U.S. Mission to Serbia - English Language Small Grants

Overview

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade announces an open competition for individuals and organizations from Serbia or the U.S. to submit applications for the English Language Small Grants Program.

The U.S. Embassy recognizes that knowledge of the English language offers opportunities to improve job prospects for Serbia’s citizens, expand access to information and knowledge, and promote critical thinking and media literacy.  Proposals should use English to address problems or challenges faced by your community, such as brain drain, limited job opportunities, or the spread of disinformation.  Proposals may also utilize English as a bridge for increased communication and cooperation among neighbors within the Western Balkans, between citizens of Serbia and the United States, or between people from Serbia and EU member states.

Grant activities may take any number of forms, including English language camps, academic competitions, cross-border exchanges, conferences, workshops, courses, exhibits, app development, hackathons, online projects, simulations, role-playing activities, performances, or other activities.

English language small grants proposals should be crafted with a S.M.A.R.T. logic model. The objective of your activity should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant to the problem or challenge, and Time-based, meaning that you will meet them by a certain date.

Program Themes:  The Embassy seeks applications that use English language to focus specifically on the themes below.  We have included ideas about what your project could do, but we welcome creative approaches and activities.

1.    IMPROVING INSTRUCTION.  Strengthen English language teaching at all educational levels (K-12 and university), including through curriculum development, distance learning, new methodologies, new technologies, etc.

2.    ENGAGING STUDENTS IN ENGLISH (HIGH SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY LEVEL): Strengthen critical thinking and/or media literacy skills of students through English language activities; prepare students for participation in international academic competitions conducted in English, e.g., Model UN (Model United Nations), moot court, etc.; or explain American society, culture, and values to students through English language activities.

3.    SUPPORTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs).  
a.  Develop and improve English language teaching (either inside or outside the formal                         educational system) for PWDs and learning difficulties, including through development of                 curriculum, educational websites and applications, and other educational tools; expanding               access to current/innovative trends and methodologies, including those that assist with                   distance learning.
b.  Establish or strengthen connections between U.S. and Serbian and/or Serbian and regional             (Western Balkan) groups – students, teachers, businesses, civil society organizations – using         English as the common language to promote equality of PWDs in all aspects of life.

4.  IMPROVING JOB PROSPECTS & PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  
a.    Help citizens of Serbia develop English language skills to find jobs, with a focus on                           participants or beneficiaries who are economically disadvantaged students and adults,                     residents of rural communities, persons with disabilities (PWDs), or members of other                     vulnerable populations.
b.    Assist cultural and historical sites to attract more English-speaking visitors and thereby                     promote local tourism and economic development.

5.  USING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES (ESP).  
a.    Support entrepreneurship and innovation among high school and university studies, including         in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) through English for         Specific Purposes (ESP) programs.
b.    Provide ESP instruction to individuals (university students, recent graduates, and                             professionals) in certain professions (including government, civil society, academia),                       academic fields (including science and technology, business, etc.), or other areas of interest           related to U.S. Embassy objectives in order to help them find jobs; communicate and engage         with counterparts in other countries; improve the quality of writing to improve the chances               their research papers will be published in academic or professional journals; draft well-written         grant proposals to seek funding for scientific or academic research projects; etc.

6.    MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD EU ACCESSION / WESTERN INTEGRATION.  
a.    Improve Serbian officials’ English language skills to communicate with EU counterparts and             accelerate Serbia’s progress toward EU membership and western integration.
b.    Help Serbian civil society organizations engage with EU counterparts to make progress                   toward EU membership and western integration, including in the areas of human rights                   protection, media freedom, environmental issues, rule of law, combating corruption, etc.
c.    Help Serbian journalists strengthen their English language skills to conduct interviews and               read primary source materials to cover stories on Serbia’s path toward EU membership and           western integration, including in the areas of human rights protection, media freedom,                     environmental issues, rule of law, combating corruption, etc.

7.    PROMOTING REGIONAL COOPERATION AND STABILITY.  
a.    Establish or strengthen connections among English language teaching professionals and                 institutions from countries of the Western Balkans to promote cooperation in strengthening             English language instruction within the region.
b.    Promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect among peoples of the Western                     Balkans – including young people – through English language activities.
c.    Identify joint approaches to solving problems or challenges facing the Western Balkans using         English as the common language.
d.    Expand and strengthen ties of Serbian professional societies and civil society organizations             with their English-speaking counterparts in the Western Balkans, using English as the                     common language.

Individuals are required to submit only one proposal, and PDS prefers that organizations submit one proposal under this NOFO.

• Anticipated program start date:  Your project should start no earlier than June 1, 2023, and no later than May 1, 2024.
• Length of performance period: Any length of time up to a maximum of 18 months (including the evaluation period).