U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ PD ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT

Overview

The U.S. Embassy La Paz, Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.  PD La Paz invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Bolivia through cultural, educational, professional and scientific exchanges that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an U.S. cultural element, or connection with U.S. expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Purpose of Small Grants The PD Small Grants Program projects may include, but is not limited to:

• Lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation projects
• Professional, cultural or academic exchanges and projects (including virtual exchanges with U.S. experts or communities)
• Professional development workshops and training.

Priority Funding Areas
The Grants Program seeks to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Bolivia by awarding grants to non-profit organizations and individuals for projects that address the following priority areas: 

• Support Bolivia’s Diversified Economy
  Projects that support Bolivia’s inclusive growth in the social, economic, cultural and educational sectors. Projects that promote entrepreneurship, business management, and participation in the formal economy and financial system among vulnerable, rural or marginalized populations. Projects that promote English language education in Bolivia as a tool to improve access to opportunities for Bolivian youth and marginalized communities and promote inclusive economic growth. 
  
  
• Advance Gender Equality
  Projects that promote opportunities for equal representation for women and girls in a variety of fields.
  
  
• Prevent or Counter Gender-Based-Violence
  Projects that seek to mitigate gender-based violence and empower survivors of human trafficking, sexual trauma, and/or domestic violence. Proposals may include people of all genders and sexual orientations.
  
  
• Build Civil Society’s Capacity to Address Climate Change and Sustainably Manage Bolivia’s Natural Resources
  Projects aimed at supporting Bolivian communities’ efforts to combat illegal mining; to prevent human, wildlife and antiquities trafficking; to slow the effects of climate change and reduce environmental spillage or pollution.
  
  
• Support Freedom of Speech and the Press
  Projects related to freedom of the press that improve the quality of investigative journalism and transparency and enhance accountability and freedom of expression. 

Projects that seek to improve media literacy and enhance public capacity to recognize disinformation.

• Strengthen U.S.-Bolivian Partnerships Through Public Diplomacy Programs
  Projects that strengthen lasting partnerships between citizens of the United States and Bolivia, especially outside major urban areas.

Projects that support educational exchange, the internationalization of higher education, and U.S.-Bolivia partnerships in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) among Bolivian youth.

Priority will be given to projects that encourage social development and help reduce inequality, especially among marginalized populations.

Although on rare occasions PD does fund the travel of U.S. experts who are participating in conferences in Bolivia, such programs must be part of wider public programming coordinated with the U.S. Embassy, rather than limited to the presentation of scientific or academic research or participation in a single conference or event.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Section will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals as funding becomes available. Once the U.S. Embassy confirms receipt of the proposal via e-mail correspondence, the review and selection process may take up to three months. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals as early as possible prior to the proposed activity start date

Proposals will be considered and funded on a rolling basis until the final July 31st, 2025 deadline.

• Prospective grantees will typically receive a decision within 90 days, or as funds become available.
• The time required to finalize an award and disburse funds after a proposal is selected for funding ranges from 1 to 3 months. Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to apply 4 to 6 months before the start date of the proposed activity.

Length of performance period: 2 to 24 months

Number of awards anticipated: 15 awards

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 (*) to a maximum of $40,000 (*) Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal.