Deadline: Ongoing
The U.S. Embassy Paramaribo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants
- PAS Paramaribo invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Suriname, including cultural and exchange programs that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation.
- All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s) or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy, culture, and perspectives.
Priority Program Areas in Order of Priority
- Climate change and environmental education – Efforts that seek to connect with U.S. expertise to further efforts that promote environmentalism in Suriname and those that expand efforts to preserve and protect Suriname’s biodiversity.
- Supporting a free and expressive media environment – Programs that strengthen the professionalism of the media and advance media literacy within the population.
- Academic exchange – Exchanges and programs designed to increase college and university professional linkages between the U.S. and Suriname, especially with community colleges and technical schools.
- Artistic exchange — Cultural performances, artistic workshops, trainings, and exhibitions that highlight the deep and ongoing ties between their two nations and their shared democratic values.
- Alumni development — Efforts supporting, led by, supporting, or involving the Suriname American Alumni Association, its members, or alumni of U.S. exchange programs.
- Women’s economic empowerment programs – Including programs focused on the mentorship of women entrepreneurs and efforts supporting women’s increased participation in civil society.
- Trade and investment development — Efforts leading to increased bi-lateral trade and investment ties by developing greater fiscal transparency, enhancing the rule of law, protecting intellectual property rights, and promotion of sustainable development.
- Efforts advancing diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility for all marginalized communities, including but not limited to issues involving ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, and/or indigenous communities.
- Entrepreneurship and innovation — Efforts that promote sustainable economic policies, especially those inclusive of historically economically disadvantaged populations.
- Cyber security — Efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness within the general population, advance cybersecurity planning, and develop the local talent pool in the field.
Funding Information
- While the Public Affairs Section will consider proposals up to $20,000, projects that are smaller in scope are more likely to be awarded. Most grants selected are between $5,000 and $10,000. In very rare circumstances, applications above $20,000 will be evaluated.
- Local grants projects generally must be completed in one year or less.
Eligible Activities
Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:
- bringing an American expert, speaker, trainer, or performer to Suriname;
- conferences on American themes or issues of mutual interest;
- exhibitions of works by Americans or on American themes;
- youth empowerment, leadership, and education programs reflecting the priority areas;
- cultural programs, particularly those that target underserved or at-risk communities;
- radio, television, and social media programming in support of the objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Surinamese:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
- The U.S. Embassy Paramaribo encourages applicants to provide cost-sharing from additional sources in support of this project. The U.S. Embassy also encourages projects that use highly skilled volunteers as an element of cost-sharing. Applications should explain clearly other likely sources of funding and how the volunteers will be used.
For more information, visit https://sr.usembassy.gov/education-culture/small-grants/
