Why countries apply and introducing the ‘Diagnostic Tool.’

Eligible countries can apply to CTF2 for funding in order to address ‘priority’ weaknesses in their national Codex structures that prevent them from participating effectively in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and related committees.

FAO and WHO have developed a ‘Diagnostic Tool’ (full name: “Diagnostic Tool for Assessing Status of National Codex Programmes”) to help applicants assess their priority weaknesses.

The Diagnostic Tool is the starting point for considering a CTF2 funding application and will serve as the basis for the application. 

Once the diagnostic assessment has been completed the country can decide whether they prefer to apply for support from the Codex Trust Fund as an individual country, or as part of a group application. 

The purpose of the Diagnostic Tool is to provide a framework for self-assessment of the current status of national Codex capacity.

The diagnosis of Codex capacity in the country is carried out using a national consultative process and is coordinated by the official Codex Contact Point (CCP).

As part of the process of developing a solid application at country level, CCPs may approach FAO/WHO Regional Officers and/or FAO/WHO technical officers at country level (where relevant) to discuss different aspects of a proposed application and to elicit their guidance and advice.

After undertaking a diagnosis of the national Codex programme using the “Diagnostic Tool”, countries with similar gaps and needs may group together to address these common issues. These are good grounds for a group application. Part of the rationale in the application would include explaining the link and complementarity between individual country and group activities.

Ideas for group applications may also result from discussions between countries during Codex meetings.