| Southern Africa Development Marketplace Awards Nearly US$400,000 to Innovative HIV/AIDS Proposals The Parktonian Hotel in Johannesburg buzzed with excitement and anticipation June 1-3, 2004 as the World Bank hosted its first regional development marketplace in southern Africa. The theme "HIV/AIDS: Turning Ideas into Action" galvanized some 300 organizations from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland to submit proposals. An independent assessment panel comprised of civil society, academia, government and the private sector scrutinized the proposals in two separate rounds. A total of 38 proposals went into the final round and representatives of these organizations attended the event, along with other delegates who participated in the Knowledge Exchange (Powerpoint Presentation).
The World Bank and its development partners awarded USD 378 000 to the best proposals. The Bank provided USD 208 000 to the awards pool, USAID provided USD 150 000 for proposals from Lesotho and Swaziland, and the IFC provided USD 20 000 for the best workplace proposal that fits in with its strategy on “IFC Against AIDS”. Dr. Debrework Zewdie, Director, Global HIV/AIDS Program for the World Bank, announced the award winners. Chants of joy and support echoed through the hall as MD Mamphela Ramphele walked into the room looking regal in a South African-inspired outfit. Her keynote address at the awards ceremony attended by participants, our development partners and many of the people who gave their time and energy to make the event possible, was a highlight. She noted that AIDS is the scourge of the 21st century. “No issue is of greater concern to development in Southern Africa than the encroaching destructive force of HIV. Everyone, rich and poor, big and small, healthy or sick, is aware of the devastating impact of the disease that has claimed the lives of millions and has affected even more all over the world.” She said a real offensive has been launched across the globe to fight the further spread of HIV. She noted the World Bank has joined forces with many international and bilateral agencies, with governments, with non-government organizations, with religious groups and the private sector and with many individuals to spearhead this war on the most devastating preventable killer of modern times. The Development Marketplace on HIV/AIDS underscored the Bank’s commitment. She particularly noted the need to act now to save another generation from the scourge of the disease. She urged everyone to take charge of their own future, their own health, education and well-being. “We have to bring back hope to the helpless, and offer people alternatives and opportunities to change their lives, especially young people.” Kami, the 5 year-old HIVpositive muppet from Takalani Sesame addressed participants. The Honorable Mathabiso Lepono, the Lesotho Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation and member of the grand jury panel, underscored her own commitment to youth and support of the Development Marketplace. Minister Lepono thanked the World Bank and its development partners for hosting the event and inviting her to be on the grand jury panel. She said it was a wonderful opportunity to reach people who normally would never have access to funding for their ideas. “We have people who want to work, to do something, but don’t have funds. This gives them an opportunity to do something, and also learn from each other. She commended all the projects and people for their innovation, commitment and passion to fighting the disease. She said she had learned a great deal that she could take back to Lesotho that would enhance her job as a minister. The regional marketplace, just as the global event, underscored the World Bank belief that solutions to development challenges can have small beginnings that are often found by those living closest to the problem. The Bank’s Debrework Zewdie, the Director of the global HIV/AIDS program, noted how much the pandemic has spread into communities. “Just a few years ago most of the projects we would have seen on HIV/AIDS related to raising awareness. Now most of the proposals are about caring for others, which really underscores the state of the pandemic.” All 38 finalists received a certificate and gift in recognition of their time, energy and commitment to the event. Zewdie then announced the award winners with 4 awards going to Botswana proposals, including a youth campsite and children’s theater, 2 to Lesotho, including a drama project from the Paray High School, 7 to Namibia, including a proposal on will writing to empower rural communities and one on HIV/AIDS awareness and tutoring provided through an after school sports program for youth. South Africa received 4 awards, including a sun-bakery initiative for HIV positive women and a proposal from Correctional Services that involves inmates “adopting” HIV/AIDS orphans as part of their rehabilitation before leaving prison. Swaziland received 7 awards, including a proposal for community education using puppet plays, masks and dance and a holistic care program through the Church of the Nazarene. The IFC’s award also went to a South African project that sews “garments of hope”. For a complete list of award winners, click here. All of the assessors and jurors noted the passion and commitment of everyone. They also felt the quality of the proposals was high. Monapathi Maraka from Lesotho also commented on the Marketplace bringing together people from 5 countries to share and learn from each other. “We all have a common purpose to fight HIV/AIDS. Here we can learn from each other and copy ideas that we might be able to implement in our own communities.” Acting Country Director Pamela Cox set the scene in her opening remarks by noting the goal of the Marketplace is to expose and engage the development community in productive and inventive partnerships that will have a potentially powerful impact in poverty reduction and economic development. “Country Innovation Days (CIDs), such as this one for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, are "mini marketplaces" for innovative ideas that address local development challenges. Like the Global Competition, they consist of a competitive, juried process that awards small grants to social innovators, and a Knowledge Exchange to share ideas and provide networking o pportunities. “
One of the highlights of the event was the appearance Tuesday evening of Kami—the 5-year-old HIV/AIDS positive muppet from Takalani Sesame, the South African production of Sesame Street. Many of the participants hugged and kissed Kami after the brief show while a photographer snapped their pictures. The event itself was a real team effort. The Southern Africa Country Team led by Mallory Saleson in Pretoria and Eugenia Marinova in Washington mobilized invaluable support, time and commitment. Others also gave their time and volunteered their work, especially the Africa Region Operations Quality and Knowledge Group in organizing the knowledge sharing event. The knowledge sharing event brought together not only the finalists, but some of the Global Marketplace winners and AIDS organizations from the region including Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. A financial management briefing was conducted by the South African Non-Profit Partnership NGO that provided some tips on fund-raising skills to participants. David Wilson (GHAP, World Bank) and Marjorie Mavuso (NERCHA, Swaziland) conducted hands-on training on Monitoring and Evaluation of AIDS programs that was well-received  by the audience. The interactive panel discussion on Linking Youth, Livelihood and HIV/AIDS, facilitated by Anthony Bloome, attracted many of the participants and Minister Lepono. It provoked heated debate on how to change behavior and interesting exchanges on lessons and experiences from the region. The World Bank launched its first global Development Marketplace in 2000 as a vehicle for support to non-governmental actors in the fight against poverty. It has grown and developed into a forum for sharing innovative ideas, building networks and partnerships and providing seed money for small projects helping communities. It brings together creative and enthusiastic people who want to share experience and learn from each other and also enjoy time together. That they certainly did at the regional southern Africa Development Marketplace.
Refer to the Development Marketplace website for more information about the World Bank program. See also the Development Marketplace 2003 Global Competition.
About the Development Marketplace The Development Marketplace (DM), a World Bank program, is a revolutionary way to identify and fund the best ideas in development from around the world. It is a search for cutting edge solutions to some of the most pressing social and economic concerns of our time. The DM seeks to find solutions beyond established channels through an open, transparent, and competitive process with minimum cost and bureaucracy. Practically speaking, DM brings visionaries and entrepreneurs together in an Innovation Competition where they “sell” their ideas to groups that can provide financial and or technical assistance support. South Africa has participated and received awards at the following DM events: Refer to the Development Marketplace website for more information about this World Bank program. |
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