Civil Society Fund Program 2009 winners selected

The World Bank Country Office in Azerbaijan and the Council for State Support to NGOs under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan announced winners of the Civil Society Fund Program 2009 (CSF09).

The World Bank has earmarked USD 30,000 for this year’s program. The Council for State Support of NGOs under the President of Azerbaijan joined the program contributing $25,000 as matching funds. Thus, the overall program budget constituted USD 55,000.

About 50 civil society organizations presented their projects in the framework of this year’s CSF Program: Youth - Equal Opportunities, aiming at promoting greater citizen engagement in discussion at the national and local level of issues related to development of youth, challenges and opportunities faced by young people at the present time. The Selection Committee, comprised representatives of the World Bank Country Office in Azerbaijan and the Council for State Support to NGOs under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, selected 8 projects of the following civil society organizations:

Modern Women of Azerbaijan Public Union

Digital Development Social Union

Baku International Students Club

“Simurg” Association of culture of Azerbaijan 

“Resonance” Youth Public Union

“Vetendash Tribunasi” Public Union

“Modern Youth and Social Development” Public Union

“Yeni Kend” Public Union for Social Development of Regions

The Civil Society Fund Program provides grants to NGOs and other organizations of civil society. The CSF aims to make development more inclusive and equitable by providing funds for activities that support the civic engagement and promote social cohesion. The CSF is administered by the World Bank Country Office and decisions are made once a year by June. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $7,000 with a maximum of $15,000. The Program is funded by the Development Grant Facility and was created in 1983.