About the Trust Fund

NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) Trust Fund was established in 2000 under the Ottawa Convention to assist PfP countries with the safe destruction of stocks of anti-personnel landmines.

The scope of the NATO/PfP Trust Fund Policy was subsequently extended to include the destruction of small arms, light weapons and surplus munitions, and to cover other Defence reform related activities. More recently, the area covered was enlarged to include the Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries.

The Trust Fund provides a legal framework and practical mechanisms for projects aimed at removing surplus weapons and ammunition from government inventories.

These projects are funded by NATO countries on a voluntary basis, and coordination is provided by a Lead Nation and the Host Nation. Any nation or organisation may offer support to a particular project by providing funding or equipment or contributions in kind – such as expert personnel – meeting the requirements of a specific project proposal. In addition to this external support, the Host Nation is expected to provide maximum support to the project within its means. This may include contributions in kind, such as packing and re-packing of munitions, office space, refurbishment of buildings, local transportation, interpretation and security. Trust Fund projects also rely on local government support to overcome any bureaucratic obstacles (e.g. facilitating VAT exemptions, easing customs procedures for project-related imports and exports).

The Lead Nation is responsible for appointing an Executing Agent to handle the technical and financial aspects of the project. By the end of 2006, NAMSA had been appointed the Executing Agent for 12 out of 16 projects.

Ensuring Safety and Building Capabilities

In each project, the Trust Fund aims to build local capability. In most cases a project only addresses part of a much wider problem but, by developing local skills and capability, new resources to address future problems are provided to the Host Nation.

All Trust Fund projects adhere to the highest values of environmental, health and safety standards, taking into consideration European Union legislation as well as host nation legislation.

Recycling is an integral part of Trust Fund demilitarisation work. This is environment friendly and the recycled products generate funds that reduce the overall cost of projects. No recycled material is used for military purposes.