Jersey Overseas Aid

Charity Number: CUSTOM_15D605CC

Annual Expenditure: £16.0M

Stay updated on changes from Jersey Overseas Aid and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Budget: Approximately £15-16 million (0.29% of Jersey's GVA in 2024)
  • Jersey Charities Funding: £3.34 million in 2024
  • Geographic Focus: Six priority countries (Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zambia) plus Jersey charities working internationally
  • Grant Range: £9,445 - £2,136,343 (based on current Jersey charities grants)
  • Application Method: Invitation-only for development grants; annual applications for Jersey charities

Contact Details

Address: Jersey Overseas Aid, 1st Floor Office Suite, St Helier Town Hall, Jersey, JE4 8PA

Email: enquiries@joa.je

Telephone: 01534 446901

Website: https://joa.je/

Overview

Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) is the Island's official, publicly-funded aid and development agency, established to "translate the generosity, skills and compassion of the people of Jersey into effective assistance for the world's most vulnerable people." Since 2021, JOA's budget has been formally tied to Jersey's Gross Value Added (GVA), meaning it varies proportionately with the Island's economic fortunes. In 2024, JOA received 0.29% of GVA from the States of Jersey, totaling approximately £15-16 million. The organisation is governed by a six-member Commission appointed by the States of Jersey and chaired by Deputy Carolyn Labey, who has served as Jersey's Minister for International Development since 2018. In 2024, JOA distributed £3.34 million to Jersey charities, making it one of the largest funders of domestic charities in the Channel Islands. In November 2024, JOA received recognition when Jersey's Lieutenant Governor became the organisation's first official Patron. JOA currently supports over 1.1 million people through its funded projects across multiple countries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Development Grants (International Partners)

  • Target: Pre-approved international charities, non-profit organisations, academic institutions, and UN Agencies
  • Geographic focus: Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia
  • Application: Invitation-only, typically launches in September
  • Examples: Multi-year programmes ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of pounds

Jersey Charities Programme

  • Target: Jersey-registered charities working in developing countries
  • Grant range: £9,445 - £2,136,343 (based on 2024 awards)
  • Total allocation: £3.34 million in 2024
  • Application: Annual applications accepted, no limit on number of applications per charity
  • Application materials: Available on website (application form, financial health check template, risk assessment template, budgeting tools)

Humanitarian Response

  • Target: Pre-selected, internationally-recognised agencies with demonstrable humanitarian programming experience
  • Focus: Rapid emergency assistance for armed conflicts and natural disasters
  • Recent responses: Ukraine, Gaza, Bangladesh, Sudan, Libya, Turkey/Syria earthquake

Priority Areas

JOA concentrates funding on three strategic themes aligned with Jersey's expertise:

1. Dairy for Development

  • Supporting smallholder farmers through improved cattle genetics (Jersey breed), training in cattle health and farm management, and artificial insemination programmes
  • Current programmes in Nepal, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia
  • Example: Malawi project training over 7,500 farmers with 382 artificial inseminations per month in 2024
  • Mkakazi loan scheme providing 1,500+ female farmers with pregnant heifers, equipment, and training

2. Financial Inclusion

  • Expanding access to financial services for vulnerable populations
  • Joint £8 million project with Comic Relief ('Branching Out') helping almost 1 million people in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Zambia
  • Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) - 148 groups with 2,500 members (60% women)
  • Example: Rwanda project supporting 24,000 rural farming households through Opportunity International

3. Conservation Livelihoods

  • Linking environmental protection with sustainable income generation
  • Climate-smart agriculture and improved crop production
  • Example: Madagascar initiative targeting 2,000+ households across wetland and dry forest areas
  • Sierra Leone mangrove protection project expanded into landmark Coastal Resilience Project

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited development grant applications from non-approved partners
  • Projects outside their six priority countries (except for Jersey charities and humanitarian emergencies)
  • Projects that don't align with their three strategic themes (for development grants)
  • Organizations that haven't undergone rigorous due diligence process
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Jersey Overseas Aid?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Commission Members (2024-2025)

Chair:

  • Deputy Carolyn Labey - Deputy and Minister for International Development

States Commissioners:

  • Connétable Philip Le Sueur - Connétable of Trinity
  • Deputy Steve Ahier - Deputy of St. Helier North

Non-States Commissioners:

  • Alistair Calvert - Non-States Commissioner (reappointed March 2024)
  • Julia Yun Hulme - Dual-qualified US/UK lawyer with 22+ years experience, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Therese Morel - 35-year career in aid and development, including almost 30 years with UNHCR

Executive Leadership

Edward Lewis - Executive Director (appointed February 2025)

  • Over 15 years' experience in development sector
  • Previously worked with United Nations and European Commission
  • Served as interim director from July 2024

Key Quotes from Leadership

Deputy Carolyn Labey on JOA's approach:

"By playing to our strengths in Dairy, Conservation Livelihoods and Financial Inclusion, we don't only enhance our own international identity but we also demonstrate that Jersey offers a diverse, outward looking set of skills which we utilise as a responsible global citizen."

On Financial Inclusion:

“With the financial expertise we have got in the Island, to use it in this way for financial inclusion for third world countries changes the narrative.”

Edward Lewis on his appointment:

“I am incredibly excited at the prospect of building on the tremendous work of the Commission and that of my predecessor, Simon Boas, taking the organisation forward and enhancing its reputation as a world-class development donor.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Development Grants (International Partners):

  • JOA does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Approximately 60 pre-approved agencies invited to bid for support at different times throughout the year
  • Annual Request for Proposals (RFP) typically launches in September
  • Interested organizations must first contact JOA to discuss partnership opportunities: enquiries@joa.je or 01534 446901
  • All organizations must undergo rigorous due diligence before any funding is disbursed

For Jersey Charities:

  • Must be registered as a Jersey charity
  • Evidence of sound governance and financial controls required
  • Demonstrated capacity to implement overseas projects
  • Application toolkit available on website includes application form, financial health check template, risk assessment template, and budgeting tools
  • No limit on number of grant applications per year
  • Projects can be in countries beyond the six priority nations

For Humanitarian Funding:

  • Restricted to pre-selected, internationally-recognised agencies
  • Must demonstrate experience in humanitarian programming
  • Contact JOA directly to discuss partnership opportunities

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Commission regularly reviews proposals prepared by professional staff for humanitarian grants to enable swift, efficient response. For development grants, the annual RFP cycle suggests decisions are made within the fiscal year, but exact timeframes vary.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, JOA works with approximately 60 pre-approved agencies for development grants, suggesting a selective partnership model rather than open competition.

Reapplication Policy

Jersey charities may apply for more than one grant per year with no stated limit. For development partners, invitations are issued at different times throughout the year, suggesting opportunities for multiple funding rounds. No specific restrictions on reapplication were found.

Application Success Factors

What JOA Values

Strategic Alignment: Projects must align with one of JOA's three strategic themes (Dairy for Development, Financial Inclusion, Conservation Livelihoods) and operate in priority countries (for development grants). As Deputy Labey stated, these themes were “selected for their effectiveness in bringing lasting change and because they are areas in which Jersey has skills and knowledge that can be shared.”

Proven Track Record: The emphasis on pre-approved partners and rigorous due diligence suggests JOA prioritizes organizations with demonstrable expertise and strong governance. Edward Lewis's appointment criteria noted his “interpersonal skills, professional and practical experience in the development sector.”

Measurable Impact: JOA emphasizes monitoring and evaluation to “ensure our aid is effective and sustainable.” Successful projects demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes - for example, the Malawi dairy project's specific metrics (7,500 farmers trained, 382 artificial inseminations per month).

Capacity Building: Beyond funding, JOA offers Jersey charities “capacity-building assistance in impact measurement, governance, decision-making, and financial management,” suggesting they value partnerships that strengthen organizational capability.

Gender Inclusion: Multiple funded projects highlight women's participation rates (60% women in VSLAs, Mkakazi loan scheme targeting female farmers), indicating this is a priority consideration.

Scale and Longevity: JOA now implements “larger, longer-term programmes in fewer places” rather than many smaller projects, suggesting preference for multi-year initiatives with significant scale.

Recent Funded Projects

  • Rwanda Financial Inclusion: Opportunity International's three-year project supporting 24,000 rural farming households
  • Malawi Dairy Development: Shire Highlands Milk Producers Association partnership training 7,500+ farmers
  • Sierra Leone Conservation: Mangrove protection project with Save the Children International and Environmental Foundation for Africa
  • Madagascar Conservation: Initiative targeting 2,000+ households across wetland and dry forest areas
  • Zambia Dairy: First Dairy for Development project benefiting 8,100 small-hold farmers (40,000 individuals total)

Success Story Example

JOA highlighted Mukajemusi Alossia, a 70-year-old Rwandan Genocide widow, who “used to struggle to access financial services due to her old age, but through hard work, resilience, access to finance and group support, has managed to move from despair to hope, now generating grassroot wealth and creating a job.” This demonstrates JOA's appreciation for projects that serve vulnerable populations and create tangible livelihood improvements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Partnership is prerequisite: For development grants, you cannot apply without first becoming a pre-approved partner. Invest time in building a relationship with JOA before expecting funding opportunities. Jersey charities have more accessible pathways.
  1. Align with Jersey's strengths: Projects should leverage Jersey's expertise in dairy farming, financial services, or conservation. Generic development proposals without this connection are unlikely to succeed.
  1. Target the right geography: Development grants are restricted to six countries (Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zambia). Jersey charities have more geographic flexibility but should still demonstrate work in developing countries.
  1. Demonstrate organizational strength: The rigorous due diligence process means your governance, financial controls, and implementation capacity will be thoroughly scrutinized. Ensure these are robust before approaching JOA.
  1. Think scale and sustainability: JOA's strategic shift toward “larger, longer-term programmes” means proposals should demonstrate significant reach and multi-year sustainability rather than small, one-off interventions.
  1. Measure and communicate impact: Be prepared to provide detailed monitoring and evaluation data. Successful projects report specific, quantifiable outcomes (number of beneficiaries, participation rates, production metrics).
  1. For Jersey charities, apply strategically: While there's no limit on applications, demonstrate sound project design and capacity. Use the provided toolkit to strengthen your application with financial health checks and risk assessments.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References