Deadline: 19-Aug-22
The U.S. Mission Maldives Public Diplomacy Section is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out Administrative Support for the American Center in Male (ACM).
American Spaces are a nationwide network of PDS-funded cultural centers that are part of the American Spaces program, a global network of over 600 State Department-sponsored cultural centers.
Project Objectives
- The American Center Malé program’s aim is to provide resources and programming that achieve the following Maldives-specific project objectives:
- Develop Future Leaders: Train and empower over 60 talented Maldivian youth the age of 30 in a space of 12 months to become leaders in their local community and nation.
- Promote peace, democracy, moderate voices and human rights through 72+ short programs and up to 14 sub grants targeting at-risk youth, women and girls primarily.
- Empower Youth: Enable 60 young Maldivians, with a special emphasis on girls and young women, to develop their English language skills. An additional 60 will receive training in entrepreneurship; 30 will receive training in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics or STEAM education; and another 60 will receive training media literacy, over the span of 12 months.
- Empower Women: Mentor and train 60 young women to develop entrepreneurial skills within a space of 12 months. Promote women’s rights in the local community.
- Build U.S.- Maldives friendship and regional stability: Increase Maldives’ understanding of the United States, U.S. policy in the region, and the United States as an important and positive partner for Maldives through 12 in-house and 12 outreach programs in Male’ city and at least 12 rural islands in a span of 12 months.
Project Goals
- Though the American Center Malé has Maldives-specific goals, they operate based on the global standards of the American Spaces program. The overarching goal is to empower youth by developing opportunities for them to learn about American society, culture, and values. These standards also mandate that every American Space offers programming in six core areas:
- Information about the United States
- English language learning
- EducationUSA advising
- Cultural programs
- Alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs
- Community engagement
- The American Spaces standards mandate that American Spaces maintain a collection of books, magazines, databases, computer workstations, and an area for programs. All materials at the American Spaces —to include internet access—must be free and open to the public. American Spaces vary in size, but have the following minimum characteristics:
- Secure location with public access.
- Minimum size of approximately 75 square meters.
- Library containing a minimum of 500 books selected and provided by the U.S. Mission.
- Program venue to accommodate 20 people.
- 3D Printers
- MakerSpace robotic and technology materials
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 12 months
- Award floor: $123,000 USD
- Award ceiling: $145,000 USD
- Type of Funding: FY22 American Spaces Support Funds and FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
- Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2022
Project Audiences
- Maldivian Youth: ages 15-30; from all backgrounds and locations.
- Girls and Women: from all backgrounds and locations.
- Disadvantaged groups: people with disabilities; people from outside the capital; minorities.
- Unemployed Males: ages 15-30; from all locations; lower education; unemployed; susceptible to crime, drugs, and radicalization.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Eligibility is open to non-profit and civil society organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply for this NOFO.
- Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
- Government entities are not eligible to apply. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- The applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission.
- Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered for an award.
- Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO.
- U.S.- based or registered organizations should provide proof of registration to operate in Maldives or have a documented agreement with a partner organization registered to operate in Maldives.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=342544