Seventy-eight finalists from 42 countries showcased innovative approaches to improving the lives of poor people while promoting environmental conservation at the Global Development Marketplace competition in Washington, DC, in May. Titled Innovations for Livelihoods in a Sustainable Environment, this year's call for proposals attracted more than 2,600 entries from 136 countries in the areas of renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and mitigation of air and water pollution. Thirty-one finalists received funding of up to $150,000 each from an award pool of nearly $4 million. The award pool is cofinanced by the World Bank Group, the Global Environment Facility, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Conservation International, among others.

The Development Marketplace identifies and supports local ideas that deliver results. In addition to the global event, nine country-level Development Marketplaces were held in 2005, covering a total of 14 countries. These country-led programs reach out to truly grassroots projects and focus on key local development themes. (See http://www.developmentmarketplace.org/.)