Deadline: 17-Aug-23
The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Based on funding availability, projects awarded under this program will support U.S. foreign policy goals in the Kyrgyz Republic in the areas of combating transnational threats, promoting sustainable economic growth, and accountable governance and stability in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Purpose
- 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.
- Special consideration will be given to proposals which include partnership with Kyrgyz governmental bodies, and to organizations that have a demonstrated track record of implementing these types of partnerships.
Priority Areas and Goals
- Sustainable Economic Growth
- Proposals should promote an inclusive creative 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
- Accountable Governance and Stability
- Proposals should advance a more transparent, accountable, inclusive and democratic system of governance in the Kyrgyz Republic.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Strengthen civil society and independent organization’s ability to collaborate on key issues through new connections and relationships.
- 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.
- English Language Programming
- Proposals should improve English language production and comprehension in the Kyrgyz Republic, especially for those in the regions outside of the capital and residents of the “novostroika” marginalized communities of Bishkek.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Increasing spoken English skills and improving classroom lesson delivery techniques of rural English teachers.
- Creating linkages between advanced students from private English language schools and lower-level students from under-resourced public schools, through tutoring and mentorship opportunities
- Climate Change Resilience and Environmental Protection
- Proposals should engage government, industry and/or local communities in developing strategies for mitigation of the effects of climate change, and in implementing locally driven projects which protect the environment.
- This goal could be advanced through lines of effort such as:
- Creating community-based programs to conserve and facilitate the re-use of water.
- Promoting consumer adoption of housing insulation and energy savings methods which reduce the use of energy.
- 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.
- 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.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $80,000
- Award Floor: $5,000
- Length of Project Period: 6-12 months
- Number of Awards Anticipated: Up to 5 awards (Pending availability of funds)
- Anticipated Program Start Date: September-October 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, and
- 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.
- Kyrgyz Republic-registered:
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic.