexible, cross-government instruments.[6][12]

See also

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ UK Parliament, Conflict Stability and Security Fund Settlement, Financial Year 2015-16 : Written statement - HCWS392, 12 March 2015.
  2. ↑ UK Government, About us - UK Integrated Security Fund, accessed 10 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Annual Report 2022–2023, 5 December 2023.
  4. ↑ UK Government, National Security Capability Review – March 2018, March 2018.
  5. ↑ Ben Gummer, Conflict Stability and Security Fund 2015 /16 and settlement for 2016 /17 : Written statement - HCWS123 UK Parliament, 21 July 2016.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Karen McVeigh, Secrecy around £1bn aid and security fund raises ‘significant concern’, say MPs The Guardian, 7 February 2017.
  7. ↑ UK Government, CSSF Annual Report 2017 to 2018.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 UK Government, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund annual report 2023 to 2024, 5 December 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Declassified UK, Revealed: The UK has spent £350-million promoting regime change in Syria, 20 July 2021.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, How Britain funds the ‘propaganda war’ against Isis in Syria The Guardian, 3 May 2016.
  11. ↑ Declassified UK reporting on CDMD and related programmes.
  12. ↑ Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, HC 208, 6 February 2017.
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