The World Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka is accepting applications for funding projects for local NGOs in the country under its Civil Society Fund (CSF). The Fund supports activities which are related to civic engagement by providing small grants that empower and enable the citizens to make their own initiatives to enhance and influence development outcomes. The theme for 2010 under this Fund is “Development and Climate Change – Building Community Resilience in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka.” “CSF ‘10 shall support innovative mechanisms to adapt to and mitigate Climate Change through community based initiatives related to sustainable agricultural practices at the household level, water management, managing solid waste and any other responsible actions to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change. Water scarcity in the Dry Zone area of Sri Lanka is one of the biggest challenges faced by people living in Northern, Eastern and South Eastern regions of Sri Lanka, which are also key areas of agriculture production. The CSF 2010 will focus on projects in these geographic areas given the challenges of food production and limited water resources that could hamper development and poverty reduction as the impacts of climate change set in.” Additionally, “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.”
Who can apply?
Civil society organizations based in Sri Lanka and working on issues of development
Civil society organizations must be in good standing 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.
The deadline to submit proposals is 30 March 2010. For more information, visit this link.
