IFLANET home - International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsActivities and ServicesSearchContacts

Action for Development through Libraries Programme Core Activity (ALP)

Spanish translation

General Information

ALP International Focal Point

The International Focal point is located at Uppsala University Library in Sweden. Its activities are funded by Nordic Libraries and Library Associations. It is staffed by a full time Core Programme Director and a part time Administrative Officer. It supports the development of the programme, coordinates its activities, acts as a knowledge centre and engages in fundraising activities.

ALP and IFLA's Division of Regional Activities

IFLA's Division of Regional Activities, with its three Sections (for Africa Asia and Oceania and Latin America and the Caribbean). Representatives of these Sections form the Division's Coordinating Board, that now acts as an advisory body for the ALP Programme.

IFLA has established one office in each region. They are located in Pretoria, South Africa (hosted by the Library Services of UNISA), Singapore, (hosted by the National Library Board, Singapore) and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (hosted by the Biblioteca Pública do Estado do Rio de Janeiro). The managers of these Regional Offices work very closely with the ALP International Focal point to support and develop the programme. The Regional Newsletters are important vehicles for information about the ALP Programme as well as the general library and information situation in the regions.

Guidelines for ALP Project Applications

Project applications can be made to the IFLA ALP Programme for support to librarians, library associations, library schools or others who want to develop co-operation, knowledge and services within the special programme areas of ALP.

Project Areas

The five special programme areas of ALP are:
  • Continuing education and training;
  • Development of library associations;
  • Libraries as promoters of information literacy and lifelong learning, and combating functional illiteracy;
  • The use of ICT and cration of local electronic resources;
  • Increase of publishing activities and the dissemination of information to the communities, with special attention to marginalized groups

Criteria

The following criterias are relevant:
  • The project should be of relevance to several countries in the sub-region or region;
  • Or, if it is national, it should blend itself to development as a model or pilot project, able to be repeated;
  • It should have the support of relevant authorities/organizations, and a letter from the institution responsible for the project should be attached to the application;
  • It should fit into the current Strategic plan of IFLA ALP;
  • Projects cannot be supported if their main aim is to provide building or equipment;
  • Cost for staff or consultants will not be covered;
  • The cost must not exceed 18,000 USD;
  • No cost must concern industrialized countries;
  • Participants at seminars/workshops should undertake to report on them and share the experience and information gained with as wide a circle of colleagues as possible.
Submission Form PDF Submission Form

Annual Procedure and Time Schedule for Project Handling

December 31: Deadline for project Applications to reach the Regional Manager
January: Proposals are sent to the Regional Advisory Committee to be appraised.
April: Applicants are informed.

Project proposals are discussed at the Midyear meeting (February-April) of the Regional sections. After that ALP takes the final decision.

IFLA's Professional Board and the applicants are then informed about the results, and fundraising is started for the approved projects. When (if) funds can be raised a contract will be signed.

The application should be sent to IFLA's office in the concerned region with a copy to IFA/ALP:

IFLA Regional Offices

Guidelines for final reports

Recipients of financial project support from of IFLA/ALP and Sida must make a written report no later than three months after completed project.

Note that it is the analysis and not the length of the report that is important.

The report shall answer the following questions:
  1. Were the objectives of the project and expected results achieved?
    The results of the project and the different parts of the projects should be measured against detailed criteria (quantity, quality, target group, time and place)
  2. Has the project created sustainable (long term) impact?
  3. Which lessons have you learnt from the project?
  4. Were there any deviations from the original plan?
The final report should include a detailed account of the project expenses in accordance with the agreed budget and should be signed by the project owner. The report with original verifications should be posted by mail to ALP Focal Point in Uppsala, Sweden.

Miscellaneous
Reports may also contain success stories that can be of value for further applications and also for the advocacy of IFLA/ALP.

Please note that published reports from projects supported by IFLA/ALP must contain an acknowledgement of the donor as well as the logo of IFLA/ALP.