The U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces a Request for Declarations of Interest (RSOI) of organisations interested in applying for funding for programme proposals that strengthen cultural ties between the US and Cape Verde through cultural programming and exchanges that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation.

Purpose

PAS Praia invites you to apply for programmes that strengthen cultural ties between the US and Cape Verde through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programmes should include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organisation/s or institution/s in a specific field that will promote greater understanding of US policy and perspectives.

Examples of Small Grants Programme projects include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programmes;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programmes;
• Professional and academic exchanges.
• Municipal and regional libraries interested in becoming an American Space;
• Programmes developed by a former student of a US-sponsored educational or professional exchange programme;
• Programmes that support Americans studying in Cape Verde and;
• Programmes that strengthen US university and college relations with local higher education institutions, American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams), companies and/or regional organisations.

Financing information

• Performance period: 1-12 months;
• Number of prizes in advance: 5 prizes (depending on values);
• Prize amounts: prizes can vary from a minimum of US $ 5,000 to a maximum of US $ 250.00.

Priority Programme Areas

• English Language Learning;
• Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, with priority given to projects that seek to increase trade and investment by US companies with Cape Verde;
• Partnerships between US and Cape Verde institutions committed to education, academic research and cross-cultural academic exchange; AND
• Strengthening democratic values, specifically social inclusion, transparency, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Participants and audiences

• All proposals should focus on the engagement of Cape Verdeans in Cape Verde. Proposals can include the diaspora, but must include local populations.
• Projects targeting young people, women and marginalised communities are encouraged. Other key audiences may include the LGBT community, people with disabilities, journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, NGOs and English teachers.

Eligible candidates

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from the United States and Cape Verde:

• Registered non-profit organisations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organisations with programming experience;
• Individuals;
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
• Government institutions Commercial or for-profit organisations are not eligible to apply.

Application review criteria

• Quality of the Programme Idea: Short narrative outlining the proposed programme, including programme objectives and anticipated impact. The SOI should explain why the proposed programme is necessary.
• Programme planning: A description of how the programme should work to solve the stated problem and achieve the objectives. A proposed timetable for the programme's activities should include the dates, times and locations of planned activities and events.
• Capacity to achieve objectives/institutional capacity: A demonstration of the organisation's or individual's expertise and previous experience in programme management.
• Organisational capacity and record in previous fellowshipsThe organisation has expertise in its declared area and PAS is confident in its ability to carry out the programme. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
• Embassy priorities: The applicant has clearly described how the stated goals relate to and support the US Embassy's priority areas or target audience.
• Budget: The budget justification is detailed. The costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all the expenses necessary to achieve the proposed activities.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan: The applicant demonstrates that they are able to measure the success of the programme against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress towards the goals set out in the proposal. The programme includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when these will be measured.
• Sustainability: The programme's activities will continue to have a positive impact after the end of the programme.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/31uxmh9