The World Bank Yerevan Office jointly with the Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation (OSIAF) - Armenia is pleased to invite application proposals under
the Small Grants Program (SGP). The grants will be in the amount of
$8,000-$10,000 and will be available to the local registered non-governmental
non-profit organizations on a competitive basis with at least two years of
practical experience.

The SGP will support activities whose primary objective is civic engagement – to
strengthen the voices of diverse groups and promote inclusion and participation
of a broad array of citizens’ initiatives in development policies and processes.
Adherence to this objective will be an important criterion for future award. The
activities should:

•  Enhance partnerships with key players in support of the development process
  (key players could include government agencies, civil society, donor
  organizations and private sector);
•  Give voice to the concerns/critical issues of poor and marginalized groups;
•  Strengthen and leverage impact of development programs, identifying potential
  risks, targeting assistance, and expanding reach, also at the community level;
•  Bring innovative ideas and solutions to development challenges at local level.
•  Reveal problems related to youth and organize discussions on the possible
  solution of those problems
•  Work out and practice effective mechanisms on governance transparency and
  accountability

Projects may also include workshops and seminars, costs for publications or
audio-visual materials. The SGP will not provide support for operational
projects; research programs; formal academic training programs; ongoing
institutional support; scholarships; or for individuals applying for travel or
studies. Please note that the administrative expenses of the NGOs cannot be
included for financial assistance.

The application form is available from the OSIAF – Armenia office (7/1 Tumanyan
Str., 2nd cul-de-sac, 375002 Yerevan, Armenia; Tel/fax: (+374 10) 533862, 536758
and on www.worldbank.org.am  and
www.osi.am . You are kindly requested to submit
two hard copies of the application at the above address. The overall duration of
the projects should be no longer than one year of the date the grant is awarded.
The applications have to be submitted either in Armenian, English or Russian.

The deadline for submissions is December 22, 2006, 17:00.