Resources

Key documents and resources related to the governance and operation of the Fish Fund are available below. Additional materials will be added and updated on an ongoing basis. For further information, please contact fishfund@wto.org

Fact Sheet – How to Access Funding

The fact sheet provides information on the launch of the first Call for Proposals of the Fish Fund and how eligible WTO Members can access funding from the Fish Fund

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Categories of Projects and Funding Windows for the Fish Fund

The document describes project categories of the Fish Fund, their agreed ceiling amounts, as well as areas of intervention for Category 2 project grants.

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Rules of Procedure

The Rules of Procedure establish the governance framework for the Fish Fund, defining the roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee, the Technical Subcommittee, and the Secretariat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for funding?

Public entities from developing or least-developed countries (LDCs) that are party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS), adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference on 17 June 2022, are eligible to apply for Fish Fund funding.

What types of funding are available?

Two types of funding are available:

Category 1

  • Funding aimed at providing lower-cost support for studies and initial assessments of compliance with the disciplines contained in the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This funding may also be used to prepare a proposal for Category 2 funding project.

Category 2

  • Funding aimed at supporting more complex, programmatic interventions. Category 2 projects may be integrated into existing larger programs contributing to the implementation of the AFS or funded as standalone projects responding to a specific feature of the AFS. These projects are based on prior assessments of national compliance with AFS disciplines and address identified gaps in national management of fisheries subsidies.

What are the objectives of the Fish Fund?

The Fish Fund aims to support the effective implementation of the disciplines of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and thereby contribute to the delivery of the Agreement's sustainability goals.

How much funding is available for Category 1 grants?

Category 1 grants are available up to a maximum of US$ 50,000.

In specific warranted cases, such as multi-country or regional assessments and/or the preparation of projects of this nature, the Steering Committee retains the flexibility to exceed the indicated maximum amount. However, in general, countries are discouraged from submitting Category 1 funding proposals that surpass the US$ 50,000 limit. Any Category 1 applications exceeding the amount of US$ 50,000 must be accompanied by a detailed explanation and justification for the additional funding requested.

How much funding is available for Category 2 grants?

Project grant financing up to a maximum of US$ 300,000 is available from the Fish Fund.

The Steering Committee retains the flexibility to approve projects that exceed this financial threshold in specific cases, such as multi-country or regional proposals, but in general, countries are discouraged from submitting projects that surpass the US$ 300,000 limit.

The Fish Fund encourages applications for projects where the applicant has already secured some funding from other sources.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications should be submitted to the Secretariat online using the Fish Fund Project Grant Application Form available on the Fish Fund website.

There will be two Calls for Proposals a year. Any application received by the deadline for application will be assessed and considered for funding. Details on future application deadlines will be made available through the Secretariat.

The Secretariat is available to provide advice and assistance to potential applicants. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Secretariat (fishfund@wto.org) at an early stage to discuss their application before it is finalized and formally submitted.