U.S. Mission in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office Grant for Emerging Community Leaders Training

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Mission in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a training program for emerging community leaders 19 – 24 years of age from across Uganda focused on youth development and civic engagement. This award is intended for committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, and academic institutions. Awards to individuals will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. All grantees must have a non-profit status.

Notice: For Fiscal Year 2021 all proposals submitted in response to this NOFO must include a contingency plan describing in detail how the proposed activity would be implemented in the event that COVID-19 related health restrictions are in place during the anticipated period of performance.

Objectives and Project Outcomes:

The objectives of this project are to build participants’ leadership skills and self-confidence; enhance their organizational and project management skills; to promote or enhance their community engagement and ability to positively impact other youths; and to strengthen ties between emerging Ugandan leaders 19 – 24 years of age and the U.S. Mission in Uganda.

Outcomes:

• Training design: Preparation and design of a series of engaging, interactive trainings targeting emerging community leaders. The program should include a minimum of 40 training hours.  Trainings should focus on topics such as leadership, project design and management, teambuilding, communication and presentation skills, effective youth engagement strategies, and fundraising/advocacy. Conditions permitting, in person or hybrid (in person and virtual) training models are preferred but applicants should demonstrate the capacity to conduct a 100% virtual program if necessary due to COVID-19 conditions.
• Participant recruitment and selection: Advertisement and promotion of the training opportunity; development of a competitive selection process based on established participant criteria.
• Program coordination and logistics: Identification and selection of appropriate training venue(s), effective communication with project participants concerning training logistics and requirements; coordination of lodging, transport, meals and other logistics related to trainings.
• Selection of trainers, experts, and guest speakers: In conjunction with the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Mission in Uganda, identify and select expert trainers and guest speakers to deliver engaging, interactive, and inspiring content to participants.
• Engagement with the United States: Provide opportunities for project participants to improve their understanding of American society and values through engagements with representatives of the U.S. Mission in Uganda, private U.S. citizen trainers and experts, and Ugandans who have prior U.S. experience (through work, study, or participation in U.S. government exchange programs).      
• Build skills and self-confidence: Provide participants with tangible skills to encourage their civic participation; make them more effective community leaders; improve their future employability; and increase their self-confidence and resilience.  

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 1

Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $35,000

Total available funds: $35,000

Type of Funding: FY21 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated Program Start Date:  November 2021

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

U.S. Government Role and Responsibilities

As any award resulting from this NOFO will be a cooperative agreement, the project will have significant involvement from the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Mission in Uganda. U.S. Government responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

1. In conjunction with awardee, develop and provide final approval for participant selection criteria
2. Participate in the final selection process for project participants
3. Review and approval the project training plan
4. Identify personnel from the U.S. Mission in Uganda to serve as presenters, guest speakers, or workshop presenters, as appropriate
5. Help identify U.S. citizens and/or Ugandans with prior academic, professional, or exchange program experience in the United States to serve as trainers, experts, or guest speakers during training sessions
6. Help promote the project during the recruitment and implementation phases