Deadline: 25-Jul-21
The U.S. Embassy in Zagreb has announced an open competition for organizations interested in submitting proposals to organize a two-day conference (“the Forum”) celebrating 30 years of partnership between the United States of America and Croatia and reflecting on the mutual benefits of U.S. economic, security, and people-to-people engagement in Croatia stretching into the future.
Proposals should encourage Croatian business leaders, innovation-space influencers, scientists, rising startup stars, government officials, U.S. Government exchange program alumni, and other opinion leaders to engage with U.S. officials, business leaders and civil society representatives in a high-level dialogue to strengthen U.S.-Croatian economic ties and expand strategic collaboration with key influencers. A successful Forum will showcase the U.S.-Croatia partnership and catalyze a path to building deeper scientific, trade and security collaboration to strengthen U.S.-Croatian ties and advance shared goals.
The Format
The Forum will become the flagship event in a series of U.S. Embassy-supported programs to mark and build upon 30 years of U.S.-Croatian relations. The Forum should include panel sessions on topics of vital shared interest such as regional energy and energy diversity, U.S.-Croatia leadership in climate action, critical infrastructure protection and investment, cybersecurity, innovation and entrepreneurship, scientific and technological collaboration, medical technology, defense manufacturing, gender inclusivity, and support for underserved communities. The Forum experience will furthermore include separate sessions and parallel half-day trade events in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service promoting U.S. companies in Croatia.
- Design and implement a two-day conference to be held in Opatija, Croatia, on April 7-8, 2022.
- Organize five to six panel sessions on specific topics pertinent to U.S.-Croatian relations. Priority topics can include but are not limited to:
- Security: Cybersecurity and Energy Security
- Economic Engagement: Trade, Business, and Investment
- Engaging the Next Generation in U.S.-Croatian Relations
- Opening New Frontiers: Technology, Research, and Innovation
- Development and Governance Priorities: Regional Energy, Scientific and Technological Collaboration
- Academic and Scientific Collaboration: 30 years of U.S.-Croatian Fulbright Partnership
- People-to-People Ties: U.S. Government Exchange Alumni and the Multiplier Effect of Educational and Youth Programs
- Technology in Agriculture
- Gender Inclusivity in Tech and Innovation
- Engaging Underserved Communities in the 21st Century Economy
- Proposals should include criteria for selecting presenters and participants who advance the goal of convening established opinion leaders, strategic thinkers, businesspeople, innovators, and academics to analyze the past 30 years of the U.S.-Croatia partnership and project how this partnership will now address new challenges and opportunities. Please include proposed presenters’ biographies and/or résumés. The presenter/participant list must reflect diversity (in age, gender, race, and political leaning) to ensure a broad range of viewpoints. The U.S. Embassy will coordinate closely with the selected grantee on final development and approval of Forum panels and speakers, ensuring participants and events match the larger goals of the Forum.
- The Forum should engage approximately 200 participants who represent expertise and leadership in their fields or industries and are drawn primarily from Croatia and the United States. Croatian and U.S. government officials would participate primarily as keynote speakers, and funding for their participation would not be covered by this grant.
- As youth opinion on and understanding of the U.S.-Croatia relationship is an area of particular interest, proposals should include separate sessions or a potential parallel program that engages younger generations (“future thought leaders”), such as youth startups or young scientists and innovators.
- Proposals should include a welcome event, opening plenary, and/or other kick-off event suitable for senior-level government participation.
- Presenters and participants should have ample networking opportunities throughout the conference to develop collaborative relationships that will persist after the event.
- Proposals should include management of logistics related to the Forum venue as well as travel and lodging for all participants, speakers, and Forum staff. Proposals must show
- how grant funds will be used to cover the cost of the venue, transportation, travel insurance, lodging, and meals or per diem for eligible participants. All travel funded under the grant agreement should be economy class and must comply with Fly America requirements. The cost of U.S. Embassy staff travel and lodging will not be covered by this grant.
- Proposals should ensure extensive media presence at and coverage of the Forum and related events. Proposals must include a plan for widely publicizing the Forum and advancing Forum results and deliverables through both traditional and social media.
- Proposals should include a description of the applicant’s experience working in support of U.S.-Croatian relations and organizing high-level conferences. The Embassy welcomes proposals from organizations with established ties to U.S. organizations and/or with influencers and leaders in the United States, including academic institutions, think tanks, professional institutions, venture capital associations, and professional Croatian-American associations.
- Proposals should explain in detail how the grantee would potentially seek additional corporate sponsorship for the event.
Funding Information
- Applications should request no more than $75,000. Applicants should include an anticipated award start date on or about October 1, 2021 and the period of performance should be between 8 to 10 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. Embassy Zagreb welcomes applications from the Croatia-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGOs), including associations, think tanks, and civil society organizations, and private, public, or state institutions of higher education. For-profit entities and organizations not based in Croatia are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334345