Article 16(3) of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) provides for the establishment of a Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF) to support national implementation of the Treaty and encourages all States Parties to contribute resources to the Fund.
The VTF was formally established in August 2016 by the Second Conference of States Parties to operate under its approved Terms of Reference (ATT/CSP2/2016/WP3/Rev.1). The VTF shall disburse funds to ATT implementation projects according to the provisions of its Terms of Reference and Administrative Rules. Where necessary, OECD DAC guidelines for development cooperation may also apply.
The VTF aims to assist requesting States requiring international assistance to implement their Treaty obligations, including with respect to legal or legislative assistance, institutional capacity building, and technical, material and financial assistance.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bulgaria
Canada
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Japan
Mexico
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Government of Flanders,
Belgium
A Selection Committee consisting of up to 15 seats supports the administration of the VTF. Members of the Selection Committee serve for two years and are eligible for reappointment.
There are currently 15 members of the VTF Selection Committee who were appointed by CSP6 and who will serve until CSP8. The current member are: Albania, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The current Chairperson of the VTF Selection Committee is Ambassador Dell HIGGIE of New Zealand.
As part of the VTF's operationalization, the Chairperson of the VTF Selection Committee makes a regular Call for Voluntary Contributions to the Fund as well as an annual Call for Proposals.
For any VTF related enquiries, please contact: trustfund@thearmstradetreaty.org
The following applicant States were approved for VTF funding in the 2021 cycle:
*Details of the projects approved for VTF funding in the 2021 VTF cycle available here.
*Applications of Lebanon and Mexico to the VTF were withdrawn.
The following applicant States were approved for VTF funding in the 2019 cycle:
Details of the projects approved for VTF funding in the 2019 VTF cycle available here.
*Tuvalu's application to the VTF was withdrawn.
The following applicant States were approved for VTF funding in the 2018 cycle:
1. Burkina Faso
2. Chad*
5. Ghana (1)
6. Ghana (2)
7. Madagascar
8. Paraguay
9. Samoa
10. Senegal
Details of the projects approved for VTF funding in the 2018 VTF cycle available here.
*Chad's application to the VTF was withdrawn.
Details of the projects approved for VTF funding in the 2017 VTF cycle available here.
The Final Reports of all completed projects are available below, in accordance with paragraph 16 of the VTF Terms of Reference:
The latest Call for Proposals opened on 20 October 2021 and closed on 14 January 2022.
Communication from the Chairperson of the VTF Selection Committee regarding the Call for Proposals is available here: English.
Detailed information on the latest Call for Proposals is available here: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish
Please note that any project proposal that includes activities that would not be possible if the pandemic continues, may not be considered favourably by the VTF Selection Committee.
The following short videos are available to introduce potential applicants to the VTF and how to apply and complete the reporting:
Only States may apply directly for VTF funding.
Budget Form
The Forms are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Applications that are submitted in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish must be accompanied by an English translation.
Explanatory Notes for Completing the Grant Application Form and the Detailed Budget Form are available in English.
* All fields of the Grant Application Form and Budget Form are mandatory and must be completed in full.
* Any VTF Grant Application submitted in any other form other than the VTF prescribed form shall not be considered.
All VTF project proposals must be submitted by email to: trustfund@thearmstradetreaty.org
The deadline for VTF proposals for each cycle of the VTF is announced in the annual Call for Proposals. The next Call for Proposals will announced in due course.
VTF Video - Grant Application Form
VTF Video - Budget Form
Contributions to the VTF can be made throughout the year by governments and private-sector donors in any amount of money. The Chairperson of the VTF Selection Committee issues Calls for Contributions to the VTF on a regular basis. The latest Call for Contributions was issued on 18 October 2021.
A copy of the Standard Donors’ Agreement entered into between a donor and the ATT Secretariat (as administrator of the Fund) is available here.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bulgaria
Canada
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Japan
Mexico
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Government of Flanders,
Belgium
States and other donors with additional queries regarding donating to the VTF or who are interested in making a contribution to the VTF should contact the Head of the Secretariat, Mr. Dumisani DLADLA at: dumisani.dladla@thearmstradetreaty.org
Avenue de France 23
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Copyright The Arms Trade Treaty 2018 All rights reserved.