OpportunityTitle: U.S. EMBASSY COLOMBO PUBLIC DIPLOMACY - SMALL &amp; MIGHTY PROGRAM
CategoryExplanation: The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Colombo is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement that meets the specifications stated in Section II from legally-recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations that meet U.S. and Sri Lankan technical and legal requirements to develop and implement public diplomacy programs as specified by Section II below.     Background: The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS) has in the past provided grants and funding opportunities to organizations and individuals utilizing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process and a small grants committee with strict reporting and monitoring requirements in English only.  This will continue to be the process for grants of $15,000 and above.    Additionally, PAS would like to work with a local primary partner to extend our reach to organizations across the nation and accept applications for grant proposals under $15,000 in English, Sinhala, and Tamil.  Working via a cooperative agreement, the primary award would go to a local NGO with reach into all communities across the island.  Under this project, a partnership will be formed between the local NGO and PAS Colombo to select qualified grant applicants.  The local partner will administer and implement the grants with modified reporting and monitoring requirements.    Program Goals:  The goals of this funding opportunity are similar to those in our NOFO process but extend our reach to new organizations and applicants:    1. Promote reconciliation, through programs that promote social integration among all segments of society; encourage participatory processes between citizens and government; strengthen partnerships to give communities a greater voice in government and society.   2. Improve respect for human rights, through programs that strengthen democratic values; enhance awareness and protection of religious freedom and human rights principles; and encourage gender equality.   3. Promote accountability and improve respect for and application of freedom of expression, through programs that promote a free and open media; strengthen understanding of social media; empower journalists through training (including ethics, investigative techniques, and English language); and promote transparency and empower Sri Lankan citizens to access and disseminate information that can help them make informed decisions.  4. Encourage economic growth with more equitable distribution of benefits and greater sustainability, such as
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Under this project, the local NGO will organize, administer, and provide outreach to solicit grant applications from NGOs and individuals.  That includes, but is not limited to, creating one-page grant applications to host on-line with budget template in an iterative proposal process with appropriate U.S. Embassy branding on all items and pages.
Description: The link for additional information on this grant competition: https://lk.usembassy.gov/embassy/grant-opportunities/
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Grant Applications Manager
GrantorContactText: Grants Applications Manager