U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros PDS Annual Program Statement

Overview

<p class="btn btn-gold btn-block"><strong>Limited Submission: pending faculty interest </strong>   </p> <p>The Public Diplomacy section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros, part of the U.S. Department of State, is pleased to announce that funding is available through its<br>Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, our strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for<br>funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.</p> <p><strong>Purpose of Small Grants:</strong> The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program supports projects proposed by U.S., Malagasy, and/or Comorian educational, cultural, and other non-profit<br>organizations or individuals that promote U.S. values, strengthen understanding between U.S. and Malagasy and/or Comorian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting human rights, transparency and good governance, economic and social prosperity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development of natural resources. All programs must include a U.S. cultural element or a connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that will encourage increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Examples of Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;</li> <li>Training, workshops, or courses to develop professional or academic skills;</li> <li>Youth engagement programs;</li> <li>Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;</li> <li>Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;</li> <li>Professional and academic exchanges and programs;</li> <li>Communication campaigns related to human rights, democracy, and environment.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Priority Program Areas:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Improving English language learning through curriculum development, teacher training, and/or developing partnerships with U.S. educational institutions;</li> <li>Promoting U.S. culture and values;</li> <li>Advancing good governance and democratic values including accountability, transparency, and human rights in Madagascar and/or Comoros through the promotion of educated civic participation, particularly among youth and women;</li> <li>Enhancing youth leadership and engagement;</li> <li>Advancing a free and responsible press and combatting disinformation including election disinformation;</li> <li>Promoting the free exercise of religion and ensuring that laws and government policies do not interfere with its practice;</li> <li>Increasing opportunity for women, girls, minorities, and/or disadvantaged populations;</li> <li>Developing skills in innovation technology, STEM, and entrepreneurship; and,</li> <li>Improving environmental stewardship, sustainable management of natural resources, and biodiversity conservation through environmental action programs.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Participants and Audiences:</strong><br>The list below delineates our target audiences:</p> <ul> <li>Educators and administrators of public or private educational institutions at the primary, secondary, or tertiary levels;</li> <li>Youth (15 – 35 y/o), particularly students;</li> <li>Young professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators;</li> <li>Media professionals;</li> <li>Civil society professionals;</li> <li>Women, girls, minorities, and disadvantaged populations.</li> </ul> <p><span>Proposed programs should be completed within a maximum of 18</span><em> </em><span>months. PD section will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. </span></p>