A/HRC/28/24 II. Activities of the Special Fund A. 2014 project cycle 6. The third call for applications to the Special Fund, for grants for projects to be implemented in 2014, closed on 20 November 2013. For the call, specific thematic priorities by State were identified by the Subcommittee at its nineteenth session, held in Geneva from 18 to 22 February 2013. 7. In accordance with the guidelines for applications, the secretariat of the Special Fund conducted an extensive evaluation of the 24 project proposals received by the deadline in the light of the thematic priorities identified, taking into consideration the outcome of informal consultations held with members of the Subcommittee. After review, seven grants were awarded to projects aimed at implementing recommendations made by the Subcommittee in six eligible States — Benin, Brazil, Honduras, Maldives, Mexico and Paraguay — for a total of $198,108 (see annex). 8. Since its first call for applications for projects to be implemented in 2012, the Fund has enabled a variety of technical cooperation projects worldwide, with the aim of establishing or consolidating national prevention mechanisms on torture, training judiciary and law enforcement personnel, and developing manuals and dissemination material on the rights of persons in detention. Through its projects, the Fund has engaged with several national entities, including ministries of the interior and justice, ombudsman institutions and civil society actors. B. Call for applications 2015 9. The call for applications for 2015 closed on 17 October 2014. For the call, the Subcommittee, at its twenty-third session, held in Geneva from 2 to 6 June 2014, identified specific thematic priorities by State. Projects addressing any other specific recommendation in the visit reports detailing a pressing and compelling need may also be considered. 10. Applicants could request grants of up to $35,000 for project activities to be implemented between 1 January and 31 December 2015. 11. A total of 34 applications were received concerning 10 of the 12 eligible States (Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Germany, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Paraguay, Senegal and Sweden). The evaluation process was under way at the time of reporting. III. Financial situation of the Special Fund 12. The Special Fund is the only functional fund established by an international human rights treaty. Since its creation in 2012, and despite its limited income in voluntary contributions, the Fund has supported a total of 21 projects in six States across three regions, including the training of more than 1,000 people in torture prevention techniques and methodology. 13. Fund activities should be commensurate with the growth of the activities of the Subcommittee, which have resulted in an expanding number of States eligible for the Fund. The minimum required on an annual basis to guarantee a functioning fund able to support an average of 20 projects per year, with a reasonable level of funding per project (for 4