GPSNR Working Groups Update: February 2022

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All GPSNR working groups have a large chunk of work ahead of them. Here are all their updates: 

Strategy and Objectives Working Group

After completing the intensive task of publishing the Theory of Change, the strategy and objectives group is working on developing its own next steps based on this Theory of Change. In the same spirit, the group has also updated its own Terms of Reference and membership. It is now focused on developing the RFP for the Economic Risk Study, which will be published soon. Currently, they are developing GPSNR’s approach to managing and evaluating risk (commonly known as the risk-based approach in meetings!). 

Smallholder Representation Working Group

Apart from initiating outreach to smallholders with a view to organise onboarding workshops in countries such as Liberia, Ghana, Malaysia and Colombia, the group is focussed on its newly formed task force to develop the GPSNR Smallholders Policy Framework. The first meeting of this task force will be in March 2022. The group is also preparing for the first Smallholders International Call of the year in March 2022.

Policy Toolbox Working Group

This group has already recruited new members for three of its subgroups: Transparent reporting roadmap, Implementation Guidance and RR Guidance & Tools. In the coming months, they will be developing guidance for the reporting requirements and a transparency reporting roadmap before the reporting cycle begins in the middle of 2022. 

At the same time, the group continues to refine a major part of the assurance model: the Implementation Guidance, which it aims to have ready before the General Assembly of 2022. Additionally, this group is busy finalising the compliance panel’s operational guidance.

Capacity Building Working Group

As we begin a year of implementation in Thailand, this group is working on reviewing and finalising strategy and approach for Capacity Building in Thailand, including the integration with Agroforestry Task Force workstream based on discussions with the Rubber Authority of Thailand on 24 February 2022.

The working group is also continuing to develop and implement capacity building plans for Indonesia and Ivory Coast, and will soon appoint service providers for GAP Coaching in Indonesia

Traceability and Transparency Working Group

Having received members’ input on the traceability guidance, representatives from the working group are now finalizing the benchmark based on the feedback.

Shared Responsibility Working Group

The Shared Responsibility working group has completed the first draft of the Shared Responsibility (SR) framework, and has presented the same to the Executive Committee. The consultant is now working on incorporating feedback from the Executive Committee into this draft.

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Strategy and Objectives Working Group Update – December 2019

The final version of Desired State V1-0 and Theory of Change will be submitted to the Executive Committee in view of approval at the General Assembly on 31st March 2020.  The Strategy & Objectives Working group is also preparing a concept of Equity working sub-group. GPSNR calls for members who wish to support in preparing the concept note for the equity sub-group, to please state your interest to GPSNR secretariat. 

Strategy 1 ‘Policy Toolbox’ Working Group drafters proposed the first draft of the policy elements and KPIs to the working members, which have now been mapped out against GPSNR 12 principles and desired state.  In order to collect the comments in a written form, members are asked to provide their comments online by January 3rd 2020. After the working group members agree on the final version of policy components, it will be submitted to the Executive Committee for comments and approval.

Strategy 2 ‘Capacity Building’ Working Group has completed a validation of their strategy against the Theory of Change.  The Working Group realizes that the situation in each country varies, so the capacity building strategy needs to be customized in its approach.  A list of stakeholders conducting capacity building activities in rubber producing countries has been finalised. The next step will be to collect inputs from the identified stakeholders in order to design GPSNR capacity building strategies.  In order to have a standardized information, the interviews will be conducted by GPSNR members in January 2020, and the result of the interview will be consolidated by GPSNR secretariat.

Strategy 3 ‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group – Some of the tools that the members are using for natural rubber traceability and transparency were presented during the first calls.  The next step is to start looking at Theory of Change, what are the underlying cause of lack of transparency and traceability, and how increasing transparency will contribute to the desired state.

GPSNR members can see the discussion and the minutes of each working grouop on GPSNR discussion forum. Please contact nigel@gpsnr.org for your log-in credentials.

GPSNR Staff December 26, 2019

Call for Project Proposals — GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism 2027 Funding Cycle [Submission Deadline Extended to 25 June 2026)

IMPORTANT UPDATE NOTICE

Submission Deadline Extended to 25 June 2026
Proposals and budget templates must be submitted by 23:59 SGT on 25 June 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicant Webinar Materials
GPSNR held an applicant webinar to walk through the SIM 2027 application process, requirements, and assessment criteria on 8 June 2026. If you missed the session or would like a refresher, the materials are available here: Presentation slides & Webinar recording

A few important reminders before you submit:
–  Proposals are assessed against the SIM funding principles, the open market criteria, and overall quality. Please review these carefully to ensure your project is aligned.
–  Proposals must follow the guidance provided in the proposal template, budget template, and FAQ document. Submissions that do not follow this guidance may be rejected, so we encourage you to check your documents against these references before submitting.

 

The GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism (SIM) is now accepting project proposals for the 2027 funding cycle.

SIM is a joint funding framework under which GPSNR Ordinary Members (currently mandatory for Manufacturer Members) co-fund sustainability and capacity-building projects across the natural rubber value chain. Through this call, organisations and individuals are invited to submit project proposals that align with the SIM Funding Principles.

This call is open to both GPSNR and non-GPSNR members. Proposals that successfully pass the technical evaluation conducted by the evaluation panel will be included in a list of approved projects. Manufacturer Members will then review this list and decide which projects to fund.

Submission Window: 21 April – 15 June 2026 (Extended to 25 June 2026) 

Deadline: Proposals and budget templates must be submitted by 23:59 SGT on 15 June 2026 (Extended to 25 June 2026). Late submissions will not be accepted.

Submission Instructions

    1. Download the required documents:
    2. Read the GPSNR Call for Project Proposals FAQ V4.docx  prior to preparing your submission.
    3. Complete both documents and submit them to cheewei@gpsnr.org using the following subject line:
      [SIM 2027 Proposal Submission] – [Your Project Name]

For more information, please contact cheewei@gpsnr.org

GPSNR Secretariat April 21, 2026
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