1% for Development Fund - Vienna
About the 1% Fund
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1% for Development Fund - ViennaAbout the 1% Fund |
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What is the 1% for Development Fund?The 1% for Development Fund, Vienna, is an independent association of staff members and ex-staff members of the organizations of the UN system that are based here. It is entirely independent of the UN organizations themselves. The 1% Fund in Vienna was founded in 1985 and now has about 70 members. Members of the 1% Fund pledge to donate 1% of their salaries each month to support small scale development projects. There are similar 1% Funds in Geneva (founded in 1976), New York and Rome.Why was the Fund created?The 1% for Development Fund was inspired by the long standing target of the United Nations for the rich countries to transfer 1% of their income as aid to poor countries. Many of the staff working for organizations of the UN system feel that they would like to make a direct and personal contribution to development. If you do, then the 1% Fund is for you.What does the Fund do?Projects may be proposed to the 1% Fund by members of the Fund, by other UN staff members, by community organizations in developing countries, or by non-governmental organizations. All contributions collected go fully and directly to local project organizers to support small scale development projects, generally up to a maximum of US$5000, which are organized locally in developing countries. There are no administrative costs (except for bank charges). The members of the Management Committee attend to the day to day running of the 1% Fund on a voluntary basis.How does the Fund work?A Management Committee of up to 12 members is elected annually by the Assembly of members of the 1% Fund. The Management Committee receives project proposals, which must provide the information to answer a standard list of questions. Projects may be proposed by members of the Fund, by other staff members, by local community organizations, or by non-governmental organizations. The proposals are then assessed on the basis of agreed criteria before submission to the Assembly for its consideration. The criteria relate to the projects' organizers, objectives, beneficiaries, location, potential effectiveness and potential for being sustained.Twice a year, the Assembly of members of the 1% Fund meets to vote on the projects to be supported. Typically four or five projects can be funded out of the eight or so projects proposed and recommended to each Assembly. The others are resubmitted to the next Assembly. Those projects that are presented unsuccessfully twice, however deserving, have to be turned down. The project organizers of projects that have been funded are required to submit photographs, accounts and reports. Direct personal contacts are also used to follow up on the projects supported. What has the Fund achieved so far?Since its inception in May 1985, the Vienna 1% for Development Fund has raised over US$650,000 and has supported 171 projects in 56 countries: 38 projects in Latin America, 46 in Asia and 87 in Africa (see the Projects list).
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| Last Modified 2006-05-18 | 1% for Development Fund |