World Bank
Small Grants Program
Azerbaijan Country Office
2003
Background
Launched in 1983
Decentralized in 1998
Managed by the NGO and Civil Society
Unit, Social Development Department and
funded by the Development Grant Facility
of the World Bank
Goal and objectives
Provide funding to civil society organizations to
promote dialogue and dissemination of
information on development and to enhance
partnership with key players in the development
arena
Aim to support the empowerment of citizens to
have greater control over development processes,
thereby making these processes more inclusive
and equitable
Small Grants Program in
Azerbaijan
Started in 1999. Administered by the Country
Office Staff
Total amount granted $ 95 000
$25 000 – 2000 year
$30 000 - 2001 year
$40 000 – 2002 year
23 local NGOs received WB SGP grants
7 NGOs in 2000 year
7 NGOs in 2001 year
8 NGOs in 2002 year
Small Grants program 2003
Focuses on civic engagement for the
empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable
groups
Amount allocated for Azerbaijan- $30 000
Administered by the Steering Committee
comprised of WB Country Office and donor
organizations staff
Size of grants $3 000- $ 7 000
Applications deadline- 10 March, 2003
Awards to be announced by May, 2003
Who can apply
Civil society organizations
based in a developing country and working on issues of
development
in good standing and having a record of achievement in
the community and record of financial probity
Funding requirements
Small Grants must be used for a specific activity to be
completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded
Small Grants rarely funds more than half of the proposed
budget for an activity. Organizations applying for funding
should show how the grant could help to raise support
from other sources
Priority will be given to organizations not supported by the
Program in previous years (organizations are not eligible
for more than three grants from the Small Grants Program
within a five-year period).
Main selection criteria
Activities related to civic engagement should
promote dialogue and dissemination of information
enhance partnerships with key players in support of the
development process. Key players could include
government agencies, civil society organizations,
multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundation, and
private sector
include or benefit those who have been traditionally
excluded, such as women, indigenous peoples, ethnic
minorities
Additional selection criteria
Does the activity:
Promote public consensus and local ownership
Give voice to the concerns of primary and secondary
stakeholders
Strengthen and leverage impact of development
programs
Bring innovative ideas and solutions to development
challenges
Provide professional expertise and increase capacity
Improve transparency and accountability
Not supported activities
SGP can not fund
Research programs
Formal academic training programs
Operational projects
Ongoing institutional core support ( such as equipment)
Scholarships, fellowships, study programs
Individuals applying on their own behalf
Nonlegal entities
Note: Proposed activities should not compete with or
substitute for regular WB instruments; the activity
should be clearly distinguishable from the Bank’s
regular programs
Examples of items and activities usually not
eligible for funding under SGP
medical equipment, such as
hospital equipment, hearing
aids, crutches;
computer equipment and
installation;
overhead costs, such as rent,
maintenance, or general office
supplies;
workshops on training of
business skills, HIV/AIDS
awareness, smoking, unless
there is a direct relation to the
SmGP objectives;
building the capacity of NGOs
so that they could become
consultants/employees in Bank
projects;
meeting basic needs, such as
the provision of water, heat,
meals;
construction of facilities, such as
libraries or sanitation facilities;
job creation or employment;
disease control campaigns;
food aid;
full-time salaries of, for
example, the director of the
NGO;
infrastructure projects, such as
water systems, wells.