FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides what the programme will deliver?

The Government of PNG, particularly the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) and the Implementing Agency, Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry (DTCI), supported by an EU-funded identification and formulation exercise, agrees with the European Union a set of priorities to be addressed by the programme. These are then elaborated through a legal and binding document, called a Financing Agreement (FA). The FA details the overall and specific objectives of the Programme as well as the various components and their individual objectives and main activities.

How long does the TRA 2 Programme last?

The FA allows for activities to be implemented up until April 2018. This is the second phase of EU Trade Related Assistance to PNG, following TRA 1, which was implemented between 2009 and 2011.

How are the activities to be undertaken by the Programme decided upon?

The programme operates on the basis of EU standard Project Implementation methods, which require that activities and their corresponding budgets are decided at certain points during the programme implementation. These activities are drawn up, in consultation with stakeholders, in documents called Programme Estimates, which are basically time-bound project plans and budgets that then guide the detailed activity implementation. Programme Estimates, which normally last 12 or 18 months, are approved by the Government and the EU, and then endorsed by the Steering Committee.

Can I ask for my specific project to be funded under the TRA Programme?

The overarching document for influencing project activities is the FA. All activities need to be directly contributing to achieving the programme objectives, so only activities meeting these criteria can be included in the Programme.

What are the specific objectives of the TRA 2 Programme?

The Programme has 3 Components and there is a focal point person in the Trade Division of DTCI responsible for ensuring that the objectives of each component are achieved. More detail on the individual Component objectives can be found by clicking the heading ‘Components’ at the top of this page.

Who checks that the Programme is achieving its objectives and being correctly implemented?

The Programme has a Steering Committee, which endorses Programme Estimates, receives periodic feedback on the Programme’s activities and ensures that it is still heading in the right direction to meet the objectives stated in the FA. In addition, the EU undertakes a mid-term evaluation, which looks at relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and impact. Regular technical and financial reporting is required both to the Government, especially the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, and to the EU, and there are intermittent and final independent audits undertaken.

Where does the funding for the Programme come from?

The major part of the funding comes from the 11th EU Development Fund (EDF 11) and consists essentially of the taxes paid by EU citizens, which are collected by their national governments and then form part of their country’s national contribution to the European.

How long does the TRA 2 Programme last?

The FA allowed for activities to be implemented up until April 2018. However, an extension has been approved for one year to April 2019. This is the second phase of EU Trade Related Assistance to PNG, following TRA 1, which was implemented between 2009 and 2011.