Grants Support for PD Projects (Iceland)

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000232 SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR R/RRP SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO IC SUBJECT: Grants Support for PD Projects (Iceland) REF: STATE 105588 ¶1. The Public Affairs Section of Embassy Reykjavik receives excellent administrative support from the Management Section for post's PD programs, including grants. State is the only agency at post, and therefore, PAO signs only PD-related grants. ¶2. The Management Section provides PD with the usual ICASS items (budgetary oversight of the grants program, IRM system management, HR, GSO and financial management issues). The only gap has been a recent lack of secretarial help. A shared secretary among four officers is a position that has been unfilled for several months, but HR has hired a replacement, who will begin work soon. ¶3. Post funding for grants has been flat for several years. Post did successfully compete for additional one-time funds from EUR/PPD and ECA in FY2006. The volume of grants has decreased with a decision, based on local input, to give larger grants to fewer projects. There are adequate staff and financial resources to monitor the performance of grantees. ¶4. In short, Reykjavik does not have any grants management problems. VAN VOORST