Southern Africa Development Marketplace awards nearly USD 400,000 to innovative HIV/AIDS proposals

The Parktonian Hotel in Johannesburg buzzed with excitement and anticipation June 1-3 as the World Bank hosted its first regional development marketplace in southern Africa. The theme HIV/AIDS: Turning Ideas into Action galvanized some 300 organizations from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland to submit proposals. An independent assessment panel comprised of civil society, academia, government and the private sector scrutinized the proposals in two separate rounds. A total of 38 proposals went into the final round and representatives of these organizations attended the event, along with others who participated in the Knowledge Exchange.

The World Bank and its development partners awarded USD 378 000 to the best proposals. The Bank provided USD 208 000 to the awards pool, USAID provided USD 150 000, for proposals from Lesotho and Swaziland, and the IFC provided USD 20 000 for best workplace proposal that fits in with its strategy on ?“IFC Against AIDS?”.

Chants of joy and support echoed through the hall as MD Mamphela Ramphele walked into the room looking regal in a South African-inspired outfit. Her keynote address at the awards ceremony attended by participants, our development partners and many of the people who gave their time and energy to make the event possible was a highlight. She noted that AIDS is the scourge of the 21st century. ?“No issue is of greater concern to development in Southern Africa than the encroaching, destructive force of HIV. Everyone, rich and poor, big and small, healthy or sick, is aware of the devastating impact of the disease, that has claimed the lives of millions and has affected even more all over the world.?”

She said a real offensive has been launched across the globe to fight the further spread of HIV, noting the World Bank has joined forces with many international and bilateral agencies, with governments, with non-government organizations, religious groups, private companies, and many individuals to spearhead this war on the most devastating preventable killer of modern times. The Development Marketplace on HIV/AIDS underscored the Bank?’s commitment.

She particularly noted the need to act now to save another generation from the scourge of the disease. She urged everyone to take charge of their own future, their own health, education and well-being. ?“We have to bring back hope to the helpless, and offer people alternatives and opportunities to change their lives, especially young people.?”

The Honorable Mathabiso Lepono, the Lesotho Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation and member of the grand jury panel, underscored her own commitment to youth and support of the Development Marketplace. Minister Lepono thanked the World Bank and its development partners for hosting the event and inviting her to be on the grand jury panel. She said it was a wonderful opportunity to reach people who normally would never have access to funding for their ideas. ?“We have people who want to work, to do something, but don?’t have funds. This gives them an opportunity to do something, and to also learn from each other. She commended all the projects and people for their innovation, commitment and passion to fighting the disease. She said she had learned so much that she could take back to Lesotho that would enhance her job as a minister.

The regional marketplace, just as the global event, underscored the World Bank belief that solutions to development challenges can have small beginnings and are often found by those living closest to the problem. The Bank?’s Debrework Zewdie, the Directors of the global HIV/AIDS programs noted how much the pandemic has spread into communities. ?“Just a few years ago most of the projects we would have seen on HIV/AIDS related to raising awareness. Now most of the proposals are about caring for others, which really underscores the state of the pandemic.?”

All 38 finalists received a certificate and gift in recognition of their time, energy and commitment to the event. Zewdie then announced the award winners, with 4 awards going to Botswana proposals that included a youth campsite and children?’s theater, 2 to Lesotho including a drama project from the Paray High School, 7 to Namibia, including a proposal on will writing to empower rural communities and one on HIV/AIDS awareness and tutoring provided through after school sports program for youth. South Africa received 4 awards, including a sun-bakery initiative for HIV positive women and a proposal from Correctional Services that involves inmates ?“adopting?” HIV/AIDS orphans as part of their rehabilitation before leaving prison. Swaziland received 7 awards, including proposal for community education using puppet plays, masks and dance and a holistic care programs through the Church of the Nazarene. The IFC?’s award also went to a South African project that sews ?“garments of hope?”.

All of the assessors and jurors noted the passion and commitment of everyone and also felt the quality of the proposals was high. Monapathi Maraka from Lesotho also commented on the Marketplace bringing together people from 5 countries to share and learn from each other. ?“We all have a common purpose, to fight HIV/AIDS. Here we can learn from each other and copy ideas that we might be able to implement in our own communities.?” Acting Country Director Pamela Cox set the scene in her opening remarks by noting the goal of the Marketplace is to expose and engage the development community in productive and inventive partnerships that will have a potentially powerful impact in poverty reduction and economic development. ?“Country Innovation Days (CIDs), such as this one for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, are "mini marketplaces" for innovative ideas that address local development challenges. Like the Global Competition, they consist of a competitive, juried process that awards small grants to social innovators, and a Knowledge Exchange to share ideas and provide networking opportunities.

One of the highlights of the event was the appearance Tuesday evening of Kami?—the 5-year-old HIV/AIDS positive muppet from Takalani Sesame, the South African production of Sesame Street. Many of the participants hugged and kissed Kami after the brief show while a photographer snapped their pictures.

The full report, and listing of award winners can be accessed on the righthand side of this page