There are four main sources of funding for APEC projects: the Operational Account (OA), the Trade and Investment Liberalisation and Facilitation Account (TILF), the APEC Support Fund (ASF), and self-funding.

Operational Account

The OA is funded from annual membership contributions. It can be used for all types of APEC projects, and supports initiatives under APEC’s economic and technical cooperation agenda (ECOTECH).

All member economies may apply for funding under OA. Projects may be fully funded under OA, as there are no self-funding requirements for OA-funded projects.

Established in May 2005, the priority areas covered by the General Fund are the ECOTECH Priority Themes (Manila Framework approved 2006), specifically:

• Developing Human Capital;
• Developing stable, safe and efficient capital markets through structural reform;
• Strengthening economic infrastructure;
• Facilitating technology flows and harnessing technologies for the future;
• Safeguarding the quality of life through environmentally sound growth; and
• Developing and strengthening the dynamism of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
• Integration into the global economy;
• Human security and counter-terrorism capacity building;
• Promoting the development of knowledge-based economies; and
• Addressing social dimension of globalisation.

Trade and Investment Liberalisation and Facilitation Account

TILF is sourced from voluntary member contributions. It provides funding for projects that expand cooperative programs and support trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation as articulated by Leaders’ or Ministers’ directives and the Osaka Action Agenda.

All TILF projects must clearly contribute to achieving trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. In particular, each project must articulate how it relates to at least one of the 15 areas listed in Part 1 of the Osaka Action Agenda.

All member economies may apply for funding under TILF. All non-TILF contributing member economies must self-fund a percentage of the overall project cost that otherwise would be eligible for APEC funding. Developed economies subject to this requirement must provide at least a 50% self-funded component; relevant developing economies must provide a 20% self-funded component.

Two economies, Japan and the US, have voluntarily contributed funds to TILF. From 1999 to 2012, Japan contributed US$42,839,517, including US$1,022,222 in 2012. The US contributed US$1,897,265 from 2007 to 2012, including US$400,000 from 2010 to 2012, which has been fully disbursed.

APEC Support Fund

The ASF complements OA and TILF to meet capacity-building needs for APEC developing economies in agreed high-priority areas for economic and technical cooperation. The ASF and its sub funds are sourced from voluntary member contributions.

The ASF was established in 2005. Since then, voluntary contributions have been received from other economies as set out below. Projects funded by the ASF (including its sub funds) are open to participation by all APEC members. ASF funding will be available only for capacity-building projects that primarily benefit and engage developing member economies. APEC defines capacity building as activities that enable people, businesses, and government departments to improve their skills and knowledge to engage in trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. There is no self-funding requirement for ASF-funded projects.

APEC Support Fund – General Fund

Established in May 2005, the priority areas covered by the General Fund are the ECOTECH Priority Themes (Manila Framework approved 2006), specifically:

• Developing Human Capital;
• Developing stable, safe and efficient capital markets through structural reform;
• Strengthening economic infrastructure;
• Facilitating technology flows and harnessing technologies for the future;
• Safeguarding the quality of life through environmentally sound growth; and
• Developing and strengthening the dynamism of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
• Integration into the global economy;
• Human security and counter-terrorism capacity building;
• Promoting the development of knowledge-based economies; and
• Addressing social dimension of globalisation.

Voluntary contributions to the APEC Support Fund – General Fund for 2005-2012 were:
• Australia / Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID): AUD$ 11.1 million
• China: US$ 2 million
• Korea / Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA): US$ 2 million
• USA / US Department of State: US$ 767,615
• Japan: JPY 52,300,000

APEC Support Fund – Sub-Fund A: Human Security

Established in January 2006, the priority areas covered by this Sub-Fund are:
• Counter-Terrorism and Secure Trade;
• Health Security, including Avian and Pandemic Influenza, and HIV/AIDS;
• Emergency Preparedness; and
• Energy Security

Voluntary contributions since 2006 to this Sub-Fund were:
• Australia / Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID): AUD$ 1 million
• Russia: US$ 1,840,000
• Chinese Taipei: US$ 1.5 million

APEC Support Fund Sub – Fund A: Health and Emergency Preparedness sub fund

Established in November 2006, this Sub-Fund will support Priority 2 and 3 of the ASF Sub-Fund A.

Voluntary contributors since 2006 for this Sub-Fund were:
• Australia / Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID): AUD$ 4 million 

APEC Support Fund Sub – Fund B: APEC Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP II)

Established in February 2008, this Sub-Fund is available for capacity building activities that contribute to the Implementation of the Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP II).

Voluntary contributions since 2008 to this Sub-Fund were:
• Hong Kong, China: US$ 500,000

APEC Support Fund Sub – Fund C: Science & Technology Development

Established in September 2008, this Sub-Fund is available for capacity building activities that support technology flows between members and harnessing technologies for the future.

Voluntary contributions since 2008 to this Sub-Fund were:
• Russia: US$ 1,660,000

APEC Support Fund Sub – Fund D: Energy Efficiency

Established in July 2009, this Sub-Fund supports capacity building initiatives contributing to the promotion of energy efficiency in the APEC region.

Voluntary contributions since 2009 to this Sub-Fund were:
• Japan: JPY 899,406,000
• Chinese Taipei: US$ 500,000

• USA / US Department of State: US$ 392,000

APEC Support Fund Sub – ANSSR (APEC New Strategy on Structural Reform)

Established in May 2011, this Sub-Fund supports capacity building initiatives helping developing economies in the region undertake important reforms such as improving regulatory systems, competition frameworks and governance structures.

Voluntary contributions since 2011 to this Sub-Fund were:
• Australia: AUD$ 2,500,000

Funds Available 2013

The following table provides an estimate of funds available for each approval session in 2013. The amount available changes throughout the year and the scope of funding available depends on new contributions, returned funding from completed projects, and the allocation of funds from the previous approval sessions.  

  * Figures will change and represent estimates as of 22 January 2013.

  ** Any unspent monies will be rolled over into subsequent sessions.
  *** All figures are USD.

 **** The ANSSR figure is not calculated on a per session basis. This figure is the total amount available in 2013. Any unspent funds will be rolled over to the subsequent session.

Self-Funding

“Self-funding” refers to any non-APEC amount provided to the project. Sources can include member economies, private sector partners, or other international organizations. Any sponsorship of projects must meet the requirements of the APEC Sponsorship Guidelines.

Fully self-funded projects can be put forward at any time to the relevant APEC forum for approval by consensus. These projects do not need to be submitted as concept notes first or assessed using the QAF. They do not need to be approved by BMC. Self-funded projects and self-funded components of projects must comply with the APEC Publication Guidelines.

POs of self-funded projects must submit the Self-Funded Project Proposal Coversheet into the APEC project database before commencement of the project. POs of self-funded projects are strongly encouraged to submit completion reports, the template for which can be found here.

Other Information

APEC Projects Overview can be found here.
Applying for Funds information can be found here.
Implementing APEC Projects information can be found here.
APEC Multi Year Projects (MYP) information can be found here.