Notice of Funding Opportunity – Public Diplomacy Grants Program (Kazakhstan)

Deadline: 15-Jul-21

The U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan and U.S. Consulate General Almaty Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Grants Program.

Purpose of Public Diplomacy Grants: PAS invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Kazakhstan and support a priority program area (see below) in order to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation.

All proposed programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in order to promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Competitive proposals will promote continued/sustainable cooperation between the people of the United States and Kazakhstan even after the project concludes.

Examples of programs could include, but are not limited t

Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;
Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; and
Professional and academic exchanges and programs.

Priority Program Areas

Effectively Harnessing Social Media, Digital Media, and Promoting Media Literacy: Kazakhstan has a growing and diversifying media market and a demand for objective, professional journalism; at the same time, online consumption of news, stories, and information sharing is higher than ever, including through messaging apps. The United States supports a sovereign and independent Kazakhstan, which includes support for a well-informed, discerning public who can inoculate itself against disinformation, online bullying, and better understand how to effectively use social media (define goals, design and execute a plan or campaign to achieve those goals, and how to monitor and evaluate success). Preference/priority will go to programs that specifically address Kazakh-language media.
Civil Society Capacity Building: The U.S. Government believes that a strong democracy supports key values, such as respect for civil and human rights, youth empowerment, social inclusion, empowerment of underserved communities, including women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI persons, as well as respect for the rule of law, social justice, and the promotion of grassroots problem solving. The U.S. Embassy is interested in supporting projects that share American best practices, experience, and expertise with Kazakhstani organizations also promoting these mutual values and to strengthen their ability and capacity to advance these important issues.
Sharing America with Kazakhstan: The United States and Kazakhstan have rich cultural traditions as shown in the visual arts, literature and storytelling, theater and performing arts, film, music, dance, sport, and education. Educational and cultural activities are a great way to engage the public, especially at-risk youth, to bridge cultures, deepen cultural ties and understanding, and discuss topics of mutual importance. The U.S. Embassy is interested in supporting art, education, and cultural projects that strengthen understanding and cultural ties between the United States and Kazakhstan. Priority will be given to proposals and sustainable initiatives that seek to promote and raise awareness of values of freedom of expression, women’s empowerment, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, and youth engagement/empowerment.

Funding Information