Grants Open to Public Libraries in Certain Developing Countries for Partnership & Innovation Projects

The Public Library Innovation Program is looking for new ideas to fund.

The Public Library Innovation Program (PLIP) aims to spark innovative library services that improve people’s lives through the use of technology. This 3-year grant program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will help public libraries in developing and transitioning countries become centers of community life.

The program is designed to encourage public libraries to partner with local government, business, and other organizations to assess local needs and develop new services. There will be two rounds of funding. The deadline for Round One is 28 February 2010. This round carries 10 grants of up to $30,000 USD each.

As the website explains:

Technology has transformed public libraries throughout the world, providing access to critical education materials and communication services. Yet in many developing and transitioning countries where the need is great, public libraries are under resourced. Funding authorities may see libraries or similar organizations as valued assets but are often unaware of the dynamic role they could be playing in their communities. Libraries will be more likely to attract funding if they can demonstrate that they will implement activities proven to improve the lives of the community in which they are located.

Public libraries in the following countries are eligible for Round One:
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Poland, Guatemala, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The second call for proposals will be open to all developing and transitioning countries. This Round Two will award 10 grants of up to $15,000 USD each, and the deadline is 31 May, 2011.

See the full Call for Proposals here.