Complementing the Global Plan of Action, and addressing the crucial issue of financing its implementation, the Funding Strategy for the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, was adopted in 2009 by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The objective of the Funding Strategy is to "enhance the availability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of substantial and additional financial resources, and to strengthen international cooperation to support and complement the efforts of developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action." It covers "all known and potential sources of financial resources" relevant to these objectives.

The Global Plan of Action states that "The major multilateral and bilateral funding and development institutions should be invited to examine ways and means of supporting the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources."

It calls on the governments of developed countries to:
"attach due attention, including funding, to the implementation of activities within the Strategic Priority Areas of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources through bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation."

FAO Trust Account

As envisaged in the Global Plan of Action, an FAO Trust Account was established for the receipt of voluntary contributions in support of the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. All Trust Account funds are dispersed to countries to support implementation activities at national or regional level. Procedures for the use of resources in the Trust Account - agreed priorities, eligibility criteria, operational procedures and information and reporting requirements - are set out in the Funding Strategy.

By 2011, various donors had contributed 1 million US$ to the Trust Account and FAO issued the first call for proposals under the Funding Strategy.

In 2012, 13 projects involving 30 countries were selected for funding.