May 2014: The ninth annual meeting of the Quick Start Programme (QSP) Executive Board of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), held on 8 May 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland, agreed to launch the non-chemical alternatives-only application round, with a September deadline. The QSP supports initial capacity building activities for SAICM implementation, and includes a voluntary, time-limited trust fund, administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and multilateral, bilateral and other forms of cooperation.

Reviewing implementation of the QSP and its Trust Fund, including QSP status, non-Trust Fund contributions to the QSP, the Board agreed to set the QSP fundraising target for the period 2014-2015 to US$3.7 million, which is the approximate value of the 17 pre-approved projects from the 13th round. Reviewing the status of projects under the QSP Trust Fund, it discussed encouraging projects awaiting funding to consider mainstreaming as a higher priority.

The Board also approved the draft terms of reference of the QSP impact evaluation that will be undertaken in 2014-2015. The evaluation process will begin following incorporation of comments by the secretariat and final review by the Board. [QSP Board Meeting Website]