STDF’s Project Preparation Grants Program

Funding Information

Project preparation grants (PPGs), up to a maximum of US$50,000

What assistance can be requested under PPGs?

• PPGs are intended to help overcome constraints faced by developing countries in the articulation of their SPS needs into complete project proposals that could be funded by the STDF or other donors. PPGs can be used for any of the following purposes (or a combination thereof):
  • Application of SPS-related capacity evaluation and prioritization tools.
  • Preparation of feasibility studies that precede project development to assess the potential impact and economic viability of proposals in terms of their expected costs and benefits; and/or
  • Preparation of project proposals that can be funded by the STDF or other donors.
• PPGs may also be awarded to assist eligible beneficiaries to revise project proposals which the STDF Working Group deems of interest but in need of revision before final approval can be granted.

What are SPS capacity needs?

• International commerce (exports and imports) involves potential risks to public health from the entry of unsafe food or spread of animal-carried diseases, risks to animal health from the entry of pests or diseases and unsafe feedstuffs, and to plant life and the environment from the entry of alien invasive species, other pests and diseases. SPS capacity is therefore an essential element in both maintaining and expanding market access, as well as protecting against the negative human, animal or environmental consequences of sanitary or phytosanitary problems.
• SPS capacity needs and priorities vary across countries and regions. SPS capacity needs can exist in both the public and private sectors. They may, for instance, be related (but not limited) to weaknesses in:
  • the legal and regulatory framework for SPS management;
  • the SPS policy and strategy development (e.g. SPS action plans);
  • the implementation of SPS standards and requirements (i.e. Codex/IPPC/OIE standards, official requirements of trading partners, etc.) including risk analysis capacity;
  • knowledge among government officials, private sector operators, farmers, etc. about SPS requirements in export markets;
  • information exchange and cooperation among stakeholders (i.e. government agencies, private sector producers/exporters, chambers of commerce, etc.) involved in food and agricultural trade and SPS issues;
  • food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary inspection, enforcement, diagnostics, certification, etc.;
  • monitoring, surveillance, eradication, zoning, establishment of disease/pest free areas, etc.; and
  • the application of good agricultural and manufacturing practices including HACCP.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply for STDF funding:

• Public sector entities (including regional or international bodies) with responsibility for SPS measures or policy, either in their own right or in cooperation with the private sector. The STDF encourages implementation of projects and activities through public private partnerships;
• Private sector entities, either in their own right or in cooperation with the public sector. Examples of private sector entities include legally registered farmers’ organizations, trade and industry associations, etc.;
• Non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with expertise in the SPS area and with an organization in the relevant beneficiary country or countries, in co-operation with the public and/or private sector; and
• STDF partners.

What criteria are used to evaluate PPGs?

• Requests for PPGs will be reviewed based on the accuracy, clarity and completeness of the information provided in the application form and attachments. In accordance with the Paris Principles on Aid Effectiveness, it is essential for applications to demonstrate national support and ownership for the proposed PPG, as well as a good understanding of SPS issues and priorities in the country or region.
• The main criterion in awarding a PPG is the likelihood that it will result in a concrete output (project proposal, feasibility study, etc.) that will help to support SPS capacity building. Where the purpose of a PPG is to develop a project proposal, there should be some indication that the application is likely to receive funding and to achieve sustainable and effective results.