The Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a funding mechanism that will direct voluntary contributions to the agency’s core budget instead of the usual practice of tying these donations to specific projects.
“This means that FAO can use them wherever appropriate within the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [signed with donors], to deliver results that will make a difference for people suffering from hunger,” the agency said in a news release.
So far, the FAO Multipartner Program Support Mechanism has received USD26 million – USD19 million from Sweden and USD7 million from the Netherlands. The actions of the two European countries, according to FAO Assistant Director-General José Maria Sumpsi are “encouraging,” and he expressed hope that other countries will join the initiative.
The funding agreements between FAO and the two donors were signed on Nov. 29.
