Deadline: 14-Apr-23
The U.S. Embassy Dushanbe Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.
This program supports the development of Tajikistan’s democratic institutions and civil society by competitively awarding small grants to Tajikistan’s nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, to nonprofit civil society organizations (CSOs), and to independent local media organizations.
Topics
- Topic 1: Support for Independent Media
- Project Goal: To increase the capacity of independent bloggers and social media influencers to produce content that counters misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda
- Project Audience(s): The primary target audience for these projects should be men and women aged 15-35 living in Tajikistan, who have an interest in journalism, and/or social media, and who have time to devote to training and content creation.
- Project Objectives: Each project should achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Increase the number of quality visual content products by amateur journalists and bloggers that counter misinformation and false narratives
- Increase social and digital media abilities of local journalists and bloggers through training on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and/or YouTube. In addition, the participants should be trained in specific skills related to using data analysis tools, graphic design, storytelling, content creation, social media application tools – in order to effectively use social media platforms.and digital media.
- Increase participant’s knowledge and awareness on the prevalence and tactics of misinformation.
- Raiseawareness about topics of public interest, such as environmental issues, health,and/or human rights, among at least 10 of Tajikistan’s leading social media influencers to increase the number and quality of content on those topics
- Increase the technical capacity of journalism students and media professionals to use social media platforms as a tool for creating content that counters disinformation
- Topic 2: Countering Violent Extremism
- Project Goal: To increase the amount of anti-extremist content in Tajikistan’s traditional and social media space through the recruitment of a cadre of moderate voices to produce and share positive content
- Project Audience(s): The primary target audience for these projects should be males (age 15-35) living in Tajikistan and Russia, including labor migrants, who have received limited formal education
- Project Objectives: Each project should achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Increase the amount of social and traditional media content products in the Tajik languagethat promote messages of tolerance and non-violence from respected and popular figures in society
- Increase the capacity of moderate and influential voices, such as community leaders, to continue spreading messages of tolerance and non-violence,
- Increase public awareness of the consequences of violent extremism through sharing real life stories of victims and survivors.
- Topic 3: Women’s Economic Security and Empowerment
- Project Goal: Increase capacity of women from underserved and rural communities to participate in the labor market
- Project Audience(s): The primary target audience for these projects should be undereducated, women living primarily in rural areas where economic opportunities are limited.
- Project Objectives: Each project should achieve one or moreof the following objectives:
- Develop business and technical skills of women in rural communities to increase employability, launch and/or improve their own business
- Increase women’s knowledge and understanding about theirlegal rights in society and how to advocate for the respect of those rights
- Establish a professional networkfor women from under-represented communities in Tajikistan to sustain connection and mentorship beyond the life of the award
- Topic 4: Environmental Awareness and Action
- Project Goal: Promote usage of renewable and sustainable energy sources in Tajikistan through increased awareness of the impact of climate change and pollution.
- Project Audience(s): The primary target audience for these projects should be active members of civil society, community leaders, and youth between the ages of 16 and 30.
- Project Objectives: Each project should achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Increase public awareness about the impact of climate change and air pollution in Tajikistan, the causes of these threats, and how to reduce or prevent their effects
- Increase collaboration between local, state, and civil society actors/stakeholders to develop practical solutions to combat climate change and advocate for environmental protection legislation
- Engage and develop capacity among youth, civil society, and community leaders in educational projects and activities focused on mitigating the effects of climate change.
Funding Information
- Estimated Award Ceiling: $50,000
- Estimated Award Floor: $10,000
- Length of Project Period: 9-12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations
- For this announcement, only Tajikistan-based organizations are eligible to apply.
- Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier, as well as a valid registration.
- Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
- Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
- This award does not allow:
- Projects relating to partisan political activity;
- Conferences abroad or individual trips abroad;
- Charitable or development activities; including direct social services;
- Construction projects;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
- Medical, scientific research or surveys;
- Art or cultural projects;
- Commercial projects; or
- Projects that duplicate existing projects .
For more information, visit Democracy Commission.