Press Release,
20, March 2008

BAKU, 20 March 2008 - The World Bank Baku Office and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan are pleased to announce the new round of the Small Grants Program (SmGP).

The focus of the Small Grants Program 2008 is environmental clean-up and civic engagement in solution of environmental problems.

We invite civil society organizations of Azerbaijan to participate in the SmGP with projects that aim at promoting greater citizen engagement in discussion at the national and local level of issues related to environmental security including challenges of environmental clean-up, protection of biodiversity, impact of pollution and contamination on human health and well-being, etc. Projects will increase public awareness of ecological problems of the country and the Absheron Peninsula and Baku Bay in particular.

The SmGP 2008 supports activities like conferences and other well structured and highly visible fora and events that will help achieve the goals specified above.

Small Grants do not support: research programs, formal academic training programs, operational projects, ongoing institutional core support, scholarships, fellowships, study programs, or individuals applying on their own behalf, including for travel or studies.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan will join the SmGP as Partner, contributing matching funds and other support where projects are relevant to the Company's priorities. The deadline for submission of applications is April 12, 2008, and awards will be announced by May 15, 2008. There is no required format for applications.

The World Bank staff together with representatives of SOCAR will be available to provide more information and answer your questions at the information session to be held on March 29, 2008 at 11.00 a.m. at the World Bank's Public Information Center located at the State Economic University.

For more detailed information and the SmGP guidelines please apply to the World Bank Baku Office located at 91/95, Mirza Mansur street, Icheri Sheher. Contact person: Ms. Gunel Hasanova. Contact Nos.: 492-19-41, 492-28-07.