Online request for assistance

The request is submitted by the national focal point, or by an official he or she has authorized. It binds the State. Requests from individual services are forwarded to the focal point for validation, which may lengthen the timeframe.

States whose contributions are more than twenty-four months in arrears cannot obtain support, except in an emergency assessed by the Secretariat.

The form has six sections: identity of the applicant, nature of the assistance desired, context, expected results, timetable and attachments. Mandatory fields are flagged and automatic saving prevents losing one's entry.

It helps to be precise: a clear request is processed faster. A drafting guide is attached to the form.

The case is assigned to a programme officer in the competent regional office, who contacts the applicant within an indicative timeframe of fifteen days. The officer may request clarifications, organize a videoconference or propose an assessment mission.

An internal committee rules on project requests, according to their relevance, feasibility and the resources available.

The decision is notified by letter to the focal point. If approved, a work plan is drawn up with the national services, specifying the actions, those responsible, the timetable and the indicators. If refused, the reasons are explained and another route may be proposed.

The applicant may request a new review by providing additional information within thirty days.

A dashboard allows the status of the request, the exchanges and the documents to be consulted. At the end of the project, a final report is drawn up jointly and the case is closed. A satisfaction survey is sent to the focal point.

Closed cases are retained for an indicative period of twelve months and then archived, in accordance with data protection rules.