25 January 2018
ITPGRFA Opens Fourth Call for Proposals under Benefit-sharing Fund
Tea pickers in Mt. Kenya region / Photo credit Neil Palmer (CIAT)
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The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has opened the fourth call for proposals for projects to be funded through its Benefit-sharing Fund.

At least US$5 million will be invested in projects over the next four years, with a focus on responding to the needs of the poorest and those furthest behind in terms of development.

15 December 2017: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has opened a call for proposals for projects to be funded through its Benefit-sharing Fund, to enable farmers in developing countries to use and conserve adapted plant varieties.

The overarching goal of the call for proposals under the fourth project cycle of the Benefit-sharing Fund is the conservation and use of adapted plant varieties that would lead to increased productivity, on-farm incomes, and nutrient-rich food, as well as enhanced resilience to production shocks and reduced adverse impacts to the environment. Eligible applicants include governmental and non-governmental organizations, including farmers and farmers’ organizations, genebanks and research institutions, as well as regional and international organizations based in developing countries that are Contracting Parties to the International Treaty. At least US$5 million will be invested in projects over the next four years.

The projects are expected to also contribute towards the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Projects selected for Benefit-sharing Fund support under this call for proposals will focus on responding to the needs of the poorest, most vulnerable segments of society, and those furthest behind in terms of development,” said Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty, who also noted that, “By responding to the needs of these segments of society, the projects are expected to also contribute towards the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 1 March 2018. A helpdesk will be offering practical and technical information to support applicants throughout the call for proposals. Applications will be assessed by an independent panel of experts against pre-established criteria, including experience and capacity of applicant organizations to contribute towards the programme goals, outcomes, and targets.

To date, the International Treaty’s Benefit-sharing Fund has invested more than US$20 million in 61 projects across 55 developing countries over three project cycles. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) estimates that it has positively impacted the lives of approximately 1 million people. Projects have supported the development, testing and use of climate ready crops, resulting in over 3,000 food crop varieties now available to the international scientific and breeding community under the International Treaty’s Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing. [FAO Press Release] [Benefit-sharing Fund Webpage]

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