The boards of United Nations Foundation and the UNFIP met yesterday to review applications for funding, which are submitted twice a year solely by U.N. agencies and programs. Funds granted are based on an internal framework which was devised by the two organizations. The framework embodies four key areas; protecting the environment, improving children's health, addressing the reproductive health needs of women and girls and promoting peace, security and human rights.

The docket of grants spreads over 18 different projects, totaling $35 million. The other $10 million was approved by the grant in third party funding, which consists of grants from UNF partners in support of the UN projects. "When Ted Turner made his $1 billion commitment to the United Nations, he promised to use his gift as a catalyst to encourage the public-private partnerships necessary to address the world's most pressing challenges," Timothy E. Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation, told a press conference in New York. "With nearly half of the funds we are announcing today coming from other sources, we are making good on that promise."

The United Nations Foundation and the UNFIP receive hundreds of applications throughout the year. When reviewing applications, the boards look for where they can make the largest impact, said Camilla Schippa of the UNFIP. The new, heavily funded projects coming out of this session include $1 million for a one-year effort by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to support a campaign to address the grave health emergency now facing Afghan women. In addition, UNAIDS received $2 million over the next 36 months to protect migrant populations in Central America from HIV/AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) received $4.5 million over the next year to support empowering local communities to improve children's health in ten Latin American countries. Other projects address safe motherhood, HIV/AIDS, renewable energy, sustainable development, children's health, conflict prevention and human rights.

When Ted Turner announced his $ 1 billion pledge to the United Nations in 1997, he created the United Nations Foundation simultaneously to deal with the distribution of the funds. The Secretary General of the United Nations then created the UNFIP to serve as a liaison between Turner's foundation, which is considered a private organization and the United Nations. Today, the two organizations work together to oversee the distribution of Tuner's donation.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Mr. Tuner said efforts were made to funnel as much money as possible into the developing world to "basically in a small way to make a contribution to making a more equitable world."

This announcement brings the total grants approved by the UN Foundation to $500 million.