May 25, 2005—It’s a simple concept – find unique solutions for common problems in the developing world which can then be copied elsewhere. This is the basis of the World Bank’s Development Marketplace which has just awarded US$4 million for 31 innovative ideas to improve the lives of poor people while promoting environmental conservation. Seventy eight finalists from 42 countries spent two days at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington DC showcasing their innovative proposals for bottom-up development ideas that deliver results. James D Wolfensohn, who ends his ten year term as World Bank president next week, toured the proposals, praising entrants for “coming up with practical ideas that would never be thought of in Washington, London or Paris.” Development Marketplace focuses on grassroots initiatives, working directly with the organizations undertaking the projects on the ground – and in many cases, financing unusual ideas that may not receive funding through traditional venues. This year’s competition was titled Innovations for Livelihoods in a Sustainable Environment. It attracted more than 2,600 entries from around the world in areas of renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and dealing with air and water pollution. Since 1998, Development Marketplace has awarded nearly US$40 million to more than 1,000 groundbreaking projects in more than 70 countries. Each of the winners of the 2005 competition will receive up to $US150,000 to undertake their projects. But the other finalists did not walk away empty-handed. President Wolfensohn announced the World Bank Group, and one of its partners, Conservation International, would contribute an extra $235,000 so the remaining finalists each received $5,000. This year's Development Marketplace had the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the MacArthur Foundation, Conservation International and CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research) as its partners in the venture. For the first time in the competition's history, the external partners contributed half of the award pool.  A Rice Duck Combination To The Rescue
Pest eating ducks in the Philippines help improve rice field productivity.
Eco-Friendly Coffins
Meeting coffin demand by cutting down invasive trees in South Africa to keep up with high
HIV/AIDS related death-toll. Radio Gives Voice to Communities
Radio gives Pygmy community a say in forest management, while farmers in Vietnam get tips
on environmental practices from a radio soap opera. Turning to Mosques for Water
In a unique conservation approach, water-scarce Yemen to reuse water from mosques. Learning and Earning at a Hawkers Market
Girls at Nairobi's hawkers market gain livelihood skills by learning about recycling and waste
management. World Bank and Partners Award US$4 Million for Innovative Environment Projects
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