Tbilisi, 16 June 2011. The World Bank Georgia Country Office has announced today the winners of the 2011 Civil Society Fund (CSF) competition. A total of $45,000 in grants is available for this year’s program. This is complemented by up to $ 20,000 grant funds from the Open Society Georgia Foundation and the Eurasia Partnership Foundation. These funds will support 10 projects which were selected out of the 63 grant applications submitted. A traditional event was held today at the World Bank’s Office to present the winners to the media, other civil society organizations, program partners and the Country Office staff.
The CSF supports local activities that empower and enable citizens to take initiatives to enhance and influence mechanisms for inclusion, accountability and participation. Activities also help strengthen partnerships with public sector and other civil society organizations. CSF financing covers various types of activities including: workshops and seminars to enhance civic engagement skills and knowledge, appropriate communication and public awareness campaigns to influence policymaking or public service delivery. The activities are to be completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded. Most grants are in the range of $7,000.
“Four years ago, the Bank office in Georgia decided to focus on the Youth Development theme under the CSF program. This year, we have continued this overarching theme with the specific focus on vulnerable youth inclusion. I very much hope that the winner projects will offer innovative ways and solutions to improve the lives of some marginalized youth groups in the country,” said Asad Alam, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus.
For the fourth consecutive year the World Bank has successfully partnered with Open Society Georgia Foundation and Eurasia Partnership Foundation, which allowed support for more projects.
Applications submitted for consideration this year were carefully reviewed by the World Bank staff and the “Youth Voices” group members. Final selection was made after further evaluation by the CSF Selection Committee comprised of staff from the World Bank, Eurasia Partnership Foundation and Open Society Georgia Foundation.
The following non-governmental organizations and projects are the winners of the World Bank CSF Program in Georgia:
Financed by the World Bank:
- NGO Tsami – Future is Yours
- Civil Society Development Center (CSDC) – Together for the Better Future
- NGO Helping Hand – Peace Ambassadors
- Bemoni – Together for Healthy Life
- Together to the Future – Friends to Friends: Raising Awareness of Disability
- Association Disabled Child and Society – I Will Be Useful for my Country, Too.
- Association of Consultant-Psychologists – Integration into Society of Adolescent Probationers.
Financed by Open Society Georgia Foundation:
- Library Cultural Center Tanadgoma - Let Me Introduce Myself
- GYLA Kutaisi Branch – We All Are Children of One City
Financed by Eurasia Partnership Foundation:
- NGO Mission of the Goodwill – The Missioners – The Way to the Future
The World Bank Georgia Office has been implementing Small Grants Program (at present called CSF) starting 1999. Since then, about 100 projects, worth approximately USD 600,000, submitted by local civil society organizations have been successfully supported through this Program in the country.
