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The Participation Programme

The Participation Programme functions as a vital complement to UNESCO’s regular activities by analysing, evaluating and facilitating the implementation of national, sub-regional, inter-regional and regional projects submitted by Member States and NGOs directly related to the activities of the Organization.

Furthermore, it serves as a means employed by UNESCO to strengthen the partnership between the Organization and its Member States as well as between the Organization and Non-Governmental Organizations in official partnership with UNESCO. Thus the Participation Programme enhances the inclusive and generous spirit of UNESCO’s noble mission.

Budget

The Participation Programme has become an important part of the Programme and Budget. The present budget approved for the Participation Programme for 2020-2021 is US$11,081,100. Following the suspension of the United States financial contribution to UNESCO ordinary budget, the budget has been reduced.

The 40th session of the General Conference, decided that for the 2020-2021 biennium the total value of the assistance provided for each request should not be in excess of:

  • US$26,000 for a national project or activity
  • US$28,000 for a subregional or interregional project or activity
  • US$38,000 for a regional project or activity.

The percentage of the total amount approved for the Participation Programme for 2020-2021 should not exceed: 7% for Emergency Assistance, 5% for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and 3% for regional activities.

Origins

How to participate

The projects or action plans submitted by the Member States under the Participation Programme must relate to the activities of the Organization, in particular to the major programmes, interdisciplinary projects, the activities on behalf of Africa, least developed countries, developing countries, SIDS, youth and women and the activities of the National Commissions for UNESCO. 


Submitting a request 
For each biennium, after the definite adoption of the programme and budget, a Circular Letter is issued and sent out by the Director General to Ministers responsible for relations with UNESCO, National Commissions and Permanent Delegations, inviting them to submit online their requests under the title of the Participation Programme. (Please view Circular Letter CL/4301 for 2020-2021). 

Requests are submitted to the Director-General by the Member State, through the National Commission for UNESCO, or where there is no National Commission, through a designated government channel. 
At the 40th session, the Conference decided that the limit should be set at 7 requests for Member States for the 2020-2021 biennium. The requests must be numbered in order of priority from 1 to 7. The order of priority may be changed only by an official letter from the National Commission and before the start of the evaluation process. 

The deadlines set for the submission of requests are 28 February 2020 for African countries, least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island developing states (SIDS), and 31 May 2020 for all other eligible countries and non-governmental organizations in official partnership with UNESCO.

Non-Governmental Organizations in official partnership with UNESCO may submit up to 2 requests under the Participation Programme for projects with subregional, regional or interregional impact, provided that their request is supported by at least the Member State where the project will be implemented and another Member State concerned by the request. In the absence of supporting letters, none of these requests may be considered. These requests must be numbered in order of priority from 1 to 2. 
The different types of assistance that can be requested under the Participation Programme are as follows: 

  • The services of specialists and consultants-Not including staff costs and administrative support
  • Study grants and fellowships
  • Publications, periodicals, documentation, translation and reproduction
  • Supplies and equipment (other than vehicles)
  • Conferences, meetings, translation and interpretation services, participants' travel costs (not including those of UNESCO staff members)
  • seminars and training courses

With the aim of strengthening regional cooperation, a new resolution was adopted by the General Conference at it 32nd session (resolution 32/C) for activities of regional character. 


For activities of a regional character, each region (Africa, Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean) may submit two requests in amount not exceeding $38,000, each presented by one Member State. 

These projects, exclusive to Member States, need the support of at least three Member States of the same region. The support of other Member States has no implication for requests submitted on their own behalf and they are not included in the quota (of 7 requests) submitted by each Member State.

Since the 1990-1991 biennium, UNESCO has granted emergency assistance through the Participation Programme to its Member States by providing aid in its field of competence. 
The idea of emergency assistance was dealt with for the first time in 25 C/Resolution 15.3, paragraph 7, adopted by the General Conference at its 25th session (November 1980). That resolution, while listing the various forms of participation, stipulates that emergency assistance may be provided by applying “adequately flexible and expeditious procedures, for meeting exceptional situations ...” in the Organization’s fields of competence. 
Emergency assistance may be accorded by UNESCO when there are insurmountable circumstances nationwide (earthquakes, storms, cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, landslides, volcanic eruptions, fires, droughts, floods or wars, etc.) which have catastrophic consequences for the Member State in the fields of education, science, culture or communication and which it cannot overcome on its own and where multilateral emergency assistance efforts are being undertaken by the international community or the United Nations system. 
The assistance only begins once the threat to life has been overcome and the physical priorities have been met (food, clothing, shelter and medical assistance). 
Emergency assistance in cash or kind cannot exceed US$50,000 and should be limited to the strict minimum and only provided for assessing the situation and evaluating the basic requirements, providing expertise and helping to identify outside funding sources and extrabudgetary funds. This form of assistance is provided in coordination with other UN agencies.