Strategic Framework

In 2023, the UK Soft Power Group published a major report, ‘The Future of UK Soft Power: Building a Strategic Framework’. Merging the efforts of over 20 of the UK’s principal soft power assets, the report highlights substantial benefits the UK earns from its soft power and the importance of increasing collaboration between Government and soft power actors to enable the UK to achieve its international ambitions.

With effort to avoid encouraging the overt instrumentalisation of soft power actors by the Government, the report suggests practical mechanisms to foster closer collaboration between a diverse independent sector and the Government:

1. Establish a new Government-soft power engagement forum to aid connectivity and strategic thinking between Whitehall, devolved administrations and independent soft power actors.

2. Ensure that the Minister responsible for soft power is recognised as the cross-Government Soft Power Champion, supported by a team empowered to make targeted strategic interventions across Whitehall and beyond.

3. Introduce a light-touch Strategic Relationship Management System for soft power bodies to enhance connectivity across Whitehall.

4. Agree on planning horizons, resources and funding mechanisms, between Government and soft power actors to maximise their contribution to the UK’s international objectives.

5. Create light-touch mechanisms to increase connectivity between soft power actors and overseas Posts.