Deadline: 01-Aug-2024
The U.S. Mission Belarus announces a limited competition for organizations to submit applications for a cooperative agreement to assist in providing administrative, technical, and programmatic support for the Virtual American Center in Belarus.
The Virtual American Center Minsk is a welcoming and engaging environment where Mission personnel, U.S. guest speakers, and implementing partners can connect with Belarusians, especially young leaders and young professionals, to inspire dialogue on issues that matter most to U.S.- Belarus relations. AC Minsk has promoted U.S. policy, the American thinking and values behind such policies, and engages, informs, and influences Belarus’s emerging and established leaders as well as the general public (primarily ages 15-35) on policy issues of mutual interest such as good governance, entrepreneurship, equality, technology, and education.
Program Objectives
- The goal of this funding opportunity is to support the Mission Belarus’ Public Diplomacy outreach efforts by establishing a Virtual American Center, to increase visibility of U.S. culture and values and thus to promote a stronger, more active civil society, greater respect for democratic values, and enhanced access to information for the people of Belarus.
- The program objectives of this funding opportunity are the following:
- Continue the Virtual American Center Belarus’ programming by establishing effective virtual presence aimed at strengthening enduring ties between the Belarusian and American people;
- Promote and enhance the American Center’s social media presence to counter disinformation about the United States, its policies, and people and increase engagement with target audiences of public diplomacy programs and activities hosted by the AC Minsk;
- Ensure that the Virtual American Center is a dynamic, state-of-the-art, welcoming virtual space that showcases the best the United States has to offer to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Belarus.
Implementing Programs at the American Center
- Each month, the American Center should host at least four virtual programs a week covering a range of topics. Currently all ongoing events and programs are advertised on the American Center’s social media networks. When possible, programs should be low-cost or even free to produce. Examples of these types of activities include:
- interactive discussions on topics about the United States that are relevant and of interest to the target audience,
- book clubs featuring U.S. authors that focus on diversity, human rights, and other U.S. values,
- English-language clubs,
- movie screenings featuring U.S. films that focus on diversity, human rights, and other U.S. values,
- workshops for U.S. exchange program alumni, etc.
- The proposal should also include program activities that will be supported by funds through the cooperative agreement. These may include, but not be limited to:
- virtual lectures and discussions with Americans,
- dialogues with exchange program alumni,
- master classes in the arts, performances,
- presentations from representatives of U.S. universities,
- training workshops, MOOCs, etc.
- When possible, U.S. Mission Belarus will provide other programming opportunities for virtual engagement that the American Center will organize and promote. Activities that are organized or sponsored by the U.S. Mission Belarus will be integrated into the activities of the American Center when appropriate. American Center programs proposed by the recipient will make up the majority of programming provided at the Center.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $40,000
- Length of performance period: 6 months
- Number of awards anticipated: one award
- Anticipated program start date: October 15, 2024
Responsibilities
- The award recipient’s specific responsibilities for this program include, but may not be limited to:
- Developing programs and events at the Center: creating proposals (including budgets) for programs developed under the cooperative agreement, submitting those proposals for approval by U.S. Mission Belarus one week before the start of each calendar month, and executing those proposals once approved, ensuring that a minimum of four programs per week are taking place in the Center;
- Creating virtual speakers programs on issues of mutual interest to the United States and Belarus, featuring American speakers.
- Providing logistical and operational support for programs and events initiated through the Mission public diplomacy programming and by PDS’s partner organizations;
- Managing a member database and encouraging repeat visitors to the Center;
- Marketing the Center and its resources to target audiences via traditional and social media.
- Providing weekly updates on program attendance and a monthly written update on Center operations and programs to PDS Minsk;
- Creating and actively managing the American Center’s social media presence
- Purchasing materials and supplies for virtual American Center programs including, but not limited to books, DVDs, games, magazines, software, technology, and resource materials;
- Developing and maintain a robust evaluation program that provides detailed information about the American Center’s audience and their attitudes to Mission Belarus;
- If needed, hiring additional American Center staff to assist with programs’ coordination and implementation.
Participants and Audiences
- In addition to providing program support, the award recipient must design and implement a robust evaluation and audience analysis system that regularly tracks participants of the Virtual American Center, surveys their attitudes about the Center, and advises on ongoing engagement with American Center members. U.S. Mission Belarus will provide additional guidance to the grant recipient on the evaluation program.
Target Audiences
- Key target audiences for the Virtual American Center include:
- Belarusian youth aged 16-35, urban, well-educated;
- Young professionals, with a particular focus on entrepreneurs, community activists, and media representatives;
- English-language learners, teachers, and members of the general public interested in English language learning opportunities;
- Alumni of USG exchange programs.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S. and international public and private organizations private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Belarus.