The U.S. Embassy PRAIA Public Affairs Section is offering a Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to strengthen U.S.-Cabo Verde cultural ties and promote bilateral cooperation.

The U.S. Embassy PRAIA 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 PRAIA invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Cabo Verde 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;

·        Journalism trainings and exchanges

·        Tech trainings and exchanges such as hackathons and coding camps

·        Programs that strengthen U.S. college and university relationships with local higher education institutions, American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams), businesses, and/or regional organizations.

·        Municipal and regional libraries, and community centers that are interested in becoming an American Space;

·        Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program;

Priority Program Areas:

·        English Language Learning;

·        Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, with priority given to projects that seek to increase U.S. Businesses’ trade and investment with Cabo Verde;

·        Partnerships between U.S. and Cabo Verde institutions committed to education, academic research, and cross-cultural academic exchanges; and

·        Strengthen democratic values, specifically social inclusion, transparency, freedom of express, and freedom or the press.

Participants and Audiences:

All proposals should focus on engaging Cabo Verdeans in Cabo Verde. Proposals can include diaspora but must include local populations. Those projects that target youth, women, and marginalized communities such as the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged. Other key audiences may include: the LGBT community, persons with disabilities, journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, NGOs, and English teachers.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

·                             Programs relating to partisan political activity;

·                             Charitable or development activities;

·                             Construction programs;

·                             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; or

·                             Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding:

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt and Fulbright Hayes Acts. The source of funding is Fiscal Year 2020 Public Diplomacy Funding provided by the U.S. Department of State.