Dushanbe, June 25, 2008 – The World Bank Country Office in Tajikistan is pleased to announce the results of the competition held under the Civil Society Fund Program 2008 (previously the Small Grants Program) for the total amount of USD 35,000 for nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations of the Republic of Tajikistan. In 2008 the Program is focused on Civic Engagement for Environmental Protection. With that, activities under proposed projects are to promote dialogue and dissemination of information, and enhance partnerships with key players in support of environment protection and the development process.

The Program Team received 89 applications from urban and rural non-profit organizations working all over Tajikistan to address the development issues. Selection of the winning projects was performed in accordance with the World Bank policies and was concluded by the Grant Committee meeting with participation of invited donors and municipal official. The Committee approved 7 projects. Size of an individual grant varied from USD 3,400 to USD 7,000.

NGO’s from Dushanbe, Khorog, Khujand, districts of Jerghetal and Roshtqala are among the winners. Selected projects are aimed at various aspects of civil society engagement in solving ecological issues and environment protection, disaster risk mitigation, and integration of deaf children in the society. Detailed results of the Civil Society Fund Program can be found on the web site of the World Bank Country Office in Tajikistan at this link: http://go.worldbank.org/EEHWUI0OS0.

The Small Grants Program was created by the World Bank in 1983. This year it was renamed to become the Civil Society Fund Program. During the period of program implementation in Tajikistan from 2002 to 2008 the World Bank has supported 55 projects for the total amount of over USD 220’000.

The World Bank’s mission in Tajikistan is to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and encourage a better quality of life. The country became a member of the World Bank on June 4, 1993. The financial assistance committed to the Government of Tajikistan so far amounts to over US$456 million, in the form of grants and concessional credits. The current portfolio of the World Bank in the country consists of 15 active projects in agriculture and rural development, energy, infrastructure, health and education, among others.

For more information about the World Bank in Tajikistan, please visit
http://www.worldbank.org/tj

http://www.worldbank.org/tj