GUIDELINES
April 7, 2011 - The theme for this year is “Creating Public Awareness on Managing Solid Waste in Maldives.” The deadline for submission of applications for the Civil Society Fund in the Maldives is May 6, 2011.
ABOUT THE FUND
The Civil Society Fund or CSF (formerly Small Grants Program) supports activities related to civic engagement by providing small grants administered through World Bank Country Offices.
The CSF seeds and supports activities that empower and enable citizens to take initiatives to enhance and influence development outcomes. Activities strengthen mechanisms for inclusion, accountability, and participation. Activities also strengthen partnerships with public sector, other civil society organizations, and the private sector.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
The World Bank CSF is able to fund only a very small percentage of the requests it receives. Many requests are declined, not because they lack merit, but because they do not match either the current objectives, or the criteria of the CSF as closely as the selected proposals. Your activity may fall within the objectives and criteria, but the demand far surpasses the availability of funds. Before applying, please take time to read these Guidelines to determine if there is a match.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Civil society organizations based in the Maldives and working on issues of development
Civil society organizations must be in good standing (proof of at least two years in operation) and have a record of achievement in the community and record of financial probity;
Organizations that have not been supported by the Program in previous years are encouraged to apply.
Organizations are not eligible for more than three grants from the Civil Society Fund within a five-year period.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED?
The CSF supports activities whose primary objective is civic engagement. A thematic focus is adopted each year to complement the Bank program in the Maldives. For 2011, the theme is “Creating Public Awareness on Managing Solid Waste in Maldives." CSF ‘11 shall support CSOs that will partner with public and private sector organizations in providing a voice to the poor and marginalized communities in vulnerable islands and promoting innovative solutions through linking or providing expertise on cost-effective solid waste management technologies. Initiatives that use public outreach mechanisms (media, websites etc..) to commend small but efficient solid waste management initiatives will be selected through a competitive review process.
Activities may include, but are not limited to workshops and seminars to enhance civic engagement skills and/or knowledge; appropriate communication campaigns to influence policymaking or public service delivery; or innovative networking efforts to build the capacity of the particular sector.
The activity should be completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded.
Which activities are not supported?
Research programs, formal academic training programs, operational projects, scholarships, fellowships, study programs , individuals applying on their own behalf, organizations not categorized as CSOs, infrastructure projects, such as water systems or wells , direct service delivery, medical equipment such as hospital equipment, hearing aids, or crutches, computer equipment and installation, overhead costs, such as rent, maintenance, or general office supplies, workshops on training of business skills, unemployed, HIV/AIDS awareness, unless there is a primary civic engagement objective, meeting basic needs, such as provision of water, heat, or meals, construction of facilities, such as libraries or sanitation facilities, disease control campaigns, food aid, full-time salaries, political activities, such as political financing, activities related to neighborhood security patrol, arming local communities etc…
Proposed activities should not compete with or substitute for regular World Bank instruments; the activity should be clearly distinguishable from the Bank’s regular programs.
WHAT SIZE OF GRANTS ARE AWARDED?
Maximum grant per project shall be US$10,000. The Grant should fund only a portion of the project cost, and therefore prefers that its grants help leverage additional contributions from other sources. Applicant organizations are asked to describe how a grant from the World Bank might help them to raise matching funds from other development partners. A cash or in-kind counterpart from the applicant-organization of, at least, 20% of total cost required and should be reflected in the proposed budget.
How are grants awarded?
The Civil Society Fund is administered out of participating World Bank Country Offices. Not all Country Offices administer the Civil Society Fund. Requests and proposals should not be sent to the World Bank Headquarters, as decisions made at the Country Office level.
Applications are screened, reviewed and evaluated by a Committee composed of World Bank Office Colombo Staff and sometimes with the participation of public or private sector representatives (not eligible for CSF support) on invitation by the reviewing panel.
Applications are screened and reviewed to ensure that the criteria are met. Short-listed proposals are recommended to the Country Director who makes the final decision. Applicant-organizations with approved proposals are informed by mail of the Bank’s decision.
The CSF team will thoroughly review all proposals. The review may take up to one month to complete. Given the very large number of requests, we would appreciate it if personal visits and phone calls to the World Bank Office by the grantees are avoided.
HOW ARE APPLICATIONS EVALUATED?
- The CSF committee uses these questions in their evaluation of proposals.
- Will the grant be used for civic engagement activities aimed at the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable groups?
- Will the grant be used for activities that promote networking, dialogue and dissemination of information?
- Will the proposed activity strengthen the capacity of local leaders to address significant issues and problems?
- Will the proposed activity promote and reinforce partnership among different stakeholders, including women, children, youth and people with disabilities, by facilitating useful dialogues and/or dissemination of information?
- Does the proposal have clearly defined objectives, activities, outputs and mechanisms for sustainability?
- Does the proposal include criteria to clearly monitor measurable indicators to show results at the end of one year?
- Does the proposal have the potential to be scaled up if successful?
- Is the grant intended for a specific activity?
- Will the proposed activity be completed within one year from the date the grant is awarded?
- Is the proposed activity to be supported by other donors and sources?
- Were previous grants (from the Bank or other donors) to the proponent organization well used?
- Does the proponent have demonstrated capability or track record to manage and implement the proposed activity?
- Has there been a recent grant from the Small Grants Program to the proponent? (Organizations are not eligible for more than three grants from the CSF within a five-year period.)
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT?
The CSF is administered at the World Bank Country Office in Male with support from CSF Coordinators based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Guidelines and application forms are available at the reception at World Bank office in Male or through downloading the application form from the link above.
Applicants are advised to read the criteria and the application form carefully before submitting an application. Proposals should be brief, concise and no more than four (4) pages, excluding attachments. Proposals with more than 4 pages run the risks of being disqualified. Only those proposals with complete attachments shall be reviewed.
Applications should be sent to:
Aminath Inasha Shafeeq
The World Bank
Maldives Country Office
2 Floor, Hithigasdhoshuge Aage
Hakuraa Goalhi,
Male, Republic of Maldives
Email: ashafeeq@worldbank.org
Phone: +960 334 1910
Fax: +960 334 1911
Applications should be received not later than May 6, 2011.
