U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section: Annual Public Diplomacy Small Grants for DRC Development

Purpose of Small Grants: The PAS awards a limited number of grants to individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. These institutions may be located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or abroad. The PAS Small Grants Program supports projects whose focus is on the DRC, and which:

1. Engage Local Communities
2. Raise Awareness of U.S. Culture and Values
3. Build the Capacity of Members of the Media

Grant proposals should aim to create or extend the community of reform-minded individuals and groups and should meet one or more of the following U.S. Embassy Public Affairs priority themes:

1. Fighting Corruption and Impunity: Public Affairs Kinshasa is looking to fund programs that foster expanded outreach capabilities of organizations working in fields related to civic education, building up government institutions, strengthening public participation in the democratic process at the grassroots level, and increasing both accountability and transparency in government.

2. Access to Quality Education: Improving the quality and reach of the education system in the DRC is a priority for the U.S. Mission in Kinshasa. We are looking to support programs that increase the capacity of education leaders, school administrators, teachers and professors. Programs that involve strategies to boost teacher motivation, delivery of teaching services, the provision of teaching and learning materials, improving the learning environment, involving communities in the management of their schools, and providing opportunities for out-of-school youth.

3. English Language: Notably through its programs at the Congo-American Language Institute, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has long worked to promote the study of the English Language in the DRC. Consideration will be given to projects that expand the capacity and reach of English-Language Schools, and that promote the study of English and that improve the skills and methods employed by Congolese English teachers.

4. HIV/AIDS: As part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Public Affairs Kinshasa seeks to fund projects that raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS—promoting prevention, care and treatment for the disease, as well as the important role communities play in countering the epidemic. Public Affairs Kinshasa will ONLY fund projects that seek to inform the Congolese public. We will NOT fund the provision of HIV/AIDS testing, treatment or care services.

The PAS will also consider applications related to the following themes:
– Security
– Health/Sanitation
– Environment
– Economic Growth and Development
– Gender Equality
– Youth Engagement
– Improving Journalistic Capacity

Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:

• New media concepts aimed at reaching wider audiences;
• Radio broadcasting operations;
• Media training projects;
• English language learning/teaching enhancement;
• Community service projects that promote democratic processes and encourage volunteerism;
• Public education projects that promote democratic processes;
• Youth recreation, leadership, and education programs;
• Cultural programs; and
• Radio and television programming in support of the above objectives.

Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:

• Social welfare projects;
• Individual travel to conferences;
• Completion activities for projects begun with other funds;
• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
• Political party activities; and,
• Projects that support specific religious activities.

Background Information: The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Kinshasa welcomes proposals for grants that fall into one of the areas specified above from individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions.