Deadline: 07-Apr-2024
The U.S. Mission to India announces an open competition to conduct policy dialogues among relevant stakeholders. These dialogues will generate a better-informed political economy discourse, and allow participants to chart an action agenda that promotes interconnectivity in the Indo-Pacific region, with special focus on India’s Bay of Bengal and Northeastern region (NER).
Project Objectives
- The objective is to include new stakeholders from northeastern states of India and build on the window of opportunity in which U.S. focus could catalyze infrastructure development, transnational trade and connectivity leading to sustainable regional development in the larger context of the Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Specific sub-objectives
- The project will discuss ways to conserve, restore, and sustain the shared rivers/inland water systems, and the linked ecosystem entities in the Bay of Bengal and the larger Indo-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on plastic pollution and addressing climate change.
- Greater inclusion of think tanks, civil society, and cultural experts in shaping and promoting the Indo-Pacific integration, with a special focus on populations with no prior engagement.
- The program will require regional conclaves which will facilitate discussions on ways to strengthen and sustain the trade logistics in Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim, with particular emphasis on sectors that leverage historical and ecological advantages.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $130,000
- Total available funding: $130,000
- Length of performance period: Not to exceed eighteen months
- Number of awards anticipated: One award
- Anticipated program start date: July 1, 2024
Outcomes
- U.S. Consulate General Kolkata expects to see at least three direct outcomes in terms of regional partnerships/policy implementation in the Bay of Bengal region. These include:
- Post-facilitated policy dialogues in Bay of Bengal and Northeastern states of India and New Delhi to engage with emerging voices, established opinion leaders and policy makers from northeastern Indian states to be part of the Indo-Pacific policy discussions. These discussions will include Mission India contacts to advance the Indo-Pacific dialogue among various stakeholders and partners.
- The identification and inclusion of Northeast Indian think tanks, civil society, and other relevant players in activities that shape the Indo-Pacific vision and highlight India’s role in the region. These players should be able to provide specific policy recommendations to increase economic and logistical interconnectivity and address climate change in the Bay of Bengal region.
- Demonstrate in international policy realms and to critical audiences an increased understanding of the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal region as a multisectoral gateway to the Indo Pacific, including cultivating support and recognition for an active U.S. role in the region.
Expected Project Deliverables
- The project will include 200 new and relevant stakeholders from the northeast and raise awareness about the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal and Northeast regions, help articulate the U.S. vision and policies on the Indo Pacific and create a network of U.S. and Indian policy makers and academics. The project aims to explore ways to reinvigorate and strengthen the maritime connect among the Indo-Pacific countries, in the context of current geopolitics and historical connections. It will engage and touch upon issues of infrastructure, regional initiatives, and other strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
- A series of stakeholder policy dialogues, across key cities of the Indian northeastern states must be organized to identify complexities, challenges, and opportunities followed by two outcome-based national level dialogues based on an intersectional format of policy and strategic cultural programs.
- U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and the selected grantee will ensure at least 50 percent participation of women leaders throughout the campaign to ensure representation and decision making that supports inclusive growth and gender-sensitive Indo-Pacific policies.
- Pre- and post-surveys at the regional consultations, multiple media articles, think tank publications, social media engagement, and number of partnerships or outcome-based discussions at the national level conclaves which will directly influence Indo-Pacific policy.
- Measured increases in contact base in the northeast for Mission India and measured increase in Indian audiences who understand the United States‘ Indo-Pacific strategy.
Project Audience(s)
- Primary audience: State, local, and national government representatives, policy makers, academics, bureaucrats, civil society leaders, think tanks, business chambers, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals from multiple fields in East and Northeast India. A special focus will be given to new stakeholders from Northeastern states, who are often overlooked in broader policy discussions on the Indo-Pacific.
- Secondary audience: Youth, primarily university students and academics, media, and social media users.
Priority Region
- Northeast India with a focus on Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
