WB Country Office launches 2007 Small Grants Programme in Moldova

On February 1, 2007 the World Bank Office in Moldova launched the 2007 Small Grants Program (SGP-07) under the theme of “Civic Engagement for Rural Youth", focused on citizens’ interaction with the public sector, civil society organisations and private sector to strengthen mechanisms for inclusion, accountability and participation in order to enhance and influence development outcomes. The SGP-07 focus on youth in Moldova is aligned with the conclusions and recommendations of the recent World Bank global report on youth and development, World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation, particularly on youth civic participation and recognising young people as decision-makers. The SGP-07 grants are meant for Moldovan NGOs working on issues of development. Projects from local NGOs and partnerships between national and local NGOs are encouraged. The grants will be ranging between US$2,000 and US$6,000. The SGP-07 will finance the activities related to empowerment of specific youth groups (poor, vulnerable, excluded, affected by the socio-economic situation in the country) for a better ruling over the development processes, making them more participatory and equitable and, thus, to improving their own status. The SGP-07 Criteria and Application Form can be obtained at the World Bank Country Office in Chisinau, or downloaded directly from the Bank Office’s website at www.worldbank.org.md. The deadline for the submission of applications is March 15, 2007. The World Bank Office in Moldova has been implementing the SGP for 10 years in a row (1998-2007). The total amount allocated to Moldova during this period was about US$365,000. The beneficiaries of the SGP were 87 Moldovan NGOs: 48 - national NGOs and 39 - local.