Standards and Trade Development Facility

Preparation Grants up to a maximum of US$20,000 are available for proposal development. Such grants may also be awarded to assist eligible beneficiaries revise project proposals which the STDF Working Group deems of interest but in need of revision before final approval can be granted.

Project preparation grants (PPGs) are a key mechanism for future STDF programme development as they help overcome constraints faced by developing countries in the articulation of their needs. PPGs are also a mechanism for ensuring synergy with other on-going initiatives. For example, they can support project development for priority actions in the SPS area which have been identified in the Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS) conducted under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (IF). PPGs will bridge the gap between the identification of SPS needs and their articulation into projects.

In addition, PPGs have been used to survey national capacity in the SPS area. These national surveys of capacity and needs can be specific surveys of the animal, plant or food safety areas or designed to build over-arching national strategies in bio-security. The use of such tools can provide a foundation for the development of donor strategies and provide a basis on which STDF projects can be established.

The main criterion in awarding preparation grants is the likelihood that the project developed may receive funding. Final project funding may be provided by the STDF or from another funding source, e.g. a bilateral donor. Greater reliance will be placed on the use of PPGs to provide a basis for donor interventions and as a vehicle for mobilizing funds for projects developed by the STDF.

Download the STDF project preparation grant application form (word - 56k)

Project Grants financing up to 90 per cent of project cost are available for private and public organizations in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Other Low Income Economies (OLIEs). Applicants in countries that are neither LDCs nor OLIEs shall provide at least 30 per cent of the project value from their own resources (either in the form of financial or in-kind contributions). Regional projects including LDCs and OLIEs can benefit from the higher rate of funding (up to 90 per cent). The STDF will fund projects submitted by eligible beneficiary entities up to a maximum of US$600,000.

The STDF will fund technical cooperation activities which address underlying issues of SPS capacity building in beneficiary countries (in particular in LDCs or OLIEs, or on a regional basis), ideally through innovative, preventative and/or pilot projects which may be replicated by other donors; and which aim to address gaps in SPS information, training materials or which aim to improve co-ordination among SPS technical co-operation providers through collaborative projects.

Grant financing is also available for projects submitted by STDF partner organizations for project initiatives which correspond to a request from a developing country or group of developing countries.

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