WB support for civil society initiatives

The World Bank Colombo Office last week invited civil society organizations in Sri Lanka to submit applications for the Civil Society Fund (CSF) 2008, formerly known as the Small Grants Program

The theme for the Civil Society Fund 2008 (CSF 2008) will be Reconciliation for Development and applications are being sought for projects that will focus on reconciliation as a pragmatic process in which relations are rebuilt to enable coexistence helping to bring about a sustainable peace. Seven grants of up to US$5000 (about Rs. 500,000) each will be awarded in 2008.

pplicants must indicate a willingness to match an equivalent amount for completing activity within one year, the bank said.

The conflict has undermined Sri Lanka’s development, and has stood in the way of Sri Lanka’s realizing its enormous potential.

The Fund seeks innovative approaches that will provide a space for dialogue and engagement leading to constructive relationship building and placing communities on the road to achieving a sustainable peaceful living environment.