Deadline: 1 August 2020

The U.S. Embassy Mbabane Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State has announced that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.

PAS Mbabane invites proposals for programs that provide Swati audiences with current, accurate information and opportunities for increased understanding of U.S. policies, government, society, history, and culture. 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;
• Municipal, college/university, and regional libraries 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.

Goals

Through the FY2020 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, PAS aims to:

• Promote prosperity and good governance;
• Advance public health, human rights, and dignity;
• Counter transnational threats and foster American security.

Objectives

• Entrepreneurship & Economic Growth
  • A continuum of activities that support innovation and entrepreneurship, in particular startups in the social entrepreneurship space that are sustainable and contribute to job creation; activities that encourage trade and investment and other partner relationships between entities in the United States and Eswatini to promote economic growth and prosperity.
• Education
  • Activities that promote quality higher education, collaboration between U.S. and Eswatini higher educational institutions, skills training, leadership and soft skills development, workforce and technical skills development, sharing of common values and inspiration, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), and general awareness of international standards and trends in education.
• Good Governance / Citizen Participation in Democracy
  • Activities aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in local, municipal, provincial, and national governments; freedom of speech; a free and responsible media, voter participation, and civic responsibility.
• Human Rights and Dignity
  • Activities that encourage women’s empowerment and gender equality, respect for underserved and underrepresented individuals, empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and encourage social inclusion, access to resources, and fundamental human rights for all.

Funding Information

Awards may range from a minimum of $1,500 to a maximum of $15,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Swati or currently residing in Eswatini. The programs must take place in and be focused on Eswatini. Applications are encouraged from all sectors.
• The following entities are eligible to apply:
  • Individuals
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
  • Governmental institutions
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

For more information, visit https://sz.usembassy.gov/embassy/mbabane/u-s-grant-fund-opportunities/public-affairs-fy2016-annual-grants-program-statement/