The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade announces an open competition for local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs, non-profit or NGOs) to submit applications for the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.
Deadline: March 1, 2023, at 15:00h
Program Objective
Proposals should align with the U.S. Embassy’s objectives to strengthen democracy and protect human rights and empower local organizations to advance these changes and reforms throughout Serbia.
Grant activities may take any number of forms, including trainings, conferences, workshops, courses, academic competitions, summer camps (focused on language study, sports, etc), cross-border exchanges, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons, or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations, and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), film or theater festivals, performances, or other activities.
Democracy Commission small grants proposals should be crafted with a S.M.A.R.T. logic model. The objective of your activity should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant to the problem or challenge, and Time-based, meaning that you will meet them by a certain date.
In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.
The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.
Grantees are expected to: publicize your activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project-related materials.
Program Themes:
The Embassy seeks applications focusing on the themes below. We have included ideas about what your project could do, but we welcome creative approaches and activities.
- Participatory Democracy: Promoting increased civic participation by informed citizens in the democratic process. Supporting effective advocacy on behalf of communities or groups, promoting government responsiveness to constituents, strengthening transparency, and combating corruption. Education of voters and young people, even if they cannot yet vote, about policy choices and the decision-making processes. Public debate over matters of public interest or concern.
- Human Rights: Promoting tolerance of, understanding of, and equality for vulnerable populations, particularly, but not limited to, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBTQ community, migrants and refugees, victims of gender-based violence or human trafficking, etc. Furthering gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Eligibility
The following entities are eligible to apply:
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be a local, non-profit civil society or non-governmental organizations (CSOs or NGOs) or an independent media outlet legally registered in Serbia.
To be eligible for consideration, every Serbia-based applicant organization must be registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia with the Agencija za privredne registre (APR), or a relevant court.
For more information please download: Democracy Commission Small Grants FY2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity and visit: https://rs.usembassy.gov/democracy-commission-small-grants-program/