U.S. Embassy Lilongwe Public Diplomacy Section Annual Program Statement

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Lilongwe Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for our Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This announcement is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting funding requests.

Purpose of Small Grants: PDS invites proposals for projects that strengthen ties between the
United States and Malawi through programming that highlights shared values and promotes
bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element or connection
with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote
increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives in Malawi.

Examples of programs implemented through the PDS Small Grants Program include, but are not
limited to:

• U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Malawian audiences
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
• Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program
• Initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of U.S. exchange programs
• Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States

Priority Program Areas:

• Promote good governance and rule of law
• Facilitate and encourage growth of entrepreneurship
• Promote gender equality to increase participation in education and improved health decision-making by adolescent girls and young women
• Increase transparency of government activities through a more capable media
• Support and improve conditions for vulnerable and marginalized citizens, such as the disabled, people living with albinism, and those subject to stigma or persecution
• Prevent gender-based violence and trafficking in persons
• Promote stronger, more numerous university partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization or individual, all proposals from that institution or individual will be considered ineligible for funding.

Cost sharing is encouraged but not required.