The UNESCO Participation Programme provides funding assistance to member states, territories, and accredited NGOs for projects in UNESCO's fields of competence. Projects focus on areas like sciences, culture, education, and communication. Funding amounts vary by project type and region but typically do not exceed $46,000. Eligible countries submit up to seven project requests per year, with priority given to least developed countries. The program aims to strengthen partnerships and boost visibility of UNESCO initiatives around the world.

1. Casimiro Vizzini
Date of presentation
UNESCO’s Participation Programme

2. Casimiro Vizzini
31/05/2106
United Nations
Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
UNESCO’s Participation Programme

3. The UNESCO Participation Programme
Introduction

4. Introduction The Programme
Assistance to initiatives by Member States in UNESCO’s
fields of competence
1
What is the Participation Programme?
• Basic and natural sciences
• Culture
• Social & human sciences
• Education
• Communication & information
(as per biennial programme / C5)
UNESCO Participation Programme

5. Introduction The Programme
The Aims of the Programme
2
Aims of the Programme
• Projects approved are often preparation for large-scale
national projects
• Achieve its objectives by participating in the sub-regional, inter-
regional and regional projects, lead by its Member States and
directly related to the activities of UNESCO
• Strengthen the partnership between UNESCO and its Member
States as well as between UNESCO and International Non-
Governmental Organisations
• Boost the actions of the National Commissions for UNESCO
• Achieve better visibility of UNESCO’s action in its Member
States
UNESCO Participation Programme

6. Introduction The Programme
Applicant may choose form of assistance, either:
3
Nature and Level of Assistance
1. Project implementation by UNESCO, from Paris or field office
(only available to Member States, not to NGOs)
2. Financial contribution:
• National project: max. US$ 26,000
• Sub-regional projects: max. US$ 35,000
• Inter-regional projects: max. US$ 35,000
• Regional projects: max. US$ 46,000
UNESCO Participation Programme
Amount approved may differ from amount requested, following
sector evaluation and Intersectoral Committee recommendations

7. The Participation Programme
Project Examples

8. Project Examples The Programme
Gambia 2014-15
4
Project example: Least Developed Countries
• Building capacities and reinforcing mutual engagement of
sciences with society through training of solar PV technicians
• Funding: $25,000
• Priority:1
UNESCO Participation Programme
Cabo Verde 2014-15
• Proposal for a Casa da Sciencia do Mindelo
• Funding: $20,000
• Priority:1

9. Project Examples The Programme5
Project example: Developing Countries
UNESCO Participation Programme
South Africa 2014-15
• An African regional project to organise and manage an
international conference on information ethics
• Funding: $31,000
• Priority:1
Guyana 2014-15
• Country gap analysis: Sciences, technology and innovation
(STI) needs
• Funding: $26,000
• Priority:3

10. The Participation Programme
How to Apply

11. How to apply The Programme
a) Assistance is limited to
6
How to Apply - Basic Principles
• Member States (MS)
• Associate members or territories
• International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs)
having formal relations with UNESCO
UNESCO Participation Programme
b) Requests
• Requests to be submitted through the National Commission
(NC) for UNESCO
• or in case no NC, through designated government channel.

12. How to apply The Programme
Application of international NGOs
7
How to Apply - Basic Principles
• International non-governmental organisations in an official
partnership with UNESCO, may submit up to two requests
under the Participation Programme for projects with national,
subregional, regional or interregional impact
• Their request is required to be supported by at least the
Member State where the project is to be implemented and
another Member State concerned by the request
• In the absence of supporting letters, no such requests may be
considered
UNESCO Participation Programme

13. How to apply The Programme
Priority groups indicated in 37 C/Resolution 72
and 38 C/Resolutions 76 in particular for
8
Who is the Participation Programme for?
• Least developed countries (LDCs)
• Developing countries
• Post-conflict and post-disaster countries
• Small island developing states (SIDS)
• Countries in transition
• Middle-income countries
As a cross-cutting theme, gender equality is a major goal of
UNESCO and therefore requires to be included as a priority of
the project
UNESCO Participation Programme

14. How to apply The Programme
How many requests are issued every year?
9
Number of Requests
• General Conference decides on max. number of requests per
MS and INGO
• Member states are allowed to submit a maximum of seven
requests
• INGOs may submit up to two requests
• Requires to be numbered in order of priority (from 1 to7
or 1 to 2)
UNESCO Participation Programme

15. How to apply The Programme
Type of Projects Supported
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Type of Projects
• Preparation of large-scale national projects (in turn supported
by international funding or national budget)
• Organising meeting, seminar or training courses
• Recruiting consultant or specialist
• Purchasing equipment
• Fellowships or study grants
• Financing for publications or documentations
UNESCO Participation Programme

16. How to apply The Programme
a) Application Form
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How to Apply?
• Requests should be submitted in electronic form
http://www.unesco.org/pp/submissions/38c5
UNESCO Participation Programme
b) Deadline for Submission set by the General Conference
• 28 February 2016 for African countries, least
developed countries (LDCs) and small island
developing states (SIDS)
• 31 August 2016 for all other eligible countries and non-
governmental organisations in official partnership with
UNESCO

17. Thank you!
For more information on the programme, please
contact:
Casimiro Vizzini
c.vizzini@unesco.org
Alex Da Silva
a.da-silva@unesco.org
UNESCO Participation Programme