The World Bank’s Development Marketplace (DM) is indeed a laudable step in identifying and nurturing social innovations across the globe. I deem it an honour and a privilege to be part of the screening process and the final jury that screened proposals under IDM 2007. I found the whole process completely innovative, transparent, and unbiased.

To me in particular, such an initiative from World Bank assumes significance, considering the fact that in developing countries like India, support for such innovative projects/programs especially by institutional agencies is still at a nascent stage and requires a lot of mindset and attitudinal change.

Hence, events like IDM 2007 will not only nurture innovative initiatives of individuals and Government and Non- Government agencies, but will also act as a trigger for making a difference by doing things differently. It will also create awareness among institutional agencies as to how to spot and support innovative projects and programs to achieve the desired development goals.