The Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) is a Partnership between the Government of Japan (GoJ) and the World Bank conceived in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s. It was established in June 2000 as a grant mechanism to provide targeted assistance to groups made vulnerable by the financial crisis in low- and lower-middle-income countries around the world.
The objective of the JSDF program is to respond directly to the development needs of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society. Grants are made to eligible recipient countries, based on income level classification. Unlike most Bank-financed projects that are executed by the government at the central level, JSDF grants are executed by NGOs/CSOs and local governments and implemented at the community level. These features make the JSDF program unique, attractive, responsive, and provides a platform for cooperation between NGOs and other local stakeholders in the development process. This had led to meaningful progress in areas not previously associated with the Bank’s work with the public sector.
Since its inception until November 2024, the Government of Japan has contributed US$854.3 million to the program, funding nearly 800 projects. The fund has become the leading source of support for innovation, multi-sector social poverty alleviation program, responding directly to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.
As a model for social development and livelihood improvement, effectively contributing to the World Bank's mission of ending extreme poverty and boosting prosperity on a livable planet, the JSDF supported projects have been scaled up with funding from the World Bank, Recipient Countries, and other Development Partners.
JSDF spans themes ranging from Livelihood Support; Improved Nutrition and Early Childhood Development; Inclusive Education; through Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Adaptation to Climate Change and Community-Level Disaster Risk Management; to Legal Services and Local Governance; and Basic Health and Sanitation Services.
More than 50% of JSDF grants have been implemented by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and about 93 low and lower-middle income member countries of the World Bank have benefited from this Program.
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2024
JSDF-funded operations respond directly to the development needs of the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society by (i) enhancing human capital, (ii) developing sustainable livelihoods, and (iii) empowering communities.
In FY24 as part of the JSDF’s enhanced focus on results, the JSDF Secretariat revised its results framework to provide a more transparent and effective way to measure and report on project results. The new results framework aligns closely with the World Bank’s corporate scorecard to better map, track and compare results across global sectors and interventions. The updated JSDF results framework is being promoted with teams to encourage the absorption of these indicators into project level results framework to facilitate results aggregation at portfolio level.
From urban centers to rural communities, our project interventions have created resilience and brought about transformative change in various corners of the world. Read the stories of individuals and communities who, with the support of our programs, have worked together to overcome challenges and embrace new opportunities. Explore how the JSDF turns aspirations into reality, one community at a time.
There are two broad categories of funding available under the JSDF Program:
APPLICATION PROCESS
The objective of the JSDF is to provide grants in support of community-driven development and poverty reduction projects that empower the poorest and most vulnerable groups not reached by other programs and improve their lives through direct benefits.
Recipient-Executed Grants are made to eligible countries, based on income level classification. As stated earlier, all low and lower middle-income countries are eligible to receive a JSDF grant. All development sectors are also eligible for funding.
The JSDF Secretariat issues calls for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) once a year. The main purpose of this exercise is to help applicants develop robust ideas for funding under the JSDF before extensive resources are dedicated on detailed proposals.
Unlike most Bank-financed projects that are executed by the government at the central level, JSDF grants are executed by NGOs/CSOs and local governments, implemented at the community level. However, JSDF applications including concept notes are not accepted from outside parties. They require the sponsorship and endorsement by the relevant Global Practice (GP) or Global Theme Department (GT) in the World Bank. Therefore, it is important for NGO/CSO and Community-Based Organization (CBO) applicants to establish contact with the Country Program Coordinator (CPC) or Program Leader (PL) of the relevant GP or GT to see the extent to which their project ideas can be supported and submitted to JSDF on their behalf. To ensure harmonization and coordination, Bank task teams are required to consult with the Embassy of Japan & JICA accredited to the recipient country. TTLs are also required to secure endorsement by the Bank Country Director and Global Practice managers.
The JSDF Secretariat will review and clear the submitted idea briefs. Once an IB has been cleared, World Bank Task Team, together with the Applicant, will proceed in preparing the Project Initiation Note (PIN) in accordance with the Bank’s Small Grants Guidelines and Procedures. The draft PIN will then be submitted to Japan by the JSDF Secretariat for review and clearance. Once the PIN has been cleared by Japan, the Bank Task Team in consultation with the Applicant will move to the appraisal phase with the preparation of the Project Paper (PP).
Further information can be provided by contacting the JSDF Secretariat.
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2024
