Cooperation Agreements are “contracts” for CSOs wishing to participate in carrying out joint projects with the General Secretariat including agreements to contribute to technical, administrative or financial resources to the General Secretariat, or to otherwise design, finance, or execute cooperative programs with the Secretariat.  The Agreement may establish a framework to govern subsequent projects and activities (to be agreed upon at a future date) or may cover a specific project or activity of the General Secretariat.

Those CSOs interested in creating such agreements should consult with the specific Administrative Area (unit, department, or office) of the Secretariat responsible for the types of projects which they are interested in supporting.  They must provide that Area, if requested, with copies of their articles of incorporation (or charter), bylaws, annual reports and financial statements for the past three years, the names of their officers and directors for the past three years, and the names of their major contributors (provided those names can be released without violating confidentiality agreements).  If after such consultations, the CSO and corresponding administrative dependency of the General Secretariat reach preliminary agreement on suitable terms of cooperation, they shall prepare, in conjunction with the Department of Legal Services, the final Agreement for their approval and signature of the Secretary General.