The Siemenpuu office

The main duty of the office is to administer projects funded by the Foundation.

In addition it:
- implements annual action plans within budgetary limits,
- is in charge of organisational development of the Foundation,
- represents the Foundation towards the public together with representatives of the board,
- acts as the informant in board meetings.

The Siemenpuu Foundation has six permanent employees: a director, four project coordinators and a financial planner.

The Executive board

The main duty of the executive board is to manage and represent the Foundation.

In addition the board:
- directs the Foundation and sets guidelines,
- oversees the implementation of the annual action plans and the budget,
- makes project funding decisions and approves final project reports,
- bears employer responsibilities and recruits staff when required,
- selects and authorises elected officials to represent the Foundation.

The Foundation board is composed of a minimum of six, maximum 10 members. Each of the founding organisations of the Foundation has the right to appoint one candidate together with a vice candidate to the board. The Foundation council selects the board members. The board’s term of office is a calendar year and it has approximately 10 meetings annually.

The Programme working groups

Within the Siemenpuu Foundation there are five working groups: India, Indonesia, Mali, Mekong and Latin America group. These board-appointed groups act as the guidance and action groups of the respective cooperation programmes. They prepare programme specific issues to be decided upon by the Foundation board as well as have an active role in the monitoring, development and public relations work of the programmes. The working groups have limited decision-making power and their activities are periodically shared with the wider public. Each group convenes according to its own shedule, approximately 4 to 10 times per year. 

The Council

The main duty of the Siemenpuu Foundation council is to monitor and support the work of the Foundation.

In addition the council:
- approves the action plan and budget,
- confirms the annual and audit reports,
- decides upon changes to the Foundation regulations
- selects the executive board members and the chairperson.

The council has 16 members. Each founding organisation of the Foundation has the right to appoint one council member together with a vice member. The council’s term of office is two calendar years with its annual meeting in March-May and autumn meeting in October-December.