U.S. Department of State Grant: Supporting the Restoration and Capacity Building of Ukraine’s American Spaces Network

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Kyiv / EUR Bureau of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for supporting the Mission Ukraine American Spaces Network to help rebuild and restore specific spaces. Please follow all instructions below.

Priority Region: Ukraine

Program Objectives:

The aim of this project is to assist in the restoration of damaged American spaces in Ukraine and to strengthen capacity building and programming at 23 American Spaces. These spaces comprise nine Window on America Centers (American Corners) located in Kropyvnytsky, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Mariupol, Slovyansk, Uzhhorod, Vinnytsia, and Zaporizhzhia, and 14 Window on America Centers (affiliated AS) situated in Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytsky, Kyiv, Lutsk, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Zhytomyr and Starobilsk. American Spaces serve as active platforms for educational, cultural, and outreach programs facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

The recipient organization will be responsible for

• completing a needs assessment of the physical damage done to the entire network of 23 spaces, in cooperation with the Embassy and the network of 23 spaces.
• restoring any number of those damaged American spaces in Ukraine and
• enhancing capacity building and programming of the chosen number of spaces. This project seeks to enhance the capacity of American Spaces to deliver quality and innovative programming amidst Russia’s full-scale invasion and partial occupation of Ukraine, along with intense political and economic pressures. It aims to establish welcoming and technology-equipped American spaces that support Ukraine’s resilience to disinformation, promote media literacy, advocate for political and economic reforms towards European integration, foster mutual understanding between Ukraine and the United States, and cultivate a more inclusive and cohesive Ukrainian society in response to the Russian-Ukrainian war circumstances. This funding will enable American Spaces to address their basic technology requirements and implement necessary upgrades to facilitate online and offline programs promoting shared Ukrainian and U.S. values, aligning with priority mission goals, and meeting the needs of local communities.

Program Objectives:

• Complete a needs assessment of the entire network to determine the approximate scope of work needed for each space to return to pre-invasion levels of functioning.
• Restore and renovate any number of damaged American Spaces. After examining the American Spaces’ network status and needs, the recipient executes renovation of a targeted number of damaged American Spaces’ premises paying special attention to their accessibility.
• Bolster capacity building by establishing welcoming and technology-equipped American Spaces.
• Replace furniture, make light system/fixture upgrades to make the space flexible enough for online and offline programs, and group after the recipient examines their status and needs.
• Update signage and appearance of the spaces to clearly demonstrate an American look and feel.
• Purchase the technical supplies needed to provide effective online and offline programming after the recipient examines their status and needs.
• Ensure administrative support from the recipient through consultations – online and in person, visits, etc. – necessary to conduct renovations, replace furniture, make light system/fixture upgrades, update signage and appearance of their spaces, and to use equipment.
• Ensure each American Space conducts programs on each of the following themes: countering disinformation, skill building including English language skills, Ukraine’s reforms aimed at European integration, civil society initiatives and building a more inclusive and cohesive society, educating audiences on academic and professional exchange opportunities, helping IDP and veteran communities with skill building and psychological support.
• Strengthen communication and collaboration within the American Spaces network — America Houses Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa and Window on America Centers — by organizing and participating in joint online programs, organizing working visits to explore the best solutions for an American look and feel, and determining technology needs for effective and innovative programming.

The U.S. Embassy will be substantially involved in program activities, as this award will be a cooperative agreement. This involvement will include but is not limited to:

• Guidance on American Spaces mission, policy priorities and strategic planning for program development.
• Guidance and oversight of America Spaces network development.
• Approval of American Spaces renovations plans.
• Approval of major supply purchases, including but not limited to computers, as well as major equipment and furniture purchases.
• Approval American Spaces communication plans, such as branding/logo changes.
• Guidance on State Department film licensing and screening agreements.
• Guidance on State Department data collection and reporting requirements regarding events, participants, and total number of visitors (virtual and in-person) at American Spaces.
• Provision of access to Overdrive, ELibraryUSA databases, newsletters, and other State department-produced products and activities
• Approval of any plans for the Recipient to earn income as a result of this award.

Participants and Audiences:

Intended audiences should vary by program and specific activity. However, in general, the American Spaces are geared toward youth engagement, i.e., Ukrainians aged 15-40.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: up to 18 months

Number of awards anticipated: one award

Total available funding: $250,000.00

Type of Funding: AEECA FY 24

Anticipated program start date: August 1, 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that Embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Examples of substantial involvement are included in detail above.

Program Performance Period: Proposed program should be completed in max 18 months.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1.     Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. or Ukrainian public or private not-for-profit organizations.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience working in Ukraine and should have a legally registered local office to provide program oversight. The applicant organization must be able to demonstrate the ability to administer all components of the program as outlined in this solicitation, and in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.

2.     Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is highly encouraged; however, it is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement.

3.     Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

• see attached full NOFO for all details.