During its annual session, the Board of Trustees reviews the narrative and financial reports on the use of previous grants, adopts recommendations on applications for new grants, hears project leaders, meets with donors, consults with the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Committee against Torture and adopts other relevant recommendations to the Secretary-General on the activities of the Fund.

The 27th session of the Board was held in Geneva from 22 to 26 October 2007. The recommendations of the Board adopted at the 27th session were approved by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on behalf of the Secretary-General.

Applications for grants amounting to approximately US$14,035,172 were received for consideration by the Board of Trustees at its 27th session (22-26 October 2007). US$9,000,000 were recommended for 191 projects submitted by non-governmental organizations.