GPSNR Working Groups Update: December 2020

Share This Post

Strategy and Objectives Working Group

The Working Group has received several bids in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a study on environmental impacts, and risks, in the natural rubber value chain that was published in November. The Working Group has shortlisted three candidates and, as part of the evaluation process, will be conducting with these candidates in January 2021 before awarding the bid to the successful candidate. 

The Working Group is also starting on the Theory of Change document update, an exercise which will involve all other Working Groups. This will take place in January 2021. The Equity sub-Group is preparing summary documents for the living income studies and is planning to present the studies to GPSNR members in early 2021.

‘Policy Toolbox’ Working Group

The Working Group has finalized the Baseline Reporting Requirements and these will go to the Executive Committee for review. The Working Group is also developing a Request for Proposal for a consultant to work on the implementation guidance and reporting requirements.

‘Capacity Building’ Working Group

Since the last update, the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Task Force has had their first kickoff call and is beginning the work to identify and/or refine guiding principles for GAPs appropriate for the sustainable production of natural rubber.

The Working Group is also engaging the Executive Committee on their comments regarding the proposed capacity building strategies for four focus countries.

‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group

In early December, the Working Group onboarded smallholders from Indonesia and Côte d’Ivoire into the group, with the smallholders participating in their first meeting on 10 December. 

Aside from reviewing the Working Group’s Terms of Reference (ToR) and its objectives moving forward, the Working Group will also be starting to develop recommendations for members on traceability and transparency tools in early 2021.

Smallholder Representation Working Group

The revised ToR for the Working Group is undergoing a final review, following which it will be sent to the Executive Committee for approval. 

The Working Group has also formalised a document that defines the role and key tasks of a Country Champion. So far, Country Champions have been actively involved in organizing and arranging national calls, supporting smallholder engagement, and providing technical and linguistic assistance.   

As part of the Working Group’s revamp, it will be undergoing a membership refresh. Part of this will also involve smallholders being onboarded into the Working Group in 2021.  The Working Group is also looking into onboarding smallholders from Cambodia. Any GPSNR members who have operations in Cambodia or partners working in Cambodia who can help to identify potential smallholders for an onboarding workshop are welcome to reach out to the Working Group’s Co-Chairs, Ulrich Antoni and Julian Oram.

More To Explore
News

GPSNR Working Groups Update: November 2023

Strategy and Objectives Working Group: Following the approval of the Assurance Model resolution (5b), the Assurance Model Task Force is working with ASI in developing the Assurance Model including aligning with current normative documents, engaging members for consultation, and pilot testing.

In parallel, the Risk Subgroup hosted a webinar focused on traceability and shared findings from their traceability pilot projects. 

The Risk subgroup has decided to temporarily pause its activities until December, allowing time for ASI to complete the Assurance Model alignment. ASI has commenced its task of aligning key GPSNR documents. These documents aim to lay a solid foundation for the complete Assurance Model. Upon the completion of this alignment process, the fully drafted Assurance Model will be presented to the members for consideration and approval.

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group: The Indonesian subgroup presented their quarterly reports for two GAP Coaching projects and one Disease Fighting project on October 27, 2023. In addition, GPSNR secured a joint collaboration letter with RAOT and invited all member companies to participate in the Thailand GAP coaching project in Bueng Kan and Chiang Rai provinces. The Thailand agroforestry project also received additional funding for further sub-projects.

The Digital Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) task force conducted a pilot user acceptance test and initiated socialisation sessions and training for smallholder farmers in Indonesia. They also announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) for KSP’s third phase, focusing on content development, with submissions due by November 24, 2023.

Rubber agroforestry workshops were held in Côte d’Ivoire from October 25-27, 2023, and information on capacity-building projects open for funding was shared with all members. The SCB WG will continue to oversee all ongoing projects, with efforts to plan logistics for smallholder representatives attending events in Thailand and France. The Thailand agroforestry subgroup is working on a supplemental agreement for additional projects.

Members interested in the Thailand GAP project in Chiang Rai and Bueng Kan are encouraged to contact cheewei@gpsnr.org for more information. The KSP task force plans to continue socialisation sessions and training in Indonesia and Thailand, aiming for the final user acceptance test by the end of November 2023. By the end of November, the task force will begin evaluating proposals for KSP’s third phase.

The Income Diversification and Rubber Agroforestry task force is preparing for its second Indonesian agroforestry workshop of 2023, scheduled for November 22-24. Additionally, a webinar is planned for November 30, 2023, to present findings from the HCSA-HCVN field trial.

Policy Toolbox Working Group: On November 22nd, WG1 met to discuss the  quantification of the RR, data aggregation methodologies, and updates relating to the RR in the context of the Assurance Model. During the meeting, operational timelines and survey to gather information were set up.

Currently, Agridence is developing the digital platform, and the Secretariat plans to provide updates on the RR to ensure the platform is operational before the 2024 reporting cycle.

WG1 is also working on revising the Code of Conduct to include non-conformance measures for failing to update the Reporting Requirements, in line with the non-conformance measures approved by the Executive Committee in 2022.

Lastly, following the approval of the revised reporting requirements, the WG will proceed to develop the disclosure requirements for the Year 3 reporting cycle.

Shared Responsibility Working Group: The Assurance Model will be meeting with ASI to provide feedback on the proposed Assurance Model under development. Additionally, the Working Group has an open co-chair seat and is calling for volunteers to fill this position.

GPSNR Secretariat November 29, 2023

GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism 2027 – In-Kind Contribution (IKC) Application Opens

The GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism (SIM) is now accepting applications for 2027 IKC.
Note: The submission deadline has been extended to 30 September 2026, 23:59 SGT

The SIM is a joint funding framework through which GPSNR Ordinary Members (currently mandatory for Manufacturer Members) collectively support sustainability and capacity-building initiatives across the natural rubber value chain.

Under the Shared Investment Framework, Manufacturer Member organisations may submit eligible projects for consideration under the SIM. Applications will be evaluated against the SIM Funding Principles, Open Market Criteria, and the overall quality of the proposal.  If the project is approved, the actual eligible expenses incurred for that project may be recognised as an IKC and applied towards the organisation’s SIM contribution. 

Who can Apply?
IKC applications are open to GPSNR Manufacturer Members only. While project proposals may be prepared with support from project implementers or other third-party organisations involved in project delivery, the application must be submitted by the GPSNR Manufacturer Member, who remains responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the submission.

If any other GPSNR Ordinary Members wish to submit an IKC application, please contact the Secretariat before preparing your application.

Assessment Process
All IKC applications will undergo a technical evaluation conducted by the Project Management Working Group evaluation panel. Applications recommended by the PMWG will then be submitted to the Shared Investment Panel (SIP) for final endorsement. Following endorsement, applicants may commence implementation for new projects or continue implementation for existing projects.

Application Resources
Before preparing your application, please ensure that you have reviewed the following documents:

Your application should clearly demonstrate how the project aligns with the SIM Funding Principles and satisfies the Open Market Criteria.

Applicants must use the prescribed templates and follow all submission guidance. Proposals that do not comply with the required templates or application requirements will not be considered.

Submission Timeline

Call for Applications Open 10 August 2026
Applicant Webinar 18 August 2026, 3.00-4.00PM SGT
Submission Deadline 30 September 2026, 11.59PM SGT

All required application documents must be submitted by the deadline above. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Submission Instructions

Step 1: Review the application guidance.
Please read the FAQ – In-Kind Contributions_V2 FAQ document before preparing your submission.

Step 2: Complete the required templates.
Applicants must use the prescribed templates and complete all required sections as instructed. Please do not alter the format, structure, or formulas within the templates. Proposals that do not comply with these requirements will be rejected.

  1. SIM2027 In-Kind Contribution Project Application Template_V3.docx
  2. SIM2027 In-Kind Contribution Project Budget Template_V2

Step 3: Submit your application via email.
Email the completed proposal and budget template to cheewei@gpsnr.org and amanda@gpsnr.org using the following subject line: [SIM2027 IKC Proposal Submission] – [Project Name]
Please ensure that all key points of contact for the project within your organisation are copied (CC’d) on the submission email.

Applicant Webinar

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the SIM 2027 IKC Applicant Webinar, which will be held on 18 August 2026, 3:00–4:00 PM (SGT).

The webinar is designed to help applicants prepare the strongest possible submission. During the session, the Secretariat will:

  • provide an overview of the application process;
  • explain the proposal and budget templates;
  • walk through the assessment criteria;
  • answer questions during a live Q&A session.

Whether you are a first-time applicant or have previously submitted a proposal, attendance is highly recommended to ensure your application fully addresses the evaluation criteria and meets the submission requirements.

Sign up here by 17 August, 12.00PM SGT.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact cheewei@gpsnr.org and amanda@gpsnr.org

GPSNR Secretariat August 10, 2026
Translate »
Scroll to Top