With new political leadership in both the United Kingdom and the United States, Atalanta outlines the third and private sectors can adjust, and help shape, the future of development and diplomacy.
With a new government at the helm in the United Kingdom and a change of administration looming in the United States, diplomatic relations and development priorities stand at a crossroads. Gathering insights from our network of global leaders in business, philanthropy, NGOs, and think tanks, our latest White Paper, The Next Phase of US and UK Development and Diplomacy, explores the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the third and private sectors working in international development as they navigate a shifting geopolitical landscape.
One of the sector’s key challenges is building trust and support for development aid in an era of transactional politics and constrained budgets. As conversations between the public and policymakers diverge, organisations must ensure they have compelling narratives that can be deployed with both audiences. For the public, the focus should remain on explaining why development matters and how it helps address issues they care about—such as poverty, conflict, migration, climate change, and health crises. Conversations with policymakers, however, should position the role of development as aligned with national interests, emphasising its strategic value in fostering global stability and economic growth as well as in achieving long-term national and international security.
These compelling arguments risk falling flat, however, if they are not supported by strong stakeholder relationships. In the UK, advocates should prioritise strengthening ties with Labour Party leadership and the Treasury, as these groups are pivotal to restoring the 0.7% aid target. Meanwhile, in the US, the Trump-led administration will require messaging that positions development as offering tangible benefits to American citizens. Both nations appear to be receptive to deploying focused funding to achieve development outcomes — an approach championed by Australia, where investment has been realigned to concentrate on the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
In this evolving geopolitical landscape, the third and private sectors both have critical roles to play. As government funding tightens, civil society organisations will need to step up, leveraging partnerships and amplifying impact through collaboration. Philanthropies, too, must fill gaps by advocating for sidelined issues and ensuring progress on global commitments to poverty, health, and climate action.
The private sector is also emerging as a vital force for sustainable development, with investments not just in traditional areas like health and infrastructure, but also in Africa’s booming creative industries. Together, these sectors can propel innovation and prove that collaboration can bring lasting change. These partnerships are not just about making an economic impact – they are about solving real-world challenges.
The road ahead isn’t easy, but it is filled with opportunity. By building strong partnerships and crafting smarter narratives, the development community can rise to meet this moment. With bold, creative thinking and collaboration, organisations can ensure that sustainable development remains a central pillar of US and UK foreign policy.
If you would like a copy of the White Paper, please contact our Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Ames, at elizabeth@atalanta.co. If you’d like to learn more about our work engaging complex networks of high-level stakeholders who cut across sectors and geographies, click here.
