The Tobacco Control Grants Program is an important component of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. The Grants Program is competitive and supports projects to develop and deliver high-impact, evidence-based tobacco control interventions aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the guidelines for its implementation. The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Grants Program is jointly managed and run by The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).

Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Thirty-three of the Grants Program. The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 12:00 hours, US Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5 hours) on 22 February 2023.

Priority will be given to projects that lead to sustainable improvements in tobacco control laws, regulations, and policies at the national or sub-national level (e.g. provinces, states, cities.). Project proposals should focus on tobacco control policy priorities including (but not restricted to):
•    Tax and price measures. 
•    Direct and indirect advertising bans (including promotion and sponsorship)
•    Establishment of smoke-free policies for public places and workplaces
•    Policies for graphic warning labels on tobacco products
•    Policy on Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC (this must be in association with strengthening MPOWER policies)

For further information about the Grants Program, including the Call for Proposals, information on how to apply for a grant and the online submission form, visit the section "Apply for a Grant" on this webpage.

In 2023, the Convention Secretariat is available to jointly conduct a limited number of Needs Assessments to support Parties to implement the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol).  

Two different types of Needs Assessments are available: 

   1. Needs Assessment for Parties to the WHO FCTC, and 

   2. Needs Assessment for Parties to the Protocol. 
 

What is a Needs Assessment? 

A Needs Assessment is a joint exercise performed at the request of a Party, facilitated by the Convention Secretariat and with participation of WHO, other international intergovernmental organizations and experts. The exercise is aimed at supporting the Party in reviewing the status of implementation of the WHO FCTC or the Protocol and covers: 
 

• reviewing legislative, executive, administrative and other measures;  

• identifying gaps between treaty requirements and measures taken by the Party; and  

• assessing technical and financial needs for full implementation of the WHO FCTC or the Protocol.  

Recommendations to address these gaps are then provided to the Government in the form of a Needs Assessment report. 

Needs Assessments for the WHO FCTC 

More information on WHO FCTC Needs Assessments, including a Q&A is available on the Convention Secretariat website. 

Parties that have conducted Needs Assessments are provided with modest post-needs assessment assistance in the form of technical and/or financial assistance to implement priority activities. 

Needs Assessments for the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products  

The Convention Secretariat has developed a methodology to provide Needs Assessments for the Protocol.  This methodology will be piloted in 2023.   

Parties to the Protocol that are interested in undertaking a Needs Assessment as part of this pilot are encouraged to express interest. 

More information on the pilot Protocol Needs Assessments is available on the Convention Secretariat website. 
 

Needs Assessments are jointly conducted 

Each needs assessment is jointly conducted by the Party together with the Convention Secretariat, WHO, other international intergovernmental organizations and experts.  Invitations for civil society organizations at the country-level to participate in the Needs Assessment are arranged through the Party. 

Funding for Needs Assessments 

With the generous support of our donors, the Convention Secretariat is able to cover the costs of a Needs Assessment for any Party to the WHO FCTC or Protocol that is eligible to receive Official Development Assistance, as set out by the OECD.  

Expressing interest for a Needs Assessment 

If a Party wishes to request support from the Convention Secretariat to conduct the needs assessment, the competent authority (at the ministerial level) should send a signed official letter of request to the Head of the Convention Secretariat. A focal point to coordinate the mission from the Government side should be designated in the letter of request to facilitate further communication. Contact details including email addresses should also be provided.  

The letter of request may also be sent to the following email address: fctcsecretariat@who.int  

Priority for undertaking Needs Assessments 

The Convention Secretariat has funding to undertake a limited number of Needs Assessments in 2023.  Priority will be given to Parties that have not yet undertaken a Needs Assessment.  Geographical distribution will also be taken into account.  

Closing date for expressions of interest for a Needs Assessment 

To facilitate planning, requests for Needs Assessments are requested to be sent by Friday, 17 February 2023.

In 2023, the Convention Secretariat is available to jointly conduct a limited number of Needs Assessments to support Parties to implement the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol).  

Two different types of Needs Assessments are available: 

   1. Needs Assessment for Parties to the WHO FCTC, and 

   2. Needs Assessment for Parties to the Protocol. 
 

What is a Needs Assessment? 

A Needs Assessment is a joint exercise performed at the request of a Party, facilitated by the Convention Secretariat and with participation of WHO, other international intergovernmental organizations and experts. The exercise is aimed at supporting the Party in reviewing the status of implementation of the WHO FCTC or the Protocol and covers: 
 

• reviewing legislative, executive, administrative and other measures;  

• identifying gaps between treaty requirements and measures taken by the Party; and  

• assessing technical and financial needs for full implementation of the WHO FCTC or the Protocol.  

Recommendations to address these gaps are then provided to the Government in the form of a Needs Assessment report. 

Needs Assessments for the WHO FCTC 

More information on WHO FCTC Needs Assessments, including a Q&A is available on the Convention Secretariat website. 

Parties that have conducted Needs Assessments are provided with modest post-needs assessment assistance in the form of technical and/or financial assistance to implement priority activities. 

Needs Assessments for the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products  

The Convention Secretariat has developed a methodology to provide Needs Assessments for the Protocol.  This methodology will be piloted in 2023.   

Parties to the Protocol that are interested in undertaking a Needs Assessment as part of this pilot are encouraged to express interest. 

More information on the pilot Protocol Needs Assessments is available on the Convention Secretariat website. 
 

Needs Assessments are jointly conducted 

Each needs assessment is jointly conducted by the Party together with the Convention Secretariat, WHO, other international intergovernmental organizations and experts.  Invitations for civil society organizations at the country-level to participate in the Needs Assessment are arranged through the Party. 

Funding for Needs Assessments 

With the generous support of our donors, the Convention Secretariat is able to cover the costs of a Needs Assessment for any Party to the WHO FCTC or Protocol that is eligible to receive Official Development Assistance, as set out by the OECD.  

Expressing interest for a Needs Assessment 

If a Party wishes to request support from the Convention Secretariat to conduct the needs assessment, the competent authority (at the ministerial level) should send a signed official letter of request to the Head of the Convention Secretariat. A focal point to coordinate the mission from the Government side should be designated in the letter of request to facilitate further communication. Contact details including email addresses should also be provided.  

The letter of request may also be sent to the following email address: fctcsecretariat@who.int  

Priority for undertaking Needs Assessments 

The Convention Secretariat has funding to undertake a limited number of Needs Assessments in 2023.  Priority will be given to Parties that have not yet undertaken a Needs Assessment.  Geographical distribution will also be taken into account.  

Closing date for expressions of interest for a Needs Assessment 

To facilitate planning, requests for Needs Assessments are requested to be sent by Friday, 17 February 2023.

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