Deadline: 25-Jul-21
The U.S. Embassy in Morocco is pleased to announce an open grant competition to award a cooperative agreement to organize a “TechCamp for Cultural Heritage Preservation.”
The Embassy’s Public Affairs Office invites proposals from established Moroccan associations, committed and organized civil-society organizations and academic institutions, to implement a hybrid program designed by the U.S. Embassy and the State Department TechCamp team, to include in-person and virtual activities around Cultural Preservation for Moroccan youth following the Department of State TechCamp model.
The interactive event will bring together 40 talented Moroccan civil society leaders and members of various youth networks (8 teams of 4 youth and 1 adult mentor—all recruited by the Embassy) and connect them with experts in cultural heritage to build inter-generational teams that will work together before, during, and after the Tech Camp to address cultural heritage challenges in their communities.
Goals
Goals of the Cultural Heritage Tech Camp include:
- Educate Moroccan youth about their rich cultural heritage and help them identify economic opportunities in this field.
- Build a cadre of emerging civic leaders and established cultural heritage experts more closely connected to each other, to Moroccan and U.S. experts, and to the Embassy
- Promote religious freedom and tolerance by encouraging grass roots efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of religious minorities
- Reconnect Moroccan youth with their cultural heritage and strengthen their sense of belonging
- Promote U.S. best practices in cultural preservation, digital engagement, youth outreach, and related fields through the participation of American experts
- Demonstrate U.S. Government commitment to investing in the skills of young Moroccans and preserving Moroccan cultural heritage.
- Provide a forum for Moroccan youth to strengthen their teamwork and leadership, and skills that will increase their chances of success.
- Encourage the participation of young Moroccan women, thus helping break gender barriers.
- Expose participants to funding opportunities for cultural preservation projects, including the U.S. Government and other sources.
Program Objectives
- The U.S. Embassy is committed to supporting cultural preservation efforts in Morocco through a wide range of programs such as the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation and the signing of a Cultural Property Agreement with the Moroccan Government to protect against illegal trafficking of Moroccan cultural property. Cultural heritage preservation is often seen as the domain of older elites.
- They must engage youth in the preservation of their communities’ heritage, in ways that are engaging and economically sustainable. Through this TechCamp, the Embassy aims to create a dynamic grassroots network able to identify and preserve tangible and intangible heritage, as well as build capacity for young people in communication, teamwork, and project management, skills that could boost their job skills and employment prospects.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 12 – 18 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $60,000 to a maximum of $80,000
Participants and Audiences: The TechCamp should target 40 youth and civil society leaders (selected by the Embassy) engaged with and interested in cultural heritage from across Morocco.
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
- U.S. and third-country organizations or nationals are not eligible for awards under this program unless in partnership with a Moroccan NGO.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334288
