The 2008 Global Development Marketplace Competition is almost closed! Submit your proposal before the March 21 deadline! March 10, 2008 –

Less than two weeks are left on the call of proposals for the 2008 Global Development Marketplace (DM2008) competition that seeks early-stage, innovative ideas with potential for high impact in promoting Sustainable Agriculture for Development.

The submission deadline of March 21, 2008 (23:00 GMT time) is fast approaching -- APPLY NOW!

Proposals are welcome from all innovators: civil society groups, foundations and development agencies in the country of implementation can submit their ideas. Other applicants – individuals, government entities and businesses – can also apply, but only if they work with a local partner. DM2008 is specifically focused on the agricultural challenges related to:

·Linking small-scale farmers to markets;
·Improving land access and tenure for poor farmers; and
·Promoting the environmental services of agriculture in addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.

A total of US$4 million in awards is available, with a maximum award size of US$200,000 per project. The call for proposals closes on March 21, 2008 (23:00 GMT time). Applications will undergo a rigorous review drawing on hundreds of development experts, who will narrow down the pool of finalists to about 100 finalists. The DM will then bring the finalists to Washington DC for the Marketplace event on September 24-25, 2008.

Finalists will participate in knowledge exchange workshops and will present their ideas to the public, World Bank staff and an international jury comprised of senior development specialists. Some 25-30 winners will be announced at the close of the Marketplace. Proposals must be written in English and submitted through the DM website, www.developmentmarketplace.org Competition guidelines and step-by-step instructions are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Please forward this reminder and the attached brochure with basic information about DM2008 to your professional peers and networks. WE LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING YOUR INNOVATIVE IDEAS!