Overseas Territories Programme Fund (OTPF)

The OT Programme strategic funding aims to support the delivery of HMG's 1999 White Paper commitments and FCO's International Strategic Priority (SIP 10) which relate to maintaining the security, governance, stability and prosperity of the Overseas Territories. The Overseas Territories Programme Fund (OTPF) and the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) provides a modest source of funding in addition to Territories' own resources and other HMG provisions to support sustainable development within the Overseas Territories. The total amount of strategic programme funding available to OTPF for the 2007/2008 financial year is approximately £4 million.

Applications for OT Programme Funding should meet at least one if not more of the following objectives:

• To improve the governance of, and promote political and economic transparency in, the Overseas Territories;
• To ensure the security of the Overseas Territories;
• To reduce their vulnerability to natural and non-natural disasters;
• To encourage more diversified economic development;
• To support the Territories in meeting international obligations;
• To support environmental management and the implementation of Environmental Charters in the Overseas Territories.

Any project, which contributes towards the achievement of these objectives, will be considered for funding, and those that hit more than one of these objectives will be particularly welcome. Projects that have an emphasis on sustainability and capacity building will be given priority. Requests for OT Programme funding for capital projects will not normally be approved unless a strong case can be made, showing that the sponsorship would lead to other initiatives with wider sustainable benefits. However, funding will be provided for capital goods that assist in the diversification of the economy.

Projects will be subject to regular review and will require buy-in from stakeholders, both in terms of supporting projects, providing regular feedback and in ensuring that follow-up action post-funding, is carried through. They should also complement initiatives being taken by OT governments, agencies or NGOs. Likewise, in order to promote local commitment and sense of ownership, complementary funding should be sought where possible from OT Governments/departments, particularly for larger projects.

Possible project areas include:

• Training - particularly where there is a 'train the trainer' element or possibility of additional benefits such as cross-cutting network building within and/or across the OTs;
• Sponsored visits/study tours - to increase awareness and ability of senior decision -makers, whether they be politicians, civil servants or others;
• Exchanges and secondments - short term attachments to other Overseas Territories or elsewhere aimed at sharing best practice and improving working practices on return;
• Targeted conferences and seminars - aimed at improving local knowledge and awareness of issues;
• Support for publicity / educational initiatives - aimed at the local population to raise awareness of relevant issues;
• Public and civil society projects aimed at raising awareness and local capacity;
• Training workshops/seminars for key officials, community leaders, lawyers and journalists etc;
• Provision of expert advice - e.g. inspections of services leading to improvements in OTs ability to deal with issues locally
• Legal assistance including short-term engagement of consultants to assist OT Attorneys-General with specific projects (e.g. drafting specialised legislation);
• Short term engagement of judges to hear complex/sensitive cases or to help clear an accumulated backlog.
• Police investigations and civil enquiries handled mainly by UK personnel in complex/sensitive cases such as allegations of corruption against members of OT Governments; also Counsels' fees and witnesses' expenses.
• Creation of sustainable employment opportunities and diversify the economic bases of the Territories;
• Schemes leading to import reduction and increased local capacity to provide goods and services;
• Support for new business initiatives and increased economic activity;
• Proposals to support economic benefits to Overseas Territories and their inhabitants - e.g. telecommunications liberalisation

Previous Projects have included:

• Cage building for native iguanas at the Head Start Facility in Anegada to maintain biodiversity
• Funding for HM Prison, police & immigration officers to attend regional & UK training
• Contribution towards Prison Counsellor and Sentence Planning Coordinator at HM Prison
• CCTV equipment at HM Prison
• Contribution towards tuition fees for members of the Attorney General's Chambers to attend Legislative Drafting courses at the University of London
• Contribution towards 3rd Annual National Summit for Youth on HIV/AIDS
• Laptop for Department of Disaster Management
• 50% Contribution towards Telecommunications Consultant to prepare BVI Government for telecommunications liberalisation

Monitoring and Evaluation

In line with OTPF Standard Operating Procedures, Quarterly progress reports should be provided for all projects, by the project implementers.

Publicity

All project implementers should endeavour to secure positive publicity for their projects, which should give mention to the support and funding it has received from the Overseas Territories Programme in the UK.

Bids for Project Funding

When the bidding round is open the application form will be available on this page. Project bids should be submitted on the application form and then sent to Claire Hunter:

Claire Hunter
Project Officer
Office of the Governor
Waterfront Drive
P O Box 702
Road Town
Tortola