Pacific Island Countries Participation Fund
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Introduction
Women attending a regional meeting, Samoa.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
The Pacific Island Countries Participation Fund is nearly exhausted for activities occurring in the 2009/10 financial year. At this stage it is unlikely that the April 2010 round will take place. The PIC Fund is currently being reviewed and pending the outcome of the review applications for activities in the 2010/11 financial year are not being considered. Further information will be posted on this webpage as soon as it is available; this is likely to be in May 2010.
The following guidelines provide information about the Pacific Island Countries Participation Fund (PIC Fund), a contestable fund within New Zealand's official development assistance (ODA) programme. The New Zealand Government's ODA is managed by the NZAID programme within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The PIC Fund guidelines provide a transparent and consistent basis for preparing, submitting and appraising competing requests. Applications are assessed every two months by the PIC Fund Assessment Group (Team Leaders from the NZAID programme's Pacific Group).
The countries falling within the scope of the programme are: the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, the Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, and Tokelau.Objective of the programme
The objective of the PIC Fund is to increase attendance by Pacific islanders at regional and international conferences, where their attendance will strengthen ownership of regional and international development processes.
The designated conference must be consistent with the strategic outcomes as set out in the NZAID programme's policy statement. These strategic outcomes include:
- fulfillment of basic needs
- sustainable livelihoods
- sustainable and equitable development
- safe, just and inclusive societies.
Eligible activities
The PIC Fund will support applications from organisations only (legally incorporated bodies). Organisations should include a copy of their: certificate of corporation, constitution, and latest annual financial statements with their application.
The type of activities supported under this programme will meet the broad programme objective as stated above. Eligible activities may include or contribute to the following:
- improving interaction and agreement between Pacific island countries and institutions
- assisting Pacific island countries to implement international agreements
- capacity building for sustainable institutional development
- promoting gender-equitable participation and access
- contributing to enhancing government, non-government organisations and private sector interaction
- improving decision-making processes (through awareness of all the issues).
Non-eligible activities
As a general rule, funding will not be available for:
- capital expenditure
- commercial or profit-making activities
- faith-based or non-secular activities.
Selection criteria
Applicants should consider the following before submitting proposals:
- venue | New Zealand-hosted and regional meetings in the Pacific will take priority
- type of meeting | meetings and workshops should have well-defined objectives
- meeting subject | key sectors for funding must fit with the NZAID programme's policy and programme focuses (for example: economic development, poverty reduction, human rights, education, health, environment, disaster preparedness, and governance)
- participants | participants must have relevant background and experience in the issues under discussion
- dissemination | a key element in the selection of proposals is the capacity of the participant to disseminate what they have gained from the meeting across the organisation, country and the region.
The PIC Fund cannot be accessed for travel funding covered by core contributions (assessed or voluntary) to regional or multilateral agencies. Training courses funded via the NZAID programme block grants are ineligible.
Funding
Funding may cover all or some of the cost of travel, accommodation, meal allowances and conference fees. Contributions from participants or sending institutions to the costs can be an important signal of commitment.
The costs of hosting the meeting should be separated out from any costs relating to funding Pacific island participants' attendance. Only the costs associated with attendance can be met through this fund.
Information on MFAT per diems payable overseas can be found on this website and used for estimating budgets. The New Zealand per diem rate totals NZ$80.00 a day (breakfast NZ$20.00, lunch NZ$15.00, dinner NZ$35.00, incidentals NZ$10.00). In addition Pacific island country participants staying in New Zealand may claim accommodation at cost up to NZ$160.00 a night per person.
Process
Applicants should note:
- the PIC fund assessment panel meets in the last week of every second month (except for in December when it will meet before Christmas). Applications need to be submitted by the following dates to be considered for that month's round so, as part of the appraisal process, overseas posts and other organisations can be consulted as required:
| February round | 1 February 2010 | |
| April round | To be confirmed | |
| June round | To be confirmed | |
| August round | To be confirmed | |
| October round | To be confirmed | |
| December round | To be confirmed |
- applications must be for events occurring at least two months after the closing date for applications to allow time for the assessment and contracting process. For example the October round will fund events beginning in December or later, the December round will fund events beginning in February or later, and so forth
- applicants will be advised of the outcome within one month of the closing date of the funding round
- if approved a Letter of Disbursement will be prepared. No payment can be made and no financial commitment should be made until the terms of the Letter are agreed and the contract issued
- application forms should be emailed to PIC@nzaid.govt.nz . If an application is submitted as a pdf file please also include a Word version of the form. If it is not possible to submit your application by email please send it to:
The Programme Manager, PIC Participation Fund
NZAID Programme
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Private Bag 18-901
Wellington
New Zealand
Fax: +64 4 439 8513
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