Since its inception, the World Bank’s Development Marketplace has proven time and again that big results can come from small investments. The marketplace, which made its first awards in 1998, gives grants to social entrepreneurs to run trials of low-cost, sustainable innovations that improve the lives of poor people. Thousands have benefited from the ingenuity of the marketplace participants, who turned their creativity to address issues ranging from earthquake-proofing homes to keeping elephants from trampling food crops. When last year's competition was flooded with environmental proposals, the Bank decided the current competition should focus on sustainable development. Entitled "Innovations for Livelihoods in a Sustainable Environment," the Development Marketplace will award $3 million in June 2005 for innovative, local projects that improve communities while minimizing environmental degradation. The key behind the competition is to pair innovation with ingenuity and turn local, low-cost ideas into self-sustainable, income-generating ventures. To capture the scope of proposals the Development Marketplace considers, explore the profiles of some of last year’s winners: Chili Peppers Are Secret Ingredient
New crop gives farmers extra cash while keeping elephants at bay. Forest Health No Longer Hangs by Thread
The Himalayan Oak Forests have long sustained the local populations. Commercializing the production of the wild oak silk project means the forest will be around to do so. Winds of Change
Wind power brings electricity to remote villages and builds local industry. In the Can: Burkina Faso Profits From Garbage
Plastic waste is transformed from an environmental hazard to a profitable recycling enterprise. Papermaking Project Seeks Amazonian Results
"Made in Amazon" paper products help regenerate degraded forest areas. World Bank Seeks Best Ideas for Environment Projects
Multimedia press release about the competition Competition Guidelines
Enter Your Proposal Development Marketplace Website
Started in 1998 as an internal Bank competition to fund innovative ideas that weren't picked up through the usual funding system, the Development Marketplace has evolved in a global event that has awarded nearly $25 million for more than 500 projects over the last six years. 2003 Development Marketplace Stories
Learn more about last year's competition |
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