Content and Image Courtesy: Development Marketplace (DM)

The Development Marketplace (DM) is a competitive grant program that identifies and funds innovative social enterprises working on projects with high potential for development impact.

The competition aims to identify and support social entrepreneurs that are seeking finance to scale or replicate inclusive and sustainable business models that improve the lives of poor communities in the Indian states of Bihar, Rajasthan and Orissa. The winners will use the grants to invest in all activities/assets necessary to establish the viability of the business model; such as testing, quality assurance, certification, balancing plant and machinery, consulting services, and test marketing

Eligibility:

• Registered not-for-profit and for-profit organizations implementing an inclusive business model are eligible. Women run organizations are strongly encouraged to apply
• Models should be operational for at least 2 years in Bihar, Rajasthan or Orissa and be able to demonstrate a track record of successful project implementation
• Models operational for 2 years in any other State – and proposing to replicate or scale it in Bihar, Rajasthan or Orissa are also invited to apply. These organizations must also demonstrate a track record of successful project implementation
• Individuals are not eligible to apply for this competition
• Projects with the primary output of research or knowledge, such as publications or conference, formal education or scholarships are not eligible for this competition

Assessment and short listing

All submissions will undergo a thorough assessment by experts from the IFC and the World Bank Group, the social and mainstream investors and the greater development community. This assessment will be completed by February 2011. From this process, 30 proposals will be shortlisted.  Details on the Assessment Criteria are available in the FAQs section.

Shortlisted organizations will be notified of their selection via email in March 2011. A final list of shortlisted organizations will also be available on the DM website at the same time.

Important Dates:

• The competition will be launched on Friday, December 10, 2010
• The deadline for submitting applications is 23:30 PM (IST) on Sunday, January 23, 2011
• The 30 finalists will be informed of their selection by Monday, March 7, 2011
• The winners will be selected at the Development Marketplace event in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on April 7-8, 2011

Click here for more details

Please contact us at dm-india-support@ifc.org for any questions on 2011 India Development Marketplace.