The World Bank’s 2013 India Development Marketplace (DM) grant program is now open for applications.
This year, grants are available to for-profit and nonprofit organizations ready to scale social impact projects in target states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Organizations could receive between $50,000 and $100,000 in grant money.
The initiative aims to support social enterprises operating for at least two years that deliver a range of services including education and clean drinking water to underserved, low-income groups.
Since launching, the DM program has distributed $60 million to social enterprises throughout India and globally. The 2011 DM competition sought scalable social enterprise models in India, while the last global DM competition in 2009 focused on climate change. To date, the competition has received an estimated 20,000 entries and has supported social enterprises such as VisionSpring and Drishtee.
The competition will shortlist 30 applicants in April and 15 to 20 finalists will receive grants in June.
All entries must be submitted by February 20.