U.S. Embassy Djibouti PAS: Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

• Promotion of English language skills;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;
• Entrepreneurship, business development, and tech/innovation training;
• Hands-on media workshops for journalists, media professionals, and the public; and
• Sports-related programming.

Priority Program Areas

• Empowerment of women and youth;
• Promotion of English language skills;
• Journalistic integrity and media literacy;
• Promoting entrepreneurship and business development;
• Cross-Cultural dialogue and understanding.

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: Up to twelve months;
• Number of awards anticipated: Dependent on funds availability;
• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1000 to a maximum of $10,000;
• Total available funding: To be determined.

Target Audiences

PAS Djibouti strongly encourages proposals that bring together diverse groups of people. Proposals should describe both the primary and secondary audiences for the program, including numbers anticipated to be reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audience, as a result of their participation. For example, in a teacher training program, the primary audience would be the teachers who will be trained, while the secondary audience would be their students. Specific audiences who are considered a priority for grants funded under this APS are:

• Emerging leaders aged 16-30 years old.
• High school students and graduates residing in exterior regions.
• University students.
• Alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs.
• Community leaders, NGO staff, and other Established Opinion Leaders.
• Business leaders and entrepreneurs.
• English language teachers and educators.

Eligible Applicants

PAS Djibouti encourages applications from the following entities in the United States and Djibouti:

• Registered non-governmental organizations, including think tanks and civil society organizations with programming experience;
• Individuals;
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions; and
• Governmental institutions;
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

Required Documents 

The following documents are required: 

• Mandatory application forms
  • SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations);
  • SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance -individuals);
  • SF424A(Budget Information for Non-Construction programs);
  • SF424B(Assurances for Non-Construction programs).
• Summary Coversheet: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.
• Proposal: The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.
  • Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.
  • Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing the ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
  • Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
  • Program Goals and Objectives:  The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve.  What aspect of the relationship between the U.S. and Djibouti will be improved? The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
  • Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
  • Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.
  • Proposed Program Schedule:  The proposed timeline for the program activities.  Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
  • Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.  What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?
  • Program Partners:  List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
  • Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
  • Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.
• Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget, use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.
• Attachments:
  • 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program.
  • Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner.
  • Official permission letters, if required for program activities.