OpportunityTitle: U.S. Embassy Kabul PAS Annual Program Statement
CategoryExplanation: Local grants are intended for local representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organizations and universities.  They support projects to:      1.  Strengthen civil society and secure the fullest participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society.    2.  Strengthen people-to-people ties to deepen the partnership between communities within Afghanistan, in the region, and between Afghanistan and the United States.    3.  Counter extremist voices that recruit, mislead, and exploit.    4.  Expand media engagement and public political discourse.    5.  Build communication capacity of the Afghan people and government.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: The U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section encourages applications from all sectors:  committed and organized civil-society organizations, private sector companies, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and individuals.  U.S. NGOs may apply but preference is given to local NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Afghan NGOs or employees and include plans to transfer programs to sustainable local management.
Description: The U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available through the embassy&#146;s Public Diplomacy Grants program. Local grants are intended for local representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organizations and universities. Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:&#149; new media concepts aimed at reaching wider audiences;&#149; media training projects;&#149; English language programs;&#149; proposals to expand U.S.-Afghan exchange programs;&#149; programs that strengthen government and private sector communications capabilities;&#149; youth community service projects that practice democratic processes and encourage volunteerism;&#149; public education projects that promote democratic processes and human rights; &#149; proposals that support the dissemination of tolerant voices of traditional and community leaders;&#149; youth recreation, leadership, and education programs;&#149; arts and culture programs;&#149; radio and television programming in support of the above four objectives;&#149; access to education, including scholarships for women and disadvantaged individuals to study at private universities in Afghanistan or at regional or U.S. universities.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: U.S. contact point
GrantorContactText: Ellen Delage &lt;br/&gt;Program Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 202-647-9503
CloseDateExplanation: The close date was advanced from the end of the fiscal year to April 4, 2012, at 23:59 Kabul time (3:29 pm Eastern time).