What is the VTF ?

Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF)

Article 16(3) of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) provides for the establishment of a Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF) to support national implementation of the Treaty and encourages all States Parties to contribute resources to the Fund.

The VTF was formally established in August 2016 by the Second Conference of States Parties to operate under its approved Terms of Reference (ATT/CSP2/2016/WP3/Rev.1). The VTF shall disburse funds to ATT implementation projects according to the provisions of its Terms of Reference and Administrative Rules. Where necessary, OECD DAC guidelines for development cooperation may also apply.

The operation of the VTF is governed by the following:

• VTF's Terms of Reference​​​​​​​      Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish 

• VTF's Administrative Rules    Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish 

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VTF Aim

The VTF aims to assist requesting States requiring international assistance to implement their Treaty obligations, including with respect to legal or legislative assistance, institutional capacity building, and technical, material and financial assistance.

VTF Selection Committee

A Selection Committee consisting of up to 15 seats supports the administration of the VTF. Members of the Selection Committee serve for two years and are eligible for reappointment. 

The 10 members of the VTF Selection Committee were appointed by CSP12 to serve until CSP14. 

These members are: 

• 1. Dominican Republic

  2. Finland

  3. Germany

  4. Japan

  5. Latvia

  6. Mauritius

  7. Philippines

  8. Republic of Korea

  9. Sierra Leone

  10. Switzerland

  11. France* (was appointment by silence procedure in October 2025 and will serve on the VTF Selection Committee until CSP13.)

VTF Selection Committee Chair's Communication

As part of the VTF's operationalization, the VTF Selection Committee makes a regular Call for Voluntary Contributions to the Fund as well as an annual Call for Proposals.

The most recent communications from the VTF Selection Committee are available here:

• Communication - Call for Contributions

• Annexes:

  • VTF Call for Contributions and Donations - 2026 cycle

  • VTF Administrative Rules (July 2026)  Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish 

  • VTF Standard Donor Agreement
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

• Call for Project Proposals for 2026 VTF cycle (deadline: 23 January 2026) : English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish

Further information

For more information on the VTF see the following:

• Frequently Asked Questions

• VTF Information Brochure

• VTF logo

For any VTF related enquiries, please contact: trustfund@thearmstradetreaty.org