U.S. Embassy Freetown Public Affairs Section Offers Public Diplomacy Grants to Strengthen U.S.-Sierra Leone Ties

– Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience

– Individuals

– Non-profit or governmental educational institutions

– Governmental institutions

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Embassy Freetown Public Affairs Section (PAS) 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.

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Freetown invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Sierra Leone through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or 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.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs;

Both virtual and in-person programs will be considered.

Priority Program Areas:

• Journalism and media literacy: Activities that support increased professional capacity for journalists, particularly outside of Freetown, such as programs that develop investigative journalism capabilities, objective and credible reporting, and improve media literacy through connecting local journalists with American experts, organizations or institutions
• Civic education: Activities that support involvement of young people in the civic life of their country and building a sense of shared values and responsibilities of citizenship, especially across ethnic, religious, and socio-economic divisions.
• Green economy and Entrepreneurship: Activities that improve the connections between U.S. and Sierra Leonean businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and financial independence among women, youth, and underserved populations, particularly programs that promote innovation and economic opportunity related to climate change, and demonstrate how America and Sierra Leone can work together to achieve our climate goals.