Deadline: 30-Apr-23
The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek is pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Grants program.
The PDS invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic and support a priority program area in order to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All proposed programs must include an American element, either through a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s, usage of American educational/informational resources, or any other activities that promote or contribute to increased mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of the Kyrgyz Republic. Competitive proposals will promote continued/sustainable cooperation between the people of the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic even after the project concludes.
Focus Areas
PDS invites proposals for programs that support one of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas:
- Sustainable Economic Growth
- Proposals should promote inclusive economy built upon regional connectivity, enhanced human capital, clean energy, and sustainable development.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Reducing barriers to economic participation, particularly among youth, women, and underserved groups;
- Promoting public advocacy for regulatory reform and business-friendly policies;
- Developing programs and tools for small and medium businesses to promote corporate social responsibility, innovation, adaptive technologies, rural economic development, economic diversification, social entrepreneurship, more inclusive and skilled workforce, women’s and youth empowerment, access to finance;
- Building support for sustainable natural resource management and/or adoption of cleaner energy sources and technologies;
- Increasing regional trade and interconnectivity based on C5+1 platform.
- Project Audience(s) may include:
- Young people (14-28 years old), women, and other underserved groups, especially Kyrgyz-speaking audiences;
- Small and medium business owners, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, innovators, influencers, and mentors, especially Kyrgyz-speaking audiences;
- Business associations working on improving the business environment, consolidating advocacy efforts to improve the business environment, and promoting public-private partnerships (PPP);
- Civil society organizations (CSOs) working in such areas as women/youth empowerment and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics); or
- Public- and private-sector stakeholders in the areas of energy, air quality, and environmental protection.
- Accountable Governance and Stability
- Proposals should advance more accountable, inclusive governance underpinning a stable Kyrgyz Republic using American informational, educational, or cultural resources.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Strengthening civil society and independent media organizations’ capacity through facilitating connections, relationships, and opportunities to collaborate on advocacy efforts;
- Educating citizens on rights and protections and media literacy, contributing to increased community engagement, a culture of respect for rule of law and reduced corruption;
- Making collaboration between government bodies, civil society, and the private sector more effective, resulting in improved policy formation that is more responsive to citizen needs, more transparent implementation policies, and better quality service delivery in equitable, transparent, and accountable way.
- Project Audience(s) may include:
- Youth, and students of both public and private schools and universities, particularly in remote and rural areas;
- Minorities, people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups;
- Community leaders, decision makers, influencers, educators, innovators, particularly in remote and rural areas;
- Civil society organizations, and/or non-profit organizations.
- Combating Transnational Threats
- Proposals should strengthen regional security and stability and combat transnational threats through engagement with diverse, targeted stakeholders on key issues like violent extremism, human trafficking, and emergency preparedness, incorporating American informational, educational, or cultural resources.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Improving communication and coordination between civil society, local communities, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to combat transnational threats and regional issues, such as radicalization and violent extremism, human trafficking, natural disasters, public health emergencies, and climate change impact;
- Developing skills that provide alternative opportunities to individuals who may be drawn to radicalization to increase their economic and societal integration within their communities;
- Increasing resilience of at-risk groups to the allure of extremist messages and recruitment attempts through messaging about the dangers of violent extremism;
- Raising awareness and resilience among vulnerable populations on human trafficking;
- Fostering dialogue among key stakeholders, including civil society, about preparedness for climate change related challenges.
- Project Audience(s) may include:
- At-risk groups that include young people with limited educational and employment opportunities and other underserved and marginalized groups;
- Local community members and influencers, including local government officials and law enforcement personnel engaged in countering trafficking in persons (CTIP);
- Local and national government decision-making officials and government employees;
- Civil society organizations working in areas such as conflict prevention and resolution, peace-building, prevention of violent extremism, public health, and environmental issues especially in rural areas.
Funding Information
- Estimated Award Ceiling: $80,000
- Estimated Award Floor: $5,000
- Length of Project Period: 6-12 months
- Number of Awards Anticipated: Up to 20 awards
- Anticipated Program Start Date: June-September 2023
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Kyrgyz Republic-registered:
- Not-for-profit organizations,
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations,
- Think tanks,
- Public and private not-for-profit educational institutions,
- Individuals,
- U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, and individuals seeking funding to support cultural and/or educational programs in the Kyrgyz Republic and partnering with Kyrgyz Republic-registered organizations. Applications with no clear description of a Kyrgyz-Republic-registered partner and its role in the proposed project will be rejected during the pre-screening stage.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic.