Democracy Commission Small Grants Program in Kosovo

Deadline: 31-Mar-23

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out program(s) aimed at enhancing the resilience of civil society organizations (CSO), empowering underserved communities, and fostering inter-ethnic collaboration.

The program aims to enhance the capacities of civil society organizations to address issues and improve citizen and institutional engagement in government processes and decisions related to the rule of law, good governance, and government transparency. Second, the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program focuses on empowering underserved communities and improving inter-ethnic relations by providing capacity building opportunities to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for all Kosovans.

Program Goals

The 2023 Democracy Commission Small Grants Program has two primary goals. The first goal is to support the growth of Kosovo’s democratic institutions and foster a participatory civil society where citizens understand their role in decision-making and actively engage in civic duties. The second goal is to empower Kosovo’s underserved communities, increase their competitiveness in the labor market, and overcome inter-ethnic divisions through reconciliation that counters external malign influences and disinformation that seek to exacerbate and exploit these divisions.

Program Objectives

• Objective I: Strengthen the Resilience and Effectiveness of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
  • The program seeks to enhance the resilience and participation of CSOs in the decision-making process and position CSOs as public opinion leaders to effectively advocate for community concerns. The program also aims to strengthen CSOs’ ability to hold government institutions at both central and local levels accountable. Potential applicants may consider directing their activities towards the following sub-objectives:
    • Building sustainable collaboration among CSOs
    • Encouraging peaceful resolution of conflicts
    • Increasing government transparency and accountability
    • Advocating for equitable provision of services for all communities
    • Strengthening the rule of law
    • Supporting independent media and countering disinformation
    • Promoting good governance
    • Building a vibrant and participatory civil society
• Objective II: Empower Underserved Communities and Promote Inter-ethnic Collaboration
  • The program aims to equip underserved communities with marketable skills and bring together diverse ethnic groups in interactive settings to improve inter-ethnic collaboration. This list serves as a starting point and applicants are encouraged to suggest additional or more impactful activities that align with the objective.
    • English language classes in innovative, multiethnic learning environments
    • STEAM and maker space activities, including animation and coding
    • Non-formal education in areas such as Kosovo tourism promotion, technology, etc.
    • Journalism/media writing or media literacy activities
    • Civic engagement projects
    • Multiethnic youth summer camps
    • Sports activities

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: up to 15 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000
• Total available funding: $500,000

Outcomes

2023 Democracy Commission Small Grants Program’s long-term expected outcomes are:

• Sustainable Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that hold government institutions accountable through active community and citizen engagement at all levels of government.
• Improve inclusivity and integration for underserved communities and ethnic minorities in all aspects of society in Kosovo’s multi-ethnic democracy.

Participants and Audiences

Applicants must provide at least one primary program demographic from the following:

• Youth in Transition: This audience includes youth, ages 14 – 18, high school students and students transitioning into higher/technical education; and 18 – 23, graduate students and youth transitioning into the job market.
• Emerging Decision Makers: This audience includes people ages 24 – 35, who are future leaders in business, technology, education, government, and public administration. They include entrepreneurs, social activists, and civil servants with three to five years of work experience and have been identified as “rising stars.”
• Established Influencers: This audience includes people ages 35+, including but not limited to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and public figures at the top of their industry (e.g., innovators, technology leaders, business owners, academics, civil society leaders, and politicians), who can exert a positive influence on society.

Priority Region: Kosovo. Priority will be given to applications targeting rural and underdeveloped regions, particularly areas with multiethnic composition.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Local not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations;
• Independent media outlets, registered in Kosovo

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Pristina.