The third Development Marketplace, to be held December 3-4 this year, is open for proposals--seeking ideas for projects that are smaller scale than the norm for the Bank, but innovative. The total award pool will be around $4 million, with proposals accepted through May 2nd DM2003 is seeking proposals on innovative ideas on Making Services Work for Poor People. Limited access to financial services, information and communication technology, and knowledge further marginalize poor people and keep them from participating in and benefiting from mainstream economic life. Improving both the quality and reach of services to the poor is essential to any effort to alleviate poverty and encourage growth in the developing world. This topic reflects the World Bank’s upcoming World Development Report 2004 theme of the same name, and is an effort to expand on the analysis by funding innovative ideas that test and advance the practice of providing effective services in developing countries.