The establishment of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in 1976 marked awareness by FAO and its governing bodies that the Organization needed to sharpen its capacity for providing quick-response technical assistance to member countries. TCP grew out of the recognition that much could be achieved - and saved - by the timely provision of assistance in key areas where general development progress was being impeded or blocked by the lack of a crucial intervention. It was a new instrument that was outside, yet parallel to, the more cumbersome channels of traditional aid and could therefore respond rapidly and effectively to countries' most pressing needs.
From the start, TCP's strict and highly selective criteria for funding projects were specifically designed to support urgent, small-scale actions that are of a modest cost and limited duration and that have a catalytic or multiplier effect. This paper briefly illustrates TCP's achievements as a catalyst for development, drawing on examples of recent projects funded by the Programme.
Funded from FAO's Regular Programme budget, TCP operations focus scarce resources in selected areas where they can be used to the greatest effect. Requests for TCP assistance are addressed to the Director-General of FAO by governments, which must accord them a high priority so as to ensure the maximum degree of national involvement in and follow-up to proposed projects. The ultimate, if not immediate, beneficiaries must be small-scale producers in the food and agricultural sector, including forestry and fisheries. To ensure a sense of ownership and the sustainability of projects, intended beneficiaries are involved to the fullest extent possible in their design and implementation.
TCP assistance may be granted under seven main project categories: Emergencies, Investment, Training, Project and Programme Formulation, Assistance to Development, Inter-Country Cooperation and Advisory Services. The Programme offers short-term expert and consultant services, practical training and the equipment and supplies considered essential for attaining the objectives of a particular project. The total cost of a TCP project is usually much lower than the maximum ceiling of US$400 000, with the average being in the order of $200 000 to $220 000. The preferred project duration is from one to three months, and it must not exceed 24 months. Various forms of expertise are provided by international and national consultants and FAO staff, who collaborate with technical counterparts from government departments. Wherever possible, TCP projects draw on assistance made available under technical cooperation among developing countries or countries in transition (TCDC/TCCT) arrangements. They are implemented jointly by FAO, through its technical units at headquarters and in the field, and by the national counterpart agency designated by the recipient government.
