Manx charities are being invited to apply for International Development funding.

The Council of Ministers has recently undertaken a review of the mechanisms by which overseas aid is distributed by the Manx government.

Small grants will now be one of five funding streams used by the Cabinet Office to allocate the £2.4 million annual International Development budget.

From this week, Manx charities can apply for small grant funding. The total amount of funding available for Manx projects is £540,000, split across a two-year period.

Charities are invited to submit proposals for two-year projects, with priority given to those taking place in one of the 44 countries ranked as ’low development’ on the United Nations’ human development index.

The objectives of each project will need to target one, or more, of the 17 UN’s sustainable development goals.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’I am really pleased that we have been able to continue this funding stream for Manx charities to undertake projects in developing countries.

’The hard work and dedication of local charities has delivered so many great outcomes across the developing world up to now, and I am looking forward to seeing a new raft of project proposals for funding over the next two years.’

He added: ’I believe the changes we have made will help to provide targeted support and make the most effective use of the funding we have available.’

Those seeking small grant funding will be required to have both a physical presence in the island and must be registered under the Isle of Man Charities Registration Act 1989.

Charities will also need to raise a minimum of 10 per cent of the total funding and include details of how the work will be publicised on the Island. Deadline for applications is 5pm on April 21.

There are four other funding streams. There is a global development and education awareness raising grant and a disaster and emergency relief budget - the latter reserved for Disasters Emergency Committee live appeals for humanitarian disasters.

International Development Partnerships - two-year partnerships with a small number of respected and recognised international charities - will replace the previous multi-year grant funding stream from April 2018.

Finally there is the highly-regarded Small Countries Financial Management Programme - which is now in its ninth year.