The U.S. Embassy Bujumbura Public Diplomacy Section is offering this grant to strengthen U.S.-Burundi ties through cultural and exchange programming.

The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Mission to Burundi is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program or project with funding through the Public Diplomacy 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 Grants: PD Bujumbura invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Burundi through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include a U.S. element, priority, or goal, or a connection with U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s), in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with English Clubs, American Spaces, or U.S. exchange program alumni to conduct activities.

Priority Program Areas:

The Mission is particularly interested in projects that address one of our following Priority Program Objectives:

·       Skills for Success:

o  Programs promoting education, a lecture series, or an academic exchange

o  Programs promoting learning English

o  Programs promoting job training skills, such as resume writing, financial literacy, income generating skill building, and digital literacy

·       Entrepreneurship:

o  Programs providing entrepreneurship opportunities for Burundian youth

o  Programs supporting increased economic opportunities for women and marginalized communities

o  Programs promoting sustainable economic prosperity

·       Civil Society/Journalism: 

o  Programs that help Burundian journalists produce high-quality reporting on topics of shared U.S.-Burundi interest

o  Programs that strengthen institutions to promote the rule of law, transparency, and accountability

o  Programs that promote universal freedoms and democratic principles and practices

·       Environmental sustainability:

o  Programs that support initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change

o  Programs that promote minimizing waste and regenerating our resources

o  Programs that support protecting the natural environment and sustainable agriculture

Participants and Audiences:

All proposals should clearly indicate their intended participants and audiences.

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;

·                    Gifts and Prizes;

·                    Alcohol;

·                    Food and drink not directly related to the program outcome; and

·                    For-profit endeavors