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Landmark Assistance for NGOs to Design and Implement Innovative Projects

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (04 June 2003) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$500,000 regional technical assistance grant to help Nongovernment Organizations (NGOs) design and implement innovative projects.

The projects will stress poverty reduction and enhanced cooperation between ADB, governments and NGOs.

The NGO Partnerships for Poverty Reduction project will provide NGOs with access to ADB funds, an objective identified in ADB's Medium-term Strategy.

It also fulfills a recommendation of the framework for ADB-Government-NGO cooperation, recently adopted after extensive public consultations with a range of stakeholders.

"This is a landmark development in ADB relations with civil society," says Jan P.M. van Heeswijk, Director General of ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Department.

"The regional technical assistance gives ADB greater flexibility and additional resources to support innovative NGO activities that complement our poverty reduction efforts at the country level."

To be eligible for funding, an NGO must meet certain criteria, including:

• Operating in an ADB developing member country
• Being a nonprofit organization
• Maintaining a proper accounting and financial system
• Having a track record in implementing small innovative projects.

NGOs may submit proposals up to US$50,000 per country, or up to $20,000 per project.

ADB's NGO Center will manage implementation. Resident Missions will solicit proposals from NGOs. Proposals should fit in with ADB's Country Strategy and Program and national poverty reduction efforts as well as strengthen linkages between ADB, governments and NGOs, or build NGO institutional capacity to respond to the needs of poor people.

Proposals also should feature co-financing or in-kind contributions by the participating NGO.

"Increased NGO involvement will increase the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of our services to developing member countries," said Mr. van Heeswijk.

The regional technical assistance comes from ADB's Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund, financed by the United Kingdom.

More at adb.org/media

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