Annual review of Counter Terrorism programme fund area released

The UK government has published annual review summaries of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Counter Terrorism Programme Fund 2020 to 2021.

Every year, all Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) programmes are reviewed, assessing technical and programme management standards including financial and risk management, value for money, conflict and gender sensitivity; contextual factors such as changes to the political environment; and the outputs and outcomes during the year. The reviews also identify lessons learned.

Seven reviews have been published including Counter Da’esh Communications Cell (CDCC) Programme annual review summary 2020 to 2021, International Prevent Programme (IPP) annual review summary 2020 to 2021, Physical Security and Attack Response Programme (PSARP) annual review summary 2020 to 2021, and Maritime Security Strategic Engagement and Training (MSSET) Programme annual review summary 2020 to 2021.

Counter Da’esh Communications Cell review reveals that "The programme demonstrably reduced vulnerability to violent extremist narratives, provided accurate and timely public health messaging at the onset of coronavirus (C-19) pandemic which countered Da’esh and Boko Haram’s efforts to exploit the pandemic and undermined support for these groups; the programme also contributed to a reduction in support for Da’esh in North-East Syria."

However, the Aviation Security Strategic Engagement and Training (ASSET) Programme annual review summary 2020 to 2021 revealed that "In FY 20/21, ASSET performance significantly worsened due to external circumstances beyond HMG’s control, namely the coronavirus (C-19) pandemic impact on aviation sector. There was little on-the-ground work to improve national government capacities and capabilities, largely due to the grounding of flights and the inability of resource to transfer from the UK."

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