The IPU is funded by its members and associate members through annual assessed contributions and through voluntary funds provided by donors. The IPU enjoys a solid funding base and is not dependent on voluntary funds to cover its basic needs. However, to realize its full potential and meet increasing demands for assistance, additional funds are required. The expanded agenda, which includes programmes to promote democracy, development and peace, requires more funding that is both predictable and flexible.
The IPU’s programmes and the requirements to carry them out are presented in a document entitled "Promotion of Democracy, Development and Peace, activities and requirements 2010-2012". The plan is revised annually and provides the basis for discussions with donors about support.
As a result of efforts to obtain predictable and stable funding from voluntary resources, the IPU has established multi-year partnerships with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Irish Aid and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), which have all committed programme funds for 2008-2010. Other government donors such as Finland and Belgium, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) contribute to specific projects. Projects to strengthen national parliaments are often carried out in cooperation with UNDP.
Commitments have been made by the following donors:
- Irish Aid: An agreement concluded in 2008 commits Euro 1.1 million for 2008-2010 (Euro 400,000 in 2008, Euro 350,000 in 2009 and Euro 350,000 in 2010) for the IPU’s programme on equality in politics.
- Sida: An agreement concluded in 2008 commits SEK 9 million with no earmarking and SEK 900,000 for case studies on parliamentary oversight of development aid for 2008-2010.
- CIDA: An agreement concluded in 2007 commits CAD 669,600 over three years (April 2007- March 2010) to a programme to assist parliaments in reconciliation efforts. A second agreement concluded in 2008 commits CAD 1.2 million over three years (2008-2010) for the IPU’s programme on gender equality and for a project on the representation of minorities and indigenous peoples in parliaments.
Additional project funds are provided by Finland for human rights activities (CHF 90,000), as well as by the Belgian government, which will contribute some CHF 300,000 for activities in West Africa in cooperation with the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC). UNDP funds various projects on a reimbursement basis or by paying upfront, which is the case for the project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The European Commission funds a parliamentary project in Equatorial Guinea. Discussions with additional donors are continuing.
The IPU is encouraged by and grateful for the confidence and support received from a core group of donors, whose generous contributions allow the implementation of important programmes in support of parliaments around the world. It is our hope that the Plan for 2010-2012 will attract the attention and support of both current and new donors.
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