Institutional strengthening
74. The Executive Committee adopted the following recommendations as presented in document UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/7/20:
- Article 5 countries who request it be considered for support for institutional strengthening and that such considerations be made on their individual merits (case-by-case basis). In considering the requests on a case-by-case basis, the peculiar circumstances influencing ODS phase-out in the country should be considered together with the recommended funding level;
- The main objective of such support should be to provide necessary resources to an eligible country to enable it strengthen a mechanism within the country to facilitate expeditious implementation of projects for speedy and effective phaseout of the controlled substances in the country, as well as ensuring effective liaison between the country on the one hand, and the Executive Committee, the Fund Secretariat, and the implementing agencies on the other;
- Requests for institutional strengthening be considered as special projects subject to approval by the Executive Committee on the basis of a written request submitted by the interested Party. However, in order to avoid any possible delays in providing support to requesting countries, the implementing agencies may review and implement such requests within their work programmes, except where the funding requested exceeds US $500,000, and report to the Executive Committee through the Fund Secretariat as and when such requests are approved for implementation;
- Requests for institutional strengthening be included in the country programme of the Party requesting such assistance. However, the requests for institutional support may be submitted separately as a free-standing project ahead of the country programme where circumstances demand.
75. The Committee took note of the remainder of that document and of the paper presented by the World Bank. It recommended that institutional strengthening be dealt with on a case-bycase basis and with the necessary flexibility and that the comments made by the members be taken into account when decisions were made. It also recommended that a list be prepared of items which could not be considered under institutional strengthening.