Civil Society and Cultural Heritage

Description

The Cultural Affairs Office in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Islamabad of the Department of State is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), contingent on funding availability, through the Public Diplomacy Grants Program. CAO Islamabad’s purpose in funding projects under this opportunity is to enable civil society groups to implement projects utilizing cultural heritage to mobilize and improve their communities and/or stimulate economic empowerment while protecting their heritage. Programs should have a component for youth and/or school age children, a well-defined social media component, and an education component that broadens community awareness of cultural preservation. Since 2010, U.S. Embassy Islamabad has supported dozens of cultural heritage projects. Cultural preservation increases public awareness of Pakistan’s rich and diverse heritage; contributes to a more resilient, prosperous nation; and strengthens national unity and pride. Cultural preservation projects therefore have the ability to mobilize and improve communities as well as enhance local economic stability and youth employment prospects. CAO Islamabad is looking for applicants to present innovative and effective ways to integrate cultural preservation into programs that develop and improve conditions for local communities in Pakistan. For purposes of this NOFO, cultural heritage includes both tangible (i.e. objects, buildings or structures that have been in existence for a period of not less than seventy-five (75) years) and intangible, traditional forms of expression, including, but not limited to: traditional performing arts, visual arts, language, and literature. Applicants should propose project ideas that focus on preserving Pakistani communities’ cultural heritage while strengthening and mobilizing the communities in the process.

Agency Contact