Help support our work

African boy wearing head phones

The BBC World Service Trust is the BBC’s international charity. We believe that independent and vibrant media are critical to the development of free and just societies.

Help us reduce poverty and oppression around the world, giving hope to millions. By giving poor people access to vital information - about their health, security, basic rights, livelihoods and environment - your donation can help them fight poverty and build a better future.

By giving marginalised and disenfranchised people a voice, your donation can empower them to share their views, ask critical questions and hold their governments to account.

It is an old saying that knowledge means power. The better informed you are, the greater your chances of success.

Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations

Please make a donation to help support our work




With your permission, we can claim tax back on your donation through Gift Aid, so your donation will be worth almost 30% more at no extra cost to you.

The BBC World Service Trust is an independent charity funded by external grants and voluntary contributions. We only receive a small amount of core support for our activities from the BBC (both in kind and cash).

More about our work

We work in over 40 developing and transitional countries in Africa, Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East to:

  • Provide vital information to the victims of natural disasters or conflict
  • Raise awareness and change behaviour and attitudes towards critical health issues, including HIV and AIDS
  • Help people make a better living by increasing their knowledge and skill
  • Help citizens hold their governments to account by enabling public scrutiny, dialogue and debate
  • Teach children and adults who have been denied an education reading, writing and arithmetic
  • Help develop an independent, un-biased media that is free from government control

"It is an old saying that knowledge means power; the better informed you are, the greater your chances of success."
Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations