General
1. What are the thematic areas of the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF)?
The objective of the JSDF is to finance grants that respond directly to the development needs of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society. The JSDF results framework is organized into three pillars, underpinned by a set of outcome, output and intermediate results indicators. To the extent possible and to facilitate results aggregation, JSDF indicators have been formulated to align with the Bank¡¯s Corporate Scorecard (FY24-FY30). JSDF thematic areas are as follows:
Enhanced Human Capital
Improved nutrition and early childhood development
?Inclusive education
? Basic health and sanitation services
Sustainable Livelihood Development
?Improved entrepreneurial skills and access to employment
? Enhanced adaptation to climate and disaster risk, including environmentally sustainable agricultural practices
Empowerment of Beneficiaries and Communities
? ?Strengthened local governance and accountability
? ?Rapid and demonstrable benefits provided to vulnerable groups
Task teams are required to define a clear and measurable Project Development Objective (PDO), and a detailed set of results indicators that contribute to the PDO as well as JSDF¡¯s program objective.
2. What would be the maximum size of a JSDF grant?
JSDF Policy Guidelines were revised in September 2024. For proposals that are cleared to proceed to initiation starting in September 2024, the maximum size of JSDF financed projects will be US$5 million. The maximum grant size for proposals cleared in prior rounds was US$3 million. These amounts include the Bank executed grant for implementation support of up to 9% of the recipient grant amount up to a maximum of $270,000.
3. Who can manage a JSDF project?
All JSDF projects are managed by a ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ staff member who has completed the accreditation under the Trust Fund Fundamentals (TFF) program or the Trust Fund Learning and Accreditation Program (TLAP).
Recipient eligibility
4. Which countries are eligible for funding under JSDF?
All low-income and lower middle-income countries, as defined in the most recent World Development Indicators published annually in April, that are in good standing with the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Group are eligible to apply for JSDF funding. Check current country status?
5. Can a JSDF grant finance regional programs?
No. The JSDF program finances only country specific activities that target local communities.
6. Are non-governmental organizations (NGO) eligible to receive funds from the JSDF?
Yes. JSDF grant recipients may be a central or local government entity, an NGO or a civil society organization. An NGO may be a direct grant recipient or may act as the project implementing agency for another recipient. Procurement and financial management specialists in the task team will review the NGO¡¯s credentials, and the financial, procurement and other project management systems in place (or that will be established to implement the grant) to assess if they meet Bank standards. In addition, the task team will need to obtain the recipient country's consent to the NGO acting as either the recipient or project implementing agency of the JSDF grant.
7. Can non-governmental organizations submit proposals for JSDF funding directly to the JSDF Secretariat?
No. An NGO that has an innovative project idea must contact the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ country office to help identify a task team leader (TTL) who can work with them to develop the proposal and secure all required internal WB and donor approvals. The TTL will ascertain whether the proposed grant activities are in line with the country¡¯s development objectives, Global Practice/sector strategies and JSDF policies and procedures. The TTL will steer the proposal through the JSDF application process and the Bank¡¯s processes for small trust fund financed investment project financing and provide implementation support once the grant is approved all the way to completion.
8.?Can UN Agencies or other multilateral agencies be recipients or implementing agencies of a JSDF Regular Window Program?
UN Agencies may be hired, as subcontractors, in accordance with ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ procurement guidelines to carry out grant activities. UN agencies may not be recipients of JSDF grants unless the Bank and Government of Japan have agreed, following appropriate consultation, that exceptional circumstances warrant the provision of a JSDF grant to a UN agency. In those cases, the task team needs to establish that: (i) Government implementation of the Project is not feasible under the prevailing circumstances; (ii) implementation by the UN agency is appropriate given its expertise and comparative advantage; and (iii) there is a role for international or local NGOs or other local community groups in the Project.
