The article analyses the United Kingdom's implementation of soft power instruments in five policy areas of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation: culture and language promotion; collaboration in education; cooperation in the sphere of science, technology and innovation; strengthening business relations, public diplomacy (youth exchanges, activities of non-governmental organizations [NGOs], etc.); and international development assistance. The author examines the priorities, goals and objectives; key stakeholders; regulatory framework; system of institutions, mechanisms and tools; financing system and accounting mechanisms; information and communication systems; and evaluation systems. Considering the results of the analysis, the author concludes that the combination of various aspects of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation contributes to the achievement of the main goal of the UK's soft power policy, namely, ensuring the influence and successful promotion of national values abroad. The author identified key factors of the soft power policy success, including clear objectives for cooperation in each area; due consideration of national circumstances and the level of the economic development of partner countries; sustainability of activities in those countries; effective coordination among relevant authorities; active involvement of NGOs in collaborative processes; as well as transparency and well-developed tools for assessing the effectiveness of the soft power policy. The resource of influence in partner countries is generated primarily through activities in business relations, public diplomacy and international development assistance. However, policies in other areas also contribute to the effective implementation of the UK's soft power strategy.
