Priorities for the second round

These priorities align with Joint External Evaluation targets, National Action Plans for Health Security, Performance of Veterinary Services, One Health, and related national and regional strategies and plans.

Specifically, FAO brings longstanding experience in strengthening veterinary services, including surveillance, as well as fast reporting to allow mitigation via digital channels (e.g., case alerts via SMS, EMA-i, inFARM, EMPRES-i) FAO has expertise supporting quality assurance and biosafety for animal health labs and has established, strengthened, and equipped veterinary laboratories in countries. Its experience in workforce development spans training programmes for veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals, such as through the FAO Field Veterinary Epidemiology Training.

Key criteria for success

The total envelope for the second call is USD 500 million, with a specific focus on low- and middle-income countries. It invites single country, regional and multi-country proposals. Evidence of alignment to national and regional priorities and plans, technical excellence, a strong theory of change underpinned by a monitoring and evaluation framework will be central to proposal design, alongside evidence for collaboration and a multi-sectoral approach. As in round one, the Pandemic Fund aims to serve as a catalyst for increased investment and financing for national Pandemic PPR and One Health strategies and plans, requiring evidence of co-investment and co-financing to scale implementation.

Particular attention will be paid to community and civil society engagement, gender equity, and other broader equity considerations as cross-cutting areas of focus in proposal development and implementation.