U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Sofia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Small Grants Program Goals and Objectives: PDS Sofia invites proposals for programs that bolster the people-to-people ties between the United States and Bulgaria through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.  All programs must include a U.S.  element, or clear connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives and promote shared values.

Priority Program Areas: Competitive proposals should focus on one or more of the following priority themes:

Educational and Cultural Exchange
Deepen the social, cultural, and educational connections between the United States and Bulgaria through the development of active, sustainable alumni networks.
Increase interest in and opportunities for Bulgarians to study in the United States and Americans to study in Bulgaria.
Forge strategic partnerships between U.S. and Bulgarian educational, cultural, or civic society organizations/institutions, including the development of joint- degree programs, internships, trainings or exchanges, etc.
Media and Civil Society Development
Strengthen the development of robust independent media and civil society organizations to bolster civic participation and improve societal trust in democratic institutions.
Increase media and digital literacy and improve Bulgarian society’s resilience to disinformation.
Youth Empowerment and Economic Development
Promote leadership, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation among secondary and university students, especially from underserved, vulnerable, or rural communities (outside metropolitan areas).
Develop youth skills in critical thinking, financial literacy, science, technology, engineering, and other areas that will help prepare Bulgarians for the workforce and encourage them to remain in Bulgaria after their graduation.
Inclusion and Integration
Advance the inclusion and integration of historically underserved and vulnerable communities, including women, religious, linguistic, or ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, Ukrainian refugees, other migrants, and disadvantaged youth.
Regional Cooperation
Increase interconnectivity between Bulgaria and other countries in the region, including projects that foster cooperation between the citizens of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
Environmental Sustainability
Promote dialogue and civic participation in programs that confront climate change and that advance environmental sustainability and energy

Participants and Audiences: Project activities must take place or be initiated in Bulgaria and be directed towards Bulgarian audiences/participants. Audiences, which will vary by program and focus, include but are not limited to students (particularly at secondary and university levels), academics and think-tanks, government officials (at all levels), journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and various underserved or vulnerable populations.  

While not required, special consideration will be given to projects including components that reach audiences outside of Sofia, in regions with less exposure to the United States, including Northwest and Southeast Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast.

Grantees are also encouraged to host programming and take advantage of existing resources at American Corners in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, and Burgas, especially when programming involves youth (secondary/university) audiences.

Deadlines and Funding Decisions: Proposals will be evaluated according to the following rolling deadlines:  Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Sofia time on December 27, 2024, March 28, 2025, and August 1, 2025.  

Award Information
Length of performance period: up to 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 20-25 awards (dependent on amounts)
Award amounts: award amount may range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $25,000
Total available funding: anticipated $200,000 pending confirmation of funds availability