The World Bank - Office in Kosovo  
News Release No. 2008/02 | Contact: Lundrim Aliu + 381 38 249 459 ext. 107 laliu1@worldbank.org |
WORLD BANK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2008 CIVIL SOCIETY FUND PRISHTINA, May 30, 2008 – Today the World Bank Office in Prishtina announced the winners of the Civil Society Fund (CSF) for 2008 (formerly known as the Small Grants Program). The purpose of the CSF is to support activities whose primary objective is to strengthen the voices of diverse groups and promote the inclusion of a broad array of citizens’ initiatives in development policies and processes. This year, the World Bank is focusing on supporting activities related to civil engagement for vulnerable groups. The External Evaluation Committee (comprising of representatives from donors, local government and civil society organizations) and the Internal Grants Selection Committee (composed of World Bank Pristina Office staff) carefully reviewed 43 project proposals and selected five for funding. The total amount of the CSF in Kosovo this year was US$ 35,000. The following NGOs and their respective projects met the criteria for receiving grants under the CSF 2008. Organization | Amount | Purpose | Kosovar Catholic Church Caritas | US$ 6,996.50 | Integration of RAE communities as integral part of civil society through capacity building with the support from local authorities, local community, Business Center and Municipal authorities. | Shoqata Down Syndrome Kosova | US$ 5,995.00 | Education program (early intervention), for parents and family members on Down syndrome in General. | Association for Paraplegic Children and Paralized Persons of Kosovo - HANDIKOS | US$ 6,984.00 | Self-representation of the interests of women with disabilities towards full integration in society through continuos development of the activities of national and regional councils. | Youth Initiative for Human Rights | US$ 8,000 | Production of four field reports on various issues concerning vulnerable groups. The reports will be broadcast by public broadcaster RTK and will include research and analysis on the topic and interviews with representatives of vulnerable groups and representatives of the policy-making institution, | Sport Sans Frontieres | US$ 7,000 | Contribute to the social integration and the active participation of marginalised young people of Kosovo by enabling them to identify the current problems within their own communities and to initiate solutions. The main objective is to build the capacity of a multiethnic network of educators, teachers and volunteers for implementing sporting and artistic activities as a tool for improving social integration, strengthening relationships with the local communities, as well as with political authorities, and to stimulate civic engagement overall. |
In congratulating the winners, Mr. Ranjit Nayak, Resident Representative of the World Bank in Kosovo, said "The Government of Kosovo places high priority in Kosovo becoming a multi-ethnic society, governing itself democratically with full respect for rule of law and internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. We at the World Bank also believe that ensuring a peaceful and prosperous existence for all inhabitants is critical for stability, growth and the reduction of poverty in Kosovo. The focus of the Civil Society Fund program on the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in society directly assists better inclusion and representation in the policymaking and development process of those at risk, namely ethnic minorities, women, youth and persons with disabilities." The World Bank Office in Pristina will interact with the Grant recipients during the projects’ implementation to ensure that the objectives and the goals of the agreed programs are met. The CSF program provides grants to civil society organizations to promote dialogue and disseminate information about development. The Program was created in 1983 and is funded by the Development Grant Facility of the World Bank. Active since 2004, the CSF program in Kosovo is managed by the World Bank Country Office and has supported NGOs involved in empowering Marginalized Roma (2004), Youth from different areas and different ethnicities (2005), civic engagement for environmental issues (2006), and projects in Education (2007). - |
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