The growth of civil society has been one of the most significant trends in international development. Partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society organizations (CSOs) are now one of the most effective ways to raise standards of living and achieve sustainable development.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a critical role in helping to amplify the voices of the poor in the decisions that affect their lives.

The World Bank recognizes the important role that CSOs play in meeting the challenges of development and welcomes the opportunity to work with civil society.

Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program (SmGP) is one of several facilities or programs supported by the World Bank that provides grants to NGOs and other organizations of civil society.

The SmGP aims to make development more inclusive and equitable by providing funds for activities that support the civic engagement of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Accordingly, grants focus on empowering people who have been excluded from society's decision-making processes.

They also aim to enhance partnerships with key players in support of the development process. Key players could include government agencies, civil society organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations, and the private sector.

The Small Grants Program is administered by the World Bank Country office in Yerevan and makes decisions once a year by May. Most grants are in the range of $6,000 to $10,000 with a maximum of $15,000. For the last three years the WB Yerevan Office implements the SmGP jointly with the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia (OSIAF).

This is the ninth year of implementation of the Small Grants Program in Armenia since 1999. During this period 47 local NGOs have received grants. The amount of the disbursed funds (by the WB Yerevan Office) totals $273.000.

The Program is funded by the Development Grant Facility and was created in 1983.

Small Grants Program - 2008 Winners

Small Grants Program - 2008

SmGP_application_eng_2008.doc