Notice of Funding Opportunity: PDS Small Grant Program (Benin)

Deadline: 30-May-24
The U.S. Embassy Cotonou Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is seeking applications from organizations interested in applying for funding for program proposals that strengthen ties between the peoples of the United States and Benin through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.

The submission of a Statements of Interest (SOI) is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, one-to-two-page concept note (in English) designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for PDS to evaluate prior to requiring the development of full proposal applications. Upon review of eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications.

Priority Program Objectives

• Project proposals submitted through this Annual Program Statement (APS) should address one of the following Priority Program Objectives:
  • Vulnerable Groups Empowerment: Activities that address poverty and vulnerability in the communities and contribute to build resilience and social cohesion or/and promote the rights of members of marginalized groups including women and girls, religious and ethnic minority groups and other community at risk (e.g. Capacity building on countering Violent Extremist Organizations VEOs’ disinformation and recruitment). (One to two awards anticipated, maximum $10,000 each).
  • Investigative Journalism: Activities that link Beninese journalists to American journalists or media institutions, and/or empower community radios with best practices to handle an adversarial debate, and/or develop tools and skills to combat myths and disinformation and to verify information before sharing with the public in order to strengthen free press and journalism as an institution in Benin. (One to two awards anticipated, maximum $15,000 each).
  • U.S.-Benin Partnership: Activities featuring popular American and/or Beninese artists, musicians, cultural figures, and other influencers in order to promote a deeper understanding of the United States’ long support for improving trade and prosperity in Benin, as well as habits that lead to healthier and more prosperous lives (e.g. promoting U.S.-Benin trade with linkage to AGOA). (One to two awards anticipated, maximum $25,000 each).
  • Skills for Success: Activities to promote STEM, learning American English, especially through soft skills (such as resume writing, digital communications, basic financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurial skills) and digital literacy, drawing on American and Beninese examples, in order to encourage successful participation in the global economy. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with English Clubs, American Spaces, or U.S. exchange program alumni to conduct these activities. (One to three awards anticipated, $15,000 each).

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $145,000 (Anticipated and Subject to Availability of Funds)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000
• Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months

Target Audiences

• Vulnerable Groups Empowerment: youth and young adults active in their communities, religious leaders, community members in the North.
• Investigative Journalism: community radios, mid-career journalists.
• U.S.-Benin Partnership: women entrepreneurs who specialize in handicrafts, youth and young adults who use social media or listen to radio as their primary source of information; and/or educated urban adults unaware of U.S. initiatives to support Benin’s development.
• Skills for Success: underemployed and unemployed youth who will soon complete or have completed formal education; female micro entrepreneurs; and/or graduate/undergraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math with a strong interest in improving their English or pursuing graduate study in the United States.

Ineligible Programs

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• For-profit programs
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from U.S. and Beninese:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience;
  • Individuals;
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
  • Governmental institutions.
  • For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.