Deadline: 14-Sep-22
The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop, organize, and oversee a training program to stop the spread of mis/disinformation, focusing in these four areas in Cambodia: Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh capital city.
This is a Public Affairs Section’s small grant opportunity, outlining the funding priorities, the strategic themes they focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Project Description
- PAS Phnom Penh proposes a program to teach Cambodian youth to stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation online, especially on Facebook, the country’s leading social media platform. Unethical news sites, paid bloggers, and sophisticated videos masquerading as legitimate news have found fertile ground on Facebook in Cambodia. The project will help young Cambodians to “Stop, Reflect, and Verify” before sharing information online. The program will have three components: in-person train-the-trainers (ToT) sessions, an online training module, and social media promotion.
- The project to counter misinformation and disinformation will increase respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the freedom of expression and the press, by increasing the participants’ media literacy and their capacity to verify sources of information.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Three to six months
- Number of awards anticipated: One award (or multiple awards if need be)
- Award amounts: Awards may range up to a maximum of $20,000
- Total available funding: Subject to availability
- Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2022 Public Diplomacy Funding
- Anticipated project start date: Preferably October, 2022
- This notice is subject to availability of funding.
- Funding Instrument Type: Grant
- Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.
Program Activities
- In-person training. The implementing partner will conduct four separate training workshops at universities and American Corner spaces in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, and Sihanoukville, using State Department curriculum.
- Online campaign. Translate existing videos and online materials into Khmer and promote them through the youth engagement networks, especially YSEALI, Access, and other PAS program alumni networks.
- Social and traditional media engagement. Amplify the message across social media platforms and invite traditional media outlets to cover the efforts, along with the grantee
Measurable Outcomes: Grantee should measure success by conducting pre and post training surveys conducted at trainings and track engagement on social media.
Media/Social Media: U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh will promote the program on the social media platforms and on traditional media.
Participants and Audiences
- Primary audience(s): Younger, educated Cambodians, ages 18 to 35, in urban areas.
- Secondary audience(s): Rural young people with Facebook access.
Priority Program Areas: Siem Reap, Battambang, and Sihanoukville provinces, and Phnom Penh capital city.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Cambodia
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience; and
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions.
- The following organizations are not eligible to apply:
- Federally funded research and development centers
- For-profit entities
For more information, visit https://kh.usembassy.gov/call-for-proposals-workshops-toto-stop-the-spread-of-mis-disinformation/