About
Partners
RESI is a flagship initiative of ODI Global, formerly the Overseas Development Institute. We work with partner governments, philanthropists, foundations, non-profits, businesses and research institutions around the world.
Research
RESI partners with leading academic institutions to shape our strategic planning, research and media output. Together we co-create flagship datasets and reports that inform global policy, including the biennial State of SIDS Report.
Partners include the University of Sheffield, the University of Malta, Australian National University, the University of the West Indies at St Augustine, and Monash University.
Policy and government
RESI works directly with the governments of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), regional island blocs, partner governments and international policymakers to turn data into state action. We work closely with multilateral institutions, multilateral development banks and UN agencies to align our findings with global development agendas.
By convening roundtables and panel discussions at major global forums, we help ensure that national policies, legal frameworks and climate strategies are grounded in evidence and built for impact.
Funders
RESI is backed by philanthropists, foundations, corporate partners and traditional development partners, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Irish Aid. This support sustains our core directorate, expands our global network of research affiliates, and finances our documentaries and podcasts on small island resilience. It also allows us to convene international policymakers and build the collaboration needed to help defend small island interests on the world stage.
Media
TBC
Support for RESI from the UK Government
The Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI) was founded at ODI Global thanks in part to the generous support of the UK’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Hub at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2021.
FCDO’s support for RESI falls under the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience Programme (SIDAR), with ODI Global contributing as an implementation partner. The SIDAR programme aims to respond to pressures on SIDS governments arising from climate change and the unique disadvantages created by small population sizes, remoteness, and vulnerability to economic shocks and natural disasters. It will focus especially on sustainable and inclusive capacity, UK Partnership for economic development, access to affordable finance and impacting the policy environment.
Key projects
FCDO’s financial support for RESI started focused on one project, and has since expanded to include five workstreams, with over £3.1 million provided between financial years 2022-2027. FCDO has also helped us fundraise with other governments and pool funding for RESI as a whole.
Key projects achieved together include the development of:
- The SIDS Future Foruma recurrent global convening of small island leaders driving progress on the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS)
- The State of SIDS ReportRESI’s flagship report with a comprehensive evidence-based assessment of the realities and challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), authored by a cross-regional team of nearly 30 island experts and researchers.
- Climate Blueprinta three-part short film series which conveys the leadership and resilience of small island nations negotiating for change on the global stage.
- Small Islands Big PictureRESI’s dedicated podcast featuring the stories and expert analysis of people from small islands, researchers and decision-makers across the world.
- The SIDS Data labOne fully interactive digital space displaying RESI’s four core datasets. Built from years of research, the data lab covers the forces that shape island futures including climate loss and damage, resilience finance, poverty and debt.
UK-SIDS Strategy 2026 to 2030
The UK regards Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as key partners on global issues and is committed to supporting SIDS’ economic and climate resilience. Find out more about the new five-year UK-SIDS strategy.
