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The Specific International Programme to support Capacity Building and Technical Assistance (SIP) is one of the two components of the financial mechanism of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was defined by Article 13 of the Convention, and in 2017 the First Conference of the Parties (COP-1) decided on its duration and the arrangements for its operation (Decision MC-1/6). As requested by decision MC-1/6, UNEP established the Specific Trust Fund, effective 1 January 2018, to receive funds for the SIP.
Fourth Round
The Fourth Round of applications to the Specific International Programme opened for submissions on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.
Applications need to be submitted to the Secretariat by Wednesday, 31 July 2024. The Minamata Convention Secretariat invites you to participate in a webinar (available in English, French and Spanish) to discuss important considerations when developing and submitting project proposals.
Eligible Parties are invited to submit their applications for project funding between USD50,000 and USD250,000 following the Application Guidelines and using the following forms:
Form A - Project Application Form B - Project Budget Form C - Letter of Transmittal
To support and clarify the development of the applications, the Secretariat held several webinar sessions in English, French and Spanish and in different time zones
Contributors to the Specific Trust Fund
The SIP has to date funded 24 projects in developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition.
These projects directly supported implementation of specific obligations of the Convention through a range of activities from mercury waste management to phasing out mercury-added products, reducing the presence of mercury in vulnerable populations, improving mercury inventories, developing regional hubs for mercury analyses, and developing or improving relevant legislation.