The Overview of the Standards and Trade Development Facility
The STDF’s global network brings together leading trade, health, and agriculture professionals from around the world to address ongoing and developing SPS concerns and advance collaborative solutions.
It serves as a knowledge hub, sharing accessible know-how, tools, and best practices to expand on what already exists. Simultaneously, the STDF fosters collaboration with related projects and encourages new and cross-cutting methods for SPS capacity building.
The STDF funds creative, cross-cutting projects to help kickstart new ways of improving knowledge and capacity on SPS requirements. STDF projects assist public and private sector stakeholders in developing countries by improving food safety, animal and plant health, and facilitating safe trade. Projects frequently serve as catalysts, bringing together various partners and funds to create long-term impact.
Project Preparation Grants (PPG)
PPGs can apply for funds of up to $50,000 to help them develop technically sound, innovative, and sustainable initiatives. These awards may include the use of SPS-related capacity evaluation techniques, the creation of feasibility studies, and/or the development of project proposals to address specific SPS capacity-building requirements related to trade.
Project Grant (PG)
Funds of up to US$1,000,000 are available for PGs that improve food safety, animal and plant health capabilities, and compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations. These awards are expected to help address SPS concerns or issues affecting international commerce.
The STDF can only support developing nations that are on the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s list of Official Development Assistance recipients.
Details About the Organization
The STDF arose from a joint communiqué released by the heads of FAO, OIE, World Bank Group, WHO, and WTO during the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001.
Small-scale farmers, producers, dealers, and governments in developing and least developed nations can gain access to global and regional food and agriculture markets by meeting international food safety, animal and plant health standards, and other trade regulations.
This generates possibilities to add value across supply chains and promotes more inclusive growth, resulting in job creation, higher earnings, and better livelihood security.
STDF’s relationship promotes catalytic SPS improvements in poor nations. STDF fosters and supports long-term improvements in SPS capacity through its global platform, knowledge work, and funding for the development, implementation, and learning of innovative pilot initiatives.
The Easy Way to Apply
Applications are welcome in any of the STDF’s three working languages (English, French, and Spanish) and should be submitted by email to stdf.funding@wto.org, along with the official application forms.
Any inquiries concerning the application process or forms should be directed to STDFSecretariat@wto.org.
Note: The application deadlines for applying for funding in 2024: are 2. August for consideration in November. Click here to apply for PPG.
To Apply for the PG click here.