PPDC Launches $7,500 Grant Fund for 36 Grassroots Organisations

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) Monday launched a $7,500 Small Grant Fund for 36 grassroots organisations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

This initiative, it said aims to empower local voices to lead transparency efforts in procurement processes, marking the beginning of a Pan-African campaign to build a continent-wide network of procurement accountability champions.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PPDC, Lucy Abaji, said: “Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the $7,500 grant approximately to 36 grassroots organisations working to monitor procurement processes in their state.”

Abaji, who gave the hint during a press conference in Abuja, noted that each organisation will receive a $200 grant to support their efforts, adding that applications for the grant will open on July 31.

She stated that the PPDC’s Procurement Governance initiative seeks to improve public sector processes by promoting efficiency, accountability, and transparency in Nigeria’s public procurement landscape.

Key highlights of the Center’s efforts she stressed include, 79.8% increase in government response rates, noting: “PPDC’s work has led to a significant increase in government response rates to Freedom of Information requests, demonstrating that transparency is no longer optional.

“The grant will empower local NGOs to track 2023-2024 federal procurement projects in their communities and across Nigerian states,” she said.

Abaji also emphasised the importance of transparency, stating, “We are here to ensure public resources benefit the people.”

She, however urged civil society actors, government reformers, journalists, and community leaders to continue pushing boundaries and raising their voices to create a future where public procurement truly works for everyone, especially the most marginalised.