NOFO: Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (North Macedonia)

Deadline: 31-Mar-25

The U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations and independent media to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a project (or projects) to support development of democratic institutions.

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The FY 2025 program supports the development of democratic institutions with five priority areas: strengthening democratic values such as security, anti-corruption, good governance, and election transparency; bolstering civil society and fostering volunteerism or activism in local communities; addressing social division and encouraging social cohesion or combating intolerance; focusing on cyber security, media literacy, and combating malign foreign influence- with sustainable results; and promoting environmental and health-focused initiatives. Applicants should clearly define the target audience(s) which they are able to realistically reach/influence with the project activities. Broad target audiences such as general public, youth, everyone etc. should be avoided.

Priority Areas

Funding will be available for projects that address the priority areas below:
- Strengthen democratic values, including security, anti-corruption, good governance, and transparency in elections;
- Bolster civil society, foster volunteerism or activism in local communities;
- Addressing social division, encourage social cohesion and/or combat intolerance;
- Cyber security, media literacy, and/or combating foreign malign influence focused on sustainable results;
- Environmental and health-focused initiatives.

Funding Information

Total available funding: $345,000 pending availability of funds
Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $50,000
Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

Ineligible Activities

The Democracy Commission Grants Program cannot fund:
- Projects supporting partisan political activity;
- Humanitarian/social aid and charities or charitable activities;
- Professional development for individuals, including conferences and trips abroad;
- Commercial or trade activities;
- Fundraising campaigns;
- Scientific or medical research;
- Institutional development or support of an organization;
- Activities that duplicate existing projects;
- Travel to and from the United States;
- Individuals or organizations from outside of North Macedonia.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations from North Macedonia only;
- Independent media from North Macedonia only.
- Cost Sharing or Matching
  - Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity.
- Other Eligibility Requirements
  - All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.