The UK government has rolled out financial support for garment businesses with “vulnerable supply chains” in developing countries as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak and its wider economic impact.

The Covid-19 Vulnerable Supply Chains Facility (VSCF) offers grants and/or technical assistance of the value between GBP200,000 and GBP600,000 (US$247,162 to $741,485) and has been established by the Department for International Development (DFID) in partnership with the Department for International Trade.

The support is intended to ensure vulnerable workers and suppliers are prepared for the economic and social shocks of Covid-19.

VSCF will support proposals that focus on the garment and agriculture sectors in at least one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chad, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, OPTs, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Applications of support from VSCF are welcome from:

  • businesses facing industry challenges and looking for advisory/ facilitation support
  • businesses looking to support the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable workers and suppliers in their supply chains
  • not-for-profit organisations supporting MNCs/SMEs and their suppliers in specific sectors/ geographies
  • not-for-profit organisations supporting transparency and accountability mechanisms within/across specific supply chains
  • not-for-profit organisations supporting informal workers and smallholder farmers that are part of global supply chains

To qualify, businesses must also be able to demonstrate they operate responsibly and should have a modern slavery statement; public reporting on sustainability and; membership of a recognised membership body for responsible business.

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The deadline for application is 20 May.

Click here for all eligibility rules and the application template. 

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