U.S. Embassy Morocco (U.S. Department of State) Offers Grant for Cultural Heritage Preservation TechCamp

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. EMBASSY MOROCCO

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title:            “TechCamp for Cultural Heritage Preservation”

Funding Opportunity Number:     PAS-MOROCCO-FY21-02

Deadline for Applications:                  Friday, July 23, 2021

CFDA Number:                              19.040

Total Amount Available:                     $60,000 – $80,000

A.   PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy in Morocco is pleased to announce an open grant competition to award a cooperative agreement to organize a “TechCamp for Cultural Heritage Preservation.”

The Embassy’s Public Affairs Office invites proposals from established Moroccan associations, committed and organized civil-society organizations and academic institutions, to implement a hybrid program designed by the U.S. Embassy and the State Department TechCamp team, to include in-person and virtual activities around Cultural Preservation for Moroccan youth following the Department of State TechCamp model. The interactive event will bring together 40 talented Moroccan civil society leaders and members of various youth networks (8 teams of 4 youth and 1 adult mentor—all recruited by the Embassy) and connect them with experts in cultural heritage to build inter-generational teams that will work together before, during, and after the Tech Camp to address cultural heritage challenges in their communities.

The virtual event is tentatively scheduled for March 2022. The in-person TechCamp will be held later in the spring or summer 2022, health and safety conditions permitting.

U.S. and third-country organizations or nationals are not eligible for grants under this program unless in partnership with a Moroccan NGO. 

Program Objectives:  

The U.S. Embassy is committed to supporting cultural preservation efforts in Morocco through a wide range of programs such as the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation and the signing of a Cultural Property Agreement with the Moroccan Government to protect against illegal trafficking of Moroccan cultural property. 

Cultural heritage preservation is often seen as the domain of older elites. We must engage youth in the preservation of their communities’ heritage, in ways that are engaging and economically sustainable. Through this TechCamp, the Embassy aims to create a dynamic grassroots network able to identify and preserve tangible and intangible heritage, as well as build capacity for young people in communication, teamwork, and project management, skills that could boost their job skills and employment prospects.

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals following the attached program and using the program template provided to demonstrate the organizational capacity and budget estimates to support virtual and in-person activities empowering youth to develop sustainable initiatives to preserve and promote their cultural heritage, bridging the generation gap between experts in heritage preservation and the youth who must continue these efforts. The Department of State’s TechCamp team and the Embassy, in consultation with the grantee, will design the program and format for the event. We are seeking proposals that can implement the program as described, and suggest additional ideas for program content. For example, we are looking for prospective grantees to propose follow-on activities. However, the main responsibility of the grantee will be organizing the events logistically.

Length of performance period: 12 – 18 months

Number of awards anticipated: 1 award

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $60,000 to a maximum of $80,000

Type of Funding: FY21 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: October 2021

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type:  Cooperative agreement. The Public Affairs Office will be actively involved in the award implementation. U.S. Embassy staff will:

·        In consultation with Department of State’s TechCamp team, design initial program content and select speakers, trainers, and participants.

·        Provide standardized logos/branding guidelines for TechCamp promotional materials

·        Initiate and participate in promotional activities, to include promotion of the TechCamp through the U.S. Mission to Morocco’s social media platforms and media engagements.

·        Identify/approve a venue for the in-person event.

·        Review and approve proposed final TechCamp activity/workshop/site visit topics and formats. 

   Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

·        Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

·        Public and private educational institutions

• U.S. and third-country organizations or nationals are not eligible for awards under this program unless in partnership with a Moroccan NGO. 

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

·        Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)

·        NCAGE/CAGE code

·        www.SAM.gov registration 

Proposal Format

To apply, applicants must complete these forms in English:

The Project Narrative

Applicant Organizational Information Form

The Budget Proposal (In USD)

SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Must be signed)

SF424A (Budget Information)

SF424B (Assurances – Must be signed)

Submit all forms in electronic format to RabatGrants@state.gov no later than Sunday, July 25, 2021.

INQUIRIES

All questions about the Public Diplomacy Grants Program should be addressed to RabatGrants@state.gov