Deadline: 1-Feb-22
The U.S. Embassy Belgrade announces an open competition for local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs or NGOs) and independent media outlets to submit applications to take part in the Democracy Commission Small Grants program in Serbia.
Program Objective
The overall goal of the Democracy Commission Small Grants program is to strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and support economic development in the Republic of Serbia, including in local municipalities outside Belgrade.
Priority Themes
The following list represents the project priority themes.
- Participatory Democracy: Promoting increased participation by informed citizens — including young people and vulnerable populations, i.e., the disabled, ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBT community — in the democratic process. Supporting effective advocacy on behalf of communities or groups. Promoting government responsiveness to constituents. Education of voters about policies and processes. Public debate over matters of public interest or concern.
- Rule of Law: Strengthening the rule of law. Promoting legal reform. Increasing transparency in government.
- Anti-Corruption: Combating corruption, in the workplace, in education, in the delivery of healthcare, in the legal system, in government offices, etc.
- Human Rights: Promoting tolerance of, understanding of, and equality for vulnerable populations, including the disabled, ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBT community, etc. Furthering gender equality and women empowerment.
- Economic Development: Establishing or strengthening business associations. Educating youth and other audiences about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the market economy. Training for disadvantages groups in society, e.g., ethnic minorities, women, the disabled, refugees and migrants, etc. Note: Democracy Commission grants cannot be used to support business start-up costs or materials.
Funding Information
The maximum amount of a grant is $50,000, but smaller grants are preferred in order to support more projects.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be a local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs or NGOs) or an independent media outlet legally registered in Serbia.
Restrictions
You CANNOT apply for a Democracy Commission Small Grant from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade if your project:
- involves partisan political activity.
- fund attendance at overseas conferences or trips abroad.
- international travel to/from the U.S. or countries outside the Balkan region.
- involves giving charitable activity and humanitarian aid.
- involves fundraising.
- is commercial in nature, i.e., you are making money.
- focuses on academic or scientific research.
- is focused on arts, culture, or any other areas beyond the themes.
- is focused on skill learning or training programs unless the activity is specifically aimed at promoting the integration of disadvantaged groups into society.
- duplicates an already existing project.
For more information, visit https://rs.usembassy.gov/democracy-commission-small-grants-funding-opportunity-2022/