U.S. Embassy Port Louis Public Affairs Section Offers Grants to Strengthen U.S.-Mauritius/Seychelles Ties

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Embassy of the United States of America to Mauritius and Seychelles is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This document outlines our funding priorities based on availability of funds, the strategic themes we have identified for this Annual Program Statement (APS), and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please follow all instructions below carefully.

Purpose: The U.S. Embassy invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties and build relationships between the U.S. and Mauritius or Seychelles through activities that highlight shared values, goals and cooperation. All programs must include a strong, central American element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. values, perspectives and policies.

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

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, and speaker programs;

• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;

• Activities that encourage women’s empowerment and gender equality, respect for underserved and underrepresented individuals, empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and encourage social inclusion, access to resources, and fundamental human rights for all.

• Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S.-government sponsored educational

• Youth entrepreneurship, empowerment, and/or leadership programs;

• Programs that build media capacity and freedom of the press.

Priority Program Areas:

The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is most interested in projects related to:

•      A free and open Indo-Pacific, encourage good governance and transparency, strengthen civil society or democratic institutions.

•      Youth and women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM programs

•      Sustained economic growth, trade, and investment (this may include programs on entrepreneurship, capacity-building, business incubators, and opportunities to convene investors with businesses.)

•      Promoting civic education and youth participation in civics, democratic processes, volunteerism, and community service.

•      Build media capacity, counter disinformation, or support investigative journalism.

•      Respect for underserved and underrepresented individuals, empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities, encourage social inclusion, access to resources, and fundamental human rights for all.

•      Joint academic research in partnership with U.S. universities or organizations to accelerate responses and adaptation to climate change

•      English language promotion that uses innovative techniques, tools, and U.S. materials for classroom teaching and learning

•      Promoting the themes above through sports or arts.

Audience:

Programs may be geared to a variety of audiences, depending on the topic. PAS Port Louis’ intended target audiences are youth (above age 14) and adults in Mauritius and Seychelles. Proposals will be evaluated on a well-reasoned strategy for the intended audience, as well as appropriate inclusivity, whether based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

·      Activities that do not contain a distinctly U.S. component

·      Programs relating to partisan political activity

·      Development projects/programs

·      Infrastructure/construction programs

·      Individual scholarships

·      Personal development

·      Programs that support specific religious activities

·      Fund-raising campaigns

·      Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

·      Scientific research

·      Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization

·      Programs that duplicate existing programs

·      Social travel/visits

·      Venture capital

·      For-profit endeavors

Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding:

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY22 Public Diplomacy Funding.