OpportunityTitle: U.S. Embassy Belgrade - Democracy Commission Small Grants (FY2023)
CategoryExplanation: Program Themes: The Embassy seeks applications focusing on the themes below.  We have included ideas about what your project could do, but we welcome creative approaches and activities.    1. Participatory Democracy: Promoting increased civic participation by informed citizens in the democratic process. Supporting effective advocacy on behalf of communities or groups, promoting government responsiveness to constituents, strengthening transparency, and combating corruption. Education of voters and young people, even if they cannot yet vote, about policy choices and the decision-making processes. Public debate over matters of public interest or concern.    2. Human Rights: Promoting tolerance of, understanding of, and equality for vulnerable populations, particularly, but not limited to, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBTQ community, migrants and refugees, victims of gender-based violence or human trafficking, etc. Furthering gender equality and women&#8217;s empowerment.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be a local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs or NGOs) or an independent media outlet legally registered in Serbia.      Every Serbia-based applicant organization must be registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia with the Agencija za privredne registre (APR), or a relevant court.    In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 in the full text of the NOFO for more information. Please also see the SAM registration instructions in the Related Documents tab and on the Embassy&#8217;s website:  https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/.
Description: The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade announces an open competition for local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs, non-profit or NGOs) to submit applications for the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. Priority Region: Serbia Program Objectives: Proposals should align with the U.S. Embassy&#8217;s objectives to strengthen democracy and protect human rights and empower local organizations to advance these changes and reforms throughout Serbia. Grant activities may take any number of forms, including trainings, conferences, workshops, courses, academic competitions, summer camps (focused on language study, sports, etc), cross-border exchanges, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons, or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations, and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), film or theater festivals, performances, or other activities. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program&#8217;s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants. Grantees are expected to: publicize your activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project-related materials. Participants and Audiences: Primary audiences for proposals should be youth, students, teachers and administrators, young professionals, and/or others related to your program theme. Depending on focus, projects may have secondary audiences or beneficiaries including media, civil society organizations or wider professional audiences, which you may note in the proposal. Participants or audiences for the proposal should be citizens or legal residents of Serbia. If your project idea might involve citizens of other countries, please see C.4. in the full text of the NOFO in the Related Documents tab and on the Embassy&#8217;s website: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/ , to understand restrictions on funding. Submission Dates and Times: Applications are due no later than March 1, 2023, at 15:00h. Requesting the Application Package: Application forms are available in the Related Documents tab and at https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/. How to Apply: All application materials must be submitted by email to DemComSerbia@state.gov. If PDS does not receive a complete project proposal at the above address by the deadline, it will be considered technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding. MAXIMUM LENGTH IS 10 (TEN) PAGES (NOT INCLUDING ATTACHMENTS). As a backup, we strongly recommend that you also send a paper copy via post (postmarked before the deadline) to the following address: Democracy Commission Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), U.S. Embassy Bulevar Kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica 92 11040 Belgrade For detailed information please see the full text of the Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Related Documents tab and on the Embassy&#8217;s website: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/. Please check for information on other PDS funding opportunities on the U.S. Embassy website at: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: DemComSerbia@state.gov
GrantorContactText: +381-11-706-4379