Deadline: 22-Aug-22
The Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs (U.S.OPA) announces an open competition for a grant through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
The American English and Culture Conversation for Adults “Access for Adults” is designed to partner with a Palestinian, American, or International non-profit non-governmental organization to implement activities which advance the applicant’s goals, the objectives of this call for proposals, and the U.S.OPA-PD mission: to advance a comprehensive and lasting peace through a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the development of a vibrant, representative, and responsive Palestinian civil society, private sector, and governing institutions through substantive engagement with American people, institutions, ideas and ideals in order to improve American-Palestinian relations and create greater opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation.
Objectives
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Successful proposals must be designed to achieve all of the following objectives:
- To engage participants in intercultural group work and project-based learning on themed topics related to American culture, values, society, history, and current issues.
- To improve participants’ EL verbal and written communication skills and ability to engage with Americans in English on complex topics while increasing their comfort with and willingness to engage with Americans generally.
- To increase confidence in using English in professional settings to advance participants’ careers
Goals
- The main goal of this program is to equip participants with English language (EL) skills and an understanding of American culture, society, history, current issues, and values, with the expectation that this will lead to greater opportunities for mutual understanding and mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation between Palestinians and Americans.
- As such, the program should develop participants’ oral, written, and digital communication skills to enable them to communicate more effectively and confidently in English.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: up to 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
- Award amounts: $100,000
- Total available funding: $100,000
- Type of Funding: FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
- Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2022
Priority Region: Nablus, Gaza, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Hebron
Participants and Audiences
- This program should target a group of adults ages 30-45 from a diverse range of professions and backgrounds in Nablus, Gaza, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Hebron.
- The cohort should have an intermediate level of English language proficiency, indicate interest and motivation to improve their English language abilities, and lack access to traditional opportunities for doing so.
- Recruitment of participants should be through an online application which can also be promoted through social media networks with the assistance of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs.
- A total of at least 200 participants should be recruited for this iteration of the program.
- It is anticipated that the impact of the program will extend beyond the 200 direct beneficiaries to hundreds more of their family members, friends, associates, and co-workers.
Eligibility Criteria
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The following types of applicants are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks, educational, and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Israel.
For more information, visit https://il.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/Access-for-Adults-PAU-PD-NOFO-FY22.pdf