The Participation Programme (PP) of UNESCO is a medium through which UNESCO partners Member States in implementing projects initiated by Member States themselves which are in line with UNESCO’s programme for the biennium and in which the project is being implemented. The legal text establishing the PP is found in 10C/Resolution 7.31 and was adopted by the General Conference during its 11th Session in 1960. It was during the 1957 – 1958 biennium that the term ‘Participation Programme’ was used for the first time in UNESCO’s Programme and Budget. At that time, a policy of supporting Member States in their activities was starting and the Participation Programme was a concrete step forward, even if the resources available did not always match the ambitions of the applicants. The UNESCO Participation Programme provides direct assistance to initiatives undertaken by Member States, in line with the priorities that they themselves determine, in the Organization’s fields of competence. These projects are financed by an allocation of the Regular Programme that is separate from the allocations assigned to the Programme Sectors. Assistance under the Participation Programme is provided to Member States or Associate Member States upon requests submitted through National Commissions (requests from individuals cannot be considered). The aims of the PP, among others, are to enable UNESCO:
- Achieve her objectives by participating in the sub-regional, inter-regional and national projects, evaluated by its Member States and directly related to the activities of the Organization;
- Strengthen the partnership between the Organization and its Member States as well as between the Organization and International Non-Governmental Organizations;
- Boost the actions of the National Commissions for UNESCO;
- Achieve better visibility of UNESCO’s action in its Member States.
The budget for the PP is catered for by the regular budget of UNESCO for every biennium. It is considered by the Executive Board and approved by the General Conference.
Types of assistance
The types of assistance that can be sought include:
- Publications, i.e. periodicals, documents 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 programmes
How to Participate
The Director-General sends a letter to all Member States inviting them to send written proposals for consideration. This letter is sent after the C/5 has been approved and adopted. (Ghana normally advertises/call for proposals when the draft C/5 is released so that ample time is allotted to vet all proposals). The projects submitted by the Member States are supposed to relate to the programmes of the UNESCO, in particular to the major programmes, interdisciplinary projects, the activities on behalf of Africa, least developed countries, youth and women as outlined in the C/5, as well as, the activities of the National Commissions for UNESCO. The National Commission will announce when applications are open for the submission of requests/proposals.