Smallholders Representation Working Group Update – November 2019

Strong, sustainable supply chains can only be achieved if the most fragile player, smallholders, are empowered.  The definition of ‘smallholders’ together with engagement guideline is being finalized with the aim to have a new ordinary membership category that would allow smallholders to express their views, ideas and concerns to the other international players within GPSNR.

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With the input from the workshop in Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil (and soon Cote d’Ivoire and Vietnam), the smallholders representation working group is finalizing the definition of ‘smallholders’ which will be needed to open up a new category of membership. Recognizing the experience and effort that IRSG/SNRi had already invested in this work, Smallholders Representation Working Group invited IRSG to discuss the definition of ‘smallholders’.  

While many countries have their own definition of ‘smallholders’ based on the size of their land, the Smallholders representation Working Group agreed other characteristics of smallholders (such as income provenance, level of dependency on family labour, economic constraints, etc) should also be considered. 

As the definition of ‘smallholders’ are affiliated to the work scope Strategy 2 – Capacity Building Working Group, the Smallholders Representation Working Group members are working closely with Strategy 2 – Capacity Building Working Group members to ensure that there is alignment in definition between smallholders in the natural rubber supply chain and smallholders that will become GPSNR member.

In the meantime, a successful third workshop in Brazil concluded this week, with a series of learnings for GPSNR on the organisation of farmers in the region, and their expectations from the future collaboration with the Platform. The workshop also achieved good progress on the identification of potential candidates for membership in GPSNR, both by single farmers and producers associations.

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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
News

GPSNR Working Groups Update: October 2024

Assurance Model Task Force: The Executive Committee (EC) has reviewed the Assurance Model documents and approved them to be submitted to the General Assembly for a vote. The EC has also identified several topics that will require further discussion and finalisation next year. These include minimum requirements, the mechanism for third-party oversight of assessor accreditation, the format and content of assessment result disclosures, the process for assigning third-party assessors, claims, refinements to the classification system for major non-conformities, and a risk-based approach to assessment scheduling. These topics will be presented for a vote at the 2025 General Assembly. For further context, here is the link to the compilation of feedback on the Assurance Model documents received since June, along with responses and changes made based on these comments: https://rubberplatform.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/GPSNRMembers/EWLmS86xDkxMtce9wKEuLjwByB6hU_QXrROu_XJ9DuK0kA?e=ZYYike

Additionally, the EC has agreed that the first three years of assessments (2027-2029) will be conducted annually, with mandatory public disclosure of a category-level summary of the assessments, while company-level disclosure will be optional for those being assessed.

 

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group: 18 members from Ghana were approved this month, with an onboarding call held on 10 October 2024. Additionally, the EC Election Campaign call for smallholders took place on 29 October 2024.

Koltiva submitted the final report for the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project (Phase 2) and delivered a final presentation on 17 October 2024. The third phase of the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project is now underway and is currently in the preparation stage. For the Thailand GAP Coaching Project, Koltiva presented the first full-year project results on 22 October 2024. Meanwhile, RAFs completed training for 1,000 farmers ahead of schedule in the Thailand Agroforestry Project. Furthermore, a curated content list and promotional poster for Rubber Wiki have been created to engage smallholders through the Knowledge Sharing Platform.

Looking ahead, a Pre-GA Webinar for smallholders is scheduled for 18 November 2024, and 10 new Cambodian smallholders have applied for membership and are awaiting approval.

For Capacity Building Projects, SCB WG members are requested to review and provide feedback on the final report for the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project (Phase 2) by 28 October 2024. Koltiva will also submit agricultural calendars and training materials for the third phase of this project for SCB WG review by the same date. For the Thailand GAP Coaching Project, Koltiva is revising the full-year review report based on feedback from SCB WG members. Additionally, the Project Management Subgroup will hold its kick-off meeting on 23 October 2024.

 

Shared Responsibility Working Group: The Shared Investment Panel (SIP) has officially been established following approval from the GPSNR Executive Committee.

The Secretariat is continuing to support the implementation of the Shared Investment Mechanism, with the Project Management Subgroup currently reviewing the proposals received. The SIP will select its co-chairs and plans to hold its kick-off meeting early next month.

Regarding the Value Transfer mechanism, the Executive Committee will form a task force with one representative from each ordinary member category. This task force will work on the next steps to finalise a revised proposal, with the aim to present it at the in-person meeting in February 2025.

GPSNR Secretariat October 30, 2024
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