Deadline: 31-Mar-23
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo announces an open competition for Kosovo-based organizations and institutions to submit applications to carry out program(s) that expands the exchange of ideas and information between the United States and Kosovo by bringing U.S. experts to Kosovo.
Program Goal and Objectives
- The overarching goal of the U.S. Speaker Program is to lay the foundation for long-term, mutually beneficial networking and relationship-building opportunities between U.S. experts, organizations, and audiences in Kosovo through non-formal educational and cultural activities. The program provides a platform for exchanging ideas, information, and best practices through virtual and in-person interactions. This will enhance mutual understanding and support meaningful partnerships and collaborations between the United States and Kosovo.
- The primary objective of this program is to empower Kosovans by strengthening their awareness and skills on a range of social and economic issues through cultural and educational engagement. The program seeks to bring U.S. speakers and experts to Kosovo to share American practices and perspectives on these topics, thereby providing youth, emerging leaders, and established opinion makers with new and valuable insights they can apply to their lives and communities.
- The program seeks to cultivate a new generation of leaders and thinkers equipped to drive positive change in their communities and beyond by connecting Kosovans with American experts and providing opportunities for meaningful exchange and engagement.
Themes
Potential applicants are encouraged to focus their non-formal educational and cultural activities on the following themes:
- Advocating for energy security and environmental sustainability
- Countering malign influences and disinformation (such as media literacy programs)
- Introducing American-based technologies and digital economy
- Facilitating educational and cultural activities, including music
- Enhancing skills among youth and women from underserved communities
- Empowering women in peace and security
- Countering gender-based violence
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: up to 4 awards (dependent on amounts)
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000
- Total available funding: $80,000
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.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations;
- Public and private educational institutions, registered in Kosovo.
- Proposals with no U.S. speaker engaged in the implementation of proposed project activities shall be considered ineligible under this NOFO.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Pristina.