UNESCO supports cooperation projects of the Member States within the framework of Participation Programs and, on certain occasions, with non-budget resources. During the General Conference the Organization approves the budget for the different types of projects in order to finance the activities proposed by the Member States through the national commissions.
Participation program: within the different types of support, the Participation Program stands out as an important part of UNESCO’s Regular Programme. The projects need to go along with the priorities set forth in this Programme. It is worth highlighting that the Medium Term Strategy 2008 – 2012 (34/C4) grants special relevance to Africa and to gender equality, besides ensuring the support to priority target groups, particularly to young people, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) and the Small Island developing States (SIDS).
National participation projects: for the years 2010-2011 the Member States could submit a maximum of ten (10) projects for which resources are allocated up to the sum of US$26,000. In order to know the allocation for the 2012-2013 time period it is necessary to wait for the decision of the General Conference to be held in the second semester of 2011.
Regional participation projects: besides the submittal of projects at the national level, the Participation Program allows the submittal of regional-level projects with the support of the Member States of the different regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean). These projects are not part of the maximum quota of each country. For the 2008- 2009 period each region could submit up to three projects for a maximum sum of US$46,000.
Emergency Assistance: it has been offered since the 1990-1991 period supported by resources from the Participation Project budget for those cases in which there are natural disasters involved: earthquakes, storms, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, etc. This contribution is made in coordination with other agencies of the United Nations and do not surpass US$50,000, allocated for the evaluation of the situation and the basic requirements to identify sources of funding.
Non-budget projects: this complementary program, which started in the 2008-2009 period, will be adapted, according to circumstances, to face the needs that may arise. It will be applied, particularly, in countries during post-conflict or post-disaster situations, and will lay the foundations for the promotion of a UNESCO strategic plan for the allocation of non-budget resources. The general coordination will be the responsibility of the Foreign Relations Sector of the affected State.
