Deadline: 10-May-23
The U.S. Embassy Yerevan/EUR Bureau of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement a program that will support the network of American Spaces in Armenia in carrying out projects aimed at bolstering English language teaching and learning, STEM education, skills building, women’s empowerment, media literacy, as well as strengthening cross-cultural relations and reinforcing civil society in Armenia among other things.
Program Objectives
- American Spaces are the U.S. government’s primary public cultural and information centers abroad that provide free and open access for communities worldwide interested in learning more about the United States. The U.S. Department of State supports over 600 American Spaces that are linked to nearly 170 U.S. embassies and consulates in 140 countries. These centers offer programs and events that foster learning, discussion, and civic engagement around democratic principles.
- The goal of this program is to provide support to the network of American Spaces in Armenia to carry out projects aimed at bolstering English language teaching and learning, STEM education, skills building, women’s empowerment, media literacy, as well as strengthening cross-cultural relations, and reinforcing civil society in Armenia among other things.
- Key objectives under this program include, but are not limited to:
- Provide accurate information about the United States to audiences of the American Spaces in Armenia through American films, movies, literature, music, history, art, educational sessions, presentations, and respective projects. For this purpose, U.S. government alumni from Armenia are encouraged to be engaged as often as possible, for sharing their first-hand relevant experience.
- Promote English language teaching and learning in Yerevan and regions of Armenia that build the skills of English language teachers and encourage English language learning, particularly for underserved audiences though projects held in the American Spaces in Armenia.
- Promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education in Armenia by carrying out relevant projects in the American Spaces in Armenia for the audiences who are interested to professionally grow in any of the STEM fields.
- Conducting skills building programming and women’s empowerment in the American Spaces in Armenia to empower current and future host nation leaders to deepen professional development, develop skills and increase capacity in a wide array of areas, develop critical thinking and to be able to engage in a constructive dialogue and to creatively see, hear, and speak for themselves. Projects aimed at women empowerment shall be part of the programming in this area.
- Promote shared cultural values through strategic cultural projects carried out in the American Spaces in Armenia through a wide range of programming formats.
- Country disinformation and promoting media literacy though projects implemented in the American Spaces in Armenia to help audiences, especially young people counter disinformation.
- The objectives shall be accomplished through:
- A Cooperative Agreement for implementation of projects for the American Spaces in Armenia:
- Providing support to Partner American Spaces in implementation of in-person, virtual and/or hybrid projects, as indicated in the “Goals” section.
- Conducting transparent selection of Coordinators, Facilitators and Speakers for in-person, virtual and/or hybrid projects in close cooperation with the American Spaces in Armenia and the U.S. Embassy Yerevan.
- Providing logistical support to the American Spaces in Armenia in organization and management of events.
- Supporting the American Spaces in Armenia in engaging audiences for in-person, virtual and/or hybrid activities.
- Support the U.S. Embassy Yerevan in purchasing and maintaining technological and promotional items and supplies, as well as design and furnishing materials.
- Any other activity that may be requested by the U.S. Embassy Yerevan for successful implementation of the program.
- A Grant for managing administrative expenditures, including admin staff-related expenses:
- Ensuring that respective agreements are prepared and signed with service providers, as well as Coordinators, Facilitators and Speakers of in-person, virtual and hybrid projects according to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.
- Ensuring that respective agreements are prepared and signed with the admin staff working for the American Spaces in Armenia according to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.
- Making administrative and admin staff-related payments with the funds provided by the U.S. Embassy Yerevan.
- Any other activity that may be requested by the U.S. Embassy Yerevan for successful implementation of the program.
- A Cooperative Agreement for implementation of projects for the American Spaces in Armenia:
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: Two awards
- Total available funding: Up to $16,000 (19.040) and $75,000 (19.441)
- Anticipated program start date: September 2023
Eligible Activities
Examples of substantial involvement can include, but are not limited to:
- Active collaboration with the Recipient in the implementation of the award.
- Review and prior approval of program and projects’ organizational and implementation details, e.g., approval of agendas, projects’ facilitators, speakers and coordinators, venues, if other than the American Spaces’ premises, etc.
- Review and prior approval of design and number of promotional items and outreach materials.
- Prior approval of purchase of technological devices, supplies, as well as promotional materials.
- Prior approval of budgets and expenditures per each project.
- Joint preparation or presentation of results with the Recipient.
- Specific programmatic oversight in the award, beyond normal monitoring.
- Any other type of involvement that may be considered necessary by the U.S. Embassy Yerevan for successful implementation of the projects.
Eligible Applicants
- The following organizations are eligible to apply: Armenian not-for-profit organizations, including civil society, think tanks and non-governmental organizations and U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations, subject to section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, with demonstrated expertise in organization of public diplomacy programs and events.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.