Quick Start Programme Trust Fund

Background
The International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) decided in resolution I/4 to invite UNEP to establish a voluntary, time-limited trust fund to provide seed money to support the objective and strategic priorities of the QSP. Resolution I/1 of the ICCM urged Governments, regional economic integration organizations, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to make contributions to the voluntary trust fund.

Eligibility
Developing countries and countries with economies in transition are eligible for support from the trust fund. Approval of projects will take into account geographic and sectoral balance and pay particular attention to the urgent needs and requirements of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Proposals may be presented by SAICM participating Governments that have given appropriate formal recognition to SAICM, at a minimum by having designated an official SAICM national focal point. On an exceptional basis, and having regard to resources and administrative capacity available, representatives of civil society networks participating in SAICM may also present project proposals, subject to endorsement of the application by the SAICM national focal point in the countries hosting the projects.

The QSP Executive Board advised that, over the lifetime of the QSP (until 2011), countries may receive assistance for one national Government project, one Government multi-country project and/or one civil society project. An exception is made for countries implementing small projects approved in the first four rounds, who may apply for a second project in the relevant category(ies). Further information and a list of eligible countries can also be found on the following eligibility page.

Applications to the QSP Trust Fund:

Applications to the QSP trust fund can be submitted twice a year. The fifth application round is now open and will close on 29 August 2008. Applications will be reviewed and appraised by the QSP Trust Fund Implementation Committee at its sixth meeting on 16 and 17 October 2008.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application packages as early as possible in advance of the deadline in order for the secretariat to review them for completeness and provide guidance. To meet the deadline, only advance copies of applications signed by the applicant and the SAICM focal point(s) can be sent to the secretariat by e-mail or fax, pending submission of the original by post.

Further to the fourth round, the application guidelines have been slightly revised. The guidelines provide essential information on the application process and package. They are also available in French and Spanish. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use them when developing project proposals. Note: the updated Arabic version of the guidelines is currently being translated.

The application materials consist of the following documents:

I - Funding Application Form
The form can be completed electronically. It should be printed so that it can be signed and included with the application package.

II - Budget tables
The budget should be completed electronically using the separate budget spreadsheets in Excel. Tables totals and subtotals should automatically be updated  It should be printed so it can be included in the application package

III - Project Description
The cover page provided is an introduction to the separate, more detailed project description that ius required. This document is an essential part of the application and it needs to be developed by the project proponent.

IV – Proof of funding from other sponsors and donors
If relevant, letters or documents from other funding sources confirming cash and in-kind contributions should be provided.

V – Letters of support and other supporting information
If relevant, other documents supporting the application for funding can be sent as part of the application package. In cases of multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder projects, applicants are required to provide letters of support for the project from relevant Ministries, government institutions, non-governmental organizations or private companies.

Please note that only applications in English can be considered.

Once the application package is completed, mail the signed application to:

SAICM secretariat
c/o Chemicals Branch, UNEP/DTIE,
11-13 Chemin des Anemones,
International Environment House
CH-1219 Chatelaine, Geneva, Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 797 34 60
E- mail: saicm@chemicals.unep.ch

Review of applications
Following the submission of applications, the SAICM secretariat will review  applications for completeness and eligibility. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application packages as early as possible before the deadlines for each funding round announced on the SAICM website in order for the secretariat to review them for completeness.

QSP trust fund approved projects:
The ICCM invited representatives of the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme on the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) and the United Nations Development Programme to form a Trust Fund Implementation Committee. This Committee is responsible for appraising and approving projects to be financed by the QSP trust fund and meets twice a year.

The next meeting of the Committee will take place in Vienna on 16 and 17 October 2008. Additional information on the Committee, including its members and rules of procedure can be found on the QSP web page.  

Over four rounds of applications to the QSP trust fund, the secretariat received 137 project proposals. Following the secretariat screening of applications for completeness and eligibility, 105 applications were appraised by the QSP Trust Fund Implementation Committee. The Committee approved 57 projects for total funding of approximately $9,948,763. A further 38 projects were recommended for further development and resubmission. The approved projects will be implemented by 44 Governments and six civil society organizations and involve activities in 63 countries, including 30 Least Developed Countries and/or Small Island Developing States.

List of approved QSP projects

 
Further information on decisions of the Trust Fund Implementation Committee and the implementation of approved projects can be found on the QSP Trust Fund projects page.

Guidance on independent monitoring and evaluation

In order to assist applicants to the QSP trust fund and project managers and implementing organizations to arrange the required independent monitoring and evaluation of QSP trust fund projects, guidelines and reporting forms have been developed.

The guidelines provide general information for the selection of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements, including model terms of reference and a suggested standard guidance and format for reporting to be used by third party evaluators.

- Independent monitoring and evaluation guidelines
- Form A: Independent monitoring and evaluation information
- Form B: Overall Project Assessment
- Form C: Stakeholders involvement
- Form D: Project Objective