About the Program

The Small Grants Program was created in 1983 to provide a way for the World Bank to promote dialogue and dissemination of information about international development in forums outside its own operations. During fiscal year 1995, US$ 500,000 in grants were made to 40 different organizations around the world. Thirty-three of these grants were made to organizations based in developing countries.

Who Can Apply?

Any institution concerned about development can apply for a grant. However, the Small Grants Program prefers to support nonprofit, nongovernmental, nonacademic organizations. The Program is particularly interested in supporting developing-country institutions and/or activities taking place in developing countries.

What Sorts of Activities Are Supported?

Activities supported by the Small Grants Program promote dialogue and dissemination of information about international development. These activities are most often conferences and seminars, special publications, audio-visual materials, or other innovative networking efforts that small organizations generally find difficult to fund through their regular program budgets. The grant activities focus on socioeconomic development problems such as poverty reduction, environmental protection, human resource development, and private sector development. Examples of activities supported by the Program are attached.

What Size of Grants Are Awarded?

Most grants are in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. Smaller grants are possible, but larger grants are rare. The Small Grants Program does not fund 100 percent of any activity and usually funds much less than half of the proposed budget for an activity. The Program therefore prefers that its grants help to generate additional contributions from other sources. Applicant organizations are asked to describe how a grant from the World Bank might help them to raise funds from other donors.

How Are Grants Awarded?

Grants are awarded by a Small Grants Committee with representatives from a variety of World Bank departments. Applications are screened and reviewed by World Bank staff prior to submission to the Grants Committee.

How Are Applications Evaluated?

The Small Grants Committee reviews applications against the following criteria:

� Will the grant promote useful dialogue and/or dissemination of information about international development?

� Is the grant for a specific activity?

� Is that activity to be completed within one year?

� Will the grant be used to generate additional support from other donors?

� How well were previous grants to the organization used (if applicable)? Is the institution suitable for World Bank support?

Which Grant Activities Are Given Priority?

While all applications which are favorably evaluated against the above criteria could be eligible for grant support, the Small Grants Committee gives priority to:

Developing-country-based organizations and activities;

Activities which focus on more than one country;

Activities which promote active linkages with, and cooperation among, diverse groups of actors, such as local people, NGOs, governments, the private sector, international aid agencies, etc.;

Activities which focus not only on identifying a problem, but also on finding a solution to the problem;

Applications which are received six to twelve months in advance of the grant activity and which can show that early World Bank support will help generate additional support from other donors; and

Applications from organizations not supported by the Program in previous years (organizations are not eligible for two grants in one fiscal year).

Which Grant Activities Are Not Supported?

Grants are not available from the Small Grants Program for:

Research programs

Formal academic training programs

Operational projects

Ongoing institutional support

Scholarships, fellowships, or study programs

Individuals applying on their own behalf, including for travel or studies

How to Apply for a Grant

The Small Grants Committee meets as required throughout the year. Because it can take a number of months to process an application, applicant organizations should apply at least four to six months in advance of the date of the grant activity. Applicants should be advised that competition for grants is intense, and with a limited budget, the Small Grants Program cannot support all of the many worthwhile activities for which applications are received.

Applications should be sent by mail or fax to:

Mr. Peter G. Hemsch, Coordinator, Small Grants Program, External Affairs Department, The World Bank,1818 H Street, N.W, Washington, D.C. 20433 USA.

Telephone: (202) 473-3501; Fax: (202) 522-2654

Internet: [email protected]

Information Needed to Complete a Small Grants Program Application

The World Bank Small Grants Program does not have a formal application form. However, all grant requests should include information on the following:

PLEASE COMPLETE CHECKLIST

I. Information on Grant Activity

Detailed Description of Proposed Activity

Budget and Information on How Costs Will Be Met (including amount of funding requested from the Small Grants Program)

Other Possible Contributors/Donors (including amounts pledged, if possible)

Detailed Agenda or Action Plan (includinglikely dates)

Intended Audience(s)

Invited Persons, Participants, and/or Speakers (including lists of names, if possible)

Expected Outcome/Follow-up

II. Background on Applicant Institution

Background (date established, purpose/mission, etc.)

Organizational Structure (kind of organization, etc.)

Leadership (names of board members, officers, etc.) and Personnel (paid staff; volunteers, etc.)

Membership (who, how many, etc.)

Recent Programs/Projects/Activities

Publications

Annual Report

Annual Budget and Sources of Revenue (dues, grants, donations, fees for services, etc.)

III. Additional Support and Previous World Bank Support

Additional Support: Include a statement on how a grant from the World Bank might help generate additional support (either financial or in-kind) from other donors for the proposed activity.

Previous Small Grant Program Support: Attach a final report on the outcome of an earlier grant activity supported by the Small Grants

Program, as well as a detailed financial statement on the use of the World Bank's grant funds (if applicable).

IV. Organizational Contacts

The World Bank: Provide information on previous contacts with the World Bank (if applicable), including names of Bank staff familiar with the applicant organization.

Applicant Institution: Include the name, address, and telephone and fax numbers of the person in your organization with whom the Small Grants Program should correspond. When sending correspondence by fax, please indicate the total number of pages sent.

Examples of Activities Supported by the Small Grants Program

Women-in-Development and Poverty-Reduction Workshop in India

Biomass Systems Workshop in Zimbabwe

Environmental Newsletter in South and East Asia

Microenterprise Workshop in the Philippines

Seminar on Disabled Children in Lithuania

Traditional Foodstuffs and Nutrition Security Workshop in Nigeria

NGO Caucuses and Consultations with Government in the Philippines

Health and Nutrition Conference in Senegal