The Fund supports only projects that serve to establish preconditions for the self-determined development of indigenous peoples, as defined in the Agreement Establishing the Fund and the operating directives. The Fund works through a programming system that seeks to ensure the participation of all interested sectors in each country or region in deciding on activities, and to concentrate efforts on the management of country project portfolios. Based on requests submitted which satisfy the eligibility criteria, and actions taken in an earlier stage, the Technical Secretariat draws up a programming proposal by country, which has to be agreed on with the National Advisory Bodies, made up of representatives of indigenous beneficiaries, governments and other parties involved. This exercise makes it possible to prioritize, budget and frame commitments as to activities to be promoted jointly by beneficiaries and the Fund in the subsequent period, together with the part to be played by governments, technical and financial assistance agencies and others with a role in the process. In the course of the program the National Advisory Body and the Fund assess its progress and make such adjustments as may be necessary to keep it on track.
New requests accumulate in the meantime and are added for the next programming exercise.
However, the Secretariat begins preparatory steps concerning such requests. Throughout the program the Technical Secretariat performs promotional, technical assistance and management functions for all activities. Resources over and above their own to get their grassroots communities involved in identifying their needs, designing projects and managing them. Technical and institutional assistance in identifying and making contact with sources interested in funding their projects, preparing agreements with such sources and building basic skills for self-development and evaluation. Support for negotiations with government offices and funding sources to improve an organization's chances of securing development resources, help win national counterpart support for their efforts and, whenever necessary, secure guarantees for borrowings.