Bilateral Cooperation between NPOs (BCN)

Rationale 

NPOs are the key productivity-promoting institutions in APO members. They must develop and strengthen the capacity to pursue their roles effectively and efficiently. The Bilateral Cooperation between NPOs (BCN) Program functions as a collaborative sharing and learning platform to leverage strengths and build partnerships for mutual benefit among members.

Background

By learning from others, different views, perspectives, and experiences can provide innovative, creative insights and ideas on productivity practices and related issues to address current needs and requirements. The BCN Program provides opportunities for APO members to learn from each other by facilitating exchanges of high-level officials of NPOs and policymakers for mutual learning and sharing of experiences and best practices in areas related to productivity. It functions as a collaborative platform to leverage strengths and build partnerships for mutual benefit. It is expected to stimulate innovative, creative ideas to

address current productivity needs and requirements and trigger followup collaborations, strengthening the spirit of cooperation among members. BCN projects may also be proposed proactively by the APO Secretariat to enable broader collaboration and cooperation and implemented through centralized coordination and arrangements between sending and hosting NPOs.

Objectives

Facilitate bilateral meetings between APO members to increase the capacity for formulating strategies and strengthen the development of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) through the transfer of knowledge and know-how; showcase best practices; and encourage long-term collaborations among NPOs through follow-up activities including joint/support programs.

Topics

The BCN Program covers a broad range of topics to cater to the diverse needs of APO members related to the productivity movement and innovation. The topics may be customized to suit the specific needs and interests of sending NPOs.

Scope

1. Learn about, benchmark against, and adopt the best practices of host NPOs on topics requested by sending NPOs and related to the APO Vision 2025, including sustained productivity growth, robust innovation ecosystems, inclusive engagement, and shared prosperity.

2. Collaborate on and share experiences among NPO professionals.

3. Visits by high-level policymakers and top NPO officials to study current trends and issues in productivity-related fields.

4. Post-visit activities by the host and sending NPOs.

Outcomes

Enhanced institutional capacity to formulate and/or implement productivity improvement efforts through collaboration among NPOs; and development of learning and collaboration platforms by NPOs.

Application Requirements

1. Letter of request addressed to the DAP President

The letter must be signed by the head of agency/organization or authorized official, along with a short background.  

This will provide the basis or rationale for the request for observational study mission. APO Tokyo will decide on the basis of this and usually looks at longer-term strategic programs implemented in cooperation with the DAP as the NPO; 

2. Filled out BCN Application Form  

Click here to download the BCN Application Form;

Submission of application

BCN application should be submitted through DAP being the NPO. If the application is submitted by an organization or a company other than DAP, the APO must receive an endorsement of the application from the APO Liaison Officer or DAP. The application will neither be processed nor acknowledged by APO until it receives such an endorsement. 

The APO Tokyo requires lead time for arrangements and preparations: up to two months for a virtual activity and three months for a face-to-face activity.

All application requirements must be submitted via email to the APO/DAP Secretariat at apodapsec@dap.edu.ph

Deadline for submission

First Closing Date: 31 March 2025

Second Closing Date: 30 June 2025

Review of application 

Applications will be reviewed immediately after receipt by the APO/DAP Sec. The APO/DAP Sec will coordinate with the organizations' representative to request for more information or clarify details in the application, if necessary. 

Endorsement of application to APO 

Once the closing date for submission is reached, the APO/DAP Sec shall process all applications received for Technical Deliberation by the NPO Screening Committee. Applications that pass the NPO screening will be endorsed to APO Tokyo for final deliberation by the APO Screening Committee. Under normal circumstances, the result of the screening is released within four weeks after the closing date for submission.

Notification of screening result 

The APO Tokyo shall inform DAP of the successful applicants through email. The APO/DAP Sec shall communicate the result to the proponent organization via email. Non-successful applicants shall likewise be notified by DAP through email.

Selection

Applications are reviewed immediately after receipt by APO Tokyo. Consideration for approval will include assessments of clear, tangible benefits and impact of the projects for member economies. Submission of BCN application does not guarantee selection and acceptance by APO Tokyo. 

Stage 1:  Visits to host NPO

This stage comprises orientation sessions, visits to private enterprises and government agencies, interactive discussions including on collaboration plans (if applicable), and post project evaluation in the host NPO economy.

• Appointment of Coordinator

Organizations receiving BCN shall appoint at least one technical staff member to act as focal point between the implementing organization, APO/DAP Secretariat, and APO Tokyo during implementation. The coordinator is expected to perform the following:

• Submit proposals containing all necessary information.

• Prepare, manage, and monitor all tasks related to specific activities detailed in the approved proposal.

• Prepare and submit the BCN implementation report to APO/DAP Secretariat for transmittal to APO Tokyo. 

• Composition of Delegation

• BCN delegates may include High-level government officials/policymakers and NPO officials.

• Each member may nominate up to 10 participants for virtual activities. For face-to-face projects, the number may be up to four (4) to be sponsored by the APO. 

• Self-financed participants may be considered subject to the approval of host NPOs.

Coordination with the APO

The DAP must be copy-furnished all communications between the recipient organization and APO Secretariat (Tokyo) for monitoring.

Airfare and travel arrangements

• If a delegate holds the rank of minister/vice minister or APO Director/Alternate Director/NPO Head, the APO will provide discounted business-class airfare with all related taxes. 

• All delegates should take the same flight. 

• Participants are expected to travel only to the member country approved by the APO. 

• Participants are not allowed to travel to destinations not covered in the approved project including stays at stopover sites even if it does not entail additional cost to the APO. 

• In the case of downgrading from business-class to economy-class tickets for any reason, the APO will not cover any compensation or extra payment.

Briefing for the BCN

The DAP shall arrange a briefing for delegates on APO's rules, policies, and procedures, one week prior to their departure under normal circumstances. All delegates are expected to attend the briefing. 

Attendance

• BCN delegates, especially first time APO participants, are required to attend the Briefing for mission members to be scheduled by the APO/DAP Sec. 

• If selected delegates become unable to attend, they should inform the APO/DAP Sec immediately and provide the reason for withdrawal.

•  Delegates are required to be punctual at all times and attend all mission activities and sessions.

•  Delegates are not allowed to engage in any private business activities during the entire duration of the project.

•  Delegates must Inform and follow the guidance of APO and host NPO if symptoms of infectious disease are experienced.

•  Delegates are not allowed to bring family members or friends to join during the period of the official program.

•  Delegates are not allowed to change flight schedule without the permission of APO Tokyo.

Acknowledgement of APO

NPOs or beneficiaries are encouraged to issue media releases or feature the BCN project on their websites or social media network services. Photographs or copies of such displays and statements should be sent to the APO Secretariat with the evaluation report.

Stage 2:  Post-visit Activities

Within three months after the completion of stage 1, the sending and host NPOs may implement the following post-visit activities:

1. Conducting an assistance/follow-up program in the sending NPO by up to two resource persons from the host NPO.

2. Organizing a joint follow-up program between the host and sending NPOs.

3. Developing and implementing a support program(s) by the host and sending NPOs to assist other NPOs on the topic of the visit.

• If the BCN is unable to be completed, the recipient organization must inform the DAP, NPO of the host country and APO Tokyo promptly of the reason for the postponement/cancellation. Last-minute postponement/cancellation is likely to result in the host country incurring unnecessary expenses as well as creating administrative and coordination issues and therefore must be avoided. The timing of the project and the program are to be strictly adhered to by all parties concerned. Under no circumstances, the organizers must postpone or cancel the mission without prior agreement in writing from APO Tokyo.

• In the case of a cancellation by the recipient organization after the issuance of the Letters of Acceptance (LA) to the participants, the concerned organization is requested to meet all the costs associated with the cancellation (airfare, hotel reservation, logistical arrangements, etc.).

• Self-financed delegates are expected to shoulder the cost of their own visa, travel insurance, round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation and travel-related expenses.