Dear Mr Robertson

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST F2009-275

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 9 November 2009 in which you asked for the following:

1. What information does the department hold about proposed reforms to the development awareness mini grants scheme? I mean proposals from Triple Line Consulting and any others that are kept in a formal way.

2. What of this information relates to making grant accounts transparent & easy to find for those who use the services of grant-claimants, seek to provide rival services, whistle blowers, journalists, MPs researchers and the like?

3. What of this information relates to putting grant accounts online? What of this information relates to requiring claimants to tell those who might use the service that they have received a grant and where to find the accounts?

Information about proposed reforms to the Development Awareness Mini Grants Scheme (MGS) can be found on DFID's website http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Consultations/Open-consultations/Building-Support-for-Development-reviews-DFIDs-proposed-way-forward/. You can find there a short summary of responses to a consultation exercise, and the final report of a review commissioned by DFID earlier this year. DFID is proposing to make changes to the MGS in light of the review recommendations. We do not hold any proposals from TripleLine Consulting regarding reforms to the MGS, or information specifically relating to parts 2 and 3 of your request.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me, quoting F2009-275.

If you are unhappy with the service we have provided and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, please write to Openness Unit at the address shown above or email [DFID request email]

If you do make a complaint and are not content with the outcome, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted DFID's complaints procedure. You can contact the Information Commissioner at the following address:

The Information Commissioner's Office,

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

Cheshire SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

John McGinn

Openness Unit

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED