This page describes some of the means by which donors can contribute financially or in-kind to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and by which individuals can contribute their time and expertise. For further details of any of these options, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

Role of donors in the implementation and financing of the Global Plan of Action

The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources (endorsed by FAO’s 191 Member Nations) recognizes that its implementation requires:
“substantial and additional financial resources and long- term support for national, regional and international animal genetic resources programmes and priority activities.” It further recognizes that “International cooperation should be strengthened to facilitate the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, in particular, to support and complement the efforts of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.”

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. Every effort should be made by all countries, in particular, developed countries, to, inter alia, leverage existing and available financial resources, including from sources that have not previously funded activities included in the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources.”

It also states that “governments of developed countries should 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. The extent to which developing countries will effectively implement their commitments under this Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources will depend on the effective provision of funding. Governments of developing countries and countries with economies in transition should accord due priority in their own plans and programmes to building capacity in animal genetic resources. Voluntary contributions should also be encouraged, in particular from private sector and non-governmental organizations, for the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources.”

Opportunities to contribute

Support for national and regional projects via the FAO Trust Account

As envisaged in the Global Plan of Action, an FAO Trust Account has been established for the receipt of voluntary contributions in support of the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. All funds the Trust Account are dispersed to countries to support implementation activities at national or regional level (projects are selected through a competitive process).
By 2011, more than US$1 million had been contributed to the Trust Account, and the First Call for Proposals under the Funding Strategy for the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action was launched. In 2012, thirteen projects involving 30 countries were chosen to receive funding.

A second call for proposals will be launched once a further US$1 million is available in the Trust Account.

Multidonor trust fund project “Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources”

This project, established as a means of supporting the implementation of the Global Plan of Action, allows for contributions from any type of donor. Donors can earmark their funds for specific activities or recipients. Alternatively, they can simply make a general contribution. The structure of the multidonor trust fund streamlines and simplifies administration, monitoring and accounting by allowing these operations to be performed once for the project as a whole rather than separately for each donor.

Framework agreements
Framework agreements provide support for activities within a broad area of work (e.g. climate change) or with a geographic focus (e.g. a region or a specific group of countries). FAO’s work on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action has been supported via framework agreements with the Governments of Sweden and Turkey. Work on animal genetic resources is one element, among others, contributing to the objectives of these framework agreements.

Bilateral agreements
Individual countries can provide support via bilateral agreements. FAO’s work on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action has been supported in this way by the Governments of Germany and Switzerland.

Associate Professional Officer Programme
Associate Professional Officers (APOs) are young people sponsored by their own governments to work for FAO. APOs play an important role in FAO’s fight against hunger and at the same time, gain experience and skills they take throughout their career. The donor government pays an APO’s salary and benefits. Some donors also support APOs from developing countries.

Internships and volunteers

FAO operates an internship programme and a volunteer programme.

In recent years, several interns and volunteers have worked for FAO’s Animal Genetic Resources Branch on a number of topics including the ecosystem services provided by locally adapted breeds, the implementation of breed classification systems, monitoring and evaluation systems for the Global Plan of Action, and reporting on the activities of countries and international organizations in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action.