The World Bank Group offers a limited number of grants to facilitate development projects. The grants are designed to encourage innovation, co-operation between organizations and to increase the participation in projects of local stakeholders. The grants are either funded directly or managed through partnerships. Listed below are some mechanisms through which the Bank distributes grants.

GRANTS

Small Grants Program (Civil Society Fund)

The Small Grants Program is one of the few global programs of the World Bank that directly funds Civil Society Organizations. The program supports the organizations in their activities to enhance partnerships and promote dialogue and dissemination of information on development, focusing on civic engagement for the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable groups. By involving citizens who are often excluded from the public arena and by increasing their capacity to influence policy and program decisions, the bank helps a broader sector of society take ownership of development initiatives. These grants are limited and usually managed through the bank's country offices.

The Civil Society Fund (formerly known as the Small Grants Program) is managed out of approximately 70 countries with upwards of 400 grants being awarded annually. A grant - averaging $4,000 - provides seed funding for innovative activities that enable citizens’ groups to initiate activities that enhance and influence development outcomes. The program also emphasizes activities that strengthen partnerships with the public and the private sectors, as well as with other civil society organizations.

How to Apply for a Grant

The Small Grants Program is administered by participating World Bank Country Offices. Not all Country Offices participate in the Small Grants Program. Guidelines and application forms are available from the participating World Bank Country Office in January. The Small Grants Program makes decisions only once a year by June. Applicant organizations should apply at least four to six months in advance of the date of the grant activity. Applicants are advised to read the criteria and the application form carefully before submitting an application to the participating Country Office. Requests and proposals should not be sent to the World Bank Office in Washington, D.C.

For application procedures and guidelines please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTSOCIALDEVELOPMENT/EXT...