The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a call for concept notes for a project to assess the special educational needs (SEN) market in Saudi Arabia. The initiative, part of the Gulf Strategy Fund, seeks to identify opportunities for UK SEN operators and specialist organisations.
Saudi Arabia is currently undertaking significant reforms to its education system under Vision 2030. These reforms include an evolving legal framework aimed at strengthening provision for students with special educational needs.
The project's primary objective is to produce an evidence-based assessment of Saudi SEN provision and the resulting opportunities for UK organisations. It will analyse Saudi laws, assess current SEN provision, map stakeholders, and identify specific market-entry opportunities and requirements for UK providers.
Organisations based in the UK or Saudi Arabia are eligible to apply, with priority given to those demonstrating SEN expertise and access to qualified Saudi legal and market expertise. Concept notes must be submitted by 21 September 2026, with projects to be delivered by February 2027 and budgets not exceeding £80,000.