interesting idea from a colleague of mine. if you have feedback about the idea, send it on to teddy. -----Original Message----- From: Teddy Svoronos [mailto:teddy.svoronos@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 2:55 PM To: Teddy Svoronos Subject: microgrants Hi all, I'm sure you're all getting quite a few requests for donation around now, but I wanted to let you know about something that I've been working on. I'd of course appreciate donations, but I want your input as well. The idea is "microgrants," essentially microfinance but for social problems. As I'm sure most of the people on this list know, the majority of international aid funds Western organizations to plan and implement their own interventions to improve the quality of life of poor communities. Instead, the microgrant model is to hold "local innovation" contests, in which members/groups of a community submit proposals to address a problem that their community faces. After a few iterations, the best proposal is selected and the winners are given a small amount of funding to test their idea. We help with the monitoring of the project - both in terms of finances and impact - but the idea and its implementation is the winner's doing. We've already disbursed a microgrant to a clinic in Tanzania to increase the proportion of pregnant women delivering in clinics (more information in the link), and are currently looking for funds to address water and sanitation issues in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Here's the link, donations very welcome. If you have any questions or thoughts, please do send them. http://www.firstgiving.com/microgrants Thanks! Teddy