Social Organization Projects Get Support from the WB

The World Bank Civil Society Fund (CSF) 2011 will provide funding support to eight projects related to civic engagement proposed by Chinese social organizations (CSO), selected by a panel of experts in the Bank's Beijing office from a total of 76 proposals received from all over the country. These include:

Financial Education and Training for Rural Communities in Puyang, proposed by Puyang Rural Credit Mutual Help Cooperative in Henan Province, focuses on improving access to finance for farmers by providing training and organizing a new type of rural financial cooperative on a village basis. Farmers joining the cooperative have voice in lending decisions and supervision rights. This experiment contributes to more equal access to finance and public participation, and also informs government's policy development in rural finance.

Conference on Multi-party Dialogue on Low-Carbon Community Development in Guangzhou, proposed by Guangzhou International Wetland Conservation and Development Confederation, aims to provide a platform for consultations among the government agencies, NGOs, business sector and communities and to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for the public, particularly the poor and vulnerable groups to participate in environmental protection, low-carbon community development and response to climate change. A proposal on the establishment of a multi-party dialogue mechanism for low-carbon community development in Guangzhou is expected to be developed and submitted to the People's Congress, Political Consultative Conference and Government of Guangzhou Municipality.

Development of Community-based Mutual-Help Cooperative of People with Disabilities, proposed by Longna Jishi Association of the Disabled in Baishui County, Shaanxi Province, plans to organize awareness training and other activities designed to improve understanding of the rights of the people with disabilities, eliminate biases and discrimination against them, release their potential and enable them to participate fully in the society. The project seeks to develop communication and dialogue with related government agencies, increase the voice and participation of the people with disabilities in community decision-making and development.

Employment Assistance for People with Disabilities, by Shenzhen Olive Tree Mutual Help Center of People with Disabilities, provides employment services to people with disabilities, by mobilizing social resources and building contacts with businesses to explore employment opportunities, encouraging people with disabilities to support themselves through their own labor, and providing job counseling and placement assistance, follow-up and assistance in rights defense. The objective of the project is to promote equal employment and voice for people with disabilities.

Health Education for Boarding School Students in Zhaduo Township, proposed by Jinba Charity Association in Qinghai, intends to enhance health awareness and knowledge among boarding school students in remote rural and pastoral areas of Qinghai Province. The project plans to achieve its goal through distribution of handbooks of disease prevention, promotion of health and hygiene knowledge, training of health workers and provision of basic medical supplies.

Eco-Conservation Action Alliance of Mongolian Women in Wuliangsuhai Lake Area, proposed by Boya Cultural Association of Bayannaoer in Inner Mongolia, aims to involve women from poor pastoral areas in environmental restoration of the Wuliangsuhai Lake. The project plans to organize local Mongolia women in groups to adopt and maintain certain type of trees for desertification control, which will also increase their incomes. These women will be encouraged to give ideas and suggestions on eco-conservation through mobile phones, which will provide input for regular roundtable discussions on eco-conservation in the pastoral areas and be included in proposals to the local People's Congress.

Negotiation Skills Training and Development Program for New-Generation Migrant Workers in Suzhou, proposed by On Action Suzhou Office in Jiangsu Province, is designed to develop the negotiation skills of young migrant workers, raise their awareness and ability of self protection and collective defense of their rights, and enable them to have a stronger voice.

Promotion of Community Participation by HIV Affected People, proposed by Chengdu Red Ribbon Cultural Service Center in Sichuan Province, seeks to enable the HIV affected people to play a more active role in their communities, particularly in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, through training, contracting, and provision of voluntary services.

"These wide ranging proposals from all trades and forms all over China excel in creativity to overcome the challenges of tomorrow as China embarks on the next leg of its travel to a high income harmonious society. People are the actors and engines of development, and the focus on social governance, inclusion and innovation as a building block for the future is spot on," said Klaus Rohland, World Bank Country Director for China.

The World Bank Civil Society Fund seeds and supports activities that empower and enable citizens to take initiatives to enhance and influence development outcomes. Activities strengthen mechanisms for inclusion, accountability, and participation. Activities also strengthen partnerships with public sector, other civil society organizations, and the private sector.