International aid and funding agencies usually receive more requests to support conservation proposals than can be supported by their available funds and therefore have to rank these. A checklist of questions or factors which may be taken into account by funding agencies in prioritising inter-country and inter-regional requests is given. The mechanics of allocation of funds on the basis of net economic benefits are discussed and limitations of the cost benefit approach are noted. A list of factors likely to•favour the selection of particular projects is listed. Communicators should take those into account. The possibility of non-economic and strategic factors influencing the distribution of funds for support of protected areas is discussed.