Democracy Commission Small Grants Program for Societal Development in Tajikistan

Topic 1: Support for Independent Media 

Background: 

Current Situation & Problem Statement:  As circulation and revenues from traditional media continue to fall, audiences and journalists increasingly turn to social media for information and profits, but few know how to effectively produce content for this medium that can compete with misinformation, propaganda, and extremist content. Additionally, many who want to pursue a career in journalism are unable to support themselves and their families financially, or are not able to express themselves freely, and as such, many promising young people who could become future leaders are left without a voice or an audience.   

Review of Past Projects:  The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe previously supported projects that trained hundreds of journalists and bloggers, created platforms for their products, and also provided some equipment and studios to journalists. Projects under this funding opportunity will build on this foundation, expand the reach of current bloggers, expand access to studios, equipment, and materials for visual content, and help bloggers and journalists make more effective use of social media.   

Proposed Project Introduction: This funding opportunity seeks to: 1. Create and provide visual content for journalists and bloggers to use freely in their own reports, videos, and social media posts, 2. Create additional video and photo production studios and expand access to their resources, 3. Train journalists and bloggers on effective use of social media and provide small grants to those who show the most potential for long-term success, 4. Train social media influencers on topics of public interest and provide incentives for them to report on such topics as media professionals.  

Project Goal: To increase the capacity of independent bloggers and social media influencers to produce content that counters misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda

Topic 2: Countering Violent Extremism 

Background: 

Current Situation & Problem Statement:  People are increasingly radicalized through messages they receive through social media where radical voices are often more active, organized, and better funded than competing voices that advocate tolerance and non-violence.  Young, poor, and marginalized people who are most susceptible to radicalization often look more to celebrities, athletes, and online imams for guidance than to their local community leaders.  Additionally, the online space is constantly growing in Tajikistan with roughly 80% of social media users being male. Projects that effectively target this audience and can compete with the glossy messaging of extremist accounts are most likely to be effective in combatting violent extremism in Tajikistan.   

Review of Past Projects:  The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe previously supported projects that focused on small target groups in specific communities of Tajikistan, occasionally using traditional media to amplify moderate voices to a wider audience.  Projects under this funding opportunity will partially build on the experience of these models to transfer this success to social media, as it offers the best chance to reach a wide audience with limited resources.   

Project Goal:  To increase the amount of anti-extremist content in Tajikistan’s traditional and social media space through the recruitment of a cadre of moderate voices to produce and share positive content 

Topic 3: Women’s Economic Security and Empowerment 

Background: 

Current Situation & Problem Statement:  Women throughout Tajikistan face discrimination and inequality in social, economic, and political life. Women’s empowerment requires not only legal protections, but also economic independence. In Tajikistan, the majority of women lack resources to support themselves and only 37 percent of women attend university. With over a million Tajik citizens working abroad, many of which are male heads of household, some women also experience abandonment by their husbands who migrate to Russia, and many lack necessary job skills, resources, and social protection to economically support their families. Additionally, gender-based violence is widespread in Tajikistan, with over a third of women reporting to have experienced domestic abuse. Due to the barriers listed above, many women also lack knowledge of their legal rights. This lack of legal knowledge and job skills leaves many women unable to assert their rights and gain economic independence.

Review of Past Projects:  The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has previously supported projects that expanded the protection of rights and access to justice for women and other marginalized groups. Projects under this funding opportunity will continue these efforts to increase the respect for women’s rights in society, women’s ability to assert their rights, and women’s economic independence, which forms a foundation for improving women’s place in society. 

Project Goal:  Increase capacity of women from underserved and rural communities to participate in the labor market 

Topic 4: Environmental Awareness and Action

Background: Climate change poses a serious threat to all aspects of Tajikistan’s society, including civil society and the rights of vulnerable groups. As the climate warms and natural disasters become more frequent, segments of Tajikistan’s population that are already vulnerable to economic shocks will become more dependent on the support of civil society and the government to survive. Climate change threatens agriculture and energy sectors through the melting of glaciers and threatens the population’s health through increased air pollution. Civil society can play a role in raising awareness about these threats and providing practical solutions to prevent or minimize its effects. 

Current Situation & Problem Statement:  Tajikistan’s reliance on hydropower can serve as a positive example for a world transitioning to renewable sources of energy, but this hydropower is also faced with the threat of climate change, which is melting glaciers in Tajikistan at an alarming rate. Melting glaciers not only threatens Tajikistan’s energy security, but also agriculture, and thus has the potential to affect all aspects of society, leading to food insecurity and economic problems. Greater awareness of the dangers of climate change can help Tajikistan’s citizens make decisions that will reduce its effects. While many parts of Tajikistan have installed micro-hydropower stations, solar power panels are less well-known and utilized. Greater knowledge about solar panels and access to them will reduce ecological harm and improve energy security in remote regions. Additionally, continued reliance on coal power and polluting industries causes Dushanbe to have the worst levels of air pollution in Central Asia. Increased awareness about the harms of air pollution and its sources will further support a transition to clean, renewable, and reliable sources of energy. 

Review of Past Projects:  The U.S. government has long supported Tajikistan’s efforts to increase reliance on renewable energy and protect its environment. The CASA-1000 project, supported with more than $15 million in funding from the U.S. government, aims to export Tajikistan’s hydropower to Pakistan, increasing Tajikistan’s economic development and energy security. A Post-funded Environmental Awareness and Action Campaign in 2020-2021 led to the installation of solar-powered hot water heaters in several schools and facilities around Tajikistan and raised awareness about renewable energy. Additional U.S.-government projects have installed air quality monitors in eight major cities of Tajikistan, including two in Dushanbe. 

Project Goal:  Promote usage of renewable and sustainable energy sources in Tajikistan through increased awareness of the impact of climate change and pollution.