Deadline: 13-Mar-24
The U.S. Embassy Yerevan Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to initiate a new U.S.-Armenia university or U.S-Armenia institutional partnership to create a certificate or training program in mediation and conflict resolution in Armenia.
This new initiative will create a new U.S.-Armenia university or institutional partnership to fund a certificate or training program in mediation and conflict resolution in Armenia, drawing upon U.S. expertise and best practices. The initiative will invigorate Armenia’s higher education sector’s capacity for conflict resolution training by strengthening U.S.-Armenia higher education/institutional ties, drawing upon U.S. expertise in mediation and conflict resolution training, and create a new pipeline of peace builders capable of supporting regional cooperation and normalization of relations in the region. The initiative will be designed as an academic certificate or training program taking place in Armenia, composed of several courses and development t of follow-on projects, based on U.S. mediation and conflict resolution models and expertise. This initiative is planned as a two-year commitment, with an option to continue pending further need. This initiative will support the program design, two iterations of the program, and small grants funding for peace building projects developed by program participants.
Program Objectives
- Objective 1: Strengthen the Armenian higher education sector’s capacity to train the next generation of peace builders through establishment of a U.S.-Armenian university or institutional partnership that brings U.S. best practices in mediation and conflict resolution training to Armenia.
- Objective 2: Create a mediation and conflict resolution certificate or training program in Armenia, to provide training for students and early to mid-career professionals, to create a pipeline of peacebuilders capable of leading regional conflict resolution and reconciliation initiatives.
- Objective 3: Provides small grant funding and mentorship support to graduates of the certificate program, including incubation of follow-on peacebuilding initiatives, that support regional peace and normalization of relations in the region.
Funding Information
- Award amount: $200,000
- Length of performance period: 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award.
- Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024
Participants and Audiences
- The primary audience for the certificate or training program is Armenian undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in future careers in international relations, political science, peace and conflict resolution, journalism, and other fields related to peace building. A secondary audience for the certificate or training program will be early to mid-career professionals who are interested to enhance their professional skills in mediation and conflict resolution, as it relates to the current careers. These participants could be drawn from those working in the fields of international relations, think tanks, civil society/NGOs, journalism, and government.
- Primary beneficiaries: 25 Armenian participants per year.
- Secondary beneficiaries: Approximately 150 Armenian youth, civil society representatives who will be the project beneficiaries of the small grants’ initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. Embassy Yerevan welcomes applications from public or private institutions of higher education from Armenia and the United States, as well as non-profit institutions/organizations with a mandate for promoting conflict resolution and prevention, and who have a demonstrated track record in mediation and conflict resolution training.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Armenia.