Africa Regional Services Paris Speaker Program: Grant for U.S. Citizen Outreach in Sub-Saharan Africa

Africa Regional Services based in Paris (ARS) of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs announces an open competition for U.S. citizen individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to be considered for a small grant as a guest speaker, artist, or athlete/coach to conduct outreach activities that enhance the understanding of the United States in sub–Saharan Africa. ARS Speakers generally give professional lectures, seminars, as well as artistic and cultural workshops and masterclasses or conduct athletic camps and trainings. Please carefully follow all instructions below. 

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Using the SOI form available at https://forms.gle/Ncdizk5KyKx41rop9, applicants must submit their statement of interest, in English, that includes: 

• area of expertise and topics covered with a short outline, 
• foreign language (French or Portuguese) ability in addition to English,   
• a description of the speaker’s presentation style and links to videos of presentation (if available),  
• preferred audience. 
• previous experience as a speaker,  
• credentials and/or testimonials/brief endorsement, 
• a copy of the applicant’s U.S. passport, 

And attach a CV or resume.   

SOI must be submitted using the dedicated form available at https://forms.gle/Ncdizk5KyKx41rop9, and applicants must upload supporting documents. 

The purpose of the SOI is to allow applicants to submit their credentials for consideration of inclusion on ARS roster of available speakers who will collaborate with U.S. Embassies and Consulates in sub-Saharan Africa to reach target audiences.  

Once a merit review of eligible SOIs has been completed, selected applicants will be interviewed. Following the interview with the speaker team, successful applicants will be added to the roster. Successful applicants added to the roster will be contacted by the speaker team when/if a speaker request by an Africa-based U.S. Embassy for a specific program match the applicant’s skills. 

Objectives 

Africa Regional Services is pleased to solicit for virtual and in-person programs. This is a Statement of Interest outlining our priorities, themes, and the procedures for submitting your candidacy as a U.S. speaker. 

Programs must be led in French, Portuguese, or English. Speakers and artists must demonstrate cultural cooperation between the U.S. and sub-Sahara Africa and indicate the strong transatlantic relationship of our people.  

Priority Program Areas 

Foster Openness and Open Societies 

• Democracy, Good Governance and the Rule of Law 
• Transparency and Accountability 
• Civic Education 
• Journalism Skills  
• Press Freedom  
• Citizen Journalism  
• NGO/Civic Leadership, Public Management 
• Youth Empowerment 
• Women’s Leadership 
• Disability Rights, Awareness and Inclusion 
• Diversity and Inclusion (business and economic development, communication and dialogue, education and awareness, identity, activism, and leadership) 

Deliver Democratic and Security Dividends 

• Preventing International Trafficking in Persons 
• Human Rights, LGBTQI+ 
• Countering Gender Based Violence 
• Countering Disinformation  
• Cybersecurity 
• Countering Violent Extremism 
• Digital Literacy 

Economic Prosperity 

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
• Arts Entrepreneurship, Management  
• Media Business Management 
• STEAM (science technology engineering arts and math) 

Support Conservation, Climate Adaption, and Just Energy Transition 

• Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management  
• Energy Security  
• Wildlife Protection/Illegal fishing/Judicial Aspects of Wildlife Trafficking 
• Space Policy 
• Ocean conservation 

Participants and Audiences 

ARS in coordination with U.S. Embassy public diplomacy sections in sub-Sahara Africa seek to engage the public, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at all levels of society with the goal of broadening support for, and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values.