Small Grants Program

Country ownership of the development agenda is a key principle of the World Bank's approach to reducing poverty and inequity for people in low and middle income countries. This principle underpins the Bank's emphasis on broad-based stakeholder participation in development, as well as its recognition of civil society organizations as key partners in the development efforts.

Created in 1983, the Small Grants Program is one of the few global programs of the World Bank that directly funds civil society organizations. With funds from the Development Grants Facility, the program is administered through the Country Offices. NGOs and other civil society organizations who are interested in participating in the Program should contact the  local World Bank Country Office.

Purpose of the Small Grants Program

The purpose of the Small Grants Program is to strengthen the voice and influence of poor and marginalized groups in the development processes, thereby making these processes more inclusive and equitable. Thus, it supports activities of civil society organizations whose primary objective is civic engagement of the poor and marginalized populations. By involving citizens who are often excluded from the public arena, and by increasing their capacity to influence policy and program decisions, the Small Grants Program helps facilitate ownership of development initiatives by a broader sector of society.