U.S. Embassy Malaysia: Multi-location Environmental Exhibit

Deadline: 31-Jul-21

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to plan, develop, design, and implement a traveling exhibit on environmental themes targeting youth audiences, with a supplemental programming plan (workshops, lectures, activities, etc.) and a companion website.

The proposed traveling exhibition will support the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur’s messaging on environmental issues such as climate change, conservation, reducing carbon emissions, waste management, sustainable economies, renewable/green technology, and/or other environmental themes in line with U.S. government environmental policy priorities.

The exhibit should also highlight the leadership role that the United States is currently playing and has historically played on environmental issues. The campaign will be executed under American Corners branding and its intended audiences include middle school, high school, and university students.

The proposed travel exhibit is to be hosted in (at minimum) six locations across Malaysia, including at the five American Corners in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as at a third-party venue in Kuala Lumpur.

Program Specifics

Physical exhibition consisting of approximately eight panels, available in both English and Malay, focusing on environmental or climate change topics central to U.S. policy and relevant to Malaysian audiences.
An interactive online version of the exhibition to be freely accessible by the target audience and available in both English and Malay.
The digital version should include an interactive version of the physical exhibition as well as a classroom kit which will be used as a guide for teachers to get participation from their students while browsing the online exhibition.
Grantee should conduct a train-the-trainer workshop for all venue partners prior to the exhibition dates at each location.
Number of physical exhibition sets will be two for Peninsular Malaysia, and two for East Malaysia.

*Program proposal should include a plan to evaluate program efficacy, such as a pre- and postexhibition survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the exhibition as well as any changes to the participants’/visitors’ knowledge of the exhibition themes/topics.

Program Goal and Objectives

Increase awareness of environmental issues in Malaysia and in the Southeast Asia region broadly.
Signal to the Malaysian public and policymakers that environmental issues and climate change are central to U.S. foreign policy and should become a pillar of our bilateral relationship.
Highlight American innovation & leadership (both public and private sector) in addressing climate change and other environmental challenges.
Promote STEAM education in both the environmental & sustainability fields and as a viable career path.
Promote study abroad and exchange opportunities in the US
Where possible, highlight Malaysian alumni of U.S. government exchange programs (YSEALI, IVLP, Fulbright, YES, etc), their initiatives, and their stories in advocating for environmental protection and conservation.

Funding Information

Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months
Number of awards anticipated: one
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $130,000
Total available funding: $130,000
Type of Funding: FY21 Public Diplomacy Funds
Anticipated program start date: October 2021

Priority Region: Malaysia

Participants and Audiences

Targeted audience for this interactive exhibition will be youths aged 13-35 years old. Malaysian secondary school students from both public & private schools, universities students, young professionals and emerging leaders who are interested in the U.S. and in participating in American Spaces programming; women and youth interested in environmental and climate change issues, and STEAM education.
The exhibition and workshop will be in both English & Bahasa Malaysia.
The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including domestic flights, travel to and from airports, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply: