Voluntary Coorperation Programme (VCP)
The Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP) is a collaborative funding mechanism designed to enhance global meteorological and hydrological capabilities. Established to complement WMO’s regular budget, the VCP mobilizes voluntary financial and technical contributions from WMO Member States to support under-resourced meteorological services. These contributions are essential to advancing WMO’s mission to improve weather, climate, and water services worldwide.
VCP consists of three components: (i) Voluntary Co-operation Fund (VCP-F), (ii) Equipment and Services Coordinated Support (VCP-ES), and (iii) Emergency Assistance Fund (VCP-EAF).
The program operates on two primary tracks: VCP-F, which focuses on direct financial contributions for immediate project funding, and VCP-EAF, which involves equipment donations and technical expertise. Through these initiatives, the VCP supports equipment, expert services, training/fellowships, and counterpart services.
The VCP’s results have shown a marked improvement in the technical capacity and readiness of Member States, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate-related events. By fostering collaborative investment in meteorological and hydrological development, the VCP supports WMO’s mission to contribute to global safety, sustainable development, and resilience against environmental challenges.
Background
In 1967, WMO established the Voluntary Contributions Programme (VCP) as a funding mechanism to enhance global meteorological and hydrological capabilities. Through this program, WMO mobilizes resources from Member States to support the development of meteorological services, particularly in developing countries and vulnerable regions.
Since its inception, VCP has effectively provided substantial support, particularly to developing and least-developed countries. This success is primarily attributed to the commitment of WMO Members to share scientific expertise and cutting-edge technology. Donor countries contribute equipment, fellowships, expertise, and funding, while recipient countries enhance the programme’s impact by offering significant local support, including infrastructure, staffing, and operational resources.
VCP Objectives
The VCP aims to provide “quick time” response support to address immediate needs of Members in developing countries.
Pursuant to Resolution 68, WMO Congress 18, the fields of cooperation covered by VCP include the following:
- Development of relevant legislation and National Strategic Plans of NMHSs;
- Granting of short-term and long-term fellowships;
- Support to short-term training seminars’
- Support to user engagement for meteorological, climatological, and hydrological applications and services delivery;
- Establishment/enhancement of observing and data-processing facilities, application, and service delivery/dissemination services
- Contingency planning for cases of severe disasters; and
- Other areas of cooperation, as may be proposed by the WMO Secretary-General or Executive Council
- The program operates on two primary tracks: VCP-F, which focuses on direct financial contributions for immediate project funding, and VCP-EAF, which involves equipment donations and technical expertise. Through these initiatives, the VCP supports equipment, expert services, training/fellowships, and counterpart services.
The governance structure of the VCP ensures effective planning, allocation, and monitoring of resources to meet the meteorological and hydrological needs of developing and least-developed countries.
The VCP is administered by the WMO Secretariat, which oversees resource mobilization, project selection, and management. The WMO aligns VCP-funded projects with its Strategic Plan, prioritizing initiatives that address pressing needs in vulnerable regions. Collaboration with donors allows WMO to allocate resources effectively, tailoring contributions to meet specific requirements of beneficiary NMHSs.
Projects are designed in consultation with recipient countries, ensuring local engagement and commitment. Recipient NMHSs pledge to maintain and operate infrastructure and tools provided through VCP, facilitating long-term impact.
Leadership and Oversight
The VCP is governed under the authority of the WMO Executive Council and is managed by the WMO Secretariat. The Secretariat provides high-level guidance to ensure the VCP’s alignment with WMO’s Strategic Plan and overall organizational mission. The Secretariat also establishes priorities for funding and support based on the specific needs of Member States, particularly those in vulnerable regions.
Oversight is maintained by regular reporting to the WMO Executive Council, which reviews the program’s progress and provides strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation. This level of oversight is essential for ensuring that the VCP operates in line with WMO’s objectives and Member State expectations.
Resource Allocation and Project Approval
The WMO Secretariat is responsible for the allocation of VCP resources, working in close coordination with WMO’s Regional Offices. Project proposals are reviewed and prioritized based on criteria such as urgency, potential impact, and alignment with WMO’s goals for enhancing meteorological and hydrological capacities.
Once projects are proposed by NMHSs in recipient countries, the WMO Secretariat evaluates these proposals, factoring in the capacity of recipient countries to contribute local resources (such as infrastructure and staffing) to sustain the projects. Approved projects are then allocated funds or in-kind resources from the VCP components. This structured approval process ensures that resources are directed toward high-impact projects that can be sustained and maintained by the recipient countries.
Role of Regional Offices
WMO’s Regional Offices play an integral role in the VCP’s governance, particularly in identifying and assessing the specific needs of NMHSs within their regions. These offices facilitate communication between the WMO Secretariat and recipient countries, ensuring that project proposals accurately reflect local needs and conditions. Regional Offices also assist in monitoring and evaluating VCP projects, providing insights into their impact and offering support to ensure long-term sustainability.
By involving Regional Offices in the governance process, the VCP ensures that each project is contextually relevant, regionally supported, and locally impactful, addressing the unique meteorological challenges faced by different regions.
Monitoring and Accountability
Throughout the project lifecycle, the WMO Secretariat conducts regular monitoring activities to track project implementation, assess performance, and ensure resource efficiency. Recipient countries are required to provide regular updates and reports, detailing the project’s progress and any challenges encountered.