Member churches of the Alliance may request assistance from the Partnership fund for projects that fall within the following criteria for eligibility.

Projects that strengthen the witness of one or more member churches and facilitate their constructive contribution to the ecumenical movement.
Projects that enhance the effectiveness of the witness of one or more member churches in hostile or daunting circumstances, whether occasioned by their small membership, meagre resources or the pressures of a dominant religious group or of an antagonistic government through cultural, economic, political or ideological influences.
Programmes of human resource development that provide leadership development and training opportunities for ministers, lay people, and youth, fostering Christian stewardship leading to self-reliance and seeking solutions to root causes of problems will be given priority over construction of buildings. It is expected that one third of the financial resources of the Fund will be allocated to projects of which women are the main beneficiaries.
Projects that promote cooperation among member churches in a geographic region and foster effective networks of mutual support among them. Regional councils of WARC in the southern hemisphere will be assisted with emphasis on human resource development and promotion of South-South programmes.
Projects that assist one or more member churches to increase their knowledge of the Reformed tradition and its application in their witness today.
Projects that seek reconciliation of divisions within or among member churches, especially within a nation or geographic region, that inhibit participation by those churches in the wider unity of all Christ's people.
Projects that respond to violation of human rights by providing legal assistance, advocacy and pastoral accompaniment, direct legal and moral assistance to prisoners, sharing of expertise and experience among member churches and organizations.
Projects that give visible and tangible expression to the solidarity of the whole Reformed family for those within it who are oppressed or in dire need by encouraging and giving support to member churches in their struggle for justice, peace and integrity of creation (e.g. responding to emergencies and famine, refugees and rehabilitation programmes, assistance to community development projects, including administrative costs).
WARC will not duplicate existing agencies and channels for the funding of projects. It subscribes to the Lund Principle (which promotes ecumenical cooperation) and cooperates to the fullest extent possible with the World Council of Churches and other ecumenical bodies. Preference for funding will be given to WARC member churches which are not institutionally related to the funding system of the World Council of Churches.
Applications for grants may be made only by member churches or regional councils of WARC or member churches for their regional projects in the southern hemisphere; or member churches in Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Europe; or by departments or committees of WARC for special activities in the southern hemisphere. Grants may be made only to or through these bodies. If possible, a local financial contribution of 20% of the total cost of the project is expected.
Grants to a particular project shall not exceed CHF 20,000 in any year except upon authorization of the Partnership Fund Committee of the WARC. In order that WARC may serve its entire constituency as fairly as possible, the Partnership Fund will consider only one application from a member church, in principle, every other year, except for emergency aid applications. Applications for projects which are planned for more than two years will not be accepted.
For each project a financial statement and report has to be provided. Applications for new projects will be considered only if those statements and reports have been received by the Partnership Fund.

World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Reformed Churches Partnership Fund
PO Box 2100
CH-1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

May 1 2000