PAS Lusaka American Spaces Notice of Funding Opportunity

Description

The U.S. Embassy to Zambia Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its American Spaces Small Grants Program. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Applications for programs are accepted on a rolling basis until the deadline June 30, 2021. This deadline is necessary to provide sufficient time to process and award programs before the end of our fiscal year on September 30, 2021. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS invites proposals from Zambian non-profit and nongovernmental organizations for projects that support the U.S. goals in the Republic of Zambia through its American Spaces program, including those promoting a better understanding of the United States through exchange of ideas and information between Zambians and Americans. American Spaces promote critical thinking and thoughtful discussion of issues important to the U.S. relationship with the host country and U.S. global interests. They do this in keeping with the U.S. commitment to a core tenet of democracy: upholding a citizen’s right to free access to information. American Spaces counteract negative perceptions and disinformation about the United States, and they offer opportunities to build bridges of mutual respect and understanding between the host country and the people of the United States. The U.S. Embassy operates three American Spaces in Zambia: (a) The American Center at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, (b) The American Corner at National Institute of Public Administration in Lusaka, and (c) The American Corner at Copperbelt University in Kitwe. Programs funded through this small grant program should be held primarily at one of our American Spaces and leverage the resources and audiences of those Spaces. Successful proposals will also include a component of programming that relates to the United States. This could be a component that promotes participation in U.S. exchange programs and sharing of experiences during U.S. exchange programs, sharing of models and ideas learned during U.S. exchange programs, promotion of U.S. culture and values, or components that promote a better understanding of the United States. Successful proposals will clearly define the anticipated results of the program, when results will be expected, and how the U.S. Embassy can measure the anticipated results. Successful grantees will proactively show progress towards results through regular reporting to the U.S. Embassy. U.S. Embassy officials will visit the project to monitor progress, as well. This grants program generally does not favorably review proposals to hold conferences. Individuals, companies, and for-profit organizations are not eligible for grants. What projects do we fund? ◼ This program is interested in projects that support our American Spaces Program, whose goals include: Provide accurate, compelling, timely and audience-appropriate information about the United States – its history, culture, society, values and foreign policies. ◼ Facilitate English language learning through access to English language speakers, resources, computers and internet access. ◼ Promote higher education study in the United States by providing international students with accurate, comprehensive and current guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities. ◼ Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding and build respect with host country audiences through cultural programs. ◼ Support continuing engagement with U.S. government exchange program alumni, connecting them to local audiences through alumni programs in which credible, local voices can share firsthand information about the United States and American values. Additionally, projects are encouraged to incorporate goals of the U.S. Embassy in Zambia, including ◼ Promoting inclusion of people with disabilities including through sports, civic engagement, economic activity, and other aspects of society. ◼ Promoting political awareness and participation among the public and/or among youth; ◼ Promoting civic education and youth participation in civics, democratic processes, volunteerism, and community service; ◼ Promoting democracy and accountability through film or the arts; ◼ Fostering press freedom, independent media, professionalism in the media, including through journalism training programs; ◼ Combatting corruption; ◼ Empowerment of women and youth; ◼ Promoting entrepreneurship and business development; ◼ Human rights; ◼ Promoting sports diplomacy or a shared interest in sports; and ◼ Increasing Zambians’ pursuit of higher education in the United States. Participants and Audiences: ◼Youth aged 18-35; ◼ Young professionals; ◼ Above categories with focus on women.

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