WFD’s role in award-winning project in Bangsamoro
A project that WFD delivers in Bangsamoro, an autonomous region in the southern Philippines, has won a UK Government Project Delivery Award, which recognises complex and ambitious projects across Government.
The British Embassy, Manila team delivering the ‘Building Peace and Stability in the Philippines' Bangsamoro, UK ISF’ project received the project delivery award on 5 February 2025.
The establishment of Bangsamoro (Officially the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM) was the culmination of years of peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
A transition body, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is serving as the interim regional governing body pending elections now scheduled for October 2025.
With the funding through the ‘Building Peace and Stability in the Philippines' Bangsamoro, UK ISF’ project, WFD has been leading support for the new parliament, many of whose members are former combatants.
Since 2020, WFD has been supporting the parliamentary secretariat, MPs, women political leaders, political parties, and civil society to deliver some of the most pressing elements of the democratic transition.
In addition to the work to support the parliament, the nomination for the project delivery awarded specifically noted how the project had:
- “focused on training former rebels to run the new government”. WFD conducted master classes to develop the knowledge and skills of the new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as they navigated their new parliamentary leadership roles.
- “empowered Muslim women in politics”. WFD’s Female Fellowship for the Bangsamoro brought together women leaders from across the region's five provinces, representing different political parties and levels of experience, to support women’s leadership as the region transitions from conflict and builds a democratic system that serves its people.
Find out about the Female Fellowship for the Bangsamoro
- “given communities a voice in post-conflict policymaking”. WFD has supported civil society organisations in their engagement with decision-makers and developed a ‘CSO playbook’ to guide their efforts.
Read about our work to support civil society engagement with decision-makers
Speaking about the programme, UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said: ““I’m so proud of my team and of UK support for peace and democracy in the Bangsamoro. We have worked with excellent partners, including the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, to support BARMM leaders, including women leaders, to embed the foundations of lasting peace, security, and prosperity.”
