OpportunityTitle: Democracy Commission Small Grants Program
CategoryExplanation: TOPIC 1: Strengthening the Role of Women and Marginalized Communities through Civic Education and Entrepreneurship     Problem Statement: In 2020, Uzbekistan was selected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council and has since signed international agreements in a number of areas including the rights of women, children and people with disabilities. To support the Government of Uzbekistan&#8217;s efforts in strengthening civil society, the U.S. Embassy seeks to support projects that support women and other marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, across all segments of society.   Throughout Uzbekistan, women and people with disabilities face discrimination and inequality in social, economic, and political life. Empowerment of these communities requires not only legal protections, but also economic independence. Entrepreneurship can be an important way for women and vulnerable populations to enter the workforce and bring much needed money into rural communities. Key obstacles to entrepreneurship include: a lack of familiarity with entrepreneurship as a valid career choice, and the need for support to develop business plans and navigate the legal hurdles required when establishing a business.   The U.S. Embassy is seeking to fund organizations that encourage and support entrepreneurship opportunities for women and marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, as well as programs that focus on women&#8217;s empowerment and legal support.     TOPIC 2: Strengthening Independent Media    Problem Statement: A strong and independent media is a key tenant of democracy and can be strengthened in Uzbekistan. The majority of Uzbek media is state controlled. Journalists lack proper training to report competently on political and economic issues, and investigative reporting is very limited. President Mirziyoyev has emphasized the important role of a free and independent media in aiding the country&#8217;s reform process. While Uzbekistan rose from 160th place out of 180 countries to 156th in the 2020 World Press Freedom ranking list, the country moved back to 157th in the 2021 ranking. To help keep Uzbekistan from slipping backward further and to support existing efforts to bolster independent media and increase capacity for journalists, this funding opportunity seeks to expand media programming by addressing lack of journalistic capacity and insufficient attention on political, economic, and other societal issues in Uzbek society.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: 1.  The following organizations are eligible to apply:  &#8226; Not-for-profit organizations  &#8226; Civil society/non-governmental organizations  &#8226; Independent media organizations  For this announcement, only Uzbekistan-based organizations are eligible to apply.    2. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.    3.  In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (UEI), NCAGE number, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.    4.  Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.    5.  Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.     6.  This award does not allow:   &#8226; Projects relating to partisan political activity;  &#8226; Conferences abroad or individual trips abroad;   &#8226; Charitable or development activities; including direct social services;   &#8226; Construction projects;  &#8226; Projects that support specific religious activities;  &#8226; Fund-raising campaigns;  &#8226; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs  &#8226; Medical, scientific research or surveys;  &#8226; Art or cultural projects;  &#8226; Commercial projects; or  &#8226; Projects that duplicate existing projects.
Description: The U.S. Embassy Tashkent Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy&#8217;s Democracy Commission (DemCom) Small Grants Program. This program supports the development of Uzbekistan&#8217;s democratic institutions and civil society by competitively awarding small grants to Uzbekistan&#8217;s non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, to non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs), and to independent local media organizations.Background:The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Tashkent is soliciting proposals for grants from Uzbekistan&#8217;s civil society and independent media organizations that focus on one of the priority areas/themes specified below. Applicants should pay close attention to the Public Affairs Section&#8217;s goals, priority program areas, and target audiences when developing their proposals.Overall Program Goals: Increase the capacity of civil society organizations in Uzbekistan to respond to the country&#8217;s urgent social needs, and increase citizen participation in governance through effective implementation of reforms and laws on civil society, government transparency and citizen oversight.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: For Inquiries
GrantorContactText: Mission Uzbekistan Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Management Team