Q1. What is a Development Marketplace?
The Development Marketplace (DM) is a competition organized by the World Bank that seeks to identify and fund the best ideas in development. Each DM competition invites proposals around a particular theme. Entries are evaluated by experts and winners selected in an open and transparent manner. The winners of the competition receive grant funding and other forms of assistance to help execute their proposals. The DM program operates at two levels: the global and country level. The World Bank launched its first global DM in 2000. Since then, the Development Marketplace has grown into a forum for sharing innovative ideas and building networks and partnerships, in addition to providing seed money for small projects that help communities. Q2. What is the India Development Marketplace 2007? The India Development Marketplace is a joint effort between the World Bank’s New Delhi office and its partners which seeks to identify and support creative, small-scale development projects in India that are sustainable and have the potential to be scaled up or replicated. The first India Development Marketplace (IDM) was held in 2004 and sought proposals under the theme: Improving Rural Services Access and Quality. The next India Development Marketplace 2007 (IDM 2007) will be held in March 2007. It is centered around the theme, ‘Management and Protection of Natural Resources’. It is designed to stimulate thinking in the community on conserving and efficiently managing precious natural resources, some of which may be living on borrowed time. Q3. Who can apply?
All Indians residing in India with ideas on how to efficiently conserve natural resources can apply to the IDM. The competition is also open to NGOs, civil society organizations, foundations, academic institutions, government agencies (local and national), cooperatives, public sector bodies, private entrepreneurs, individuals or development agencies that are based in India. Q4. Who are the World Bank’s partners in the IDM 2007? Our partners include multilateral agencies, foundations, NGOs, faith-based groups, public sector private-sector organizations and the government ministry. Q5. What will the winners receive? Winners will receive US$20,000 equivalent, as grant funding for implementing their proposals. The US dollar amount will be converted into rupees at the rate prevailing on the day the awards are announced. Q6. Under what broad themes should the proposal fall? The proposals should fall within one of the following themes: - Protection and conservation of forests, wildlife and biodiversity
- Development of watersheds and management of common property resources, including groundwater recharge
- Promotion of sustainable agriculture, including organic farming, integrated pest management and water efficient crops
- Improvement in quality of air, drinking water, sanitation by using better technologies and management
- Generation and use of renewable energy, including solar power, wind power, biomass based fuels and converting waste to energy
- Protection and management of water resources, including marine and aquatic biodiversity
- Promotion of sustainable livelihoods for natural resource-dependent communities
Innovations should show an ability to generate livelihoods and incomes. They should be in the public domain, preferably concerning a resource that is public property or freely accessible to and usable by the public. The idea must have direct results. Projects with the primary aim of writing a research paper or collecting information for publications or for presentation at a conference cannot be funded through the DM. Q7. What are the criteria for assessment? The criteria for assessment are: - Innovation:How does your idea differ from existing projects? Whether it is a rural or urban initiative, it should have a new approach to solving the problem.
- Results: Does your idea have clear and measurable results that have a direct impact on the management and protection of natural resources?
- Sustainability:What is your capacity to implement your idea? Does your idea have the potential to continue beyond IDM funding?
- Replicable:Can your idea be implemented elsewhere? Does it have the potential for being replicated?
Proposals that reflect the following will receive additional weightage: - Equitable benefits: The benefits flowing from the innovation should be spread widely among the community and not be limited to a chosen few, an elite, or a cartel that makes the innovation its “business” for personal profit.
- Gender and youth: An element of gender parity, women’s empowerment and creating new opportunities for improving the quality of life of women and youth through participation should be built into the scheme in its formulation, execution and outcomes.
Q8. How will the proposals be short listed? All proposals will be screened by experts on the basis of the above criteria. Around 50 proposals will be short listed. Short listed entries will be requested to provide additional information on their proposals. They will then be invited to attend the Development Marketplace and knowledge exchange forum in New Delhi where they will be asked to exhibit their ideas. From these 50 proposals, a jury of eminent people will select the winners. Each winner will receive a fixed grant to implement the proposal over a two year period. The entire process will be open and transparent. Q9. Is funding available outside the IDM? The DM does not provide any funding outside the competition, but the DM team acts as a broker to advocate for the successful projects and identify new follow-on funding sources. Q10. How do I apply? You can submit your proposal in any of the ways listed below: To apply on-line: Fill in the online application form and click Submit when finished. Incase you have difficulty in filling in the form on line, you can save the form on your desktop, fill it in, and e mail it to us. To apply by post: You can take a print out of the form, fill it up and post or courier it to us at the following address: IDM-2007 The World Bank 70 Lodi Estate New Delhi – 110 003 Q11. What is the last date for the submission of the proposal, and can I send the proposal in any language? The last date for the submission of the proposal is January 29, 2007. The proposals are acceptable only in English and Hindi. Q12. Do I have to pay a fee to submit my proposal for the grant? The competition for the grant has no fee attached to it. Please do not pay or send any money to anyone. |
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